Groningen: Storyworld Museum at Forum Groningen

Comics and games belong on the sixth floor. I like seeing original international artwork and I love the hands-on stations where you make your own cartoon, stop-motion video, or game. One thing to consider is that the experience is very interactive, so if you only want quiet, traditional exhibits, you may want a slower pace.

Storyworld is inside Forum Groningen, and the museum layout makes it easy to move from watching to making. You’ll get clear info in English and Dutch, and the whole day works well whether you’re visiting for comics, animation, or games.

Key highlights to look for

• Original works from big-name international productions, including The Lion King and Batman
• Interactive installations that teach you how cartoons and games are built and understood
• Hands-on creation spots for drawing a cartoon, making stop-motion, and trying game elements
• Kid power in the studios, especially stop-motion films and sound tools mentioned as favorites
• A museum inside a landmark building, Forum Groningen, plus a roof terrace view

Storyworld at Forum Groningen, comics, animation, and games in one place

Storyworld is a museum concept that makes perfect sense: you do not just look at stories, you figure out how they work. If you enjoy comics, animation, or games, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a world where the rules are explained and then tested right in front of you.

What I like most is the mix. You can switch from appreciating original work from well-known productions to active, playful stations where you create something of your own. And yes, it is kid-friendly in a real way, not just as a side thought.

A practical note: this is not a museum built around long, quiet galleries. It moves fast, and the best moments are the ones where you participate.

Finding Storyworld inside Forum Groningen, your built-in hangout

Storyworld sits on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen. That matters because Forum is not a typical shopping-mall building. It is a cultural complex with a library and a cinema, so the museum feels like part of a bigger creative space.

Here’s what you can plan for around your visit: after you finish the museum, you can also look around the building and head up to the roof terrace. It is a simple bonus, but it helps you reset after hands-on activities. From the terrace, you get a view across the city, which is a nice way to end a day focused on animated worlds and game worlds.

In terms of logistics, you’ll want to plan on about a day. The experience is listed as valid for 1 day, and you can check available starting times before you book. That flexibility is useful if you are pairing this with lunch or other Groningen stops.

Seeing original work from The Lion King, Batman, Tintin, and more

One of the strongest reasons to go is the chance to see original creations connected to major international storytelling. Storyworld includes original works linked to productions like The Lion King and Batman, plus other familiar names such as Tintin, Asterix, Shaun the Sheep, and Horizon Forbidden West.

This is not just a wall of posters. The museum uses these familiar brands to anchor what you are learning. When you recognize a character or world, it becomes easier to understand what makes the style work, how movement and pacing are formed, and why certain choices in comics and games feel the way they do.

There’s also a subtle benefit here for adults: even if you are a casual fan, the museum reframes your interest. Instead of thinking, I like this, you start thinking, How did they design the look, the motion, and the experience?

The interactive installations, learning by trying

Storyworld’s core strength is the hands-on approach. You will learn what it takes to understand a cartoon or a game, but the museum does it through play and interaction rather than heavy lecturing.

You can expect interactive installations that guide you step-by-step into the logic behind storytelling media. That might mean noticing how animation creates the illusion of motion, or seeing how a game experience is shaped through rules, feedback, and player choices. The goal is simple: you leave with better eyes, not just better photos.

In practical terms, this is where you should spend your time if you are visiting with kids. Reviews highlight that the experience feels like a real alternate world, and that active stations keep children engaged. It is also where the friendly, helpful approach from the staff matters, because you may want a quick answer about how to use a station and what to do next.

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

The most memorable part for many visitors is the creation side. Storyworld invites you to make your own cartoon, create a stop-motion video, or make elements of a game experience. When it goes well, you walk out with a personal result, not just memories of what you watched.

Stop-motion is a big deal here. More than one family focused on stop-motion films as a top highlight, and one review specifically mentioned sound tools as an especially fun component. That pairing makes sense: stop-motion is not only about moving characters, it is about timing and audio cues too. If you or your child enjoy making things, you will likely get pulled in quickly.

For a cartoon, the value is that you can experiment with ideas in a low-stakes way. You can try a concept, see what works, and learn how comics storytelling translates into simple sequences.

And for game-style learning, the value is the same. Even if you are not a hardcore gamer, you can understand the basic ingredients that make a game feel satisfying. The museum treats games as something you can analyze and build, not only something you play.

A consideration: because these stations are the main event, you should plan your energy. If you arrive late in the day or rush through, you might miss the chance to fully play with your favorite format.

Studios and the moment kids take over

If you are visiting with children, pay attention to the creative tools because that is where enthusiasm concentrates. Reviews mention that kids loved making films themselves, and they also highlight stop-motion and the sound studio as favorites.

This is exactly the kind of museum where kids can lead. Adults still get plenty out of it, but children are often quicker to hit buttons, try variations, and keep going until they get it right. The best strategy is to let them steer the process while you stay close enough to help with decisions like what style to try next.

If your group includes both adults and kids, the stations can serve as a shared activity. Adults get the behind-the-scenes understanding of media, while kids get the fun of production. That balance is one reason Storyworld works as a family stop rather than a pure kid museum.

Dutch and English info, and why it helps more than you think

Storyworld provides information in English and Dutch, and the staff are described as hosts or greeters in English and Dutch. That sounds straightforward, but it matters in interactive museums.

In a place where you make and test media, you do not want to guess. Clear language support helps you move from confusion to creativity faster. You spend more time using the stations and less time figuring out what each button does.

If you are visiting as a family, language access also helps different generations enjoy the museum without constant translation. Kids can focus on making, and adults can focus on meaning.

Price and value at about $13 for a full-day creative visit

Storyworld is priced around $13 per person. That is not “free,” but it is in the range where a ticket can feel justified when the museum delivers hands-on time.

Here is the value logic I would use before you buy:

• You get access to a museum built around interactive learning, not only viewing
• You can create something, especially stop-motion and cartoon-style media
• The ticket includes entry and information in Dutch and English
• You are also visiting inside Forum Groningen, a major building where a roof terrace view can round out the day

If you are traveling with kids, the value is often higher because they can participate instead of just waiting. The best family outings are the ones where the activities match the energy level of children, and Storyworld is designed around that.

If you are traveling alone as an adult, it still makes sense if you enjoy the design side of media. You do not need to be an expert fan, but you should be open to trying stations rather than treating it like a quiet gallery.

How to plan your day in Groningen around a 1-day museum visit

This is listed as a 1-day experience with starting times you can check based on availability. I suggest you plan for an unhurried pace because the creation stations take time, and the most fun happens when you linger at the tools.

A simple way to organize your visit:

• Start with the original works areas so you get inspiration for what you want to try later
• Then move into the interactive installations where the museum teaches the mechanics behind stories
• Save the creation studios for when you have your energy and focus

Afterward, consider the roof terrace option at Forum Groningen. It is not the main point of Storyworld, but it is a practical decompression step. You shift from pixels and characters back to real streets and real Groningen air.

If you are tight on time, prioritize stop-motion and the most appealing creation format for your group. Otherwise, you might end up seeing the museum but not fully getting the best part: making.

Who Storyworld suits best, and who should temper expectations

Storyworld is an easy yes if you fit any of these:

• You love comics, animation, or games and want to understand how they work
• You are traveling with kids who enjoy making things, not just looking
• You want a museum where participation is part of the ticket, not an optional extra
• You like international pop culture references, from Tintin to Horizon Forbidden West

It may be a softer match if:

• You prefer quiet, traditional museums where you only observe
• Your group wants a passive visit with minimal interaction
• You have very limited time and need a faster, more linear stop

Even then, the museum can still work if you treat the creation studios as the main event and accept that the experience is intentionally active.

Practical tips to get more fun per minute

These are small things, but they make your visit smoother:

• Bring curiosity, not just a shopping-list of things to see. The interactive stations reward experimentation.
• If stop-motion is on your list, plan to spend real time there. That is where many visitors’ favorite moments happen.
• If you are visiting with English and Dutch speakers, the bilingual info means you do not need to reorganize your group constantly.
• Wear something comfortable for hands-on areas. Even when there is seating, you may be standing or moving between stations.

Also, check which exhibition is currently on display. Storyworld notes that the museum runs a rotating focus, and you can discover what is on at the time of your visit through their site.

Should you book Storyworld at Forum Groningen?

Yes, if you want a media museum with real participation. Storyworld is one of the few places where you can go from recognizing famous worlds to understanding the building blocks behind comics, animation, and games, then make your own version of that magic.

I would book it especially if your group includes kids or if you like creative learning. The hands-on stations and the stop-motion and sound tools are the parts with the most positive pull, and they fit the museum’s value level.

If you only want traditional displays and you hate anything interactive, you might feel restless. But if you are willing to try, Storyworld is a fun, practical day in Groningen, inside a building worth exploring in its own right.

FAQ

Where is Storyworld located?

Storyworld is on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen in the city of Groningen.

How long does the Storyworld visit last?

The experience is valid for 1 day. You can check availability for starting times.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $13 per person.

What can I do at the museum?

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

What famous works can I see?

The museum includes original works connected to well-known productions such as The Lion King and Batman, and it also references Tintin, Asterix, Shaun the Sheep, and Horizon Forbidden West.

Is there information available in English and Dutch?

Yes. The museum provides information in Dutch and English, and the host or greeter is also available in English and Dutch.

Is Storyworld wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

What is included with my ticket?

Your ticket includes museum entrance and information in Dutch and English, plus the visit to Forum Groningen.

Can I check what exhibition is currently on display?

Yes. Storyworld notes that you can discover which exhibition is currently on display through their website.