Half-term for kids is coming again. Poor parents are racking their brains about what to do and how to make the most from of their nine days of family bliss.
Obviously, not at home watching cartoons- nor at the playground just to keep your child busy while you can answer all those emails.
Thankfully, Copenhagen has answered your prayers with an eventful program that will get kids excited and ease your worries.
Halloween at Tivoli
Tivoli doesn't do things by halves, as Halloween has now been magically stretched into a 22-day celebration from October 10 to November 2 with a plethora of pumpkins, witches-a-plenty and, strictly for the over 12s, the Scary Hotel.
As in Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', the extras have gone completely over the top with ghastly and ghoulish stage make-up to create an experience that will send shivers down your spine. The usual activities, restaurants and rides are open, making the Tivoli half-term Halloween extravaganza an unmissable annual treat.
Vesterbrogade 3, Cph V; starts Oct 10, ends 2 Nov, open daily 10:00-23:00; tickets: adults 99kr, under-8s free adm, day-passes available for rides; www.tivoli.dk
Kulturkraft Halsnæs
Take a trip to northern Zealand to see what the festival has to treat your family with this year. It is chock full of events for both adults and kids. Encompassing food, theatre, music and art, there truly is something for everyone this half term. Join in the culture workshop each day from 10 till 4 and give a hand at decorating a gingerbread house. Another option for kids' creative minds include 'cooking' a desirable meal in 'Lunch Corner' where the variety of materials will fry their little minds.
Various venues in northern Zealand; Oct 14-16; kulturkraft.net
Meyers Madhus
Adults will be jealous that their kids are getting this unique chance to learn how to bake cinnamon rolls. The secret behind the kanelsnurre is choosing the right ingredients, and Claus Meyer and his team are turning baking them into an entertaining and a joyful experience. Your kids can enjoy the workshop for free and, who knows, maybe surprise you afterwards with the results of their hidden baking talent!
Various outlets of Meyers Madhus; Oct 13-16, 12:00-13:00; under-14s free adm; meyersmadhus.dk
Teddy Does Ballet
‘Come on Teddy, we are doing ballet now!’ tells the story of a fat teddy’s adventure to rescue a beautiful princess. It comically introduces children of all ages to ballet as beloved TV character Teddy goes to ballet school with his good friends Chick and Duckling. On his way to rescue the princess he runs into many charismatic characters, which make this show an unforgettable experience for your family.
Gamle Scene, Kongens Nytorv, Cph K; Oct 11-15; 95-295kr, kglteater.dk
Copenhagen Zoo
If the weather holds out, the simple bear necessities of the Zoo is a great way to keep the kids entertained. Over the half-term break keepers are on hand to pass on their pearls of wisdom about practical side of running a zoo, and for the serious zoo-keepers of the future, Zoo Camp is also open. For 1950kr, kids between 8 and 12 can have a close-up experience of life in the zoo by mucking out, feeding and stimulating the wildlife behind bars from Monday to Wednesday, 11-15.
CPH Zoo, Roskildevej 32, Frederiksberg; all week 10:00-17:00; tickets: 160kr, Children 95kr; www.zoo.dk
Frilandsmuseet historical market
Travel back in time to an authentic 1800's village market with jugglers, clowns and charlatans. After the kids have attempted stilt-walking, fallen off a penny farthings and chucked a few wooden balls at the stacks of tin cans, you can walk around the grounds of the open air museum and pop into the historical houses. Admission is free, but remember some loose change for the activities and a bite to eat.
Kongevejen 100, Lyngby; Sorgenfri Station, buses 184/194; 13-19 October, open 11:00-16:00; free adm; www.natmus.dk
Experimentarium
With 300 interactive exhibits, the Experimentarium is a sure-fire hit for kids of all ages. During the half term holiday, you can enjoy The Brain exhibition which shows how the brain works and how to wake it up from usual idleness. You can challenge it with various tests and activities that will show how active and focused your brain is. Kids will enjoy a plenty of games with space, colour, sound and word which can both puzzle and entertain.
Experimentarium City, Trangravsvej 12, Cph K; adults 160kr, under-12s: 105kr, 10:00– 17 weekdays, www.experimentarium.dk
Carlsberg Brewery
Experience the impressive Willy Wonka atmosphere of the Carlsberg brewery with a bumpy ride on the old horse-drawn wagons and a treasure hunt, topped up with a tour of the factory and beer sampling for the deserving guardians of the young ones.
Gamle Carlsbergvej 11, Cph K; 12-20 October, closed Mondays; Adults 80kr (inc 2 drinks), children 6-17, 60kr (inc 2 drinks), under 5's free; Horse ride 15kr extra; www.visitcarlsberg.dk
Klatreskoven
After the brewery tour, give the nippers a chance to let off steam in the adventure playground 10 metres up in the air, where you can climb, jump and abseil through four different courses. Book online at least a day in advance.
Pasteursvej 10, Cph K: from Saturday all week to Sunday 19; open 10:00-18:00; tickets 50-150kr; www.klatreskoven.dk
Rosenborg Castle
Still hankering after a Halloween theme? The witch hunts of Christian IV's time are the inspiration for broomstick and pointy hat activities within the majestic castle walls. The kids can help Alvilda the witch find the ingredients for her magic potion, while adults can take in the rather a splendidly preserved stronghold.
Østervoldgade 4A, Cph K; 10:00 – 16:00 all week; Adults 60- 90kr, under 18's free; www.rosenborgslot.dk
Round Tower
Follow up the Rosenborg experience with an ever-popular 209m spiralling trip to the top of Europe's oldest functioning astronomical observatory, the architectural curiosity that is the Round Tower. Enjoy the splendid view from the top before a spot of shopping and having a look at the street performers along strøget. For stargazers, the observatory is open between 19 and 21 from Monday to Thursday for a peek at the moon through the lenses of the telescope at the top.
Købmagergade 52A, Cph K; Open 10:00-18:00; tickets: adults 25kr, under-15s: 5kr; www.rundetaarn.dk
Lego Architects at Danish Architecture Centre
Budding architects are given a specific project to design and build using everyone's favourite construction toy, Lego. The theme is the creation of architectural gems designed to withstand the harsh Scandinavian winters.
Strandgade 27B, Cph K; 10:00 – 17:00; tickets 75-95kr; www.dac.dk
Thorvaldsen's Museum
Intensive workshops all week give visitors a chance to let the creative juices flow and draw, paint and sculpt. A special hand-drawing class as well as workshops for clay and marble are available free of charge every day at selected times for both adults and kids. The exhibition itself is also well worth seeing.
Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, Cph K; 10:00 – 17:00; Monday-Friday, adults 40kr, under 18's free; www.thorvaldsensmuseum.dk/
The Blue Planet
If you haven't been there yet, then you'd better get your skates on! There's nothing fishy about one of Copenhagen's main family attractions that promises to “rok you” with 20,000 experiences in the maze of tunnels, including sharks, sting rays and piranhas.
Den Blå Planet; Jacob Fortlingsvej 1, Kastrup; Mon 10:00-21:00, Tue-Sun 10:00-18.00; tickets: adults 144kr, under-11s 85kr; www.denblaaplanet.dk
