Odense

Top 10 places for children in Odense

The iPad will soon be forgotten.

Photo: Johan Tobias Joensen.
May 2022
With over 250 playgrounds, Europe’s best zoo, plenty of green spaces, and child-friendly museums, Odense is a real hit with children.

Throw in a castle, the world’s first play trail, vintage trains, paddle boats, and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytales and the iPad will soon be forgotten.

Here are 10 things your kids will love in Odense:

Odense Zoo
Photo: Visit Odense.

A world-class zoo

Odense Zoo

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Sdr. Boulevard, 306
Odense C
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Odense Zoo has been named the best in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. World-class facilities, excellent communication of information, fantastic playgrounds, and exciting animals make the zoo one of the best all-day experiences around.

H.C. Andersens Hus
Photo: Jonas Legarth, Visit Odense.

H. C. Andersen's fairy tale treasures

H. C. Andersens Hus

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H.C. Andersen Haven, 1
Odense
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The unique museum is a tribute to Denmark's most beloved storyteller. H. C. Andersen's House takes you on a 360-degree journey through the author's magical fairy-tale treasures. With the help of innovative technology, all senses are stimulated in the most unexpected ways.

The Funen Village
Photo: Kurt Christensen, Visit Odense.

Playful time travel

Den fynske landsby / The Funen Village

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Sejerskovvej, 20
Odense
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This beautiful open-air museum recreates a Funen village as it would have looked in the 19th century, with original half-timbered houses, flower gardens, fenced enclosures and farm animals, a village pond, a rectory, and a school room. Here you can see, feel, and smell how the rich and poor used to live, with plenty of history and surprises into the bargain.

Legeruten
Photo: Pexels.

13 activity areas and playgrounds

Legeruten langs åen / Riverside play trail

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Legeruten langs Odense Å
Odense
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The broad banks of the Odense River create a long green belt running through the city containing 13 activity areas and playgrounds designed for a range of ages – why not try them all?

Odense River
Photo: Andreas Bastiansen, Visit Odense.

Odense by water

Paddle boats

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Odense Aafart, Filosofgangen, 30
Odense C
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In the summer, you can go up the river by paddle boat and catch a glimpse of the lions and zebras as you pass the zoo’s savannah area. Or take a trip around the harbor and see a different side to the city from the water.

Danmarks Jernbanemuseum
Photo: Ard Jongsma, Visit Odense.

A piece of railway history

Danmarks Jernbanemuseum / The Danish Railway Museum

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Dannebrogsgade, 24
Odense
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Huge steam locomotives, third class cars and the royal train, each tell their part in the history of Danish railways from the first line in 1849 to the interrail age and the Great Belt link to today. You can go on a journey of discovery on old and modern trains and play in the Children's Station and Train playground, ride a miniature train and play with a model railway. A hit.

Egeskov Castle
Photo: Unsplash.

Spend a full day at the castle

Egeskov Slot / Egeskov Castle

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Egeskov Gade, 18
Kværndrup
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Award-winning Egeskov Castle is one of the most beautiful places in Europe, and the children will love the endless things to do. The castle gardens have treetop suspension bridges, old-fashioned toys such as stilts and soapbox cars, a playground, a maze, and even a Segway track. Inside the castle you can admire vintage cars, test the equipment in old ambulances, or marvel at the world’s most amazing dolls’ house, Fairy Queen Titania’s Palace.

Tidens samling
Photo: Unsplash.

Historical and interactive environment

Tidens samling

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Culture Machine, Farvergården 7
Odense
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Here you can see, touch, and try out the clothes, houses, and everyday life of the past. Rooms with original interiors dating from 1900 to the 1980s provide an insight into the lifestyle of the times, and you can sit on the furniture, read the papers, try on the clothes, and listen to the music of the day. In the café, enjoy a coffee, some kiksekage biscuit cake, or a soda like in the old days.

Kramboden
Photo: Johan Tobias Joensen, Visit Odense.

Shopping for all ages

Kramboden

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Nedergade, 24
Odense
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In one of Odense’s oldest streets lies the atmospheric Kramboden, which dates back to the 16th century. This old merchant’s house is laid out as a store from last century and sells everything from kerosene lamps, shoes made from rushes, and coffee substitute, to toys, hard candy, soap, and enamel signs. As well as traditional candies such as ‘rusty nails’ and licorice for those with a sweet tooth.

Møntergården
Photo: Andreas Bastiansen, Visit Odense.

Odense from ancient times to today

Møntergården

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Møntestræde, 1
Odense
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Explore 18th and 19th Century homes, play in a children's back yard like when your great grandfather was a servant and watch epic Viking battles. Listen to monks chanting, learn about monasteries and the Black Death, and about Ingrid Marie, who died of a childhood illness but had an apple named after her. Møntergården is a fascinating museum that presents the cultural history of Odense from ancient times to today. You can spend a whole day here without getting bored.

Text by Lise Hannibal