72 Hours in Copenhagen with Kids

I arrived in Copenhagen on a gray April afternoon, stepping off the plane and making my way to the attached train station. Here, we easily found the train to the city center, and with the Copenhagen Card, I didn't have to worry about buying tickets. Traveling with tired kids means minimizing stress whenever possible, and Copenhagen made that easy from the moment of arrival. 

Day One in Copenhagen with Kids: Arrival and a Free Walking Tour

Home for the next few days was the Coco Hotel, a boutique property that somehow manages to feel both stylish and relaxed. The family suite was tucked under the building's eaves, providing a homey feel with plenty of space to spread out and unpack. There was even a ping pong room on the top floor accessible to all guests—the perfect lounging spot after a day exploring the city. We took full advantage of the property's Scandinavian breakfast each morning, enjoying warm cinnamon rolls, cold cuts, lattes, and fruit served in the inner courtyard. 

After we got settled and changed out of our travel clothes, we set out to join our group for a free walking tour of the city. This is my favorite way to combat jet lag and get everyone moving when visiting a new city. Plus, you'll get tips on things to do and places to eat while you are in town. 

Our guide alerted us that the Christiansborg Palace tower offered some of the city's best views (and bonus, it was free to visit). He also pointed out unique architectural elements, such as the "street mirrors" attached to the upper floors of homes, which give homeowners a view of the street below without opening their windows. 

A dinner of sourdough pizza at SURT (meaning "sour) was the ideal way to end the first day in Copenhagen. A traditional marinara for the kids and a pizza topped with new potatoes, capers, and mint kept everyone happy.

Other kid-friendly dining options to check out: New Nordic cuisine at Restaurant Pauli and innovative Italian fare at Paesano. 

Day Two in Copenhagen with Kids: Tivoli Gardens and a canal cruise

After breakfast at Coco Hotel and a stop at Hart Bakery for cardamom rolls (you have to do it), we headed to Tivoli Gardens. This small-scale amusement park is located right in the city center and is perfect for families. The Copenhagen Card gets you entry, and if you want to hop aboard the wooden rollercoaster or soar above the crowd on the kid-friendly Ferris wheel, a discounted ride pass is available.

You can't visit Copenhagen without getting out on the water to check out the canals. Whether you decide to captain your own solar-powered GoBoat or join a guided tour through the canals, you'll get to see the city from a different vantage point (both options are available with the Copenhagen Card). 

Once you've worked up an appetite, take the bus or harbor bus to the city's industrial district, Refshaleøen. Here you'll find Reffen, a street food market that has something for everyone. Grab some seats with city views, check out the local breweries, and spend the afternoon enjoying the scene. 

We easily could have spent the whole day exploring this area. Here are a few of our favorite kid-friendly activities nearby: 

• Enjoy some hot tub time at CopenHot (ages 6 and up). 
• See what's on exhibit at Copenhagen Contemporary. 
• Hike to the top of CopenHill and take a sled ride down (year-round!). 
• Battle new friends in a game of paintball at the Paintball Arena.
• Learn to wakeboard at Copenhagen Cablepark. 

Day 3 in Copenhagen with Kids: Giant trolls, playgrounds, and a communal dinner

One of our top must-do activities in Copenhagen was checking out the Thomas Dambo trolls, known as the 6 Forgotten Giants. We took the train to Ishøj Station, the stop for the ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art. Just a short walk around the lake brought us to "Oscar Under the Bridge," a reclining giant troll reaching up onto the bridge above.

After stopping for a quick photoshoot with the giant troll, we headed to the ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art. Children get in free, and the museum offers plenty of ways for kids to experience art beyond just enjoying the galleries. Take a sensory dip in POOL, the museum's giant ball pit, and then sign up for a kid-friendly art workshop based on current exhibitions. The museum even opens an hour early on the weekend with special activities for families (because kids don't know how to sleep in). 

Take the train back to the city center and spend the afternoon exploring the colorful buildings and cafés in Nyhavn. Then, head to the National Aquarium of Denmark to check out the thousands of underwater animals on display or visit the Experimentarium with your science-focused kids. 

If the weather is behaving, check out one of the many playgrounds in Copenhagen, including the Children's Traffic Playground, where little ones learn the rules of the road for biking, and the King's Garden Playground with a summer marionette theater. 

There are plenty of family-friendly dinner options in Copenhagen, but our favorite is the fællesspisning communal dinner at Folkehuset Absalon, held nightly for less than $10 per person (kids 3 and under are free). When you arrive, your family will be seated at a long communal table where the meal is served family-style. We joined a family from Australia and a pair of college students from California, and it was a great way to learn about their plans for Copenhagen and get recommendations. 

The lively room kept the kids from getting bored, and you didn't have to worry about them keeping quiet so as not to disturb other diners. The vegetarian meal that was served during our visit was enjoyed by all ages. In addition to offering communal meals, Folkehuset Absalon has a calendar of activities from yoga and family ceramics workshops to table tennis and drag shows.