What to do on rainy days with your kids this summer in Copenhagen

We have some classic Danish summer weather lined up this week (i.e. changeable, unreliable, at times wet and windy weather). Packing beach bags might be a risky thing to do, so here’s our list of indoor activities you might not know about which won’t break the bank.

If your children clap their hands at the sight of a fire truck or an ambulance, Brandmuseet (the Fire Museum) might be for you. Located where Vesterbro and Sydhavn meet, this museum has free entry and is open on Thursdays and Saturdays. Kids get to immerse themselves into the world of firefighters and paramedics while learning about Copenhagen’s emergency services. Note that fire trucks and ambulances aren’t by default a part of the museum’s exhibition.

Sømods Bolcher is one of Copenhagen’s oldest sweet shops, and can be found in the heart of the city, just a few steps from Nørreport. From Monday to Friday at 10.15, 12.00, 13.30 and 15.00, bring your kids to see how they make their traditional, colourful sweets.

Copenhagen has some truly fantastic libraries , with hundreds of books to choose between, small picnic areas, and spaces to run around and play. Hovedbiblioteket, Vesterbro Bibliotek, Tårnby Bibliotek, and Christianshavn Bibliotek are all fantastic options.

In an attempt to keep kids reading over the summer holidays, to try to maintain their reading level, Copenhagen’s libraries have come together to create an event called Sommerbogen (or the summer book in English). Suitable for children aged 6 to 15, and age-adapted, this reading challenge comes with fun activities. Once completed, all participants win a prize. Note however that this is a Danish activity, and is therefore best suited for children who go to a Danish school.

Copenhagen’s libraries are gems in themselves, but during the summer they up their game ramping up the number of children’s activities they host. Get your face painted or join a chess club at Vesterbro library; experience theatre at Hovedbiblioteket; experience fun, colourful installations at Ørestad bibliotek; join writing- and cartoon clubs ; and much more .

Copenhagen’s libraries often have play areas, but several other public spaces offer kids space to let off some steam. KU.BE in Frederiksberg has climbing walls and nets, as well as table tennis and more. Amagercentret, a shopping centre in southern Copenhagen, has several play areas on the first floor, as well as good coffee and snack options for parents. Copenhagen also has many staffed playgrounds ( Bemandede Legepladser in Danish). These are fantastic playgrounds, which have fun equipment and paddling pools on hot days, but on rainy days they have indoor spaces with storytelling, table tennis, yoga and creative workshops.

Children aged 6 to 12 along with their parents are invited to play badminton for free in Nørrebrohallen from 15.00 to 17.00 most days the rest of July, and 09.00 to 11.00 and 15.00 to 17.00 most days in August. Book your time slot for free at Copenhagen Commune’s website .

Københavns Museum , located a stone's throw from the town hall and Tivoli Gardens, hosts fun kids activities during the summer. Most require some Danish skills, but all are fun and educational. Let your kid discover their inner archeologist, with a two day archeology course . Or help them learn about architecture with children’s architecture bingo . See more details about children’s events on Københavns Museum’s website.

Almost every Sunday from 13.30 to 15.30, you can attend creative workshops , allowing you to immerse yourself into creative projects using recycled materials. The materials change from workshop to workshop, and you can bring home a decorative jellyfish, dream catchers, jewellery and mosaics. Every other Monday from 14.00 to 16.30, you can learn to sew , either working on existing projects, or starting new ones.

During the summer, Nikolaj Kunsthal, the art museum housed in Saint Nikolaj Church, close to Kongens Nytorv, hosts workshops for children and their parents. The workshops walk children through their current exhibition by Alison Knowles, using fun activities to teach them about the art. Children are free while adult participation is 110 kroner. Join the next workshop on 25th July. You can choose between three workshops, each one lasting an hour.