10 Things to Do in Copenhagen with Kids

Copenhagen is not only one of the most environmentally friendly and cultural cities in Europe, but also an ideal place to visit with your family or children, as it offers a wide range of attractions for groups that will captivate the little ones.

Among the best activities you can see and do in Copenhagen with children are visiting the Tivoli Amusement Park, touring the local Aquarium, visiting the National Museum of Denmark, visiting Kronborg Castle, marvelling at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium, taking a tour of Amalienborg Palace and cycling around the city.

If you are looking for an exciting destination to visit with your children, I recommend booking tickets for Tivoli Gardens and its attractions in Copenhagen. This theme park is one of the oldest in the world and has been a popular attraction since it opened in 1843. Here is what you will find there:

• Thrilling rides such as the Star Flyer, one of the city's most famous attractions, which is an 80-metre-high tower offering panoramic views of the capital. You'll also find roller coasters, carousels and the park's children's area, where there are rides designed especially for them.
• Live shows, music performances, theatre and dance. In the summer, you can watch fireworks displays every night, making it one of the best night-time activities in Copenhagen.
• Themed areas, bars and restaurants that are often included in the city's best food tours.

The park is also a green oasis in the middle of the city with well-kept gardens, fountains and lakes that provide a relaxed atmosphere. You will find many areas to sit and rest while the little ones enjoy the attractions, especially if you plan to visit Copenhagen in the summer.

The Tivoli Gardens are located in the area adjacent to Tivoli Amusement Park in central Copenhagen. Although they share the same grounds, they are different attractions, and if you don't want to participate in the games or simply want a more relaxed experience, I recommend booking tickets for Tivoli Park without attractions.

This activity is ideal if you plan to visit the Danish capital with children because you can give them the freedom to walk and play in the gardens in a safe and beautiful environment.

Located in the centre of Copenhagen, it is the perfect place to take a break before continuing to discover the city's best buildings. If you plan to visit Copenhagen in spring, you can also discover the gardens at their best.

If you're looking for a different and entertaining activity to do with children in Copenhagen, this exploration game in Freetown Christiania is a very original option. Halfway between a gymkhana and a cultural visit, it will allow you to discover one of the city's most unique neighbourhoods in an interactive way and at your own pace.

Game in Freetown Christiania

The tour begins with a story that you follow on your mobile phone: a friend has disappeared and you have to solve clues to find her. Along the way, you will visit places such as The Grey Hall, a concert hall located in a former military building, and the Christiania Art Gallery, a creative space founded by local artists.

The experience is self-guided and lasts just over an hour, making it ideal for families with children aged 8 and above. Although Christiania is a safe and popular neighbourhood, it is advisable to follow the route marked on the app and avoid areas such as Pusher Street, where cannabis is sold with tolerance.

Fancy another adventure?

You can also book the Little Mermaid exploration game, designed to take you to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, such as the Little Mermaid statue, Amalienborg Palace and the Stork Fountain, with an audio story and no internet connection required.

Details of interest

• Price: from £9 per person.
• Duration: between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the game.
• Ideal for: families with children aged 8 and above.

Booking tickets to visit Copenhagen Zoo is perfect for those looking for a fun and educational experience with children. This zoo, which is the oldest in Europe, has a wide variety of animals from all over the world, from tigers and lions to penguins and monkeys.

You can get to the zoo on the Copenhagen hop-on hop-off tourist bus, which includes a stop in the nearby area. Among its highlights are:

• Polar Land: one of the zoo's main attractions. Here you can see polar bears, seals, penguins and other Arctic animals.
• Safari: you can see African animals such as giraffes, lions and elephants in a simulated habitat.
• Reptile and amphibian section: you can see snakes, lizards and frogs from all over the world.
• Interactive activities and shows: these include feeding the animals, camel rides and pony rides.

Kronborg Castle is one of the best castles in Copenhagen and a must-see. This 15th-century castle is known as the setting for Shakespeare's famous play Hamlet and is one of Denmark's most impressive Renaissance buildings.

You can visit it on your own or book a guided tour of Kronborg Castle to see both the exterior and interior, including the Great Hall, the Chapel, the Council Chamber and several permanent and temporary exhibitions explaining the history and culture of the region.

The visit is ideal for the whole family, and children will especially enjoy the interactive activities available at this attraction. They can become knights and princesses as they explore the rooms, and the little ones can dress up in period costumes to feel part of history.

Copenhagen is a city that invites you to enjoy it by bicycle, and it is also an experience that children usually enjoy. Most tours include an itinerary that takes in:

• The Little Mermaid statue.
• Christiansborg Palace.
• The Town Hall Square.
• Operaen Christiania.

You can do this tour on your own by renting a bike or by booking a bike tour in Copenhagen, as it is one of the best bike tours in Copenhagen. It is also perfect to combine with some of the best tours of Copenhagen's canals.

One of the best activities to do with children in the Danish capital is to book tickets to visit the Copenhagen Aquarium, which is one of the most famous in Europe. There you can see more than 20,000 marine animals, including sharks, rays, jellyfish, seahorses and tropical fish.

The aquarium's exhibitions are organised thematically, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in different marine environments such as coral reefs, cold seas and rivers. This site also offers:

• A host of interactive activities for children where they can explore the underwater world in a fun and educational way.
• A petting zoo where visitors can interact with different marine species, such as sea urchins and starfish.
• A glass tunnel where sharks swim above your head, providing an unforgettable experience for the whole family and a visit that is often included in the best tours of Copenhagen.
• A café with food and drink options to suit all tastes.
• A gift shop with a wide variety of aquarium-themed souvenirs and mementos, so you can take a piece of the aquarium home with you.

The Tycho Brahe Planetarium in Copenhagen is an ideal place for those who enjoy astronomy and science. You will also be amazed by the building, which is crowned by the enormous dome that covers the main hall. During your tour, you will see:

• The planetarium project, which shows 3D images of the planets, stars and galaxies in a faithful reconstruction of the Solar System.
• A documentary about the life of Tycho Brahe, the Danish astronomer and mathematician after whom the site is named and who is considered as influential as Nicolaus Copernicus in the world of astrophysics.
• The planetarium's permanent exhibition, which displays models of the planets and other astronomical objects, as well as information on the history of astronomy.
• A space flight simulator, which you can use to experience the sensation of flying around the Solar System.

A visit to the planetarium lasts approximately 2 hours and the site is very close to other attractions in the city, so you can visit it even if you are planning a short stay of, for example, 3 days in Copenhagen or less.

Amalienborg Palace is a complex of palace buildings located in the centre of Copenhagen that was built in the 18th century as the official residence of the Danish royal family (who still live there).

This palace is a group of four Rococo-style buildings surrounding an octagonal square, creating a unique visual and architectural effect. The interior of the palace is decorated and features a collection of art, furniture and historical objects.

There is also a royal chapel and a banquet hall that is used for special occasions. During the changing of the guard, which takes place every day at 12 noon, you can see the royal guards marching through the streets of the city towards Amalienborg.

Traveller Tip

If you plan to visit this fairytale palace with children, they can enjoy interactive guided tours that include royal costumes and a review of the site's most curious stories.

Visiting the Natural History Museum with children is an educational and fun activity that the whole family is sure to enjoy. At the museum, you can explore the diversity of nature and learn about the wonders of the natural world.

You can also see a wide variety of animal specimens, from small birds to huge mammals, including lions, tigers, bears and elephants. Among the most notable areas are:

• Interactive exhibitions, where children can participate in educational activities such as species classification, observing samples under microscopes, and recreating natural habitats.
• The skeletons of dinosaurs, mammoths, and other prehistoric animals, where children can explore the evolution of animals over time, learn about different geological eras, and how animals have evolved to adapt to their environment.
• A section dedicated to flora, where plants from all over the world, from the rainforest to the deserts, are on display, and they can learn about the importance of vegetation for the environment and life on Earth, making it one of the best museums in Copenhagen to visit with children.

Details of interest

• Price: from €12 per person.
• Location: Øster Voldgade 5, Copenhagen.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.