Things to do at Easter

Spring is here, in theory. Families, barely recovered from the ardours of the action-packed winter holiday in February, now have Easter to contend with. All the usual activities involving chocolate, hunting and painting Easter eggs, yet more chocolate, or cutting out intricate patterns in folded paper to form the annual ‘gækkebrev’. For the uninitiated, this delightful Danish tradition involves sending a decorated letter in the post with a rhyme and your name written in ‘dots’ − Henry would be *****, for example. If the recipient doesn’t guess who you are, they owe you a chocolate egg. If they don’t, the yolk is on you, so to speak. For those of you not intending to stuff yourself silly with sugar-coated treats for a whole week, here are some ideas for various eggs-cursions (sorry – couldn’t resist it!).

Various locations across Greater Cph; starts Thu March 28, ends Mon April 1

 

For the little working class heroes 

The Workers Museum, close to the Lakes, will give a taste of life in the 1930s in a special children’s exhibition – out of one financial crisis and into another. You can experience the trials and tribulations of living as a whole family in a cramped flat with common outdoor toilets, visit the grocer’s shop or learn how to earn a few extra coins when times are hard. 

Workers museum; Rømersgade 22, Cph K; open daily 10:00-16:00; tickets: adults 65kr, children free adm; www.arbejdermuseet.dk 

 

Turning Japanese 

Japanese manga cartoons have been a massive hit with youngsters in recent years. The Danish Film Institute has tapped into this trend and is featuring the talents of the Japanese Walt Disney, Hayao Myazaki, with three classic colourful and imaginative films suitable for the whole family. Thursday and Friday only.

Danish Film Institute, Gothersgade 55, Cph K; Thu & Fri, tickets 40kr; www.dfi.dk

 

To the manor born

Travel back more than 200 years in time to the manor of Frilandsmuseet, where the maids in the kitchen are making traditional Danish Easter dishes like hard-boiled eggs in mustard sauce (‘skidne æg’) and find out just why you have to eat certain tidbits on certain days during Easter. Typical Easter activities include colouring eggs and cutting out paper patterns to form the traditional ‘gækkebreve’. 

Release your inner circus artiste 

Hovedporten 6, 2650, Hvidovre; Sun 11:00-12.30; tickets: adults 50kr, children free adm, 3649 0030; www.cirkusmuseum.dk 

Not many people know about this one, but the number 1A bus takes you right to the door of the Circus Museum in Hvidovre. From 11:00 over Easter, kids and adults can sharpen their trapeze, tightrope and juggling skills with help from a professional. The museum itself gives a fascinating glimpse into the history of Danish circus.

Frilandsmuseet, Kongevejen 100, Kongens Lyngby; open Thu-Mon 10:00-16:00; free adm;  www.natmus.dk

 

Planet Earth is blue 

Proudly announcing itself as northern Europe’s largest aquarium, the Blue Planet is home to 20,000 fish and ocean animals from all over the world. Take a trip in the ocean tunnel and observe the hammerhead sharks and rays at play, experience the incredible colours of a coral reef and be tantalised by Europe’s largest school of piranha under the waterfall. A short walk from Kastrup Metro, this brand new Copenhagen attraction with its distinctive architecture sounds like something special. 

Den Blå Planet; Jacob Fortlingsvej 1, Kastrup; Mon 10:00-21:00; tickets: adults 144kr, under-11s 85kr; www.denblaaplanet.dk

 

Lions and tigers and bears – oh my! 

Copenhagen Zoo has come a long way since 1859 when it opened with a seal in a bathtub. These days, you simply can’t go wrong with a visit. Little Khao Sok, the cutest of baby elephants, is the indisputable main attraction, closely followed by the amazing new Arctic Circle polar bear enclosure where the bears float and frolic in the water above your head. Plenty of special Easter activities all day long, such as feeding-times, with a focus this year on baby animals.

CPH Zoo, Zoologisk Have, Roskildevej 32, Frederiksberg; daily 10:00-17:00; tickets: under-11s: 90kr, over-11s: 150kr; 7220 0200, zoo@zoo.dk; www.zoo.dk

 

Pop into the pop art exhibition 

There’s a whole host of fun activities at Louisiana art gallery over Easter from 11:00 to 17:00 each day, which are mostly based around the current pop art exhibition. Create your own Andy Warhol pop art wallpaper, transform letters of the alphabet into exciting patterns, stick your favourite pop idol on a badge, design a clay robot and take part in the now traditional art detective activities. It’s all a train ride up the coast.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Gl Strandvej 13; open daily 11:00-18:00; closed on Mon; tickets: adults 110kr, children free adm; www.louisiana.dk

 

Hatching in Hellerup 

The Hellerup museum is one big science experiment packed with button-pushing fun and scientific activities for boffins of all ages. The dinosaur exhibition is still running, with dinosaur dissections at 1pm and 3pm. Inspired by the winged Oviraptor dinosaur, you can also watch today’s dinosaurs: chicks pecking their way through the eggshell, hatching one by one.

Experimentarium, Tuborg Havnevej 7, Hellerup; adults 165kr, under-12s: 108kr, open 09:30-17:00 weekdays, 11:00-17:00 weekends; www.experimentarium.dk