Should you had been going to design a metropolis that’s good to discover as a household, it will be the Scandinavians who’d handle it – and that’s precisely what they appear to have created in the event you’re visiting Copenhagen with youngsters.
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Sufficiently small to get round simply (even with a buggy), you may soar from the cobbled pedestrian streets of the Danish capital’s outdated city to town’s parks and the seaside close by, plus there are reserved locations for pushchairs on public transport in Copenhagen for teenagers.
Together with the world-famous Tivoli Gardens with its amusement park, town’s iconic statue of the Little Mermaid is actually straight out of a fairytale. And whilst you may not get Mediterranean-style fussing over infants, the Danes very democratically assume kids ought to get to get pleasure from themselves too, in order that they’ll be welcome all over the place from cafes to particular household pleasant exhibitions in museums.
With a lot to fill an extended weekend with youngsters in Copenhagen, this metropolis is nice even with little ones – as my toddler and I found. Listed below are 26 of the very best issues to do in Copenhagen with youngsters.
Try my full information to Denmark with youngsters 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The town’s second oldest amusement park, Tivoli Gardens is 180 years outdated, so nonetheless one of many world’s oldest theme parks itself. And in addition to rides, there are fireworks each Saturday evening, plus loads of inexperienced area and lakes to wander spherical.
Be careful for themed shows through the yr too – preserve an eye fixed out for pumpkins at Halloween, whereas the park additionally will get dressed up for the festive season when it holds the Christmas honest (make sure to verify opening instances in the event you’re visiting in winter because it does shut for durations between New Yr and Easter).
Should you don’t fancy the rides – or have small youngsters who don’t – there’s nonetheless a lot to have a look at as you wander spherical, gentler points of interest and little memento retailers, so that is someplace that’s nice for the entire household.
The Blue Planet aquarium
That is the most important aquarium in northern Europe, with water on all sides plus 5 totally different ‘arms’ protecting totally different habitats, from sharks within the Ocean tank to brightly colored fish within the Coral Reef part.
And the structure of Denmark’s Nationwide Aquarium has the additional advantage that you would be able to select your personal route, in contrast to 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 wish to expertise 4 of the aquariums from beneath the water line or above for a unique view.
Look out for mixed tickets to the Blue Planet with the hop-on hop-off bus with a reduction in the event you use my code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Copenhagen Zoo
With greater than 3,000 animals and 264 species from all over the world in complete, the celebs are the 2 large pandas, however there’s a lot extra to find for animal lovers in the event you’re visiting Copenhagen with youngsters.
Spot native Nordic wildlife in addition to a tropical part (good for cold days or in the event you’re visiting Copenhagen within the rain), to not point out a kids’s zoo the place youngsters can meet pygmy goats and snakes at Copenhagen Zoo.
The ‘Arctic Ring’ can also be house to polar bears and seals, whereas you can even a few of the few 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 points of interest within the metropolis
Bakken deer park
The world’s oldest amusement park, now 426 years outdated, is ready 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 in the event you’re from the UK and feeling homesick, a London bus transformed right into a pub.
Should you’re visiting Copenhagen with a toddler or youthful youngsters, there are mild 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 approach exterior Copenhagen’s centre, that is the nation’s largest pure playground with paths by 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 stunning mixture of actions like climbing, ropes and towers, with separate sections full of sand or flowers, plus a footbridge to attach totally different sections as youngsters discover.
Good for burning off a little bit of power – earlier than an opportunity to refuel with some kanelsnegle (a cinammon roll, or actually a cinnamon snail).
Take a canal tour/harbour boat tour
Among the finest methods to see Copenhagen with youngsters is from the water. The one-hour canal tour takes you previous a few of the metropolis’s major points of interest – 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 can even discover mixed tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus and the Copenhagen boat tour.
The hop-on hop-off canal excursions are quickly suspended however there have beforehand been 48-hour tickets, which provides you much more flexibility to discover by water.
Outdoors of the summer season, these do cease at fewer spots so it’s value checking prematurely in the event you’re planning to discover someplace particularly.
Take a strolling tour of Copenhagen with youngsters
With its compact centre, Copenhagen is simple to discover on foot, so it’s a fantastic metropolis to plan a strolling tour. Should you’ve received youngsters who received’t wish 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 (youngsters 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 prone to be higher for older youngsters than toddlers.
Fancy a meals tour of Copenhagen with a twist? There’s truly a Danish pastries strolling tour of Copenhagen taking you to 5 separate bakeries – and do you know, the Danes truly name them Viennese pastries?!
For excursions aimed particularly at kids and households, try the Scandikidstours, geared toward youngsters 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 recreation 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 youngsters
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 way in which you’ll bike alongside the waterfront to the Little Mermaid statue, in addition to seeing Copenhagen’s lakes, and navigating town centre by way of its bike lanes, all led by a neighborhood.
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 baby seats and cargo trailers out there for teenagers aged 2-8.
Copenhagen Hop on hop off bus tour
Among the finest methods to see town’s sights with out an excessive amount of strolling for youthful youngsters, or a good way to get your bearings in your first day, there are two major hop-on-hop-off bus excursions to select from.
The Purple 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 pink Metropolis Sightseeing buses. The inexperienced buses have an electrical roof, in case of rain, and heated throughout winter in the event you’re visiting Copenhagen exterior the summer season 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 points of interest) doesn’t.
The Little Mermaid
Whether or not you see her from a ship tour, bus tour, strolling tour or every other approach, 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.
Slightly smaller than her iconic standing suggests (the clue is within the title), it’s nonetheless a fantastic choice for teenagers who love fairytales – and Disney films – plus a very good motivator to wander alongside the waterfront with the statue as your objective.
To make your go to to the statue much more enjoyable, try this Little Mermaid recreation – a mixture of self-guided tour and quest, you clear up clues that unlock tales, and it takes you to 9 places together with these linked to Hans Christian Andersen in addition to the Little Mermaid alongside the way in which.
The hop on hop off bus excursions may also take you to the Little Mermaid in the event you do wish to see extra of Copenhagen’s sights with out tiring out small legs – there are two choices, together with Purple sightseeing and Stromma’s 48-hour ticket, with three routes in summer season
Altering of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace
Head to Amalienborg Palace, and day-after-day at midday you may see the standard Altering of the Guard ceremony, which dates again to 1658.
The palace continues to be the house of the Danish royal household, and as soon as a day, the brand new guards go away 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.
Just like different Altering of the Guard ceremonies in Europe, it’s the most effective free issues to do in Copenhagen with youngsters: arrive early to get a very good area to look at (and you may count on 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 may head inside to study extra about Denmark’s royal historical past on the Amalienborg Museum, in addition to seeing a few of its luxurious rooms.
Set inside Christian VIII’s Palace, one in all 4 separate palaces which make up Amalienborg, you can even peek into Christian X’s examine, marvel on the Faberge Chamber and see the Gala Corridor which continues to be used for royal state events. Don’t miss the treasury with its priceless jewelry as nicely.
Youngsters aged 17 and beneath enter free. Bear in mind it’s closed on Mondays, though you may take a look at the outside at any level – you can even 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 carry the citadel to life. You can too go to a few of the king’s personal chambers, together with the Winter Room, one of many oldest within the citadel.
The Copenhagen Card (each the Uncover and Hop variations) contains entry to Rosenborg Citadel, in addition to the Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg – you at present must prebook a timeslot for Rosenborg Palace
After you’ve explored inside, you can even stroll round Rosenborg Backyard – also referred to as the King’s Backyard – which dates again to the early 1600s too. Should you don’t plan to go contained in the citadel, you may 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 slightly 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 in the present day.
Right now, 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 info centre.
Throughout summer season, there are additionally concert events happening, and it’s simple 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 may nonetheless discover a few of the royal historical past inside.
The Royal Reception Rooms are open to the general public (except 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 in the present day), plus the Nice Corridor.
However you can even 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 friends.
The Copenhagen Card (each the Uncover and Hop variations) contains entry to the Christiansborg Palace, in addition to Rosenborg Citadel and Amalienborg
The Kids’s Museum on the Nationwide Museum of Denmark
Set within the Nationwide Museum of Denmark, and geared toward 4 to 10-year-olds, there’s a complete string of interactive exhibitions and shows to carry historical past to life at the Kids’s Museum – and getting palms 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 youngsters who’re fascinated by the Vikings, the kids’s museum part is good as the whole lot is sort 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 count on surprises once you push it, whether or not it’s work beginning to speak, assembly a fire-breathing dragon or a sword-swinging samurai. Kids beneath 18 enter free in the event you’re in search of low-cost issues to do in Copenhagen with youngsters too.
Purchase tickets to the Nationwide Museum of Denmark, together with exhibitions and the Kids’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 ready within the nook of town’s Botanical Backyard – which additionally makes it simple to go to each on the identical time.
An important choice in the event you’re visiting Copenhagen within the rain with youngsters, or with youngsters who love pure historical past, you may contact a meteorite within the mineral home, go to the butterfly home in summer season, and uncover extra of the pure world within the repeatedly altering exhibitions.
The subsequent to open in June 2024 known as Wild Fantastic World, protecting the museum’s big assortment – the whole lot from the tiniest creatures to very large blue whales, stardust to gem stones and extra. There’s additionally an opportunity to peek behind the scenes and see how the collections encourage analysis to assist enhance the world for folks and nature.
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 points of interest within the metropolis
Experimentarium Science Museum
This incredible interactive science centre is barely exterior Copenhagen metropolis centre however it’s nicely 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 large cleaning soap bubbles, the change to freeze your shadow within the Labyrinth of Gentle, the ship simulator and big ball observe within the Port plus a number of different exhibitions.
The Puzzler is for many who love a maths problem or a logic puzzle, whereas the Miniverse is geared toward youngsters aged 1-5. You possibly can even step into the world of micro-organisms, be impressed to give you new brainwaves and play in Pulse Plaza, a sequence of loopy rooms impressed by our personal houses.
In actual fact, there are nearly too many highlights to select, however that is good for giant youngsters and little ones to get studying as they play – discovering extra concerning the world has by no means been so enjoyable earlier than. You possibly can 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 points of interest within the metropolis
Planetarium
Transport your self to outer area within the Copenhagen Planetarium Dome, the most important tilted dome in Europe with 8K decision – the following smartest thing to boarding a rocket your self.
In addition to the unbelievable exhibits, there are additionally a sequence of exhibitions, together with an opportunity to find what we’re product of ranging from the Massive Bang, an opportunity to discover the rings of Saturn and see the most important moon rock on show exterior the US.
Tickets embody 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 points of interest within the metropolis
Danish Battle Museum
Should you wouldn’t usually put a conflict museum high of your wishlist on a metropolis break, it’s nicely value contemplating the Danish Battle Museum, which covers warfare from the 1500s till modern-day.
So in addition to knights in armour, you can even uncover extra about present and up to date conflicts, stepping right into a Danish navy camp in Afghanistan in addition to displays on the conflict in Iraq.
You’ll discover samurai swords in addition to tales of wars with Sweden and England, displays on the Second World Battle and Chilly Battle, and a few extra stress-free 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 season holidays. Entry is free for under-18s.
Entry is included within the Copenhagen Card, together with public transport and greater than 80 different points of interest within the metropolis
Open air museum (Frilandsmuseet)
Set somewhat approach 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 planet.
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 nearly three centuries, from 1650 to 1940, you may watch folks baking bread, making wool and even study extra about beekeeping, plus the prospect to see an outdated wood windmill in motion and journey in a horse-drawn carriage.
It’s round a 30-minute practice journey 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 may uncover extra concerning the world’s tallest man and the world’s smallest lady, but additionally see quirky data equivalent to greater than 1.3 million dominoes falling over, strive the interactive Sport Zone.
It’s not big, so that you don’t must 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 points of interest within the metropolis
Lego Retailer
Lego followers received’t wish to miss Legoland in Billund, additional west in Denmark, however in the event you don’t have likelihood to 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 looking by bricks within the house of Lego.
Set on Strøget, Copenhagen’s major procuring avenue, there are three major areas, together with an interactive play zone the place you may simply settle in and get constructing, plus info on Lego historical past and a few shows dotted across the story.
Plus you may refill on lacking bricks from the Choose 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 procuring in Copenhagen for teenagers
Should you’re in search of different souvenirs, it’s exhausting to beat that trademark Scandi design in a string of impartial boutiques from garments to nursery furnishings and toys.
Try Karrusella for toys and video games, or low cost designer vogue at Milibe clothes in Fredriksberg (on Gammel Kongevej) for a homegrown vary.
Should you’re forking out, Illum division retailer has youngsters ranges amongst its luxurious choices.
Theatre in Copenhagen with youngsters
It may not be an apparent alternative for a metropolis break in Copenhagen with youngsters, however there are two theatres with exhibits geared 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 needs to be enjoyable, says the web site, including ‘We encourage all adults to let the kids expertise the present themselves and never touch upon all of the motion’.
The place to eat in Copenhagen with youngsters
Torvehallerne Meals Market
With stall after stall of meals and useful tables dotted round Copenhagen’s major market, Torvehallerne is a superb place to eat and browse with youngsters.
You possibly can graze on the whole lot from conventional smorrebrod and pastries to sushi and chocolate plus wine and low for the grown-ups.
Should you’ve received youthful youngsters (or choosy eaters), they’ll love the standard kanel snegle, or cinnamon snails (cinnamon rolls merely doesn’t have the identical ring)
Try what we considered Torvehallerne or see this put up for extra concepts on the place to eat in Copenhagen with youngsters
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 in the event you simply wish to seize an natural juice and hearken 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 seaside with deckchairs looking to the water.
Try my full information to Denmark with youngsters for extra ideas and inspiration right here
**First printed 2013 – final up to date 2024**
PIN FOR LATER: THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN COPENHAGEN WITH KIDS
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Little mermaid/Torvehallerne copyright MummyTravels, all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos
