10 Things to Do in Copenhagen with Kids

Copenhagen is not only one of the most eco-friendly and cultural cities in Europe, but also an ideal place to visit with 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, marveling at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium, taking a tour of Amalienborg Palace, and taking a bike ride through the city.

If you are looking for an exciting destination to visit with your children, I recommend booking tickets to Tivoli Park 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-meter-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, theater, and dance. In the summer, you can see fireworks displays every night, making it one of the best nighttime 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'll find plenty of areas to sit and relax while the little ones enjoy the attractions, especially if you plan to visit Copenhagen in the summer.

The Tivoli Gardens are located next to Tivoli Amusement Park in the center of Copenhagen. Although they share the same grounds, they are different attractions. If you don't want to participate in the games or simply want a more relaxed experience, I recommend booking tickets for Tivoli Gardens 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 move around the gardens in a safe and beautiful environment.

Located in the center of Copenhagen, it is a perfect place to take a break before continuing to discover the city's best buildings. If you plan to visit Copenhagen in the 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 treasure hunt and a cultural visit, it will allow you to discover one of the city's most unique neighborhoods in an interactive way and at your own pace.

Game in Freetown Christiania

The tour begins with a story that you follow on your cell phone: a friend has disappeared and you have to solve clues to find her. Along the way, you'll 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 up. Although Christiania is a safe and popular neighborhood, 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 over.

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 its exterior and interior, including the Great Hall, the Chapel, the Council Chamber, and several permanent and temporary exhibitions that explain 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 bike, and it's also an experience that children tend to love. Most tours include a route 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, 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 exhibits are organized 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.
• An animal contact area 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 usually included in the best tours of Copenhagen.
• A café with food and drink options for 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 huge dome covering 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 or less in Copenhagen.

Amalienborg Palace is a complex of palace buildings located in the center 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 houses 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 12:00 noon, you can see the royal guards marching through the streets of the city toward Amalienborg.

Traveler 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.

In addition, you can 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 exhibits, 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 are on display, from the rainforest to the deserts, 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.

Interesting details

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