Scandinavia is a destination that naturally attracts families. Here everything is designed and thought out to make life easier for families, so life is organised around spending as much time as possible with your children.
In Copenhagen, most workers leave their offices at 3.45pm, without fear of the slightest disapproving glance from their colleagues or managers. They then pick up their children from the nursery, which closes at 5 p.m. sharp, before continuing their day with shopping, sport or extracurricular activities.
Once home, they prepare the meal as a family, have dinner and enjoy a moment of relaxation with their children. By 7.30pm, everything is wrapped up: dinner, washing up and the bedtime story. This family time is considered sacred: neither managers nor employees allow themselves to encroach on this precious time.
Many Danes then return to work in the evening, until 10 or 11pm. These “invisible” working hours, which are rarely mentioned in the media, represent the compromise made in Denmark to give their children time at the end of the afternoon
This priority given to the family, rooted in culture and supported by political choices, is immediately apparent on a visit to Denmark.
So why not take inspiration from this approach and make the most of special moments with your children? Here are a few ideas for outings that will delight young and old alike!
Tivoli Amusement Park
A must!
Founded in 1843, Tivoli is Europe’s oldest amusement parkoffering an enchanting setting with its fairytale buildings, elegant fountains, bandstands, pantomime theatre, lake and sumptuous gardens. Illuminated by more than 120,000 bulbs, it exudes a nostalgic atmosphere and is just as magical during the day as it is in the evening.
The park offers rides for all ages, as well as many cafés and restaurants. Thrill-seekers can try out The Demon (Dæmonen), provided they have a strong heart, while the gentler attractions such as The Trolley Car (Linie 8) and The Ferries Wheel (Ballongyngen) will delight the youngest visitors.
Allow 3 to 4 hours to get the most out of the park. The only drawback is the high cost for a family outing. Admission is at least €20 for adults and €10 for children (more on weekends and high season), but does not include the rides, which cost €10 to €12 per attraction per person (most of which must be accompanied by children). In summer, open-air rock concerts add to the price of admission.
Our advice: Opt for the Tivoli Entrance and Ride Pass (up to €70 per adult, €35 per child under 8 depending on weekday / season) for unlimited access to the attractions. With a meal break at an additional cost, expect to pay around €400 for a family of 4 for a full afternoon. Hunt for six recycled wood giants (car recommended)
Head for the magical forests on the outskirts of Copenhagen, the enchanted meadows and waterways and discover the giants of Thomas Dambo.
An acclaimed artist with 246,000 followers on Instagram and projects on an international scale, Thomas Dambo has chosen natural scenic locations to plant his gigantic sculptures made of scrap metal and scrap wood.
You’ll meet Sleeping Louis, Oscar Under the Bridge, Teddy Friendly, Little Tilde, Thomas on the Hill and Hilltop Trine, all names inspired by Danish legends given life by the volunteers who helped the artist.
The route is perfect for families who want to get away from the tourist crowds and enjoy nature. Finding your way to the giants is a fun activity for children aged 10 and over, especially if your children enjoy treasure hunts.
Bring your walking shoes and plan your discoveries well in advance: the exact locations and history of each sculpture can be found on the artist’s website
Discover the Danish Vikings
Although less illustrious than its Swedish and Norwegian neighbours, Denmark has a rich history, and the Danish Vikings are not to be outdone by their Scandinavian colleagues. Everyone knows the famous Harald with the blue tooth, who lent his name to the famous communications protocol, Bluetooth, but Danish history is full of other colourful characters and anecdotes.
Denmark offers a wide range of possibilities for discovering Viking history. Although most of the museums are scattered across the country and require you to hire a car, Roskilde Museum, 35km from Copenhagen, is easily accessible by train.
Numerous Viking ships have been discovered and reconstructed, allowing children to imagine themselves at the time of the great Viking migrations. The museum also offers outings on this type of boat, and the chance to take part in various marine tasks: ropes, carpentry, etc. Finally, it is also possible to taste smoked fish and other specialities of Viking cuisine.
If you’re feeling more adventurous and want to explore Danish Viking history in greater depth, the remarkable Viking Center in Ribe, the Viking Age Museum in Trelleborg and the Viking Museum in Ladby are all worth considering, but you’ll need to hire a car.
For those who want to discover the fascinating world of the Vikings without leaving Copenhagen, our guided tour : “Vikings at the National Museum” offers a unique indoor immersion experience. Specially designed for children aged 6 to 12, this fun and interactive experience explores Viking history through captivating stories and authentic objects. Young explorers will be able to decipher runes, observe a prehistoric auroch, touch a tear from the goddess Freyja and set off in search of treasures through the ages.
The ideal way to immerse yourself in the world of the Vikings without having to leave the capital! Book your visit here→ Vikings at the National Museum
Beach getaway (only between June and September)
Denmark has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. 7,400 km of fine white sandy coastline and quiet beaches, ideal for families who want to enjoy the sea without the hassle of crowded beaches. Note that most Danish families take their summer holidays in July, as the school year starts on the first or second Wednesday in August. If you take your holidays the English way (i.e. in August), you’ll have these beaches all to yourself!
Visit Denmark has compiled a guide to the country’s 18 most beautiful beaches
The urban beach of Amager (Amager Strand) is just 5 km from Copenhagen city centre. Served by the metro, it’s a favourite destination for city dwellers on both summer and winter weekends.
Inaugurated in 2005, this 60-hectare project took almost 30 years to emerge from the shallow waters bordering the Øresund strait. The development has reclaimed land creating a beautiful beach and is part of the “Copenhagen Blue” project.
Guided tours specially designed for childrenDes tours guidés spécialement conçus pour les enfants
Too often we’ve guided families who drag their children along, stuffing them with chocolate to keep them moving or, at worst, sticking them in front of a tablet to distract them during our visits.
A little frustrated by these experiences, we decided to design a series of routes especially for children aged 6 to 12.
Combining education and fun, our tours are designed for the youngest visitors who are keen to discover and experiment.
Whether it’s a stroll through the city, or a visit to a museum, we listen carefully and adapt to the needs of young visitors, offering carefully designed interactive tours that will captivate your children.
For an immersive discovery of Copenhagen, why not opt for a guided tour specially designed for children?
👉 With our tour “History of the city“, young explorers discover Copenhagen through fascinating anecdotes and interactive games.
👉 And for those who prefer to keep their conquests warm inside, our tour “Vikings at the National Museum” offers a fascinating immersion in Viking history through authentic artefacts and epic tales, all in the majestic setting of the National Museum of Denmark.
Practical details
Public transport
They are pleasant and accessible to prams and pushchairs (on buses, get on by the middle door, after receiving a nod from the driver, who lets in 2 prams and 1 pushchair per bus). The metro, which dates from 2002, is clean, safe and runs all night. With a pushchair, take the lift.
Bike hire
Whether you have young children or older ones, rent a bike! Denmark is one of the best destinations in the world for cycling holidays. In the major cities, the cycle paths (400 km in Copenhagen) are safe and will take you everywhere (make sure you get the traffic rules explained to you before you get on your bike, and don’t forget your helmet!) We recommend using baby carriers on bicycles up to the age of 5. Beyond that age group, you can hire electric cargo bikes or Christiania bikes (bikes with a wooden box in front) if you’re in good physical shape. We advise you to book with bike hire companies rather than your hotel, as these professionals will be able to help you find the ideal size for your child’s bike, adjust the saddle, etc.
If you fancy a slightly wilder getaway, spend the day on the island of Hven/Ven (a car-free Swedish island), 1 hour 45 minutes from Copenhagen. In high season, the boat leaves from Nodre Tolbod 18 – 24 at 9.00 and returns at 17.00. Bikes can be hired on the island.
The gentle terrain throughout the country and safe cycle paths make Denmark a particularly child-friendly place.
