10 Things to Do in Copenhagen with Kids

The Danish capital is one of the best cities to visit with family and children. Here is a list of attractions that you can enjoy with the little ones.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

8 min read

10 Things to Do in Copenhagen with Kids

Boys in Copenhagen | ©Kristoffer Trolle

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, since it offers a lot of attractions to do in groups or that will captivate the little ones.

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

1. Visit the Tivoli Amusement Park

Tivoli Amusement Park| ©Alex Reguera
Tivoli Amusement Park| ©Alex Reguera

If you are looking for an exciting destination to visit with your kids, 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 everything you'll find there:

  • Thrilling rides like the Star Flyer, one of the city's most famous attractions, which is an 80-meter-high tower that offers panoramic views of the capital. You will also find roller coasters, carousels and the children's area of the park, where there are attractions designed for them.
  • Live shows, music, theater and danceperformances. In the summer season you can see fireworks shows every night, making it one of the best nightlife activities in Copenhagen.
  • Themed areas, bars and restaurants are often included in the best gastronomic tours of the city.

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

Book tickets for Tivoli Park without attractions

2. Tour the Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Park| ©Ranveig Marie Photography
Tivoli Park| ©Ranveig Marie Photography

Tivoli Gardens is located adjacent to Tivoli Amusement Park in central Copenhagen. Although they share the grounds, they are different attractions and if you do not want to participate in the games or simply want to opt for 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 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 best buildings in the city. If you plan to visit Copenhagen in spring, you can also discover the gardens at their best.

Book tickets for Tivoli Park without attractions

3. Visit the National Museum of Denmark

National Museum| ©sftrajan
National Museum| ©sftrajan

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

Among the main attractions of the museum are:

  • The Stone Age exhibit: shows what daily life was like more than 5,000 years ago in an overview through stone tools, weapons, jewelry and other objects.
  • The Viking Age: you can 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 jewelry, as well as learn about the Danish monarchy, architecture, design and fashion.
  • Activities and workshops for children such as Viking jewelry making, pottery and painting workshops, among others.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 18 euros per person.
  • Location: Ny Vestergade 10, Copenhagen.
  • Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  • You will be interested to know that... If you visit Copenhagen in spring or summer you can also walk in the adjacent gardens.

4. Get lost in the Copenhagen Zoo

Animals at the Zoo| ©IceCal
Animals at the Zoo| ©IceCal

Booking tickets to visit the 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 tourist bus, which includes a stop in the nearby area. And among its highlights are:

  • 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: you can see snakes, lizards and frogs from all over the world.
  • Interactive activities and shows: feeding the animals, camel rides and pony rides.

5. Visit Kronborg Castle

Kronborg Castle| ©Frank
Kronborg Castle| ©Frank

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 several permanent and temporary exhibitions that explain 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.

Book a tour to Kronborg Castle

6. Take a bike ride through the city

Bicycle Tour| ©Angela
Bicycle Tour| ©Angela

Copenhagen is a city that invites you to enjoy it by bike, and it's an experience that the little ones tend to love. Most of the tours include an itinerary through:

  • The Little Mermaid statue.
  • Christiansborg Palace.
  • City 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.

Book a bike tour in Copenhagen

7. Tour the Copenhagen Aquarium

Copenhagen Aquarium| ©Brian Larsen
Copenhagen Aquarium| ©Brian Larsen

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. There you can see more than 20,000 marine animals, including sharks, rays, jellyfish, seahorses and tropical fish.

The aquarium 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 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 cafeteria with food and drink options for all tastes.
  • A gift store with a variety of souvenirs and aquarium themed souvenirs, so you can take a piece of the aquarium home with you.

8. Marvel at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium

Tycho Brahe Planetarium| ©Vítor Ribeiro
Tycho Brahe Planetarium| ©Vítor Ribeiro

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 exhibit, 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.

The 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 have a short stay of for example 3 days in Copenhagen or less planned.

9. Take a tour of Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace| ©Henk Bekker
Amalienborg Palace| ©Henk Bekker

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 (which still lives there).

This palace is a set of 4 rococo style buildings that surround an octagonal square generating 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 banquet hall used for special occasions. During the changing of the guard, which takes place daily at 12:00 noon, you can watch the royal guards march through the city streets to 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 look at the site's most curious stories.

10. Enjoy the Natural History Museum of Denmark

Inside the Natural History Museum of Denmark| ©jesperthmsn
Inside the Natural History Museum of Denmark| ©jesperthmsn

Visiting the Natural History Museum with children is a fun and educational activity that you can surely enjoy as a family. At the museum you can explore the diversity of nature and learn about the wonders of the natural world.

In addition, you will 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 will be able to 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 exhibited 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 euros per person.
  • Location: Øster Voldgade 5, Copenhagen.
  • Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.