Things to do in Copenhagen with Kids

It is no wonder Denmark is called the happiest place on earth. With so many incredible things to do in Copenhagen with kids, a visit will surely put a smile on your face.

Famous for its food, cycling, LEGO, Royal family, canals, and author Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen has some brilliant surprises in store for families. Having visited there several times, firstly as a child myself, then as a solo traveller, years later as a parent, and in a group of 12 extended family members, I have discovered the best things to do in Copenhagen with kids of all ages.

If I had to pick the one European capital city that was the easiest to explore with kids, had amazing things to do for all ages, and was not quite so frantic, then I would definitely choose Copenhagen. One thing you need to keep in mind is Copenhagen is one of the more expensive cities to visit in Europe (but I’ve got some great tips to help with that too)!

So here are my favourite things to do in Copenhagen with kids. 

Tivoli Gardens

There is something truly special about Tivoli Gardens. It’s like entering a magical wonderland as you walk through the enormous arch to discover a world of fun for the whole family. Situated in the heart of the city, Tivoli Gardens has something for everyone with nostalgic rides, music concerts, theatre, dining, striking buildings, and beautiful gardens.

There are rides that will terrify your teenager, delight your toddler and enthuse your young school kid. Tivoli now has it’s first ever virtual reality ride in Denmark, where you can strap yourself into a real rollercoaster ride while you discover the virtual reality of fire-breathing dragons, demons, and exploding fireworks.

All ride tickets are paid for separately to your entry pass. You buy ticket passes from machines inside the park gates.

Built in 1843, Tivoli is a traditional theme park without the over the top commercialisation of many others. Did you know Walt Disney got his inspiration to create Disneyland from his visit to Tivoli Gardens?

Tivoli is not open throughout winter except for a a few weeks in the Christmas period. Check the Tivoli Gardens website for opening dates and times. You can easily spend up to a day here.

If you want to stay close by, Tivoli Gardens has it’s own family-friendly hotel – Click here to see latest prices 

Changing of the Royal Guard

Every day at around 12 noon, the Royal Guards march to the beautiful Amalienborg Palace, the main residence of Queen Margrethe and the Royal Family, for the changeover ceremony.

We lined up just after 11.30am and the kids sat on the cobble-stoned street a mere metre away from the Royal Guards as they marched by. One thing we were thankful for was the kids had their cameras to keep them busy (and not wanting to run around).

The number of guards will all depend on if there is a member of the Royal Family in residence. Sadly every time I’ve visited, no royalty were home as they were always at their summer house. That being said it was still worthwhile going.

It’s all very relaxed but orderly. There are no bollards or fences, but there are a few police officers who will politely ask you to move back if you’re standing in the wrong spot.

Nyhavn

Once you’ve finished seeing the changing of the Royal Guards, take the short stroll to Nyhavn. A trip to Copenhagen wouldn’t be complete without visiting Nyhavn, one of the city’s most photographed places. Nyhavn is the old commercial port whose brightly coloured buildings have been transformed into restaurants and bars. It’s not the cheapest place to dine but it’s certainly worthwhile stopping for a meal or a drink if your budget will stretch that far. If you’ve got better things to spend your money on then make sure still to visit and spend a little while walking through the area to soak up the atmosphere.

Explore the canals

What sets Copenhagen apart from so many other capital cities is not just its friendly bike-riding locals but the canals that are spread throughout the city. Luckily you don’t have to spend your time admiring them from the footpath. There are plenty of options for exploring them from closer to the water. If you’re feeling adventurous and energetic, head off on a kayak tour. Would you rather captain your own boat? You can hire a solar-powered picnic boat to explore on your own. However, if you’d rather sit back and relax and rely on the expertise of others, then line up for a canal tour. You’ll even get to see the surprisingly small and underwhelming Little Mermaid statue from the water. Some canal tours are included in the cost of a Copenhagen Card.

The Round Tower

One of the images burned into my memory from when I visited Copenhagen as a 11-year-old, is my visit to the Round Tower, the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. I loved this building as it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Going back after so many years can ruin a good memory which is why I was so surprised to find that the memory lived up to reality. It looked exactly as I had remembered it.

The Round Tower provides an incredible view of the old part of Copenhagen and is a novel experience of walking (very fast walking when boys are involved) on a spiral walkway. To get to the top of this 17th-century tower you will need to walk around 209 metres, even though the tower is only 36 metres tall.

Looking to spend time in Aarhus? Have a read of World for a Girl’s story on Aarhus with Kids

Den Økologiske Pølsemand (DØP)

As you leave the Round Tower, follow your nose to DØP, a food truck selling what are known to be the best hotdogs in Copenhagen. The Danes love their hotdogs and these are no ordinary ones. They come with sourdough bread, organic ingredients and real tasting sausages. YUM!

Shopping along Strøget

Mums, Dads and even kids of all ages are going to enjoy shopping along one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets. You’ll find everything from iconic Danish brands like Royal Copenhagen, George Jensen and LEGO, to touristy gift shops, toy stores and big brand stores. There is also plenty of street entertainment to keep those waiting outside the shops happy.

LEGO shop

The chance of us ever being able to walk past the LEGO Store in Copenhagen was nil. The boys had been madly saving their money and dreaming of the day they would arrive into the country that was the home of LEGO. It made no difference that we were to head to LEGOLAND a week later, they needed their LEGO fix and they certainly got it.

Not only was there wall-to-wall LEGO, but there were huge LEGO statues and interactive technology that beamed a video on the wall of the making of the set that you were holding in your hands. Even I was seriously impressed. The LEGO store is along the main pedestrian shopping street Strøget.

La Glace

As you are walking down Strøget, don’t miss the laneway containing Copenhagen’s oldest conditoriet, or cake/pastry shop as we would know it. There is a reason why La Glace has been able to entice us to succumb to their delicacies since 1870. They are out of this world. Be aware that food this good does not come cheap, with a piece of layer cake setting you back around kr.57 and a pastry around kr.45.

Ride a bike

If your kids are confident riders then why not explore the city like a local and hire a bike. With over 450km of cycle lanes in Copenhagen, you will never be short of places to discover and there are plenty of places to hire a bike from. There are now more bicycles than cars in Copenhagen which makes for busy cycle lanes, so make sure you all know the road rules and riding etiquette before you start.

Rosenborg Castle

If you want to see the Crown Jewels of the Danish kings and queens, and the Knights’ Hall with the coronation thrones, then you’ll need to make a stop at Rosenborg Castle. Rosenborg was the only place in Denmark where I felt a little on edge with the kids (maybe it was just one of those days). The boys were very well behaved but it was one of those places that made you feel like you should tiptoe through. Very hard with boys on a rainy day! Still a very beautiful castle.

Our favourite castles in Denmark are Frederiksborg Castle and Kronborg Castle which are a short day trip from Copenhagen.

Torvehallerne KBH

Whether you are a certified foodie or you just like eating, head to Torvehallerne KBH to discover market stalls and food vendors selling everything from fresh produce, meats and cheeses, to delicious meals.

Parks and Gardens

There are plenty of parks and gardens in the centre of Copenhagen for children to run around and explore. Just take a look at the map and you should find one fairly close by. If you’ve only got time to see one park, then head to Frederiksberg Have. This park boasts a royal palace, boating lake, waterfalls, a playground with a giant water-squirting butterfly, and miniature hammocks.

What else?

Copenhagen has so much more to offer than our top 10 experiences and what you see will all depend on your likes, your children ages and what time of year you are there. Here are a few other places to consider exploring while you’re in Copenhagen.

• Zoological Museum
• National Aquarium Den Blå Planet
• Denmark’s National Museum and Children’s Museum

If you are wondering how you will afford to see all of these attractions with a family in tow, check out our review on the Copenhagen Card.

Best family hotels Copenhagen

Copenhagen accommodation isn’t cheap but there are plenty of great options for families of every size. Take a look at my tops picks for some of the best apartments, hostels, and family hotels in Copenhagen.

Scandic Kødbyen – Click here to see latest prices

Hotel Kong Arthur – Click here to see latest prices

Copenhagen Houseboat – Click here to see latest prices (not cheap but what a cool experience)

STAY Seaport – Click here to see latest prices

Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden – Click here to see latest prices

Tivoli Gardens Hotel – Click here to see latest prices 

Steel House Copenhagen – Click here to see latest prices (budget accommodation)

Danhostel Copenhagen City – Click here to see latest prices (budget accommodation)

There are also some great Airbnb’s in Copenhagen which are a fantastic option for many families. If you stay outside the city centre you’ll also save yourself some money. Take a look at where we stayed during our latest visit to Copenhagen with 12 of us!

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. We may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a booking after clicking on one of the links. Your booking through us, helps us generate some income so we can continue to provide you with best holiday ideas for your family. We only ever use links to highly reputable companies that we trust and use ourselves. 

Lykkelige rejser (Happy travels)