Groningen: Storyworld Museum at Forum Groningen

Storyworld turns a museum visit into play, and it’s right in Forum Groningen. I love how the exhibits focus on the craft behind comics and screen worlds, not just the end result. You’ll also enjoy the hands-on build-your-own activities that make it feel like your ideas matter.

What I like most: you can see original artwork and production material from international franchises such as Batman and The Lion King, and you get to learn how animation and games work in real time. Plus, the museum is designed so kids can actually do things, not just watch.

One thing to consider: if you want a quiet, sit-and-read museum, Storyworld is a more active, hands-on stop. Plan a bit of time to move between stations and spend enough effort on the creation activities.

Key highlights to look for at Storyworld

• Original creators and big international franchises like Batman, Tintin, and Asterix
• Interactive installations that teach how cartoons and games are understood
• Make your own content, from a cartoon to a stop-motion video or a game
• Film-making and the sound studio, a favorite combo for many kids
• A top-floor museum inside Forum Groningen, with extra spaces on the same level

Storyworld in Groningen, where comics become something you can make

If you and your kids like comics, animation, or games, Storyworld is a very logical choice in Groningen. This museum is built around storytelling across media, so you are not only looking at artwork, you are learning how it gets made and how people experience it.

I like that the experience has both brains and hands. You get context for what you are seeing, then you jump into activities where you can test ideas. That balance is why it works for a wide age range, especially families.

Finding Storyworld on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen

Storyworld sits on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen, a modern building that is part of the experience. Even if you just want the museum, you are also visiting a place with a library, a cinema, two exhibition rooms, and a roof terrace on the same level.

That matters because you can pace your visit. If the hands-on parts get intense, you can shift to quiet viewing areas, then come back to the activities when everyone’s ready.

Practical tip: give yourself time to orient inside Forum Groningen before you start. When you know where the creation stations are, the rest of the day flows easier.

Seeing original works from Batman to Tintin, Asterix, and beyond

One of the strongest reasons to go is the chance to see original work tied to well-known stories. Storyworld focuses on the making side, and that is where the museum feels different from a typical “theme” exhibit.

You can expect to encounter original works connected with major international productions and franchises, including The Lion King and Batman, plus classic comics such as Tintin and Asterix. The museum also references other recognizable pop culture, like Shaun the Sheep and Horizon Forbidden West.

What this gives you, as a visitor, is a better eye for how storytelling travels across formats. Comics have panels and timing. Animation adds movement and timing. Games add interactivity and rules. When you watch the materials and examples in the museum, those differences stop being abstract.

Interactive installations that teach you how cartoons and games work

The museum is not set up as a passive walk-through. It is built around interactive installations that explain how you understand a cartoon or a game. That means you are learning by doing, not just by reading labels.

In practice, you move through stations where you try systems and see how changes affect the result. That approach helps you connect what you see in the exhibitions with what you can create in the next room.

One consideration: because these are interactive, you may want to take your time choosing which stations to prioritize. The fun is in the creation and testing, so rushing can make the day feel shorter than it really is.

Making your own cartoon, stop-motion video, or game

This is where Storyworld earns its nickname as fun and kidsproof. The museum lets you create your own cartoon and also make a stop-motion video or a game.

If you are visiting with children, this is the part that usually turns a museum day into a memory. The activities are hands-on, and kids love the feeling of producing something that looks like media they already recognize.

From what I gathered from recent visitors, the stop-motion experience is a big highlight, and the sound side can be the favorite too. One common theme: kids spend extra time making the stop-motion films and working with the sound studio, then they walk away with a stronger sense of how audio and timing shape what you see on screen.

The sound studio and film-making time, a great use of your day

Storyworld doesn’t treat sound as an afterthought. The inclusion of a sound studio gives you a way to understand that animation is not just pictures moving. It is also voice, effects, and timing that makes scenes land.

This matters because it teaches a real production skill in a kid-friendly way. Kids get to experiment with how sound changes a moment, even if they are not thinking about it like filmmakers would.

If your group includes both older kids and younger ones, you might notice a natural split of interests. Some kids focus on visuals and movement. Others latch onto audio. Either way, that overlap keeps most people busy without turning the day into separate activities.

How long a one-day visit feels and how to pace it

You are planning a one-day experience, and that’s the right length for Storyworld. The museum offers enough variety to keep people interested, but it also stays focused on comics, animation, and games rather than spreading across a huge campus.

A good pacing strategy: start with the original works and exhibition spaces to get your bearings, then commit to the creation stations once your group understands the theme. Ending with the hands-on work tends to feel best, because the day builds toward making something.

You should also expect that the creation activities may take longer than you think, simply because you will want to try. If you only have one visit planned, try to avoid cramming everything back-to-back with other Groningen stops.

Value at about $13: what you truly get for the money

At around $13 per person, Storyworld is priced like a serious family activity, not a premium add-on. What makes it feel like good value is the mix of content and output.

You are not only paying to enter a gallery. You are paying for interactive learning, creation time, and access to the Forum Groningen building experience as part of the visit. The museum also includes information in both Dutch and English, which helps you get more out of the exhibits without needing to hunt for translations.

If you are traveling with kids, this price point can be a relief. You get a day that is structured enough to be worth it, but playful enough to keep everyone engaged.

Forum Groningen beyond Storyworld, the roof terrace and cinema bonus

Storyworld is on the same sixth floor as additional Forum Groningen spaces. That means you are in a creative hub while you visit.

You might find it worth a quick detour to the roof terrace if it is accessible during your time there, because it gives you a view over Groningen. The cinema and exhibition rooms on the same level can also provide a change of pace if your group needs a break from the hands-on stations.

I would not treat those as guaranteed parts of your Storyworld plan, because museums and buildings can vary day to day. But the fact that they are on your level makes it easy to glance, then decide if you want more time there.

Who should book Storyworld, and who might want a backup plan

Storyworld is ideal if you like comics, animation, and games, or if your kids do. It also fits well if your group enjoys seeing the connection between media like Batman, Tintin, Asterix, and screen animation style references.

It is less ideal if you want a strictly quiet museum focused on adult-scale art interpretation with minimal interaction. The whole point here is that you participate, make things, and learn by trying.

If you are traveling as a couple without kids, you can still enjoy it, especially if you are into games or animation production. But I would go in with the expectation that the activities are central to the experience.

Tips that help you get the most from the interactive stations

You do not need special skills. The museum is designed for visitors to figure things out on site, with information available in English and Dutch.

Still, you can make your visit smoother by doing three simple things:

• Keep your group together during the first gallery walk, so everyone knows the theme.
• Decide early that you will actually create something, not just watch.
• Give yourself enough time so the creation part does not feel like an afterthought.

If you bring kids who get bored quickly, let them choose which creation activity to prioritize. When kids lead one decision, the rest of the stations tend to go easier.

Should you book Storyworld at Forum Groningen?

Yes, you should book if you want a family-friendly Groningen activity that mixes original content with hands-on making. The core strengths are clear: original franchise-linked works, interactive learning about how comics and games work, and real creation time for cartoons, stop-motion video, and games.

If you are on a tight schedule or you prefer quiet museums, consider whether you can spare enough time for the hands-on parts. Storyworld works best when you let it be what it is: an active, creative day in Forum Groningen.

FAQ

How long is the Storyworld Museum visit?

The experience is listed as valid for 1 day.

Where is Storyworld located?

Storyworld is on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen in Groningen, Netherlands.

What types of things can I do inside?

You can explore comics, animation, and games through interactive installations, and you can create your own cartoon, stop-motion video, or game.

Which languages are available?

Information is offered in Dutch and English.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $13 per person.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a reserve now, pay later option?

Yes, you can reserve now and pay later.

Do I need to pick a starting time?

You can check availability for starting times, since it is listed as valid for 1 day.