Copenhagen with Kids — 2‑Day Practical Family Itinerary (Summer)
A paced, stroller‑friendly two‑day plan in Copenhagen for families with young children. Interactive museums, green play areas, a gentle canal trip and a zoo visit — built with nap/snack breaks, short transfers and allergy‑aware meal options in mind. Best for children approx. ages 2–12.
Highlights
- Hands‑on play and science at Experimentarium
- Interactive exhibits at the National Museum's children's area
- Relaxing canal boat ride from Nyhavn
- Animal time at Copenhagen Zoo and relaxed play at Frederiksberg Have
- Kid‑friendly planetarium show at Tycho Brahe Planetarium
Itinerary
Day 1
Interactive science, child‑friendly museum time and a calm canal ride — built with plenty of snack and restroom breaks.
Experimentarium — hands‑on science play (ages 3–12)
Start at Experimentarium: large, interactive exhibits where kids can touch, experiment and run energy‑saving demos. Plenty of room for strollers and short, engaging zones for smaller attention spans.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive at opening (10:00) to avoid peak crowds and use the stroller‑friendly elevators between floors; there are accessible babycare restrooms near the main entrance.
- Bring a lightweight blanket for a quiet 10–15 minute rest on the seating islands between exhibits — good for toddler naps after busy play.
- Snack and allergy‑aware options are available in the café; staff will usually accommodate common allergies if you ask (and there are clean changing tables).
Lunch at Torvehallerne — flexible, kid‑friendly market
Short transfer to Torvehallerne food market. Lots of small vendors so picky eaters and dietary needs are easy to handle (pizza, sandwiches, fresh fruit, gluten‑free choices). Plenty of seating and accessible restrooms.
Tips from local experts:
- Head to stalls like an open sandwich stall or a pizza stand for fast kid portions and find seating in the cooler covered areas if it’s sunny.
- There are high chairs and family‑sized tables; pick a stall that displays allergens or ask the vendor — easy to swap ingredients for allergies.
- If your child needs a quiet corner, walk five minutes to the nearby glass‑roofed seating area beside the Botanic Garden for calmer space and shade.
National Museum (Nationalmuseet) — Children's Museum area
Interactive historical displays and a dedicated Children's Museum section where kids can dress up, handle safe objects and play. Stroller‑friendly routes and family restrooms make visits easy.
Tips from local experts:
- Visit the Children's Museum first (less busy early afternoon) — exhibits are hands‑on and great for ages 3–10; bag storage is available for a lighter stroller experience.
- There are clean changing tables in family restrooms; plan a 10‑15 minute quiet break in the museum café before moving on.
- If the museum feels crowded, head to the small outdoor courtyard just outside for fresh air and a snack — good for toddlers who need to move.
Kongens Have (King's Garden) — play and relax by Rosenborg
Short stroll to Kongens Have for a relaxed outdoor play break. Large lawns, shady trees, and nearby playgrounds are perfect for running off energy.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring a small picnic blanket — grassy spots under trees give shade during warm June afternoons and are perfect for a toddler nap after the museum.
- There are public restrooms nearby and clear stroller paths on the main park lanes; avoid the more gravelly paths with heavy strollers.
- If you want a quick ice cream, a kiosk near the park entrance has sundaes and sorbets (dairy‑free options often available in summer).
Canal boat tour from Nyhavn — calm 45‑minute family cruise
Gentle canal ride giving children a rested, seated view of Copenhagen's quays and bridges. Boats are covered and usually stroller‑friendly; great late‑afternoon wind‑down.
Tips from local experts:
- Choose an operator that boards at Nyhavn and allow time to park strollers near the boarding ramp — covered boats are best if the sky looks changeable.
- Bring a light jacket for kids (sea breeze can be cool even in June). The boats have toilets onboard but a quick restroom visit before boarding is easier.
- Take photos from the bow early in the ride (less crowded) and point out bright houses and harbor life — a calm way for kids to rest their legs.
Dinner by the canal (Nyhavn) — relaxed family dinner
Early, family‑paced dinner by Nyhavn’s quayside. Choose one of the family‑friendly cafés where kids can pick simple dishes; avoid peak hours to skip long waits.
Tips from local experts:
- Book or arrive early (18:00) to secure a table with space for a stroller; many Nyhavn cafés will bring a high chair if asked.
- Look for places with a simple kids' menu (pasta, fish fingers or chicken) and ask the server about allergy swaps — most central places are used to accommodating food needs.
- After dinner, take a 10‑minute gentle stroll along the quays so children can see the boats and burn a little energy before bed.
Day 2
Animals, big park time and a planetarium show — a quieter day with more outdoor play and nap‑friendly spots.
Copenhagen Zoo — morning animal time (ages 2–12)
Wide paths, stroller access and focused animal houses. Plan main animal stops first and use indoor exhibits (polar bear, tropics) if you need a cool or quiet break.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive near opening to see feeding times and avoid midday crowds; the zoo has detailed maps showing accessible routes for strollers.
- There are family restrooms and baby‑changing facilities in key buildings; pack familiar snacks for picky eaters and use the café if allergies are a concern.
- Allow toddlers to run in the zoo's playgrounds near the Children's Zoo area for a contained play session — perfect to reset attention spans.
Picnic & play at Frederiksberg Have (nap/snack time)
Five minutes from the zoo: large lawns, ponds, and playgrounds. Ideal for a picnic lunch (bring or buy sandwiches) and a calm post‑zoo rest.
Tips from local experts:
- Use the shaded lawns near the palace for a picnic — perfect for an afternoon nap or quiet reading time for younger kids.
- Public restrooms and stroller‑friendly paths circle the park; there’s a playground suitable for ages 2–8 that’s usually quieter after lunchtime.
- If you prefer to buy food, there are small cafés at the park edges with kid portions; ask staff about nut‑free or dairy‑free alternatives.
Tycho Brahe Planetarium — family‑friendly show
Short transfer to the planetarium for a family planet show. Many shows are tailored to children and provide dark, seated time which is good for winding down toddlers and school‑age kids.
Tips from local experts:
- Pick a child‑targeted planetarium show (check the schedule in the morning) — the dark, calm environment is a good nap window for littles.
- There are elevators and stroller parking; arrive 15 minutes early to get settled and use the family restrooms before the show.
- If your child is sensitive to sound, choose a daytime show with lower volume or ask staff which presentation is quieter.
Ice cream and gentle stroll along Strøget — cool down
Short walk into the pedestrian heart for an ice‑cream reward and a calm window‑shopping stroll. Keep it short to avoid overstimulation.
Tips from local experts:
- Choose a quieter side street off Strøget for ice cream seating to avoid the busiest crowds; many shops offer dairy‑free sorbets in summer.
- Keep the stroller folded on the narrowest sections and use bench spots near squares for snack breaks and shoe‑tie pauses.
- If a child needs quiet time, duck into a small café for a 10–15 minute rest rather than pushing through the busiest parts of Strøget.
Wind‑down: pick up a kid‑friendly souvenir or relax at Magasin
End with a relaxed stop at Magasin du Nord or a small children's shop on Strøget for a toy or book — an easy close before heading back to accommodation.
Tips from local experts:
- Magasin has a children’s floor with lightweight toys and clothes — great for a single souvenir that won’t clutter your luggage.
- If you need a quiet corner for stroller naps, ask the shop staff for a seating area; department stores often have clean family restrooms and changing facilities.
- Keep purchases small and travel‑friendly (books, small wooden toys) — they make calmer wrap‑up gifts than noisy toys that might overstimulate.
