Denmark with kids
Denmark With Kids: How to Plan a Family Trip to Denmark
Denmark might be the most family friendly country in Europe. Copenhagen has Tivoli Gardens, the original Legoland is in Billund, bikes outnumber cars, playgrounds are everywhere, and Danish culture treats kids like they belong in public spaces. The food is better than you expect, the design is beautiful, and everything runs on time.
When to go
Denmark by season
- 1April to May
Spring
Tivoli Gardens reopens in April and the city wakes up. Flowers in bloom across Copenhagen, long daylight hours starting to stretch, and temperatures around 45 to 60°F. A great time to visit before the summer crowds arrive. Bring layers because the wind off the water can still bite.
- 2June to August
Summer
The best weather and the longest days. June has nearly 18 hours of daylight. Outdoor swimming in the harbor baths, beaches on the Danish coast, and every café terrace is open. Peak season so prices go up and Legoland gets busy. Book Legoland tickets in advance.
- 3September to October
Autumn
Crowds thin, prices drop, and the weather holds through September. Tivoli does a Halloween season in October that the kids will love. Shorter days but still good for sightseeing. One of the smartest times for families who want a quieter trip.
- 4November to March
Winter
Tivoli Christmas market is one of the best in Scandinavia. Copenhagen lights up with candles and hygge everywhere you look. Cold and dark but the Danes lean into it. Indoor museums, warm bakeries, and cozy restaurants make winter work. This is the cheapest time to fly.
Where to go
What draws families to Denmark
Denmark is compact and connected. Copenhagen is the anchor for most family trips, Legoland is a short domestic flight or four hour train from Copenhagen, and the smaller towns along the coast offer a completely different pace. You can do a lot in a week without feeling rushed.
Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn harbor, the Round Tower, and some of the best playgrounds in Europe. Copenhagen is a walking and biking city where kids are welcome everywhere. The harbor baths let you swim in the city center in summer.
Billund and Legoland
The original Legoland park is in Billund, about four hours from Copenhagen by train or 40 minutes by plane. Over 65 million Lego bricks built into miniature cities, rides for every age, and the Lego House next door. Plan at least one full day, two if your kids are serious about Lego.
Roskilde and the coast
Roskilde has the Viking Ship Museum where kids can try rowing a Viking ship. The Danish coastline has sandy beaches, sand dune hikes, and small fishing villages. Skagen at the northern tip is where two seas meet and the light is unlike anywhere else in Denmark.
Where to sleep
Accommodation in Denmark
Denmark is expensive compared to most of Europe. Apartments save real money for families because you can cook breakfast and pack lunches. Copenhagen has the widest range of options. Billund has Legoland resort hotels that kids go crazy for.
| Option | Expect to pay | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Budget hotel or hostel | $120 to $180 per night | Basic but clean, family rooms available at some hostels, central locations |
| Mid range hotel | $180 to $300 per night | Scandinavian design, family rooms, good breakfast buffets, central Copenhagen |
| Family apartment rental | $150 to $250 per night | Best value for families, kitchen, laundry, more space than hotels |
| Legoland resort or boutique | $300 to $600+ per night | Lego themed rooms in Billund, design hotels in Copenhagen |
What it costs
Denmark family trip budget
Denmark is one of the more expensive European destinations. Eating out adds up fast but the street food scene in Copenhagen (papiroen, Torvehallerne) gives you great food at lower prices. The Copenhagen Card covers transit and 80+ museums and attractions, which saves a lot for families.
| Category | Budget (6 days) | Mid range (6 days) |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (family of 4) | $2,400 to $3,400 | $3,400 to $5,200 |
| Accommodation | $720 to $1,080 | $1,080 to $1,800 |
| Food | $600 to $900 | $900 to $1,500 |
| Transport (trains and metro) | $200 to $350 | $350 to $500 |
| Activities and attractions | $250 to $400 | $400 to $650 |
| Total | $4,170 to $6,130 | $6,130 to $9,650 |
What to do
Family activities and costs
Denmark is built for kids in a way that few countries are. The playgrounds alone are worth a trip. Tivoli, Legoland, Viking ships, harbor swimming, bike rides, and bakeries with pastries the size of your face. The Danes put real thought into how families live and it shows everywhere.
| Activity | Family of 4 cost | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tivoli Gardens | $120 to $200 | Copenhagen (entry plus rides, discounts for kids under 8) |
| Legoland Billund | $180 to $260 | Billund (full day, book online for discounts) |
| Lego House | $100 to $140 | Billund (interactive Lego experiences, separate from Legoland park) |
| Viking Ship Museum | $60 to $80 | Roskilde (real Viking ships, boat building, rowing in summer) |
| Round Tower climb | $30 to $40 | Copenhagen (spiral ramp to the top, panoramic city views) |
| National Aquarium (Den Blå Planet) | $100 to $130 | Copenhagen (Northern Europe’s largest aquarium) |
| Canal boat tour | $60 to $80 | Copenhagen (Nyhavn departure, 1 hour, passes the Little Mermaid) |
| Bike rental (full day) | $60 to $100 | Copenhagen (cargo bikes and kid seats available, bike lanes everywhere) |
Getting around
Safety and logistics
- Copenhagen Airport (CPH) has direct flights from several US cities including New York, Chicago and Washington DC. The metro from the airport to the city center takes about 15 minutes and runs 24 hours
- Danish trains (DSB) connect Copenhagen to the rest of the country. Copenhagen to Odense is 90 minutes, Copenhagen to Aarhus is about 3 hours. Kids under 12 travel free with a paying adult on DSB trains
- Copenhagen is one of the best biking cities in the world. Dedicated bike lanes on every major street. Cargo bikes with kid seats are available for rent and it is the best way to see the city. Kids pick it up fast
- The Copenhagen Card covers unlimited transit plus free entry to 80+ museums and attractions including Tivoli, the National Museum, and canal tours. For families it usually pays for itself in two days
- Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), not the euro. Cards are accepted everywhere, including street food stalls. You rarely need cash
- Everyone speaks English. You will not have a language barrier anywhere in Denmark. Danish is the official language but English fluency is nearly universal
- Danish pastries are real and they are incredible. Bakeries (bagerier) are on every block. The kids will want a kanelsnegl (cinnamon roll) every morning and so will you
- Tap water is excellent everywhere. Restaurants serve it free. No need to buy bottled water
- Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world. Copenhagen is extremely safe for families at any hour. Bikes are left unlocked, strollers are left outside shops, and the biggest risk is a seagull stealing your hotdog
- Danish summer days are very long. In June the sun does not set until nearly 10 PM. Great for sightseeing but bring blackout curtains or an eye mask for the kids at bedtime
Before you go
The practical stuff
Combine trips
What’s close to Denmark
Sweden
Copenhagen to Malmö is 35 minutes across the Öresund Bridge. You can do a day trip or continue to Stockholm. The bridge crossing alone is worth the train ticket. Sweden adds forests, lakes and a different Scandinavian vibe to the trip.
Norway
Copenhagen to Oslo or Bergen is a short flight. Add fjords, mountains, and dramatic coastline to your Scandinavian trip. Norway is more expensive than Denmark but the scenery is hard to beat for families who love the outdoors.
Germany
Copenhagen to Hamburg is about 4.5 hours by train. From Hamburg you can connect to Berlin, Munich, or the Rhine Valley. A great way to combine Scandinavia with Central Europe on one trip.
“Denmark is the country that made me realize kids do not need a special kids’ menu or a kids’ version of anything. They just need a culture that actually includes them. Every restaurant has a high chair, every park has a playground worth stopping for, and Tivoli is the kind of amusement park where you are having as much fun as the kids are. The Danes figured out how families should travel and then built an entire country around it.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
Thinking about Denmark with your family?
Tell me how old the kids are and what time of year you are looking at. I will help you figure out how many days in Copenhagen, if Legoland fits, and what else to add.
Quick answers
How many days do you need in Denmark with kids?
Plan 5 to 7 days. Three to four days in Copenhagen, one to two days at Legoland in Billund, and optionally a day trip to Roskilde or the coast. You can fill a full week easily without feeling rushed.
How much does a family trip to Denmark cost?
A family of four can do 6 days for $4,200 to $6,100 on a budget or $6,100 to $9,700 at mid range, including flights. Denmark is expensive by European standards. The Copenhagen Card and self catering save the most money.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it for families?
Almost always yes. It covers unlimited public transit and free entry to 80+ attractions including Tivoli, the National Museum, canal tours, and the aquarium. For a family doing two or three attractions per day it pays for itself quickly.
How do you get to Legoland from Copenhagen?
Fly from Copenhagen to Billund (40 minutes, several flights daily) or take the train (about 4 hours with a change in Vejle). Flying is faster but the train is scenic. Legoland is a 10 minute taxi from Billund airport. Most families do one or two nights in Billund.
What food will kids eat in Denmark?
Danish hotdogs (pølser) from street carts, pastries from bakeries, smørrebrød (open faced sandwiches), pancakes, meatballs (frikadeller), and pizza. The street food markets in Copenhagen have options from every cuisine. Danish dairy is excellent and kids love the yogurt.
When is the best time to visit Denmark with kids?
June through August for the best weather and longest days. May and September for fewer crowds and lower prices. Late November through December for Christmas markets and Tivoli’s holiday season. Avoid January and February unless you love cold and dark.
Is Denmark safe for families?
Extremely safe. Denmark consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. Copenhagen is safe at all hours. The biggest adjustment for American families is how relaxed everything feels. Danes leave strollers outside cafes and bikes unlocked. It takes a day to stop worrying.
Keep planning: Denmark travel guide, International travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices and fees last checked October 2026 and change often.
Family trip plans
Where are you taking the kids?
