Toddler Travels: 5 cool toddler things in Helsingor!

We’ve just come up on 11 consecutive weeks of house guests, and Helsingor is probably our top requested day trip from all of our guests.  But we don’t mind, in fact, we often head there ourselves even with no guests.  Having been multiple times, we’ve come up with a small list of favorites that are always a hit with our toddler, even when the umpteenth iteration of “To be, or not to be?” jokes are not.

A short list of attractions for toddlers and children alike in Helsingor, a popular day trip from Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

1. The LEGO Room at Kronborg Castle: At this point, our daughter could probably give the highlights tour of the Castle itself, which is the top attraction at Helsingor.  But the reward for making it through yet another round, is then heading up to the second floor hallway while our guests explore the nooks and crannies to play in the Lego room.  Large tables of the blocks encourage children to build their own castles and often, paper and crayons are out as well.  It’s not very well sign-posted so make a mental note to stop by here with your littles in tow.  I’ve been known to build a castle or two myself here as well so this isn’t just for toddlers (like most things on this list actually).

2. Hansen’s Ice Cream: On the way in and out from Kronborg is the sole cafe.  It has a lovely but limited menu but always on tap is a freezer full of Hansen’s – easily one of the best ice creams in Denmark.  Our daughter likes it rain or shine, but the best days are the sunny days where you can grab an ice cream bar and sit alongside the moat to people watch (or duck-watch in her case).

3.  The Casemates Tour: This isn’t a guided tour but something you can explore on your own.  At the castle, the casemates – the underground tunnel and room system that soldiers would often have to camp out in – are open to explore.  And they are dark – very dark.  Bring a flashlight, fire up the flashlight on your phone, or purchase a flashlight from the vending machine at the entrance, and explore away.  Our daughter was a bit frightened the first time; there might have been a tear or two.  But now, she looks forward to this part perhaps even more than the Lego’s and ice cream. If you visit yourself, and end up being scared witless by a four-year old that has leapt out of nowhere, that was probably her.

4.  The INKED exhibit at the Maritime Museum: Hands down the best part of this museum, which is right next door to the castle.  The museum is absolutely worth a visit but if combined with the castle, it does make for a long day in the eyes of little ones.  Delight them by taking them to the “tattoo parlor” where the museum has set up ballpoint pens attached to tattoo arms, and a system of projecting designs on to your arms so that you can tattoo away.  Our daughter loves that this is the one time we basically let her draw all over herself at will.  This is another one that’s just as popular with adults too.  And I have to say that the gift shop at the Maritime Museum is one of the best – it’s a great place to pre-arrange with your littles that they could pick something out are a reward, as you’ll likely want to pick something out for yourself too.  Some of the best Danish and Scandinavian brands are under one roof here, all with a maritime or scandi-chic theme.

5.  Helsingor Public Library: Even though this is right next to the other two attractions of the castle and the Maritime Museum, most people have no idea it’s there.  Helsingor’s Public Library is awesome and free, and has one of the best indoor playrooms full of multiple sections and toys and wooden boats to pirate.  This is perfect for when the kids get tired and need something of their own to do, or if the weather isn’t too agreeable.  Some days we have come in just to take advantage of the library itself.  On the lower level is a culture center and cafe where you can grab a coffee or eat a light lunch as well.

If you’ll be visiting Helsingor, check out the following posts on the other blog for ideas and more information:

Denmark Derby: Helsingor

Denmark Derby: Maritime Museum

Denmark Derby: Kronborg Castle

Out + About: Valby Nature Playground

It’s been a few days since a larger post here but the truth is, summer days kind of came out of nowhere here in Copenhagen.  And then of course, they up and left just as quickly.  A few days of 80 plus degrees were here, so like most CPH’ers, we dropped everything to run outside to the beach, to the park, and to adventures out and beyond.  I’ll share a few of those toddler explorations shortly, but in the meantime, wanted to post here a few snaps from our trip to the Valby Nature Playground.
An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler.

One things you notice quickly if you have kids here in Denmark (and you’ll probably notice it even if you don’t have kids), is that playgrounds here resemble the way that you probably remember playgrounds of your own days growing up.  Then, if you picture in a whole bunch of green space to what your remember, and you will have an image pretty close to a Danish playground.  Tall slides, zip lines, wooden climbing structures…those are all the norm here.  Consent forms, legal disclaimers and hovering parents are not.   I have yet to see a playground with any kind of soft matting here, save one small one in Hellerup and said matting is around the trampoline portion of the park (Cool, right? Trampolines! ).
An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler.
An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler. An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler. An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler.
The Valby Nature Playground takes these Danish playground concepts nearly to the extreme.  It’s amazing how large this place is, with climbing equipment and play areas tucked in between forests and fields.  Part of the fun is just finding what’s next.  The park is also full of picnic tables and places to sit so that you can easily make a picnic and playdate (and incidentally, it seems to be a great place for birthday parties given that we saw three there when we visited).   It’s a bit outside of town so we took a car, but it seems like buses go there as well.  But after a place like this, you can be sure that the little ones will most certainly nap on the ride home.
An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler.

An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler.

An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler. An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler. An awesome children's playground in Valby, outside of Copenhagen,  Denmark visited by this forest school toddler.

Out + About: Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde

You can’t think of Denmark and not think of Vikings.  Forests and the sea have always factored heavily into providing for needs here, and when there wasn’t enough, well, they just popped on a ship and sailed away to get some more.  And there’s still a fair amount of viking culture here – hearty, pull yourself up by your bootstraps but mind the collective type stuff…. Maybe that’s part of the reason why forest schools are so popular here.

A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers.

It’s been on our list get a little more into this Viking business while we’re here in Denmark and a couple of weeks ago, we finally made it out to Roskilde for the Viking Ship Museum.  The full write-up is on the other blog, but in summary, the museum is dedicated to the reconstitution of 5 Viking vessels scuttled in the Roskilde fjord.  But from a children’s adventure perspective? This is pretty much your chance to imagine yourself a Viking.

A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers.

At the end of the Viking Ship hall are two viking ship replicas, for kids to jump on and jump off, and commandeer, and pretend.  Best part of all? There is a full closet of Viking costumery that you can don (and your parents can too), to include faux fur-lined pelts, shields that only the heartiest forest school soul could actually lift, and linen under-layers which made this particular mother think that Vikings probably weren’t the cleanest seamen across the ages. In the background are Viking re-enactments projected onto the wall with ocean waves crashing for that full adventure feeling.

A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers.

The result though was one very happy, imaginative toddler.  Whatever energy we didn’t use up in the costume room, she killed off with a long walk on the Roskilde harbor.  A boardwalk lines the water with lovely views over the boats (and not just viking ones), and a nature float lets kids examine all sorts of sea critters in the little watering holes if they flow in.  And yes, ice cream is definitely the perfect end to the day.

A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers. A visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is perfect for toddlers.

Out + About: Copenhagen’s Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms Copenhagen

I hope you like pink, because we have a lot of it today…  Cherry blossoms are in full swing here in Copenhagen, and being that we came here from Washington, DC, which is about one step short of Japan when it comes to these fluffy blooms, we hopped out to check them out this weekend.

In addition to the forest school topics, occasionally we’ll cover adventures that we have out and about.  I cover many of our travels on my other blog, but we’ll share a few of the “#offduty” things that we here too.  After all, there’s more to life than just school, n’est-ce pas? Even if the school is a purported free for all in the forest…

Cherry Blossoms CopenhagenCherry Blossoms CopenhagenCherry Blossoms Copenhagen

Anyway, cherry blossoms were the name of the game this weekend, and so was sunshine and full on spring weather.  If you’ve ever done a Danish winter, well, you know what a big deal that is…(and if you have indeed done a Danish winter, please take a moment to congratulate yourself).  Here’s the thing about cherry blossoms in Denmark though…in DC, if you want to see them, you head down to the tidal basin, a stone’s throw away from the city’s most significant monuments.  Here, you head down to the cemetery.  Yup, this riot of spring life is surrounded by death.

Cherry Blossoms CopenhagenCherry Blossoms Copenhagen

From what I can tell, Danes are pretty matter of fact about death.  And if our visit to the Bispepjerg Kirkegard was any indication, it doesn’t have to be a lonely end to be afraid of.  The cemetery is actually a cemetery of course, but it also seems to double as a park full of flowers and visitors and families having picnics, and young angsty loves holding hands and making googgly eyes at each other.  Kids are climbing trees, and adults are scattered around on blankets, and just about everyone is gawking at the beautiful trees…Must be that Danish sense of practicality – why use all that space for just the dead?  You could get double the value if it works for the living too.   I don’t know if it’s like that all the time, but it certainly was this weekend.  And if you ask me, maybe not a bad way to go?

Cherry Blossoms CopenhagenCherry Blossoms CopenhagenCherry Blossoms Copenhagen

If you’re interested in catching the blooms in Copenhagen (and we would highly suggest them), they’re in peak bloom right now so hurry along.  One windstorm and these ladies will fly into the night…

Information on the Bispebjerg Kirkegard can be found on the Kobenhavns Kommune page,  but basically it’s open during daylight hours.  Bonus, park (if you drive) in front of the Gruntvig Church and start there in Copenhagen’s tallest (but scandi minimalist) house of worship, and take a walk over to the cemetery.  And don’t forget your picnic blanket!

PS – For those that asked, the tot’s sneakers are from See Kai Run .