Imagine stepping out for a pint, enjoying nature, and spending quality family time—all without leaving your local (free) neighborhood park. This dream is a reality for those living in Copenhagen, according to American mom Annie Samples.
Samples, who describes her experience living in Denmark as akin to residing in a “real-life wonderland,” frequently shares stunning photos on her Instagram that support her claim.
In a recent video, Samples highlighted the magical qualities of Copenhagen’s parks. She notes that these parks serve as essential communal spaces for families living in apartments, effectively functioning as their backyards.
One of the standout features she mentioned is the abundance of clean, functional bathrooms and diaper stations, a benefit she humorously attributes to tax dollars.
The perks don’t end there. Copenhagen parks are equipped with various amenities such as restaurants, coffee stands, and even bars. Parents can enjoy a beer, wine, or aperol spritz while their children play on the jungle gym—a luxury not commonly found elsewhere.
Many parks offer supervised play sessions with playground monitors, who sometimes bring along toys, animals, or kiddie vehicles. This, coupled with the availability of beverages for adults, seems to contribute to the relaxed demeanor of Danish parents.
A unique community feature is the trafiklegepladsen, miniature towns where children can learn about traffic safety while biking. Samples shared that her three kids all learned to ride bikes from the same trafiklegepladsen staff member.
Danish parks also host seasonal activities, including splash pads in the summer and ice skating rinks in winter. Families can even build fires in designated areas and enjoy mulled wine, known locally as glogg.
As Samples wrapped up her video, she praised the city for providing an ideal environment for family fun. “Overall, I think the city does such a good job of providing the perfect backdrop to let the good times roll,” she said.
The post received enthusiastic responses, with many expressing willingness to pay higher taxes for such a quality of life experience. Some pointed out that these features might be unique to Copenhagen, which is notably one of the most expensive cities globally. Denmark’s tax rate can reach up to 52.07%, compared to the U.S. rate of 37%.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that these investments significantly enhance the quality of life, particularly for families. Denmark’s comprehensive benefits, including free healthcare, paid parental leave, guaranteed daycare spots, and free college education, contribute to its reputation as one of the happiest countries in the world.
If you’re inspired, you might want to consider a visit to Copenhagen—there’s a cup of glogg waiting for you.