How would you spend 4 days in Copenhagen (with children)?

[Puffinshop]

We've been to Copenhagen before and we absolutely loved it. Now our kids are a little older (will be just 8 and almost 6 in the summer) we are going back to get more out of the Tivoli.

Last time we had a toddler and a baby and did the Tivoli, the zoo and the science museum (Experimentarium). We had such a great time I am quite tempted to just do the same again but now we have 4 whole days rather than 3 so we can do one other thing at least, or skip some of those 3 to try something new. We prefer to do one 'big' thing per day and then fill in the edges with wandering, ice cream, hot dogs, playgrounds - we're not trying to cram too much in.

We will definitely do a day in the Tivoli, but what are the most fun things for a family with primary age kids? It'll be July, so busy peak season but hopefully pretty good weather. What about the aquarium, is that worth it over the zoo?

Boat trip around the harbour
walking tour of Christiania - there may also be child friendly activities
lego shop - although I was a bit disappointed if I'm honest

We're doing 2 nights in Billund before Copenhagen (days at Legoland and Lego House) so as much as we all like Lego I doubt they'll need more Lego-based fun.

A boat tour could be a good way to take some time to relax and see a bit more of the city, thanks.

We'll probably hire bikes, including one of those cargo bikes, in order to save on whining about tired legs. From memory, it is a lovely city to get around by bike.

Have a day trip to Malmo. The train isn't far and isn't expensive. Kids will like the train - it starts off on a bridge then goes down into a tunnel. Once you get there, go for a boat trip on the canal or visit Malmo castle or Stortorget.

Have a look here: www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/copenhagen-with-kids

Malmø day trip is a good idea.

I used to love runde torn (round tower) when I was a child and visited family in Copenhagen.

Day trip to see the Viking longboats at Roskilde?

We did Billund then Copenhagen last summer with a 12 year old & 9 year old and we loved it. In Copenhagen we went to Tivoli, swam at the harbour (found a lido with lifeguards) and hired bikes. If we go back, we will hire a solar boat, see the crown jewels and go to Tivoli in the evening rather than during day to see fireworks. Fab place. If you have time while in Billund, Wow Park is amazing - forest adventure place.

That[s what I loved best at 7ish. That, Tivoli gardens and licorice plus Danish pastries and the great parks!

I wouldn’t go to Christiana. It’s got a really unpleasant druggy atmosphere and my children hated it. Wouldn’t bother with going to Malmo either, it’s really seedy.

Day trip to Louisiana, harbour trip.

Another vote for the Viking longboats!

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art louisiana.dk/en/
Short train ride, lots of open outside spaces and a Children’s Wing

I agree with the PP who said to skip Christiania and Malmo with young children.

The Kayak Republic tours of the harbour area on a kayak are great - your kids can go in a two person kayak with you . They are very stable and safe.

The large sightseeing motor boat tours that go out of Nyhavn .

Oh thanks for the heads up, I had heard that Christiania was a trendy hippy area but definitely see how that can be code for drugs!
We are not going to leave the city I don't think - there is so much to do and see without leaving and we only have 4 days, so it's more a case of choosing between the options.
Perhaps we should do the aquarium instead of the zoo and leave one day freeish for general exploring, parks and a picnic or something.

They do like Viking age stuff to a certain extent, but in general not so interested in history (much to my chagrin). We took them to Vasa in Stockholm last year and it did not get good reviews from the kids - although I had a lovely time! They are more into science and animals and enjoy things where they can climb or be active and get hands on. Not that everything we do has to be just for them, but we are prioritising them I suppose.

um, Malmö is brilliant, with so many things to see and do! Fascinating architecture, a great science museum, lovely parks and an incredible municipal library.

Christiana is full and druggy though, despite its brilliant back story.

dull, not full. What a silly autocorrect!

Board game cafe on a rainy afternoon think it was called bastard tho :-)😀

We spent a whole day in Malmo. It was down at heel and had very little of interest. Certainly didn’t see any amazing architecture. Not sure why anybody would want to waste a day there when staying in Copenhagen.

I currently live in Copenhagen so happy to answer any questions directly.

In addition to the places you’ve already been, such as Tivoli, the zoo etc,
I would suggest:

Reffen - street food festival that you get the boat taxi too. Very nice, beach’y vibe

Boat tour or renting a Go Boat and driving it yourself with a picnic. Could also be a nice way to see Christianshavn from the water

The round tower - nice, easy thing to do if you’re in the city. You could then walk to the lake at Peblinge So and do a pedal boat ride and La Glacé for an amazing Danish pastry (La Glacé gets very busy)

The beach at Amager Strand if the weather is nice. You can kayak, crazy golf and there’s volleyball and a great pizza place nearby.

The ski slope - might be something a bit different

The aquarium is okay - very close to the airport so might be something you can do on a travel day if you’re landing early/leaving late

Fredericksburg park - it’s next to the zoo but very nice on a sunny day

Have a lovely holiday!

One of my best friends lives there and we visit often. Maybe you needed a guide. It's a gorgeous city.

"We spent a whole day in Malmo.... Certainly didn’t see any amazing architecture."

How did you miss this?
I admit, it's not something that would impress the average 8 year old.

The Viking longboat museum/exhibition in Roskilde is very interactive and has activities for kids to participate in. There is more there than just the longboats.

We loved the University Gardens - very impressive greenhouses and beautiful planting

Um not my idea of impressive. Sorry. It was a bit of a dump if I’m honest and didn’t have a nice atmosphere. It has got a v poor crime reputation. We really didn’t like it and would visit somewhere else if doing a train day trip from Copenhagen

It's ok, you never have to go there again if you don't want to! But as someone who has spent a reasonable amount of time there, I will continue to recommend it 😎.