Tivoli, LEGO in Billund, cycling infrastructure that actually works for families, and a culture of outdoor play that transforms how children experience a city.
Parent tip: Rent cargo bikes for a day — it's how Copenhagen families actually move and children love it.
Read our Copenhagen family guide: areas, where to stay and tips
Hands-on exhibits strongly reward families whose children prefer doing to observing.
Rides, atmosphere and gardens can satisfy both thrill-seekers and less ride-focused family members.
Denmark's main history museum in central Copenhagen, with Viking-age finds, prehistoric treasures and collections from around the world. Mostly indoor, and kids interested in Vikings will find plenty to look at.
Denmark's National Aquarium on the Øresund shore at Kastrup, with around 50 aquariums and thousands of animals, including playful sea otters and hammerhead sharks in the huge Ocean tank. Entirely indoors, with level access throughout.
A big city zoo in Frederiksberg with animals from all over the world, a Kids' Zoo with farm animals and keeper activities, a Tropical House, a Nocturnal House, Mary's Australian Garden, playgrounds and the Zoo Tower lookout.
Copenhagen's architecture centre on the harbour, with a children's area (Educatorium) for drawing, building and designing, a 40-metre slide down four floors, family workshops at weekends and in school holidays, and an outdoor playground next to the building.
Yellow electric public ferries that zig-zag across the harbour between nine stops from Teglholmen to Orientkaj, on an ordinary bus ticket. A cheap way to see the waterfront and hop between Islands Brygge, the Royal Library and Refshaleøen.
The world's oldest amusement park, in a deer park north of the city; seasonal.
Walk up a spiral ramp, not stairs, to a rooftop view of the old city.
A 400-year-old royal castle in Kongens Have holding the Danish crown jewels. It has many stairs and no lift.