Visit Copenhagen with your family: Top 11 must-do activities

Copenhagen is an ideal city for a family holiday.

With its enchanting theme parks, interactive museums, open-air walks and play areas, the Danish capital is bursting with child-friendly attractions.

Our selection of 11 must-do activities


tivoli copenhagen

1. Immerse yourself in the magical world of Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli amusement park, in the heart of Copenhagen, plunges young and old into a magical world.

Children will love the rides, from the Ferris wheel to the roller coaster and the shows, and the illuminated evening gardens create a magical atmosphere. A special area is dedicated to the little ones.

Remember to buy your tickets in advance to avoid queues.

🌿 Find out more about Tivoli Gardens


opera copenhagen

2. Sailing Copenhagen’s canals like a real explorer

Boarding a canal cruise is one of the most fun ways to see the city without getting tired, and many boats offer audio guides to help you understand everything in French.

Cruising along the canals, you can admire iconic buildings such as the Little Mermaid statue, the colorful Nyhavn district and Amalienborg Palace.

For a more convivial experience, opt for a family boat rental, with the possibility of a floating picnic break!

Find out more about the different boat trips in Copenhagen


Statens Museum for Kunst

3. Hunting for art treasures

For an immersion in Danish art, the Statens Museum for Kunst is the place to be, with its life-size works of art. This large, bright national museum offers specially designed tours and workshops for families.

🎨 In the art galleries, the SMK has created cosy relaxation areas, where books and games can be freely consulted, inviting children to discover the works while having fun around the paintings.


amalienborg

4. Watch the royal soldiers in action

Every day at noon, at Amalienborg Palace, the Danish royal guard performs a spectacular changeover.

This military ritual, accompanied by traditional music and costumes, offers a glimpse into Danish royal tradition.

👑 Arrive well in advance to ensure a good view.


Christiania copenhagen

5. Explore Christiania: graffiti and colorful adventures!

Christiania, Copenhagen’s free district, is a unique space where street art, creativity and freedom of expression are everywhere.

Children will be fascinated by the murals, colorful sculptures and green spaces.

A word of advice: follow the signposted paths and enjoy a peaceful stroll along the water’s edge.

🌿 See our detailed itinerary for a visit to Christiania.


design museum

6. Becoming a designer at the Design Museum

Children will find interactive exhibitions and creative workshops to introduce them to the world of design in a fun way.

Bright, well-appointed spaces let parents discover iconic Danish furniture and objects.

🧒 At the museum counter, pick up a game booklet designed for children, filled with creative design activities. Find out more about the Design Museum.


playground

7. Enjoy the huge playgrounds and giant slides

Copenhagen’s playgrounds are both original and family-friendly. Here are some of our favorites (to be found on our map)

  • The Tower Playground : an original playground with structures representing the different towers of Copenhagen (free).
  • Konditaget Lüders: beautiful playground with a magnificent view of the harbor, climbing structure, swings, trampolines… (free of charge)
  • The Danish Architecture Center (DAC) is a must-see, with its huge indoor slide (fee payable).
  • The Traffic Playground : a space where children can learn to ride a bike (free + see video below).

reffen copenhagen

8. Reffen Street Food Market: a feast for little gourmets

Reffen is Copenhagen’s largest street food market, located on the waterfront.

It’s the ideal place to enjoy a variety of dishes, from burgers to Danish specialties.

Children will love the lively atmosphere and colorful dishes, and parents will appreciate the view of the harbor.

Open-air tables and green spaces allow you to relax and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.


Christiansborg

9. Climb up to the Danish Parliament for a panoramic view of the city

A visit to the Danish Parliament, also known as Christiansborg, is a great way to see Copenhagen’s landmarks from above (free admission)!

As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed, and our daughter even received a postcard of the building as a souvenir.

The ascent to the summit is partly by elevator, making access easy even for children.


Dyrehaven or Jægersborg Dyrehave "deer park" Copenhagen

10. Meet the deer and fallow deer of the Jægersborg Dyrehave reserve:

The Jægersborg Dyrehave reserve, north of Copenhagen, is a peaceful place where you can observe deer, fallow deer and other animals roaming freely.

This park is ideal for a nature walk or family picnic. In summer, the verdant landscape is perfect for exploring by bike or on foot.

🦌 And in autumn, the colors of the leaves create an enchanting backdrop (free admission).


Les Géants (Thomas Dambo's Trolls)

11. Find the giant trolls hidden in the wild: a giant treasure hunt for adventurers!

Around Copenhagen, the giant wooden troll sculptures created by artist Thomas Dambo are an original activity for families.

These immense creatures are hidden in the wild, making it a sort of life-size treasure hunt.

📍 Grab the map that locates the trolls and set off on your adventure! A fun, eco-friendly activity to raise children’s awareness of nature. A troll is hiding in one of Copenhagen’s neighborhoods.

Getting around with children in Copenhagen

Getting around with children in Copenhagen is a real pleasure, especially thanks to the many family-friendly options available.

  • The most popular and practical way to get around is by bike: the city is perfectly equipped for cyclists, with wide, safe paths. Many rental agencies offer bikes equipped with trailers or child seats. Cargo bikes are also popular for transporting several children in comfort. Find out more about exploring Copenhagen by bike here.
  • For longer journeys, Copenhagen’s metro and buses are also accessible and suitable for baby carriages, making getting around the city both simple and enjoyable.
  • Hop-on hop-off buses are an ideal way to visit Copenhagen with children without having to walk long distances. These tourist buses allow you to explore the city’s main sites at your own pace: you can hop on and off as many times as you like, depending on the places you want to discover.

    Children will love being able to admire the city from the upper floors, and every ride becomes an adventure in itself. What’s more, the included audio commentary helps the whole family understand Copenhagen’s history and anecdotes. Find out more about hop-on hop-off buses

Bonus for small budgets: the Copenhagen Card

The Copenhagen Card is a great way to save money on a family trip to Copenhagen. It offers free access :

  • to over 80 attractions, including Tivoli Gardens, the Statens Museum for Kunst, the Danish Design Museum, the Museum of Illusions…
  • unlimited access to public transport in the Copenhagen area
  • for 1 canal boat cruise

Families can visit museums, take part in canal cruises and enter the Tivoli gardens at no extra cost. Available from 24 to 120 hours, it pays for itself in no time for those who want to enjoy the city to the full without breaking the bank.

🌟 Good deal for families : each adult pass includes free passes for 2 children aged 3 to 11.

Find out more about the Copenhagen city pass.

If you are 2 adults and 2 children under 11, 2 adult cards will suffice, and all activities will be free for your children. It’s a great saving for families.

nyhavn copenhagen district

Hotels for families in Copenhagen

We recommend the Hotel Tivoli, ideal for families, with its swimming pool and dedicated children’s area (ball pool, kitchen…).

In the family Passion Copenhagen

💦 € Tivoli Hotel

🎟️ Comfortable hotel, swimming pool, spa, breakfast, rooftop and dedicated children’s area (ball pool, small kitchen…), our daughter loved

❤️ Rated 8.6/10 on Booking

📍 Located next to the train station and Tivoli Park

Map of Copenhagen

To help you find your way around, we’ve also included this summary map of our discoveries in Copenhagen. Play areas are marked in blue with the swing logo.

Video

Here’s a video of The Traffic Playground to teach your kids how to ride a bike in an urban environment.

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