10 Things to Do in Copenhagen with Kids

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

Some of the best things to see and do in Copenhagen with kids include visiting the Tivoli Amusement Park, touring the local Aquarium, seeing the National Museum of Denmark, visiting Kronborg Castle, marvelling at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium, touring Amalienborg Palace and taking a bike ride around the city.

If you are looking for an exciting destination to visit with your children, I recommend booking tickets for 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 its opening in 1843. Here's what you'll find there:

• Thrilling rides like 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 children's area of the park, where there are rides designed for them.
• Live shows, music, theatre and dance performances. In the summer season you can watch fireworks shows every night, making it one of the best night-time activities in Copenhagen.
• Themed areas, bars and restaurants are often included in the city's best food tours.

The park is also a green oasis in the middle of the city with manicured gardens, fountains and lakes providing 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.

Tivoli Gardens is located 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 rides or simply want to opt for a more relaxed experience, I recommend booking tickets for Tivoli Park without rides.

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

If you are looking for a cultural activity to do with children in Copenhagen, I recommend you book tickets to the National Museum of Denmark. It tells the story of Danish history and culture from the Stone Age to the present day with exhibitions and activities for all ages.

The main attractions of the museum include:

• The Stone Age exhibition: shows what daily life was like more than 5,000 years ago in an overview of stone tools, weapons, jewellery and other objects.
• The Viking Age: learn about the culture and life of the Vikings, one of the most interesting periods in Danish history. You can see Viking ships, weapons and jewellery, as well as learn about the Danish monarchy, architecture, design and fashion.
• Activities and workshops for children such as Viking jewellery making, pottery and painting workshops, among others.

Interesting details

• Price: from 18 euros per person.
• Location: Ny Vestergade 10, Copenhagen.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
• You will be interested to know that... If you visit Copenhagen in spring or summer you can also walk in the adjacent gardens.

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 zoo in Europe, has a wide variety of animals from all over the world, from tigers and lions to penguins and monkeys.

The zoo can be reached by Copenhagen's hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus, which includes a stop in the nearby area. Highlights of the zoo include

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

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

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

The tour 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 younger children 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 an experience that is often enjoyed by children. Most of the tours include an itinerary around:

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

This tour can be done on your own by renting a bike or 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 canal tours in Copenhagen.

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

The aquarium exhibits 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 wealth of interactive activities for children where they can explore the underwater world in a fun and educational way.
• An animal contact zone where visitors can interact with different marine species, such as sea urchins and starfish.
• A glass tunnel where sharks swim over your head, which provides an unforgettable experience for the whole family and is a visit that is often included in the best tours in Copenhagen.
• A café with food and drink options to suit all tastes.
• A gift shop with a variety of souvenirs and aquarium themed souvenirs, 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 that covers the main hall. During your tour, you will be able to see:

• The planetarium project, which shows in 3D images the planets, stars and galaxies in a faithful reconstruction of the Solar System.
• A documentary on 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 permanent planetarium 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 and which allows visitors to experience the sensation of flying around the Solar System.

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

Amalienborg Palace is a palace complex 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).

The palace is a group of four rococo-style buildings that surround an octagonal square, creating a unique visual and architectural effect. The interior of the palace is decorated and has a collection of art, furniture and historical objects.

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

Traveller Tip

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

Visiting the Natural History Museum with children is a fun and educational 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'll also see a wide variety of animal specimens, from small birds to huge mammals, including lions, tigers, bears and elephants. Highlights include:

• Interactive exhibits, where children will be able to participate in educational activities, such as classifying species, observing specimens in 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 the 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 rainforests to deserts, are on display and can learn about the importance of vegetation to the environment and life on Earth, making it one of the best museums in Copenhagen to visit with children.

Interesting details

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