Groningen: Storyworld Museum at Forum Groningen

Comics come alive here. Storyworld turns the worlds of comics, animation, and games into a hands-on museum visit inside Forum Groningen. I like the mix of original artwork from famous productions and playful installations that let you make a cartoon, stop-motion film, or game. The main consideration is that the experience depends partly on the exhibition currently on display, so it is worth checking the museum website before you go.

I also like the setting on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen, one of the city’s most striking public buildings. You get more than a museum ticket: the building includes a library, cinema, exhibition rooms, and a roof terrace with a city view. At $12 per person, Storyworld offers good value for families and pop-culture fans, though visitors looking for a large, traditional art museum may find it compact.

Five things to know before visiting Storyworld

• Original work from major productions: See material connected with Tintin, Asterix, The Lion King, Shaun the Sheep, Batman, and Horizon Forbidden West.
• Hands-on creative stations: You can explore how cartoons and games work, then try making your own cartoon, stop-motion video, or game.
• Sixth-floor Forum location: Storyworld shares Forum Groningen with a library, cinema, temporary exhibition rooms, and a roof terrace overlooking the city.
• Good for mixed-age groups: The museum is designed to be playful and accessible for children while still offering plenty for adults who enjoy comics, animation, or games.
• Dutch and English information: The museum provides information in both languages, with English and Dutch hosts or greeters.
• Flexible booking: The ticket is valid for one day, and you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.

Entering Forum Groningen on the sixth floor

Storyworld is located inside Forum Groningen, a major cultural center in the heart of Groningen. You do not arrive at a separate old-fashioned museum building. Instead, you enter a lively public complex where people come to read, watch films, see exhibitions, and enjoy the view.

That setting matters. A visit to Storyworld fits naturally into a larger afternoon in the city. You can pair the museum with time in the library, a film at the cinema, or a stop at the roof terrace. If your group has different interests, this makes the building much more useful than a single-purpose attraction.

Storyworld itself is on the sixth floor. I would allow a little time to get oriented inside Forum before heading up, especially if you are visiting with children or carrying bags. The museum ticket includes access to Storyworld and the chance to enjoy the spectacular Forum building, but it does not suggest that every other activity in the building is included.

The building’s roof terrace is an especially useful extra. From there, you can look across Groningen after your museum visit and connect the exhibits with the real city below. The view is included as part of the Forum setting, not presented as a separate guided attraction, so you can use it at your own pace.

Seeing Tintin, Batman, and The Lion King in original form

The strongest traditional museum element is the display of original work. Storyworld presents material from international creators and productions, including Tintin, Asterix, The Lion King, Shaun the Sheep, Batman, and Horizon Forbidden West.

That range gives the museum a broad appeal. Tintin and Asterix represent classic comics, The Lion King and Shaun the Sheep connect with animation, and Batman and Horizon Forbidden West bring in the world of modern popular entertainment and games. You are not being asked to like only one style or one generation of storytelling.

Original works are valuable because they show how much planning sits behind an image that may look simple on a screen or printed page. A comic panel, character drawing, animation frame, or game concept can reveal choices about movement, expression, color, and visual storytelling. Storyworld uses these examples to help you look more closely at familiar characters.

The exact exhibition changes, so the names and balance of featured works may vary during your visit. Check the current display at the official Storyworld website before booking if a particular character or production is the reason you want to go. The permanent idea is the connection between comics, animation, and games, but the temporary material gives each visit its own focus.

Learning how a cartoon or game is built

Storyworld is not only a display of finished work. Its main purpose is to explain how stories are made and how visual media communicate with you.

You learn what it takes to understand a cartoon or game, then get the chance to experiment. This approach is useful for children because it turns an abstract subject into an activity. It is also useful for adults, especially if you enjoy seeing the mechanics behind something you normally consume without thinking about the process.

A comic can guide your eye through a sequence of images. Animation creates movement from separate images. A game adds interaction, so the player has a role in what happens. Storyworld brings these forms together and shows how they relate while still keeping their differences clear.

The interactive installations are the heart of the visit. Instead of standing quietly in front of framed pieces, you can play with ideas and test how a visual story works. I would expect the experience to feel more like a creative workshop than a silent gallery, which is a major reason it suits families.

The museum also helps explain why games belong in a museum about storytelling. A game is not simply a moving picture. It asks you to respond, make choices, and understand a set of rules. The hands-on approach gives you a better sense of how those parts fit together.

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

The most memorable part for many visitors will likely be the chance to create something yourself. Storyworld offers installations for making a cartoon, a stop-motion video, or a game.

You do not need to arrive with drawing skills or technical experience. The value is in trying the process. You begin to notice that animation depends on small changes, timing, and sequence. A stop-motion film can make ordinary objects or figures appear to move, while a cartoon depends on visual decisions made one image at a time.

The game-making activity offers a different kind of challenge. You need to think about rules, actions, and what the player is meant to do. Even a short experiment can show why creating a game takes more than adding attractive characters to a screen.

I like this part because it gives children a sense of ownership. They are not only looking at the work of famous creators. They are making choices and seeing the result. Adults can take part too, and the activities provide an easy way for a family or group to compare ideas without anyone needing to be an expert.

Because the museum is interactive, the pace can vary. You might move quickly through the displays, or you might spend extra time at one creative station. The ticket is valid for one day, so you have flexibility, but the supplied information does not give a fixed visit length. Plan according to your group rather than expecting a timed tour.

Why Storyworld works well for families

Storyworld is designed to be family-friendly, but it does not rely only on children’s entertainment. The famous characters and original works give adults a reason to look closely, while the interactive stations give younger visitors something to do.

That combination is important in Groningen, where a museum visit can sometimes be difficult for a mixed-age group. One person may want cultural content, another may want games, and a child may simply want to touch, move, and create. Storyworld brings those interests together in one place.

I would recommend it most strongly to families with children who already like drawing, cartoons, animated films, or games. It should also suit teenagers and adults who enjoy comic art, character design, stop-motion, or game development.

The experience may be less satisfying if you want a long, quiet museum visit focused on original paintings or detailed historical interpretation. Storyworld’s appeal comes from participation and popular culture. It is playful by design, and that is either its main strength or its main limitation depending on what you want from a museum.

The value of a $12 ticket

At $12 per person, Storyworld is reasonably priced for a cultural attraction that combines exhibits, activities, and access to a large public building. I see the best value for families, since several people can share the same creative experience and then use the wider Forum Groningen facilities.

The price also compares well with a simple museum visit because the experience is not limited to looking at displays. You can spend time with original work, use interactive installations, and visit the roof terrace for a city view. The Forum’s library, cinema, and other exhibition rooms give you options for extending the outing, although the ticket information only confirms admission to Storyworld itself.

Value depends on your expectations. If you are mainly interested in one specific temporary exhibition, check what is showing before you pay. If your priority is a playful introduction to comics, animation, and games, the ticket makes more sense because the experience covers several related subjects.

The published score is 3.6 from five ratings, which is a modest result rather than a strong signal either way. I would not use that number alone to decide. The museum’s appeal is quite specific: it is best for people who want popular culture presented through original work and interactive play.

Practical details for planning your visit

The ticket is valid for one day, and you should check availability for the possible starting times. The available information does not give a fixed entry schedule or a standard visit duration, so confirm the details that apply to your chosen date.

Information is offered in Dutch and English. Hosts or greeters speak Dutch and English, making the museum practical for international visitors as well as local families.

Storyworld is wheelchair accessible. That is useful to know before you plan a visit, particularly if your group includes someone who needs step-free access.

The booking terms are flexible. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those options help if your Groningen schedule depends on weather, train times, or other city plans.

I would check the current exhibition at storyworld.nl before setting out. The displays can change, and the temporary theme may affect how much you enjoy the visit.

Who should book Storyworld?

I would book Storyworld if you enjoy comics, animated films, character art, or games and want more than a display of finished products. The chance to make a cartoon, stop-motion video, or game gives the visit a practical edge, and the Forum location makes it easy to combine with other indoor activities.

Families should find it especially useful because children can play while adults explore the original works. It also suits visitors who want an English-friendly cultural stop in Groningen and anyone looking for a short, flexible activity rather than a full-day museum commitment.

I would pause before booking if you are seeking a large collection, a formal guided tour, or a museum centered on fine art. Storyworld is more focused and more playful. Its success depends on your interest in the subject and on the temporary exhibition available when you visit.

Final verdict: book it for creative play and pop culture

Storyworld is a good choice for a relaxed Groningen outing, especially with children or anyone who likes comics, animation, and games. I value the mix of original international work, interactive learning, and creative stations because it helps you understand how visual stories are made.

The $12 price is fair, and the sixth-floor Forum setting adds a useful city view and access to other cultural spaces. Check the current exhibition first, then book if you want a hands-on museum with familiar characters and room to experiment.

FAQ

Where is Storyworld located?

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

What does the Storyworld ticket include?

The ticket includes museum entrance and information in Dutch and English. It also gives you the chance to visit the Forum Groningen building, including its notable city setting.

How much does admission cost?

Admission costs $12 per person.

What can I see at Storyworld?

You can see original work connected with international productions and creators, including Tintin, Asterix, The Lion King, Shaun the Sheep, Batman, and Horizon Forbidden West. The exact exhibition on display can change.

Can I create something at the museum?

Yes. Storyworld offers interactive activities where you can create a cartoon, make a stop-motion video, or create a game.

Is Storyworld available in English?

Yes. Information is offered in English and Dutch, and hosts or greeters speak English and Dutch.

Is Storyworld wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Storyworld is wheelchair accessible.