Up and down the long walking street of Strøget, several cheerful Christmas markets can be found posted in the weeks approaching Christmas. During the opening parade and events on November 16th(2019), Kids and Adults alike were visibly mesmerized by all of the twinkling lights and Christmas magic so present in the air. Santa and Hans Christian Andersen made an appearance greeting visitors- and visibly delighting the children who encountered them.
One of the first things that I think made the Christmas market a family-friendly space was that its all built on solid leveled ground, meaning that it is wheelchair and stroller accessible just like the rest of Strøget. The pathways between the pop-up shops were wide enough that you could easily navigate these transportation devices between them with plenty of room for other pedestrians.
With the many different shop selections, there is something suited for the whole family. Food I would argue makes up the largest quantity of what shops are selling. However, there were also many artisan shops selling things such as toys, jewelry, and, and handmade crafts. You could visibly see the excitement of some kids as they saw a shop that sparked their interest. The son from my visiting host family( a program run through DIS) was awed by a metal robotic hippo that he saw. Seeing his excitement, his mom and bonus dad devised a plan to get him the toy without him noticing- a Christmas present I am sure he will be filled with Joy opening on Christmas day. Its a perfect location to find a unique Christmas present that your kid will love.
Notably, there were also child-oriented activities in the opening ceremony. Gift bags with small candies, water, soda, a coloring book, and small trinkets were handed out to the children who came to greet Santa who was posted by his ‘transportation vehicle’. There were also sing-along activities going on to keep children engaged. Activities such as this can make a big difference in children’s experiences of the event. Receiving small gifts- even when they are not worth much can light up a child’s time. It also can help them to focus less on the big events that are going on around them and instead focus on the new objects they have been given. This is very helpful if a child is becoming overwhelmed by all that is going on.
A choir also led a activity of singing Christmas songs in the same area. Singing activities are useful in child-friendly spaces because it helps children engage with what’s going on through familiar tunes and limericks that they might recite in their home setting- a fun and relaxing way for kids to socialize and engage.
There are a few things that I witnessed that might prevent this place from being entirely child and elderly-friendly. First that the crowded spaces make it difficult for parents or respective guardians to push strollers and keep an eye on their little ones. This can cause quite a lot of stress- both for the adults and the children. The crowded space also would make it difficult for the elderly population who need assistive devices to get around. Another thing I noted was that of the few places set up so that people could eat around them, all of them were without seats and were set at the height proper for an adult. This could make it difficult for families who need to feed their child a meal, or for elderly persons who need to properly rest their legs by sitting down.
Still, overall, I think that place is a great way for families to experience the holiday cheer. Visiting during the week and when events are happening may be best for families who may become overwhelmed by the crowds.
Author: Caitlyn Marshall
Work Cited: First image- Adventures, P. | T. to. (2018, November 15). 5 Atmospheric Christmas Markets in Copenhagen, Denmark. Retrieved from https://tickettoadventures.wordpress.com/2016/11/26/5-atmospheric-christmas-markets-in-copenhagen/.
Copenhagen's Family Friendly Places 