A Day Spent on the Rides at Tivoli Gardens With Kids in Copenhagen

When we first started planning our trip to Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens was high on our list of places to visit, and it did not disappoint. My boys were 3 years old and 1 year old when we went, so the rides at Tivoli Gardens were a huge draw for our family visit.

There were so many rides for my boys to try, and we could have easily spent an extra day there. But we made the most of our time and would highly recommend visiting if you have young children.

History of Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. The park first opened its doors in 1843 and is the second-oldest amusement park currently operating in the world.

The amusement park was first called Tivoli & Vauxhall, with Tivoli alluding to the Jardin du Tivoli in Paris (which had been named near Tivoli in Rome, Italy) and Vauxhall alluding to Vauxhall Gardens in London.

Tivoli Gardens has always had buildings with an Orient theme. At night, colored lights lit up the gardens, and fireworks could be seen reflected in the lake, which used to be a moat around Copenhagen’s fortifications.

In 1943, most of the buildings were burnt to the ground by some Nazi sympathizers. But within a few weeks, temporary structures were built, and the park reopened.

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How To Get to Tivoli Gardens

Getting to Tivoli is easy! The park is located in the centre of Copenhagen, just a few meters away from Central Station. You can either access it by bus or train; there’s also a metro stop nearby that will get you everywhere – including all over Denmark (and Scandinavia).

Do You Need to Book Tivoli Gardens Ahead of Time?

It is best to book your tickets online and skip the lines at the entrance.

How Often Is Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen Open?

The park is only open 220 days a year between April – September, but it’s worth the trip when it opens during Halloween and the holiday season.

Admission (8 years old and up) is 95 DKK ($16 US), and for children (3-7) is 60 DKK ($9.50). It is important to note that admission does not include tickets for the rides at Tivoli Gardens.

On this trip, I was traveling with my parents and my brother after vacationing in Mumbles, Swansea, so the boys were pretty pumped to go on the rides with their uncle.

My oldest son mostly went on the rides while I stayed in the play areas with my 1-year-old. There is so much to do and see that everyone was entertained by different things during our time there.

The Rides at Tivoli Gardens

The Vintage Car Ride

The vintage car ride at Tivoli Gardens completely stole the show! My son went on the ride multiple times and begged us to keep doing it. The kids can steer the cars all on their own if they are brave enough to do it without an adult with them.

My son was a little hesitant at first since he was only three, but after a few seconds of driving the vintage car, he forgot all about us.

The Lighthouse Ride

The first ride at Tivoli Gardens that my older son, Holter, wanted to go on was The Lighthouse. The kids get to pedal as they ride,, and the faster they pedal, the higher they go!

There are six boats shaped like prehistoric animals, and while the ride gives them a little bit of a thrill, it isn’t too much for toddlers to handle.

Rasmus Klumps World

Rasmus Klumps’ World is an incredible play world for children of all ages. It is divided into two sections, one for very young children and one for older children who aren’t afraid to be challenged.

The play world includes three towers with suspension bridges, lookout posts, climbing nets, and multiple levels. The pirate-themed ship is built on an angle, and it was adorable watching the kids try to navigate it without losing their balance.

The Dragon Boat Ride

The Dragon Boat ride at Tivoli Gardens was a perfect opportunity for some peace and quiet and to get away from all the stimulation of the amusement park.

Lake Tivoli is the remnant of a moat that used to surround the city’s fortifications and is the perfect setting for a boat ride. The kids get to steer the boat, but it isn’t as easy as it looks!

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Additional Rides for Kids

There are so many more rides for little kids and toddlers at Tivoli Gardens that I didn’t mention:

• The Astronomer (Astronomen) – space-themed roundabout boats
• The Big Clock (Den blå Safir) – mini Ferris wheel
• The Classic Carousel (Dyrekarrusellen) – classic carousel
• The Elf Train – train ride
• The Fun House – house of fun
• The Little Dragon – swing ride
• The Little Pilot – airplanes
• The Music Carousel – carousel
• Minimorgana – mini bumper cars
• The Panda (Pandaen) – mini drop tower
• The Star Tower – Children’s ‘drop tower’
• The Temple Tower – pull-yourself-up tower ride
• The Wood Carousel – wooden carousel

And, of course, there are many more rides for bigger kids who like thrills and excitement and can handle rollercoasters. The open-air stage at Tivoli Gardens hosts musical performances, and the day we were there was a beautiful opera singer performing for the audience.

Final Thoughts on the Rides at Tivoli Gardens

If you find yourself in Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens is a must-see. Plan to spend most of the day there, as there is so much to explore.

My kids were very young when we went so we stuck to areas in their age range, but as they get older, I would love to return and explore the other rides at Tivoli Gardens and perhaps have more time to enjoy the gardens themselves.