Copenhagen Family Vacation: What to See and Do With Kids

Families longing for a taste of Scandinavia will fall in love with Copenhagen, the cozy capital of Denmark. Family-friendly attractions are plentiful, and the city’s known for its eclectic cafes and edgy bars (if you’re after a little adulting). While capital cities aren’t always top of mind for a family vacation, Copenhagen is different. It’s got a relaxed vibe, plenty of green spaces, and a kid-friendly culture.

The harbor is so clean and well-maintained you can swim in it, and the city’s also highly walkable and bicycle-friendly. Put Harbour Baths at Islands Brygge at the top of your list. It has two dedicated kids’ pools and a nearby beach perfect for sunny days. Of course, this is just the beginning when it comes to a Copenhagen family vacation.

Here’s why Denmark needs to be on your family travel radar and where to go in Copenhagen with kids.

Explore the Marine World at the Blue Planet

Northern Europe’s most modern and largest aquarium sits near Copenhagen Airport. Known as the Blue Planet, Denmark’s national aquarium is impressive, from its whirlpool-inspired architecture to its acrylic glass tunnel with hammerhead sharks swimming overhead.

The facility contains 55 breathtaking aquariums showcasing vibrant coral reefs where sea horses, octopuses, and tropical fish swim. It’s also cutting-edge, featuring world-class interactive units and digital games to ramp up visitors’ learning curves.

There’s also an app permitting guests of all ages to learn more about the animals at the aquarium. The app includes an audio guide with programs to listen to before, during, and after a visit. There’s also a fun and informative fish encyclopedia.

Spend a Day Exploring Tivoli Gardens

When it comes to what to see in Copenhagen with kids, Tivoli Gardens remains a beloved favorite. A two-minute walk from the central train station, it’s convenient to reach and makes for a full day of family fun. As the name suggests, it contains incredible gardens welcoming families for a stroll. But you’ll also find exhilarating rides for school-aged kids, tweens, and teens, and plenty of restaurants to sample Danish eats and treats.

Cultural events include live performances, theater, and dance. The Pantomime Theatre is a performance venue that hosts the Tivoli Ballet, and there are also regular performances at the Tivoli Concert Hall and the Glass Hall Theatre. Download the Tivoli Gardens app to stay on top of upcoming events, performances, restaurants, and more.

Savor a Sunny Denmark Day at the Beach

Scandinavian weather can be finicky, but when there’s a great day, locals head to Copenhagen’s parks and beaches to soak up the sun. If you’re lucky enough to experience Denmark’s best weather, we recommend heading to Harbour Baths at Islands Brygge. One of the best-known waterfront spots, it’s located in the heart of the city and contains a sun terrace and outdoor pools including two exclusively for kids.

What if you’d like to feel some sand between your toes? Then, head to Amager Strandpark, which boasts three miles of inviting sand. Located on the island of Amager, it’s the ideal spot for various outdoor activities. It hosts a skateboard park, walking trails, bike paths, and even an open-air concert venue. There’s also no better place to go kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, or windsurfing.

Coastal Denmark is also a perfect spot for a fun family photoshoot with a professional through flytographer. Here’s what you need to know before hiring a flytographer for your Denmark family vacation.

Don’t forget to check out the incredible views from the Øresund Bridge, stretching the gap between Copenhagen and Sweden. If the skies are clear, you may even catch glimpses of Malmö in the distance. If Copenhagen sounds amazing, but you’d like to see more of the nation, consider a Denmark family vacation.

Kid-Friendly Copenhagen Museums

A great way to get up to speed on Copenhagen’s history is a visit to a kid-friendly museum. The best ones are highly interactive and tell fascinating stories that’ll deepen and enrich your understanding of the city and its culture. The National Museum of Denmark covers the nation’s vast and fascinating history, from prehistory to the present.

What makes the National Museum of Denmark so family-friendly? For starters, it contains an entire floor dedicated to a children’s museum. Exhibits allow kids to meet the Vikings and learn about their maritime adventures. There are no “Do Not Touch” signs. Moreover, older kids can hunt for and press so-called “Boring Buttons” located throughout the museum. Pressing these buttons results in unexpected and exciting reveals, from secret chests to fire-breathing dragons and sword-wielding samurais.

If your kids love science (or you’d like to spark their interest), make time for a visit to the Experimentarium. As the name suggests, the museum is exploding with hands-on science exhibitions geared to awakening curious minds. These include “The Science Behind Pixar” exhibition, providing behind-the-scenes insight into the making of Pixar animated films.

The Little Mermaid and Kastellet Fort

Copenhagen Harbor is a beautiful spot for a bicycle ride or a leisurely walk and some people-watching. No matter how you choose to tool around, don’t forget to check out the Little Mermaid statue. The bronze monument measures 4.1 feet tall and rests near the promenade to the north of central Copenhagen.

Donated by Carl Jacobsen of the Carlsberg Brewery, the head of the statue was modeled after Jacobsen’s ballet crush, a dancer named Ellen Price. Edvard Eriksen crafted it in 1913, modeling the body of the statue after his wife. (Price refused to sit for a risqué nude modeling session.) Today, the statue has become emblematic of the city and even the nation.

A ten-minute walk from the Little Mermaid statue brings you to Kastellet (literally Citadel), one of the best-preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. Built in an earthen-work star formation, it was constructed at the behest of King Christian IV in 1626. Remarkably, the buildings of the Kastellet are still employed as military offices and barracks today.

Fortunately, visitors are welcome to the site, which includes many colorful and photogenic buildings worth viewing. Besides a military barracks, there’s a church that features regular concerts. You’ll also find a memorial to Denmark’s fallen soldiers from various wars and a historic windmill. Follow the walkways on the bastions for incredible views.

Copenhagen Family Vacation

A Copenhagen family vacation comes with countless ways to learn about local culture and the history of one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. You’ll find kid-friendly activities throughout the city, whether you’re interested in exploring the sophisticated Blue Planet aquarium, savoring the sun at Amager Strandpark, or checking out the interactive Experimentarium. And no family trip to Denmark would be complete without seeing the famed Little Mermaid statue and visiting the history-rich Kastellet.

Interested in finding out more about family-friendly Copenhagen? We can help. We’ve got the real-world parenting experiences, family travel know-how, and local connections to ensure you enjoy the best vacation possible.

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