Storyworld in Forum Groningen is comics and games you can touch, not just look at. I really like how the museum mixes original international artwork with interactive stations that explain how cartoons and games work. I also love the hands-on creation side, from making your own cartoon or stop-motion to trying out game-style activities. One thing to consider: it’s a busy, hands-on space, so if you want quiet and traditional museum pacing, this might feel a bit too active.

Storyworld sits on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen, inside the striking Forum building. You’re not stuck in one room either. Around the exhibition areas, you can take advantage of the museum’s set-up in a bigger cultural complex that includes a library, a cinema, and even a roof terrace with city views.

Key points you’ll care about before you go

• Sixth-floor location in Forum Groningen means an easy stop that pairs well with exploring the Forum complex
• Original work from major productions lets you connect the art you recognize with the making process
• Interactive installations teach how animation and game design translate ideas into screen action
• Make-and-play activities include creating your own cartoon, stop-motion video, or game
• Dutch and English info keeps you from guessing what you’re looking at
• Kidsproof design shows up in the way activities are built for hands-on learning

Storyworld in Forum Groningen: comics and games with real-world art

If you think museums about comics, animation, or games have to be “look, don’t touch,” Storyworld is here to correct that. This is a full-on story and creation museum focused on how media is built. You’ll get plenty to look at, sure. But the bigger win is that you spend time learning by doing.

The setting helps too. Forum Groningen is the kind of modern building that makes you feel like you’re going somewhere current, not somewhere dusty. Storyworld lives on the sixth floor, which keeps the whole experience nicely concentrated, like you’re stepping into a dedicated media world rather than wandering through unrelated galleries.

And because the museum’s themes are comics, animation, and games, the atmosphere tends to fit families and mixed-age groups. Even if you’re an adult who only casually follows cartoons or game stories, the museum is designed to make those mechanics make sense fast. Not with heavy lectures. With interactive screens, production-style displays, and creative tasks.

What you’ll actually see: originals from comics to film and games

One of the best reasons to go is the variety of recognizable creative work. Storyworld doesn’t just show generic “inspired by” content. It presents original pieces from major (inter)national productions, including Tintin, Asterix, The Lion King, Batman, Shaun the Sheep, and game-related work such as Horizon Forbidden West.

That matters because it gives you a direct thread between:

• the artwork you might already know,
• the storytelling choices behind it, and
• the practical techniques used to bring those stories to life.

You can walk through and see how characters and worlds are built for different formats. A comic panel and a cinematic sequence don’t work the same way. A game scene brings in interactivity and player pacing. Storyworld helps you notice those differences without turning it into a textbook.

Also, the museum has exhibitions that change. The museum experience is tied to whatever exhibition is currently running, so if you’re the type who hates repeating yourself, it’s worth checking what’s on during your visit.

How animation and game worlds become interactive learning

Storyworld’s core idea is simple: media is made of choices. Choices about timing, framing, sound, character actions, and how a player or viewer moves through a story.

So instead of only reading explanations, you interact with installations that show how the “magic” works. The museum is particularly good at helping you understand what makes animation feel alive. You’re not just staring at pictures. You’re using setups that translate motion, sequence, and timing into something you can experiment with.

From the way the museum is described, you can expect an emphasis on explanation-through-play. The goal is that when you leave, you can look at a cartoon or game and recognize what’s driving the effect: the structure, the pacing, and the building blocks.

There’s also a practical bonus for families. This kind of interactive learning keeps energy from turning into boredom. It’s the difference between a museum that says be quiet and a museum that actually has something to do every few minutes.

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

This is where Storyworld earns its reputation as fun, not just educational.

You can create your own cartoon, make a stop-motion video, or take part in game-style creation activities. Even if you’re not “creative,” you’ll still have something to work with. The museum is set up so your actions produce visible results, which is the fastest way to make media-making feel real.

One review favorite was the stop-motion area, plus a sound studio setup. That combination is a big deal. Visuals are only half the story. Sound shapes emotion and timing, and it can turn a basic clip into something that feels like real production.

What I think is smart about the creation areas is how they teach without making you feel judged. You don’t need a perfect drawing skill set. You need curiosity and a willingness to try again. That’s also why this museum works well across ages. Younger kids can focus on play and experimentation. Older kids can spend more time on how to make it work.

If you’re short on time, prioritize the creation stations. They’re usually the main event and the most likely part of the visit to give you that “I did something” memory.

A one-day plan on the sixth floor (so you don’t miss the best bits)

Storyworld is designed for a one-day visit, but you still want a plan so you don’t end up rushing the parts you actually care about.

Here’s a simple pacing approach that fits the museum layout and keeps the experience fun:

Start with the original work. Spend time early on looking at the major international productions on display. If you do this first, you’ll have a mental reference for everything you later create. You’ll recognize character and world design choices, and you’ll understand what you’re trying to replicate or experiment with.

Then move into the interactive installations. This is where you build understanding of how animation and game storytelling work. Aim to slow down here. Try the installations rather than just standing nearby. The value of these stations is in the feedback loop: try, see what changes, then try again.

Save creation for the middle or later. Don’t leave it so late that you feel time pressure. Creating your own cartoon, stop-motion video, or game-style activity is the part that benefits most from having a relaxed window.

Finish by catching the rest of the Forum complex. Storyworld’s home base is within Forum Groningen, which includes a library, a cinema, and a roof terrace with city views. You can use those spaces as a breather after the hands-on parts. Even a short pause helps, because you’ve been looking and tinkering for a while.

If you’re visiting with kids, consider setting a clear target: one main creation activity plus a few interactive installations. You’ll get less frustration than trying to do everything.

Price and value: is $13 per person a fair deal?

At $13 per person, Storyworld is priced like a “worth it” day, not like a luxury attraction. The value comes from the mix of elements: original artwork, interactive learning, and your own creative output.

Here’s why that combination matters for value:

• If it was only a display museum, you might feel you saw everything quickly.
• If it was only play stations, it might feel like generic entertainment.
• Storyworld gives you both, which stretches your time and makes the learning stick.

The best value tends to happen when you actually engage with the installations and spend time on creation. If you treat it like a quick walk-through, you’ll still get something out of it, but you’ll miss what makes the ticket feel worthwhile.

So I’d treat it as a day activity where you expect to participate, not just observe.

Who should go (and who might prefer something else)

Storyworld is built for families and for anyone who likes comics, animation, and/or games. It’s also a good fit if you’re the kind of adult who enjoys understanding how things work, not just consuming the final product.

You’ll probably love it if you:

• enjoy creative activities and don’t mind trying hands-on tasks,
• like seeing recognizable stories alongside the craft behind them,
• want an experience that keeps kids engaged without constant babysitting.

You might want a different kind of museum if you’re chasing quiet galleries, long guided lectures, or a mostly passive experience. Storyworld is active by design. The museum’s whole point is making you interact.

Still, even if you’re not the arts-and-crafts type, the interactive installations can be surprisingly satisfying because they give you a quick explanation of production logic through play.

Practical comfort: language, staff help, and the Forum setting

Storyworld offers information in English and Dutch, and the museum host or greeter supports English and Dutch too. That’s useful because when you’re experimenting at interactive stations, you don’t want to guess what you’re meant to do.

The museum is also wheelchair accessible, which is always a strong plus for planning. And because the museum is on the sixth floor of Forum Groningen, the location is straightforward: you know exactly where you’re heading, and you can rely on the larger Forum building around it.

One more practical note: this is a place where you’ll want comfortable shoes. Even if the museum isn’t huge, you’ll be moving between stations and creation areas more than you would in a traditional museum.

Should you book Storyworld at Forum Groningen?

Book Storyworld if you want a fun, hands-on day in Groningen that connects comics, animation, and games with the craft behind them. The strongest reasons are the combination of original international productions and create-your-own activities like stop-motion and cartoon-making. For kids, the hands-on parts are often the whole point. For adults, the “how it works” focus makes the recognizable art feel deeper.

Pass if you want a quiet, sit-down museum day with minimal participation. Storyworld is active. If that sounds good to you, you’re in the right place.

FAQ

Where is Storyworld located?

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

How much does Storyworld cost?

The price is listed as $13 per person.

How long is the visit?

Plan for about 1 day.

What can I see at Storyworld?

You can see original work connected to international productions such as Tintin, Asterix, The Lion King, Batman, Shaun the Sheep, and Horizon Forbidden West.

Can I make things at Storyworld?

Yes. You can create your own cartoon, make a stop-motion video, or create a game through interactive activities.

What languages are available?

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

Is Storyworld wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes museum entrance, information in Dutch and English, and visiting the Forum Groningen building.

Can I reserve and pay later?

Yes. You can reserve now and pay later.

Is cancellation free?

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