Groningen: Storyworld Museum at Forum Groningen

Storyworld turns comics, animation, and games into something you can examine and play with, not just look at behind glass. The museum sits on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen, where you can also reach a cinema, library, exhibition rooms, and a roof terrace with wide views across Groningen.

I especially like the chance to see original work from productions such as The Lion King and Batman, then try creative installations yourself. I also like that the museum explains how cartoons and games work by letting you make a cartoon, stop-motion video, or game. The main thing to consider is its modest rating of 3.6 from five reviews, so you should choose it for the subject matter and interactive format rather than expecting a large traditional art museum.

Key points at a glance

• Original production artwork: See work connected with Tintin, Asterix, The Lion King, Shaun the Sheep, Batman, and Horizon Forbidden West.
• Hands-on learning: Interactive installations show how comics, animation, and games are built.
• Make something yourself: Try creating a cartoon, stop-motion video, or game during your visit.
• Sixth-floor setting: Storyworld is inside Forum Groningen, with a cinema, library, exhibition rooms, and a roof terrace nearby.
• Good for mixed-age groups: The museum is designed to be family-friendly and suitable for children.
• Simple, flexible ticket: Admission costs $12 per person and is valid for one day, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

Storyworld puts popular media under the microscope

Storyworld is not simply a room filled with comic pages and film props. Its central idea is to help you understand how stories are built across three forms: comics, animation, and games.

That makes the visit more active than a standard display of framed drawings. You can look at original work by international creators, then use interactive installations to explore the choices behind a cartoon or game.

I find that mix useful because the three subjects overlap, but they do not work in the same way. A comic uses panels, drawings, and the reader’s movement across a page. Animation depends on many images shown in sequence. A game adds rules, choices, and play. Storyworld’s format lets you consider those differences while doing something practical.

The museum is a good fit if you already follow graphic novels, animated films, game design, or character art. It also gives children a way into those subjects without asking them to read long wall texts first.

Original work from Tintin to Horizon Forbidden West

One of the strongest reasons to visit is the range of material. You may see original work linked with Tintin and Asterix, two major names in European comics, alongside productions such as The Lion King, Shaun the Sheep, Batman, and Horizon Forbidden West.

That range matters. It connects hand-drawn comic traditions with modern animation and digital game design. You are not limited to one national style or one period of popular culture.

The examples also cover different ways of telling a story. Batman and Tintin bring the language of comic heroes and graphic panels. The Lion King and Shaun the Sheep point toward animation, character movement, and visual timing. Horizon Forbidden West represents the game side, where environments, actions, and player choices help carry the story.

The exact display changes, so it is wise to check the current exhibition before booking. The museum itself directs visitors to its website for that information. If you have a particular favorite, do not assume it will be on view during your visit.

The interactive installations are the main event

The best reason to choose Storyworld over a basic comics display is the chance to learn by trying things. Interactive installations help you see what it takes to understand and create a cartoon or game.

I would plan enough time to stop and experiment rather than race through the displays. The ticket is valid for one day, so you have flexibility, but the information does not give a fixed visit length. Your time will depend on how much you read and how long you spend at each activity.

The hands-on format is especially useful for children who may lose interest in cases and labels. It also works for adults who want more than a nostalgia trip. You can study the finished work, then think about how a creator made a character readable, a sequence understandable, or an action engaging.

The museum’s goal is not to turn every visitor into a professional animator or game designer. Instead, it gives you a working sense of the steps involved. That is a worthwhile difference. You leave with a better idea of why a simple-looking cartoon or game may require careful planning.

Make a cartoon, stop-motion video, or game

Storyworld gives you several ways to move from viewer to maker. You can create your own cartoon, produce a stop-motion video, or build a game through the interactive features.

Each option offers a different kind of challenge. A cartoon asks you to think about images and visual storytelling. Stop-motion makes movement easier to understand because you create it piece by piece. A game adds the question of what the player can do and how the rules shape the experience.

I like this part because it gives the visit a clear purpose. You are not only collecting facts about famous characters. You are testing the same basic ideas in a small, approachable form.

Do not expect a full professional production studio or a long workshop led by a named instructor. No guide names or formal class schedule are provided. The experience is presented as a museum visit with interactive installations, supported by information in Dutch and English.

A good family stop, with enough for adults too

Storyworld is described as kidsproof, and the hands-on content makes that claim easy to understand. Children can engage with familiar ideas through play, while older visitors can focus on the craft behind the finished work.

I would consider it for a family day in Groningen, especially if your group includes people with different interests. One person can spend time with comics, another can explore animation, and someone else can focus on games.

It should not be treated as only a children’s attraction. The named examples include major international productions and recognizable creators, and the museum addresses real storytelling and design problems. Adults who enjoy drawing, filmmaking, animation, or game culture should find material worth their attention.

Still, your experience will depend on your personal interest. If you prefer Dutch painting, ancient objects, or conventional art galleries, Storyworld may feel light. It is built around popular media and participation, not quiet contemplation of fine art.

Forum Groningen adds more to the visit

Storyworld occupies the sixth floor of Forum Groningen. The building itself includes a library, a cinema, two exhibition rooms, and a roof terrace with a view across the city.

That setting makes it easy to combine the museum with other Forum activities. You can visit Storyworld as one stop during a larger cultural outing instead of treating it as your only destination.

The roof terrace is a useful extra, particularly if you want a change of pace after the interactive exhibits. The supplied information describes views of the entire city, so it offers a chance to get your bearings in Groningen from above.

The cinema and exhibition rooms may also interest you, but they are separate Forum facilities rather than stated parts of the Storyworld ticket. I would check what is showing if you want to plan a fuller visit. Do not assume every Forum attraction is included in the $12 admission.

What the $12 ticket is worth

At $12 per person, Storyworld is priced as a short cultural activity rather than a major all-day museum. The ticket is valid for one day, which gives you room to visit at a time that suits your schedule and spend as long as you wish within that validity.

The value comes from three things: the original works, the interactive learning, and the chance to make something yourself. If you use only a few displays and leave quickly, the price may feel less convincing. If you take time with the installations and add the Forum building to your plans, it becomes a more useful stop.

The ticket includes museum entrance and information in Dutch and English. It does not state that cinema programs, other exhibitions, or special events are included, so treat those as separate possibilities unless confirmed when you book.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Groningen plans are still moving around. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That flexibility is useful, but it does not change the basic question: you should book because you want comics, animation, and games, not simply because the reservation is easy to change.

Language, access, and practical planning

Information is offered in Dutch and English, and the host or greeter languages are Dutch and English. That makes the experience workable for international visitors who do not speak Dutch.

Storyworld is wheelchair accessible. The supplied details do not provide further information about specific installations, seating, or restroom arrangements, so you may want to contact Forum Groningen directly if you need a precise access answer for your visit.

The ticket is valid for one day, and starting times are shown through the availability calendar. Since no fixed duration is provided, I would avoid squeezing Storyworld into an extremely tight schedule. The interactive activities may take more time than a quick walk through a small gallery.

Because the museum is inside Forum Groningen, you can plan the roof terrace and other building facilities around it. That makes the visit more forgiving if you are traveling with children or a group that needs breaks.

Who should book Storyworld?

I would recommend Storyworld most strongly to:

• Families looking for a cultural activity with hands-on elements
• Fans of comics, animation, and games
• Visitors curious about how cartoons and games are made
• Adults who enjoy character design, drawing, film animation, or game worlds
• Visitors who want to pair a museum visit with Forum Groningen’s other facilities
• International visitors who need English information

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a large collection, a long guided tour, or a traditional museum experience. The information does not promise a named guide, a fixed tour route, or a long lecture. It offers a self-directed, interactive visit instead.

The current exhibition also matters. Storyworld’s examples cover a broad range, but the display changes. Check the museum website before you commit, especially if one title or creator is the main reason you want to go.

Is Storyworld worth booking?

Book Storyworld if you like comics, animation, or games and want to understand how they are made. The combination of original work and creative installations gives the $12 ticket a clear purpose, and the sixth-floor Forum setting adds a roof terrace and other cultural stops.

I would especially choose it for a family group or a mixed-age party. The main caution is the limited review signal and the fact that the experience may feel too small or too playful if you want a conventional museum. Check the current exhibition first, then book with confidence if the subject matches your interests.

FAQ

Where is Storyworld located?

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

What does the Storyworld ticket include?

The ticket includes entrance to Storyworld, information in Dutch and English, and access to the Forum Groningen building.

How much does admission cost?

Admission costs $12 per person.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day.

Does Storyworld have fixed starting times?

Starting times are shown through the availability calendar, so you should check availability when planning your visit.

What languages are available?

Information is available in Dutch and English. The host or greeter can also communicate in Dutch and English.

Is Storyworld wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Storyworld is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The reservation option allows you to book your spot and pay nothing at the time of booking.

What can I see at Storyworld?

You can see original work connected with Tintin, Asterix, The Lion King, Shaun the Sheep, Batman, and Horizon Forbidden West. The museum also offers interactive ways to explore comics, animation, and games, including making a cartoon, stop-motion video, or game.