In case you have been going to design a metropolis that’s good to discover as a household, it will be the Scandinavians who’d do it – and that’s precisely what they appear to have created if you happen to’re visiting Copenhagen with children.
accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
Sufficiently small to get round simply (even with a buggy), you possibly can leap from the cobbled pedestrian streets of the Danish capital’s outdated city to town’s parks and the seashore close by, plus there are reserved locations for pushchairs on public transport in Copenhagen for youths.
Together with the world-famous Tivoli Gardens with its amusement park, town’s iconic statue of the Little Mermaid is straight out of a fairytale. And whilst you won’t get Mediterranean-style fussing over infants, the Danes very democratically assume kids ought to get to take pleasure in themselves too, so that they’ll be welcome all over the place from cafes to particular household pleasant exhibitions in museums.
With lots to fill a protracted weekend with children in Copenhagen, this metropolis is nice even with little ones – as my toddler and I found. Listed here are 26 of the very best issues to do in Copenhagen with children.
Take a look at my full information to Denmark with children right here
Tivoli Gardens
The town’s second oldest amusement park, Tivoli Gardens is 180 years outdated, so nonetheless one of many world’s oldest theme parks. There are fireworks each Saturday evening, rollercoasters and rides, plus loads of inexperienced house and lakes to wander spherical.
Be careful for themed shows through the yr too – hold a watch out for pumpkins at Halloween, whereas the park additionally will get dressed up for the festive season when it holds the Christmas honest (remember to test opening occasions if you happen to’re visiting in winter because it does shut for lengthy durations between New 12 months and Easter).
In case you don’t fancy the rides – or have small children who don’t – there’s nonetheless lots to take a look at as you wander spherical, gentler sights and little memento retailers, so that is someplace that’s nice for the entire household.
You can too purchase entrance tickets with limitless rides at Tivoli Gardens if you happen to’re visiting with older children who need to strive all the things
The Blue Planet aquarium
That is the most important aquarium in northern Europe with water on all sides plus 5 totally different ‘arms’ together with sharks within the Ocean tank and brightly colored fish within the Coral Reef part.
One good thing about Denmark’s Nationwide Aquarium is which you could select your individual route, not like another aquariums which ship you spherical a selected path.
Spot rays and eels alongside the hammerhead sharks within the 4 million litre Ocean tank, in addition to butterflies and birds within the Amazonas space, plus piranhas and anacondas beneath a waterfall.
You can too select whether or not you need to expertise 4 of the aquariums from beneath the water line or above for a distinct view.
You’ll be able to generally discover mixed tickets to the Blue Planet with the hop-on hop-off bus
Copenhagen Zoo
With greater than 3,000 animals and 264 species from world wide in complete, the celebrities are the 2 pandas, however there’s lots extra to find for animal lovers, if you happen to’re visiting Copenhagen with children.
Spot native Nordic wildlife in addition to a tropical part (good for cold days or if you happen to’re visiting Copenhagen within the rain), to not point out a kids’s zoo the place children can meet pygmy goats and snakes at Copenhagen Zoo.
The ‘Arctic Ring’ can be house to polar bears and seals, whereas you may as well see the solely Tasmanian devils to be present in captivity exterior of Tasmania, hippos and the inhabitants of the Elephant Home designed by Sir Norman Foster.
One of many oldest zoos in Europe, based in 1859, there are 27 acres to discover in addition to day by day actions together with feeding programmes and particular experiences. Prebook skip-the-line tickets right here.
Entry to Copenhagen Zoo is included within the Copenhagen Card, together with public transport and greater than 80 different sights within the metropolis
Bakken deer park
The world’s oldest amusement park, now 426 years outdated, is about in Bakken deer park (formally Dyrehavsbakken) simply north of town.
There are extra rollercoasters on this veteran Copenhagen household attraction, round 400 deer roaming free and if you happen to’re feeling homesick, a London bus transformed right into a pub.
In case you’re visiting Copenhagen with a toddler or youthful children, there are light rides too in addition to a conventional carousel and little practice, plus different amusements.
The Nature Playground, Valby Park
Within the Valbyparken, just a bit method exterior Copenhagen’s centre, that is the nation’s largest pure playground with paths by means of the small hills, an earthwork with a lookout level and climbing ropes, and 17 themed gardens to wander spherical.
Stretching throughout 20,000 metres squares, there’s a beautiful mixture of actions like climbing, ropes and towers, with separate sections crammed with sand or flowers, plus a footbridge to attach totally different sections as children discover.
Good for burning off a little bit of vitality – earlier than an opportunity to refuel with some kanelsnegle (a cinammon roll, or actually a cinnamon snail).
Take a canal tour/harbour boat tour
Top-of-the-line methods to see Copenhagen with children is from the water. The one-hour canal tour takes you previous a few of the metropolis’s fundamental sights – and it’s quick sufficient that even littler ones will benefit from the views till their consideration span runs out.
Venturing out across the harbour, you’ll additionally spot a few of Copenhagen’s key sights, from palaces to the Little Mermaid, and you may as well discover mixed tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus and the Copenhagen boat tour.
The hop-on hop-off canal excursions are briefly suspended till 2024, however the 48-hour tickets ought to return then, which supplies you much more flexibility to discover by water.
Outdoors of the summer time, these do cease at fewer spots so it’s value checking prematurely if you happen to’re planning to discover someplace specifically.
Take a strolling tour of Copenhagen with children
With its compact centre, Copenhagen is straightforward to discover on foot, so it’s an amazing metropolis to plan a strolling tour. In case you’ve acquired children who gained’t need to spend all day strolling round, this two-hour strolling tour ticks off 15 of Copenhagen’s high sights and is appropriate for any age (children aged 5 and beneath go free).
Or there are additionally longer excursions, together with this three-hour strolling tour that are open to all ages, though are more likely to be higher for older children than toddlers.
For excursions aimed particularly at kids and households, take a look at the Scandikidstours, aimed toward children aged 6-12.
You can too discover a string of self-guided excursions of Copenhagen with varied video games and challenges concerned. Strive an outside escape sport themed across the Little Mermaid or a extra straight-forward treasure hunt tour – select between this scavenger hunt of Copenhagen and this household treasure hunt metropolis tour.
Take a motorcycle tour of Copenhagen with children
Copenhagen is a metropolis designed for bikes – so why not discover with a guided bike tour? This three-hour bike tour of Copenhagen contains the choice of reserving kids’s bikes, and takes you previous a number of the primary sights.
Alongside the best way you’ll bike alongside the waterfront to the Little Mermaid statue, in addition to seeing Copenhagen’s lakes, and navigating town centre through its bike lanes, all led by an area.
If you’d like a shorter choice, this 90-minute bike tour is appropriate for teenagers and older. Or save your legs a bit and hire an e-bike, with little one seats and cargo trailers accessible for youths aged 2-8.
Copenhagen Hop on hop off bus tour
Top-of-the-line methods to see town’s sights with out an excessive amount of strolling for youthful children, or an effective way to get your bearings in your first day, there are two fundamental hop-on-hop-off bus excursions to select from.
The Pink Sightseeing bus contains an audio information plus a 60-minute canal tour, with 22 stops across the metropolis, together with Tivoli, the Amalienborg Palace, the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn and Christianshavn. Plus you get 24 hours limitless hop on hop off.
Or strive the 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket from Stromma, which lets you use each the inexperienced buses with the Stromma emblem and the purple Metropolis Sightseeing buses. The inexperienced buses have an electrical roof, in case of rain, and heated throughout winter if you happen to’re visiting Copenhagen exterior the summer time months. The route additionally takes in an identical set of key sights within the metropolis.
The Hop model of the Copenhagen Card features a hop-on hop-off bus tour, though the Uncover card (which incorporates transport from the airport and within the metropolis centre, plus extra sights) doesn’t.
The Little Mermaid
Whether or not you see her from a ship tour, bus tour, strolling tour or another method, you shouldn’t miss the image of town – wander the pedestrian streets from Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Sq.) to Nyhavn, the harbour avenue with the brightly colored homes that’s one of many metropolis’s most well-known views, and gaze out to the Little Mermaid.
Reasonably smaller than her iconic standing suggests (the clue is within the identify), it’s nonetheless an amazing choice for youths who love fairytales – and Disney films – plus motivator to wander alongside the waterfront with the statue as your aim.
To make your go to to the statue much more enjoyable, take a look at this Little Mermaid sport – a mixture of self-guided tour and quest, you remedy clues that unlock tales, and it takes you to 9 areas together with these linked to Hans Christian Andersen in addition to the Little Mermaid alongside the best way.
The hop on hop off bus excursions may also take you to the Little Mermaid if you happen to do need to see extra of Copenhagen’s sights with out tiring out small legs – there are two choices, together with Pink sightseeing and Stromma’s 48-hour ticket, with three routes in summer time
Altering of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace
Head to Amalienborg Palace, and each day at midday you possibly can see the normal Altering of the Guard ceremony, which dates again to 1658.
The palace remains to be the house of the Danish royal household, and as soon as a day, the brand new guards depart close by Rosenborg Citadel at 11.30 to reach at Amalienborg at round noon.
Wearing ceremonial uniforms and bearskin hats, they’ll even be accompanied by a marching band if the monarch is in residence.
Much like different Altering of the Guard ceremonies in Europe, it’s among the finest free issues to do in Copenhagen with children: arrive early to get house to observe (and you may anticipate police to be directing spectators as to the place to face so that you aren’t standing proper within the guards’ path).
Amalienborg Palace Museum
When you’ve had a take a look at the outside of the Amalienborg Palace (and watched the Altering of the Guard), you possibly can head inside to study extra about Denmark’s royal historical past on the Amalienborg Museum, in addition to seeing a few of its luxurious room.
Set inside Christian VIII’s Palace, one in all 4 separate palaces which make up Amalienborg, you may as well peek into Christian X’s examine, marvel on the Faberge Chamber and see the Gala Corridor which remains to be used for royal state events. Don’t miss the treasury with its priceless jewelry as effectively.
Youngsters aged 17 and beneath enter free. Remember it’s closed on Mondays, though you possibly can take a look at the outside at any level – you may as well discover the grounds and close by space utilizing this Amalienborg Palace Thriller Tour.
The Copenhagen Card (each the Uncover and Hop variations) contains entry to the Amalienborg Palace, in addition to Rosenborg Citadel and Christiansborg
Rosenborg Citadel
For extra royal historical past, head to Rosenborg Citadel, house to Denmark’s Crown Jewels, in addition to the nation’s royal regalia.
Relationship again 400 years, it was constructed by Christian IV (additionally well-known for having greater than 20 kids!) and you may nonetheless see a few of the royal household’s possessions on show.
The Nice Corridor homes Denmark’s coronation thrones, in addition to three life-size silver lions, whereas wax figures of former inhabitants are additionally dotted across the different rooms to deliver the fort to life. You can too go to a few of the king’s non-public chambers, together with the Winter Room, one of many oldest within the fort.
The Copenhagen Card (each the Uncover and Hop variations) contains entry to Rosenborg Citadel, in addition to the Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg – you at the moment have to prebook a timeslot for Rosenborg Palace
After you’ve explored inside, you may as well stroll round Rosenborg Backyard – also referred to as the King’s Backyard – which dates again to the early 1600s too. In case you don’t plan to go contained in the fort, you possibly can go to these with out a ticket and benefit from the views of the palace exterior.
Kastellet fortress (the Citadel)
The royal palaces aren’t the one place to take in some historical past in Copenhagen – the pentagon-shaped Kastellet (or Citadel) is without doubt one of the metropolis’s former defences, if you wish to struggle off (imaginary) attackers moderately than see opulent halls.
As soon as a part of a fortification which encircled all the metropolis, Kastellet and the ramparts in Christianshavn are all that’s left right this moment.
At present, it’s much less of a defensive construction (although there are nonetheless navy inside as its used as a barracks) with a public park inside and different historic buildings together with a windmill and the Citadel Church, in addition to some little museums and an data centre.
Throughout summer time, there are additionally concert events going down, and it’s straightforward to mix with a go to to the Little Mermaid close by – or a brief stroll from Rosenborg Citadel.
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace was as soon as house to the royal household, however now homes the Danish Parliament and different official our bodies such because the Supreme Court docket – however you possibly can nonetheless discover a few of the royal historical past inside.
The Royal Reception Rooms are open to the general public (until the monarch is definitely utilizing one for an official occasion) together with the Tower Room and the Oval Throne room (the place overseas ambassadors are nonetheless acquired right this moment), plus the Nice Corridor.
However you may as well journey additional again in time and head into the ruins of the castles which predate the current Christiansborg Palace, a few of which date way back to 1167. The Blue Tower, a part of a few of the older ruins, was used to imprison necessary prisoners of state.
You can too additionally see the previous Royal Kitchen, set for a gala dinner in 1937, together with sufficient meals for 275 company.
The Copenhagen Card (each the Uncover and Hop variations) contains entry to the Christiansborg Palace, in addition to Rosenborg Citadel and Amalienborg
The Youngsters’s Museum on the Nationwide Museum of Denmark
Set within the Nationwide Museum of Denmark, and aimed toward 4 to 10-year-olds, there’s a complete string of interactive exhibitions and shows to deliver historical past to life at the Youngsters’s Museum – and getting arms on is inspired.
Go to a Viking home and plan a raid, discover a Nineteen Twenties home to see how kids lived only a hundred years in the past or strive cooking Center Ages-style.
And whereas a few of the shows in the primary museum are simply as fascinating, particularly with older children who’re fascinated by the Vikings, the youngsters’s museum part is right as all the things is kind of actually marked ‘do contact’.
Youngsters are inspired to relive life from Denmark’s historical past whether or not they make a snack in a medieval kitchen or take the helm in a Viking ship.
You can too look out for The Boredom Button, which might be tucked away wherever within the Nationwide Museum – and anticipate surprises while you push it, whether or not it’s work beginning to speak, assembly a fire-breathing dragon or a sword-swinging samurai. Youngsters beneath 18 enter free if you happen to’re searching for low-cost issues to do in Copenhagen with children too.
Purchase tickets to the Nationwide Museum of Denmark, together with exhibitions and the Youngsters’s Museum right here – beneath 18s enter free. You can too get mixed tickets to the Nationwide museum and Tivoli Gardens
Pure Historical past Museum of Denmark
Copenhagen’s Pure Historical past Museum is about within the nook of town’s Botanical Backyard – which additionally makes it straightforward to go to each on the identical time.
An awesome choice if you happen to’re visiting Copenhagen within the rain with children, or with children who love pure historical past, you possibly can contact a meteorite within the mineral home, go to the butterfly home in summer time, and uncover extra of the pure world within the usually altering exhibitions.
The newest to open in all about Monkeys (operating to February 2024), overlaying all the things from the tiniest lemurs as much as the most important gorillas, in addition to lots extra apes, monkeys and primates in between. Designed to enchantment to children, the taxidermy creatures are posed to point out their behaviour within the wild, and there are many interactive additions to deliver the shows to life.
The Zoological Museum, which was beforehand a part of the Pure Historical past Museum, is now closed with plans for a brand new opening on the location.
Entry to the Pure Historical past Museum is included within the Copenhagen Card, together with public transport and greater than 80 different sights within the metropolis
Experimentarium Science Museum
This incredible interactive science centre is barely exterior Copenhagen metropolis centre however it’s effectively value making the journey to go to Experimentarium.
There are three flooring to find, in addition to the rooftop backyard, together with the Bubblearium with its big cleaning soap bubbles, the change to freeze your shadow within the Labyrinth of Mild, the ship simulator and large ball observe within the Port plus a number of different exhibitions.
The Puzzler is for individuals who love a maths problem or a logic puzzle, whereas the Miniverse is aimed toward children aged 1-5. You’ll be able to even step into the world of micro-organisms, be impressed to give you new brainwaves and play in Pulse Plaza, a collection of loopy rooms impressed by our personal properties.
In actual fact, there are virtually too many highlights to pick, however that is good for giant children and little ones to get studying as they play – discovering extra in regards to the world has by no means been so enjoyable earlier than. You’ll be able to take the metro, trains or buses to get there (or cycle alongside the waterfront from Copenhagen).
Entry to Experimentarium is included within the Copenhagen Card, together with public transport and greater than 80 different sights within the metropolis
Planetarium
Transport your self to outer house within the Copenhagen Planetarium Dome, the biggest tilted dome in Europe with 8K decision – the subsequent neatest thing to boarding a rocket your self.
In addition to the unimaginable exhibits, there are additionally a collection of exhibitions, together with an opportunity to find what we’re made from ranging from the Huge Bang, an opportunity to discover the rings of Saturn and see the biggest moon rock on show exterior the US.
Tickets embrace entry to the exhibitions and one present, in addition to household actions at weekends and through the faculty holidays. Proper within the coronary heart of Copenhagen, the Planetarium is barely 500m from Tivoli Gardens.
Entry to the Planetarium is included within the Copenhagen Card, together with public transport and greater than 80 different sights within the metropolis
Danish Struggle Museum
In case you wouldn’t usually put a warfare museum high of your wishlist on a metropolis break, it’s effectively value contemplating the Danish Struggle Museum, which covers warfare from the 1500s till modern-day.
So in addition to knights in armour, you may as well uncover extra about present and up to date conflicts, stepping right into a Danish navy camp in Afghanistan in addition to displays on the warfare in Iraq.
You’ll discover samurai swords in addition to tales of wars with Sweden and England, displays on the Second World Struggle and Chilly Struggle, and a few extra enjoyable choices with tales from Danes who sailed the seven seas.
Set within the former seventeenth century arsenal on Slotsholmen, proper within the coronary heart of Copenhagen, there are additionally household actions through the summer time holidays. Entry is free for under-18s.
Entry is included within the Copenhagen Card, together with public transport and greater than 80 different sights within the metropolis
Open air museum (Frilandsmuseet)
Set just a little method exterior Copenhagen, if you’d like a style of Danish life in days passed by, the Open Air Museum is without doubt one of the oldest and largest open-air museums on the earth.
Buildings have been dismantled and reassembled throughout 86 acres of land, together with cottages and mills from Denmark, Sweden and the Faroe Islands, plus farm buildings and homes.
Overlaying virtually three centuries, from 1650 to 1940, you possibly can watch folks baking bread, making wool and even study extra about beekeeping, plus the possibility to see an outdated picket windmill in motion and trip in a horse-drawn carriage.
It’s round a 30-minute practice trip from Copenhagen (and included within the Copenhagen Card)
Guinness World Data Museum
Copenhagen is house to the one Guinness World Data Museum in Europe, celebrating record-breaking achievements in artwork, music, sport, science and nature.
Set over 11 galleries on two flooring, you possibly can uncover extra in regards to the world’s tallest man and the world’s smallest lady, but additionally see quirky information similar to greater than 1.3 million dominoes falling over, strive the interactive Recreation Zone.
It’s not enormous, so that you don’t have to set a lot time apart, however for a fast go to and a few video games, it’s a enjoyable household pleasant choice.
Entry is included within the Copenhagen Card, together with public transport and greater than 80 different sights within the metropolis
Lego Retailer
Lego followers gained’t need to miss Legoland in Billund, additional west in Denmark, however if you happen to don’t get out of town, it’s nonetheless house to the Lego flagship retailer.
It’s not the world’s greatest Lego Retailer (you’ll discover that in Leicester Sq. in London) however it’s exhausting to beat searching by means of bricks within the house of Lego.
Set on Strøget, Copenhagen’s fundamental purchasing avenue, there are three fundamental areas, together with an interactive play zone the place you possibly can simply settle in and get constructing, plus data on Lego historical past and a few shows dotted across the story.
Plus you possibly can refill on lacking bricks from the Decide A Brick Wall, in addition to getting units in all the preferred themes, plus some unique to Copenhagen, in addition to Duplo for toddlers.
Extra purchasing in Copenhagen for youths
In case you’re searching for different souvenirs, it’s exhausting to beat that trademark Scandi design in a string of unbiased boutiques from garments to nursery furnishings and toys.
Take a look at Karrusella for toys and video games, or low cost designer vogue at Milibe clothes in Fredriksberg (on Gammel Kongevej) for a homegrown vary.
In case you’re forking out, Illum division retailer has children ranges amongst its luxurious choices.
Theatre in Copenhagen with children
It won’t be an apparent alternative for a metropolis break in Copenhagen with children, however there are two theatres with exhibits aimed toward kids and households. Det Lille Teater is finest for 2 to 10-year-olds, and has some free performances, whereas the Anemone Teatret additionally has family-orientated afternoon exhibits, for round 5 to 12 years.
For littler ones, the expertise is visible sufficient that any language hole isn’t as huge an issue and there are acquainted tales together with Pinocchio and the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Better of all, it’s very targeted on the youthful members of the viewers, and permitting them to understand the expertise – going to the theatre must be enjoyable, says the web site, including ‘We encourage all adults to let the youngsters expertise the present themselves and never touch upon all of the motion’.
The place to eat in Copenhagen with children
Torvehallerne Meals Market
With stall after stall of meals and helpful tables dotted round Copenhagen’s fundamental market, Torvehallerne is a good place to eat and browse with children.
You’ll be able to graze on all the things from conventional smorrebrod and pastries to sushi and chocolate plus wine and occasional for the grown-ups.
In case you’ve acquired youthful children (or choosy eaters), they’ll love the normal kanel snegle, or cinnamon snails (cinnamon rolls merely doesn’t have the identical ring)
Take a look at what we considered Torvehallerne or see this submit for extra concepts on the place to eat in Copenhagen with children
Reffen avenue meals market
The successor to the favored Paper Island avenue meals market, Reffen is greater and higher with over 50 totally different meals stalls, bars and inventive workshops
Set in a former industrial space on the waterfront, Reffen makes use of outdated delivery containers and recycled wooden for benches, whereas every stall has its personal design – managing to mix sustainability and an eclectic really feel.
Good if you happen to simply need to seize an natural juice and take heed to some music, observe down a conventional Danish hotdog truck, or strive something from Peruvian, African and Romanian meals to Italian classics and New Orleans soul meals. There’s even a mini seashore with deckchairs searching to the water.
Take a look at my full information to Denmark with children for extra suggestions and inspiration right here
**First printed 2013 – final up to date 2023**
PIN FOR LATER: THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN COPENHAGEN WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Little mermaid/Torvehallerne copyright MummyTravels, Blue Planet courtesy Go to Denmark/Adam Mørk, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
