14 Best Ways To Enjoy Copenhagen With Kids

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Leslie Stroud

Scandinavia ranks among the best places to live in the world, and it’s not hard to see why.  People are friendly, if not overly warm, pedestrians and bikes are everywhere, landscapes are breathtaking, and quality of life ranks as some of the highest in Europe.

Copenhagen offers plenty of entertainment for families.  Take in the child-friendly attitude of the locals who believe children should be children and are welcome everywhere. Although it can be hard to avoid plentiful bicycles, especially for kids, everyone takes everything in stride.

While we were in Copenhagen, I went to an appointment alone, not knowing how to pay for the bus.  When the driver told me I could not pay directly with a credit card, a wonderful, nice man offered to pay for me instead.  I offered him Euros in exchange, which he refused.  The bus driver’s response: “Welcome to Denmark!”

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How To Get To Copenhagen With Kids

We flew to Copenhagen from Warsaw and rented a car to stay outside the city.  We love enjoying the sprawling landscapes and letting the kids run, but I’m more of a city gal and can’t wait to go back and stay in the city.

When we left, we returned the car and took the train from Copenhagen to Stockholm.  If you can, take the train to Copenhagen.  We loved taking trains around Europe with the kids! 

If coming from the airport, use public transportation to get to the city.  It only takes 15 minutes to reach the city center, and you can buy the tickets you need at the airport: you need a 3-zone ticket that costs approximately DKK 36 (about $5).  You’ll end up right next to the central train station, which makes it easy to go to other cities around Denmark.

How To Get Around Copenhagen With Kids

Public transportation or biking are the best ways to get around the city.  More than half of the locals get to work on bikes, and many families have bikes with child seats.  You can easily rent bikes. Here are some rental options for you:

• Rent A Bike
• Baisikeli Rental
• Rosenborg Cykler
• Bike Copenhagen

Going for public transport, you’ll need to plan a bit ahead.  Grab the Copenhagen Card.  It gives you unlimited public transport in the capital region of Denmark, plus free entry to over 80 museums and attractions. 

It is available for 24, 48, 72, and 120-hour periods, costing €54-133 for adults, with a version for children 10-15 years old costing less. Note to parents: one adult can take two under 10s to museums and attractions for free and two under 12s on public transport for free.

You can also buy a City Pass, a digital travel ticket for unlimited public transport over a 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120-hour period.  Get it on your phone, and that’s all you’ll need!

Exploring the metropolis by boat is another great way to see the city.  Hop-on-hop-off boat tours are readily available.

Best Things To Do With Kids In Copenhagen

1. Tivoli Amusement Park

This was our favorite part of the city!  We are fans of amusement parks and couldn’t pass up the one rumored to have inspired Walt Disney!  This gorgeous park feels intimate while offering plenty of rides for all ages.  Arrive in the sunlight and stay after dark to see the park with all the lights.

2. Immerse In The Birthplace of Legos

We are huge fans of Legos! Legos were invented here in Copenhagen, and you can enjoy them in their birthplace!

If you want to visit Legoland in Billund, you’ll need to commit to 2 hours one way by public transport or arrange a car.  The Lego House has over 25 million Legos to enjoy with kids, and all Legolands worldwide are modeled after this location.

If staying in the city, you can visit the Lego flagship store.  Parents can enjoy a rest while kids build legos.

3. The Little Mermaid Statue

Ok, head’s up… this is pretty overrated.  It’s worth going because it is such a landmark.  However, we were all disappointed! 

This statue is based on The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson. However, the original story ends a bit differently than the Disney version. The statue is relatively small and really just a photo op, but a famous landmark.

To spice up your visit, check out this Little Mermaid game – a mix of self-guided tour and quest, you solve clues that unlock stories, and it takes you to nine locations, including those linked to Hans Christian Andersen as well as the Little Mermaid along the way.

Another way to make your visit to the Little Mermaid better is to visit Kastellet while in the area. It is free to enter and is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Europe.

4. Experimentarium

My kids could have easily spent all day just in this fabulous, hands-on kids’ museum.  Even teens are easily entertained with exhibits geared to older kids, like the sneezing picture that surprisingly sprays you in the face!

5. Strøget

The longest pedestrian street in the world and located just down the street from Tivoli, this darling area is worth a long stroll. It’s touristy and yet one of the iconic parts of Copenhagen. Also known to be Copenhagen’s largest shopping area, this place is excellent for grabbing food, shopping, and taking pictures.

6. Fisketorvet – Copenhagen Mall

While a mall is not usually on the list of places to visit in a new city, sometimes things happen, and you need to run errands!  This galleria offers some great Danish clothing options.

7. Royal Castle Tour

Rosenborg Palace is home to Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, currently in rule.  The Danish love their queen.  Tours are offered daily; you can see where she receives royal guests and foreign ambassadors.

• Copenhagen Highlights & Secrets Private Walking Tour – some highlights include walking through the Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg Palace gardens, the incredible Marble Church, The Little Mermaid monument, and Danish pastry tasting inside a traditional pastry shop.

• Private Full-Day City Tour with Food Tastings – a combination of day and food tours. Some of the destinations include the Christiansborg Palace, the Church of Our Saviour, and the Kastellet, a fortress built in the 17th century.

Rosenborg Castle dates from the early 17th century, from King Christian IV. Along with this castle, you can tour several others with your Copenhagen Card for free or a discount, including Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, Frederiksborg Slot, and Kronborg Slot.

Kids will enjoy ancient ruins, the Crown Jewels, thrones, and weaponry rooms.  

Additionally, the changing of the guard in Copenhagen is a great option to take in!  You don’t need to stand behind a fence to see it.  The guards leave Rosenborg Castle at 11:30 a.m. making their way to Amalienborg Palace around noon for the daily ceremony.

8. Enjoy The Parks In Copenhagen

Valbyparken, just a little way outside Copenhagen’s center, is the country’s largest natural playground.  Let the little ones spend some energy!

9. Take In The Theater With The Kids

Scandinavia caters to plenty of theater options for children.   Det Lille Teater is best for two to 10-year-olds and has free performances, while the Anemone Teatret also has family-orientated afternoon shows for around five to 12 years.

10. Copenhagen Canal Ride

Seeing Copenhagen by water will show you a new and beautiful side of the city. Opt for a hop-on-hop-off option if that suits you, or go for a single trip. 

• 2-hour “Hidden Gems” Canal Tour if you opt for a social and friendly atmosphere on the boat with a small tour group.

• Private City Walking Tour with Canal Tour Ticket combines walking and canal tours that last four hours.

11. Children’s Museum Within The National Museum of Denmark

The National Museum of Denmark is accessible for free to all visitors under 18 and hosts a section for children. 

However, the entire museum is also a good option for families!  Visit a Viking house and plan a raid, explore a 1920s house to see how children lived just a hundred years ago, or try cooking Middle Ages style. 

Add some extra motivation for the kids on the weekend: a Boredom Button is hidden around the museum.  Find it and enjoy surprises like talking paintings or a fire-breathing dragon!  Remember this museum is closed on Mondays.

12. Copenhagen Aquarium

The biggest aquarium in northern Europe, you can enjoy this museum on your own path and at your own pace.

13. Bakken Deer Park

Visit this mini amusement park in the forests north of the city. It’s the oldest in the world at 426 years old, with deer that roams freely around! The entrance is free, and you can pay to enjoy the 30+ rides and many more attractions.

14. Nyhavn Harbor

Grab lunch in the “new harbor,” which is actually several centuries old.  Nyhavn is the most iconic and photographed street in Copenhagen. Arrive later in the day to see the sunset and the street lighting up at night.

What To Eat In Copenhagen With Kids

Getting to know a new culture through food is essential for travel.  What fun food should you try in Copenhagen with kids?

• Visit Torvehallerne, a famed Copenhagen food hall, and fresh market. 

• Try the famous open-faced sandwiches known as Smorrebrod.

• The word Danish did come from this area of the world!  Try a fresh Danish.  My favorite was a caramelized creme covered in Nutella!

• Waffles!  You can find them sweet or savory.

• Hot dogs are pretty popular in Scandinavia!  Be sure to give at least one a try.

Day Trips Outside Of Copenhagen

If you want to get out of the city, consider some of these options:

• Six Forgotten Giants.  Search for wooden sculptures built by Thomas Danbo, the Six Forgotten Giants, scattered around the gorgeous nature around Copenhagen.  This requires a car, but you can also make a road trip!

• Roskilde. Transport back in time to the city of kings and Vikings in only 20 minutes from Copenhagen! Many Danish Kings and Queens are laid to rest here, and you can visit the Viking Ship Museum.

Where To Stay In Copenhagen With Kids

Thinking about where to stay in Copenhagen? Here are some family-friendly hotels in the City Centre:

• CitizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen is near the airport and a train station. Spending a day at Tivoli Gardens? This hotel is just a 4-min walk away.

• Skt. Petri is loved by travelers for its location for sightseeing. Torvehallerne and Strøget are a few of the landmarks nearby. Are you commuting? Skt. Petri is close to a metro station.

• The Socialist, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is nested in the shopping district. Families love that it’s close to the beach and bicycle rentals.

Additional Guided Activities In Copenhagen With Kids

Looking for something that interests your kids while traveling can be challenging. Here are some suggestions that might help you:

• Copenhagen Zoo invites you to see their animals, who like to communicate with kids. Admire not just the giant pandas in the panda house and polar bears but also the architectural beauty of the building itself.

• Your trip to Copenhagen is not complete without visiting the Tivoli Gardens. Better take an Unlimited Rides Classic Combo and skip the lines!

• Up for something educational? Why not take your little ones to Danish War Museum and discover Denmark’s long military history. If you’re homeschooling, this is a great alternative to fill your day.

I’d love to hear about your experience in Copenhagen. Share them in the comment section below!

Xoxo,

Leslie

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