Groningen: Storyworld Museum at Forum Groningen

Storyworld in Forum Groningen is interesting because it treats comics, animation, and games like real art forms, then lets you touch the process. I especially love seeing original production artwork from famous international titles, and I also like that the museum turns learning into play with interactive stations. One consideration: if you want a quiet, grown-up museum vibe, this is more hands-on and kid-friendly than you might expect.

You’ll visit in the Forum Groningen building, on the sixth floor, where Storyworld sits alongside a library and a cinema. The place is designed for families and creative types, so plan for a bit of noise, movement, and lots of screen-based activities. Best part, you can not only watch how stories work, you can make your own cartoon or stop-motion video.

Key highlights at Storyworld, Forum Groningen

• Original comics and animation art from well-known international productions, including The Lion King and Batman
• Interactive installations that teach you how cartoons and games are constructed
• Create your own work, from a cartoon concept to a stop-motion video or a game-style experience
• A full floor of creative exhibits in Forum Groningen, with two exhibition rooms plus a library and cinema nearby
• Roof terrace city views, a nice breather after the hands-on stations

Why Storyworld works so well in Groningen

If you are traveling with kids, Storyworld is the kind of stop that gets you two wins at once: you get a legit museum setting, and they get activities they can’t resist. Even if you are an adult who grew up on comics or games, you’ll likely appreciate the shift from passive watching to how-they-make-it learning.

Storyworld is built around the three biggest storytelling engines in modern culture. Comics show how panels create pacing, animation shows how timing creates motion, and games show how choices and systems shape the experience. The museum keeps you moving through the ideas instead of dumping facts, which is why it feels fun without feeling flimsy.

At about $13 per person for a 1-day visit, it also hits a good value spot for a city museum. You are paying for entry into a dedicated space focused entirely on one theme, plus interactive stations that keep you busy for longer than a quick walk-through.

Getting to Forum Groningen and finding the sixth floor

Storyworld is inside Forum Groningen, and it is on the sixth floor. That matters, because Forum itself is part of the experience: you are not ducking into a tiny side room, you are stepping into a major public building that supports multiple cultural uses.

Once you are up there, you’ll see the museum setup includes two exhibition rooms plus Storyworld’s own space. On the same floor you also find a library and a cinema, so you can pace your visit without feeling boxed into a single loop. If your group needs a short reset, that nearby cinema or quiet reading space can help you recharge.

Practical tip: since this is an active, interactive museum, give yourself enough time to do the make-it activities at a comfortable pace, not as a mad dash. The building layout makes it easy to mix viewing and creating.

What you’ll see: original work and big-name stories

A lot of themed museums show reproductions. Storyworld leans the other way, with original works from international productions. That’s a major draw because it gives you a tangible sense of craft and scale, like you are standing closer to the process than most fan sites ever will.

In the museum, you can connect the big cultural brands you already know to the building blocks behind them. The lineup includes recognizable examples like The Lion King and Batman, plus titles such as Tintin, Asterix, Shaun the Sheep, and Horizon Forbidden West. Even if you only recognize a few, seeing them in the same place helps you notice what is shared across comic storytelling, animation timing, and game world design.

What I like here is that the museum does not just name-drop famous titles. It uses those references to push you toward the mechanics: how visuals communicate emotion, how characters and scenes are planned, and how the rhythm of the story guides you.

How the interactive exhibits teach comics, animation, and games

The best way to understand why Storyworld feels so fun is to think of it as a maker studio with exhibits attached. You get interactive installations where the museum explains what it takes to read a cartoon or a game, then tests your understanding through play.

This part is great for mixed ages, because there is often an easier entry point first. You can press buttons, try actions, and see immediate results, then later you can notice the deeper pattern. That’s how you go from curiosity to real learning without feeling like a classroom.

Language support is also practical. Information is offered in English and Dutch, and the host or greeter speaks English and Dutch, so you are not stuck if your Dutch is rusty. For families, this is a big deal, because kids can follow along without constantly needing translation.

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

This is the “do something with your hands” heart of Storyworld. You can create your own cartoon, make a stop-motion video, and also try a game-style creation experience.

From an enjoyment standpoint, stop-motion is usually the activity that hooks people fast. You can see your work take shape step by step, and even if you do not stay long at the tools, you leave with a finished result or at least a strong sense of the effort behind motion. The museum also includes other creative formats, like cartoon-making, so you can match the activity to what your group wants that day.

If you are visiting with kids, this section is likely what they will remember most. The hands-on work turns the museum from a place you visit into a place you participate in, and the best part is that the museum keeps you focused on storytelling and craft rather than just pressing random buttons.

Pacing your day: a simple flow that keeps everyone happy

Storyworld is a 1-day museum visit, so you can plan it as either a half-day anchor or a full-day activity depending on energy levels. I like treating it as a “main event,” with a pause for food or a roof break so you don’t burn out on screens and hands-on stations.

Here is a smooth flow that works well:

1) Start with the exhibits that show the original works and the story concepts.

2) Then move into interactive stations while your group is still curious.

3) Finish with the creation activities, since those take more focus and patience.

You can also use Forum Groningen itself to manage energy. With a cinema and library in the same area, you have options if someone needs a quieter moment.

The roof terrace break and why it’s worth your time

Forum Groningen includes a roof terrace with a view of the entire city. That’s not just a nice add-on. It gives your eyes a reset after close-up work at museum displays and computer-style stations.

If you time it right, the terrace can serve as your “end-of-museum breath.” You get fresh air, you see Groningen from above, and you can regroup before heading back out to explore the rest of your day.

Even if the weather is only okay, standing on a high terrace typically feels like a small reward for making it to the sixth floor and staying engaged.

Price and value: is $13 worth it?

At $13 per person for a 1-day visit, Storyworld feels like solid value for a few reasons.

First, the museum is focused. You are not paying for a general attraction with a bit of everything. You are paying for a dedicated place built around comics, animation, and games, plus the creative process.

Second, the interactive stations and creation activities help justify the price. Entry to a normal exhibit gallery can feel fast. Here, interactive learning and making take time, so you get more “time value” for your money.

Finally, the setting in Forum Groningen is part of the package. You are touring a major building with its own cultural spaces, so your day in Groningen feels fuller, not narrower.

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

Storyworld is a great fit if you like comics, animation, and games, or if you want a kid-friendly museum that still feels like a real cultural visit. It also works well for families because multiple activity styles are available, so you are not stuck with only one type of experience.

You may want a different plan if you prefer quiet museums, short attention spans are not a big issue for you, or you are hoping for a strictly adult-only art focus. The museum is friendly, interactive, and designed for movement.

That said, even adults can enjoy it if you go in with the right mindset. Try the interactive exhibits, pay attention to how storytelling works, and treat the creation stations as a fun way to see the craft from the inside.

Quick FAQ for your visit

FAQ

Where is Storyworld located?

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

How long does the visit last?

The experience is listed as a 1-day visit.

How much does it cost?

The price is $13 per person.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

What languages are available?

Information is offered in English and Dutch, and the host or greeter speaks English and Dutch.

What can you do inside Storyworld?

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

Do you get a ticket that includes more than just entry?

Your ticket includes the museum entrance, plus information offered in Dutch and English, and you also get the experience of visiting Forum Groningen.

What famous works or franchises might you see?

You may see original work related to productions such as The Lion King and Batman, and examples including Tintin, Asterix, Shaun the Sheep, and Horizon Forbidden West.

Is there a place to see views of Groningen?

Yes, Forum Groningen has a roof terrace with a view of the entire city.

Is it possible to cancel or change plans?

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

Should you book this for your day in Groningen?

Yes, if you want a museum day that feels hands-on and stays interesting, even when you have a mix of ages. Storyworld’s combination of original international artwork plus interactive creation is the kind of formula that turns a short visit into a real memory.

If your group includes kids, this is especially worth your time, because the creation activities are built for active participation. If you enjoy comics, animation, or games, you will likely appreciate how the museum explains how these worlds are made, not just that they exist.