Things to do

Christmas break coming up – ideas for free activities to do in Copenhagen

This year is hard with so many activities closed and no travel possible due to the epidemic. How to get through it? Find a few tips below to help you.

 

The article continues below.

By Pippa Thompsen   Picture: Anna Nadia Dill

School is off and you’ve got the children to keep entertained and this year no chance of going home for the holidays or skiing or out to the Caribbean for some much-needed sunshine.

Also, all of the indoor activities are closed, whilst the weather might not delight you, consider some of these free outdoor activities.

The article continues below.

1. PARKS

If it’s not raining, a trip to the park provides both exercise and fun.

Our favourite is the Dragon Park at Kongens Have by Rosenborg Slot in central Copenhagen. The natural materials and dragons guarding their egg make for excellent imaginative play.

As the cafe by the castle is closed until 3 January bring your own coffee or hot chocolate.

Older children might prefer the skate ramps at Superkilin in Norrebro.

From Klampenborg station, it’s easy to reach the Dyrehave. Most of the paths are suitable for bikes and you can burn off a lot of energy here and see who can spot the most deer.

More ideas here:

www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/parks
www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/playgrounds

The article continues below.

2.THE BEACH

Our children had their first swim of the year last winter break. Actually, swim is an exaggeration, but they both stripped off and jumped in the sea last February. Best done only if you have a car to keep them warm on the journey home. And don’t forget a flask of a warm drink for when they come out of the sea.

If you don’t feel like getting wet, a brisk windy walk along Amager Strandpark will definitely put roses in your cheeks.

Inspiration for activites and things to do can be found online at the site of  Naturcenter Amagerstrand, (normally there are live activities where you can draw, make bonfire bread and so on but not this year due to the epidemic, instead their online site has daily sessions with tips and ideas. Find them here:).

Another fun walk is from Ishoj to find Oscar Under the Bridge, one of Thomas Dambo’s Six Forgotten Giants.  More information thomasdambo.com

Although the article was written for the warm season find some ideas for wonderful beaches and excursions in our North Zealand Seaside Tour article or look for information here: www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/activities/baths-and-beaches

3. MERMAID HUNTING

Everyone knows The Little Mermaid (recently graffitied and permanently surrounded by busloads of tourists) but why not take the children for a day out finding Copenhagen’s less well-known sirens?

On Pakhuset, you can find the Genetically Modified Little Mermaid by Professor Bjorn Norgaard and not far away, The Big Granite Mermaid, also in Langelinie.

The Black Diamond mermaid is found on Soren Kierkegaards Plads and on the Stroget side of Hojbro (near where the canal tours depart), look under the water to see Suste Bonnen’s Agnete and the Merman.

More information here:

The article continues below.

4.ENJOY THE RAIN

It may well be raining, so make the most of your Danish wet weather gear and go for a wet walk. No umbrellas allowed.

The idea is to enjoy the feeling of getting wet, jumping in puddles and getting muddy.

Come back home afterwards to hot showers, pyjamas and everyone snuggled up on the sofa for a movie. Maybe enjoying one of the fabulous Christmas buns or other Danish pastry. Read more about them here.