Discover More About Denmark With These Activities and Games

Want a fun way to explore a new country with your group? Choosing a destination and diving into its people, geography, history, and culture is a fantastic way to learn.

Let's center your next event around Denmark, a country with a long, fascinating history and a vibrant modern culture. I’ve gathered key facts about the country, and beyond the basics, I've put together a collection of games, activities, and resources to make your learning session both fun and educational.

This content is ideal for printing and use as a display or for sharing directly with your group. The games and activities below will bring these facts to life!

Did you know? The official name for Denmark is the Kingdom of Denmark (Kongeriget Danmark). The country is often associated with the concept of "hygge," a core cultural value roughly translating to a feeling of coziness, contentment, and well-being.

Geography of Denmark:

• Denmark is located in Northern Europe (Scandinavia), bordering only one country: Germany. It is an archipelago, consisting of the peninsula of Jutland and over 400 islands, about 70 of which are inhabited.

• The capital and largest city is Copenhagen, with a population of approximately 1.37 million in the urban area.

• The country is known for its low, flat terrain, with the highest natural point, Møllehøj, only reaching 170.86 meters (560.56 feet) above sea level.

• Denmark also includes two autonomous constituent countries: Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Where are the people?

• The population of Denmark is about 5.9 million. It has a high quality of life and is known for its welfare state model, which provides universal healthcare and education.

• The literacy rate is 99%.

• The largest groups of foreign-born residents often include people from Turkey, Poland, Germany, and Romania, contributing to Denmark's modern society.

Nature and Conservation:

• Denmark is a champion of green energy, with a goal of being independent of fossil fuels by 2050. A significant percentage of its electricity is generated by wind power.

• The country is home to a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wadden Sea National Park, a tidal area shared with Germany and the Netherlands.

• There are five national parks in Denmark, including Thy, which was the country's first.

Government and Economy:

• Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Queen Margrethe II is the current monarch (as of the current date).

• It has a highly developed mixed economy and is known for its strong focus on design, pharmaceuticals (e.g., Novo Nordisk), and shipping (e.g., Maersk).

• The official currency is the Danish Krone (DKK), although the country is part of the European Union.

Language and Culture:

• The official language is Danish. Danish culture places a high value on equality and trust; the crime rate is very low.

• Cycling is a massive part of daily life. Copenhagen is often cited as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, with more bikes than people!

• Denmark is the home of the famous author Hans Christian Andersen, whose fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling."

Food and Traditions:

• Traditional Danish cuisine includes the world-famous Smørrebrød, which are open-faced sandwiches with a variety of toppings.

• Other staples include Frikadeller (Danish meatballs) and wienerbrød (known internationally as a Danish pastry).

• A key tradition is the lighting of the 'julekalender' (Christmas calendar) candles throughout December, counting down to Christmas Eve, the main day of celebration.