Adults readily assume they know what children will like. 

Take us, for example. Here’s a supplement full of children’s activities for the autumn holiday.

We’ve made a selection based on what we think they might like best. But did we consult any children? No ….

So see how quickly they thumb their way through it (who are we kidding: kids don’t read newspapers, but you get the point). 

Supersized and sweet
I’m sure there’s a science to what children like. Size, for example: that must be a safe bet. When you’re tiny, large things are enormous. Combine with animals, another safe bet, and you’ve hit the jackpot.

Stock up on cake, chocolate, crisps/chips and cola and they’ll be putty in your hands. Just make sure you have an activity lined up that will stay ahead of the sugar rush. 

But often, we’re mind-blowingly off-track. Last year’s must-have has become this year’s pariah, particularly if last year’s Disney queen has become this year’s mean teen. 

The biggest mistake is probably assuming all children like childish things. Many of them don’t. What they like are children’s versions of adult things. 

So if you can’t see the appeal, then they probably won’t be able to either.

Classic combos
The Hermès in the Making exhibition (page 3) is a good example, as it combines things that both adults and children will enjoy doing together – a little like a Pixar film, it’s a different experience depending on the perspective. 

A trip to Louisiana (page 4) is the same, although you’ll be in different rooms. The theme will be the same, though: while the grown-ups visit the exhibition, the youngsters get to make art inspired by it. Sounds like a win-win.

The National History Museum similarly offers up its ‘King of Dinosaurs’ exhibition (for Dad most probably) and the ‘Dino Lab’ workshop (pages 5 and 9), while Culture Night (page 9) has a wide array of events suitable for all ages.

If that sounds like a risk, we have some old favourites: from Tivoli, Bakken and Copenhill to Experimentarium, Blue Planet and Copenhagen Zoo, they’re all destinations that have solid track records in entertaining the entire family (pages 6-8).

And there are plenty of options outside the city: from the Mountain Tower and the Hidden Giants to Knuthenborg Safaripark and Kronborg Castle (page 10-11).

Ah yes, the castle: if they don’t like it, you can always lock them up in the dungeon.