Best things to do with kids on a trip to the Netherlands

Everyone knows that Amsterdam is a marvellous destination for a grown-up city break, and the rest of the country has some terrific attractions but is the Netherlands a good place to visit with kids? The success of a family holiday is about keeping the kids safe, occupied and entertained. Does the land of dykes, windmills and tulips have enough places of interest and activities to satisfy children of all ages? Here are some of the best things to do with kids on a family holiday in the Netherlands.

Madurodam

Madurodam in Scheveningen is a fantastic miniature world that has been delighting visitors young and old since 1952. Both fun and educational, the park is full of small-scale replicas of the most famous Dutch cities and landmarks with the added element of more than 20 interactive attractions. You can walk among tulip fields to spot icons like the Rijksmuseum or load cargo onto a container ship at the port of Rotterdam. More than 65,000 miniature people inhabit the model village, giving visitors an insight into life in the Netherlands with everything from dancing at music festivals to how they keep the low-lying land dry.

Scheveningen Beach

With its wide and golden sand beaches, Scheveningen is one of the most popular cities to visit in the Netherlands with kids. One of the oldest beach resorts in the country, its popularity endures thanks to its mix of busy beachfront and more tranquil areas (by the harbour). The seafront is well facilitated with a 400-metre long pier and many cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. For sporty types, there’s plenty of room for football, volleyball and cricket. Organised sports have a place, too, with top-level beach volleyball and beach football games held at the Hague Beach Stadium. Surfers love the facilities in Scheveningen, which include a surfer’s village with surf schools and an artificial reef for great waves all year round. Legoland is also close by.

Efteling

Theme parks are always going to be on top of the list of where to go with kids in the Netherlands, and there is no shortage. Offering magical fairytale escapism, Efteling is one of the oldest theme parks in the world. Kids can spend hours wandering through the fairytale forest, trying to spot their favourite characters from folklore. They can converse with a magical tree, meet Little Red Riding Hood and run away from dragons. The 36 rides suit all ages, with merry-go-rounds for toddlers and roller coasters for everyone else. Shows and performances are held daily, including a dramatic show with stunt horses (Ravelijn) and Europe’s biggest water show.

Klimbos Weert

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush in the things to do in the Netherlands with kids, the outdoor adventure park, Klimbos Weert, fits the bill. Four climbing courses traverse the forest, offering a challenge for older kids and adults over a height of 1.3 metres. Beyond the forest, there are plenty of other challenging adventures for individuals and family groups, including missions led by an iPad and an action pack. Are you ready to hunt for evil trolls or tackle a deadly virus?

Duinrell Amusement Park

On a lovely summer day, one of the best outings for the family is a trip to a water park. Duinrell Water Park is based around a tropical tiki pool with 21 water slides covering 1.5 kilometres – the longest in the country. Slides loop and twist from heights of 22 metres, and riders can reach speeds of 70 km per hour. Little ones have their own separate pool, slides and aqua play area. The water park is part of the Duinrell Holiday Park, so there are plenty of other amusements, rides and rollercoasters for when you’ve dried off.

Hans & Grietje Pannenkoekenhuis

Solving the age-old problem of amusing the kids and feeding them in a unique way is this fantasy pancake house. This is no ordinary restaurant. It’s like something straight out of a fairytale. The whimsical construction outside opens to themed rooms that are upside down and floors that move. Hans & Grietje Pannenkoekenhuis serves delectable pancakes with every topping imaginable to satisfy anyone who has worked up an appetite in the outdoor play area, in the candy tower, riding the go-karts or jumping on the bouncy castle.

NEMO Science Museum

The prerequisite of educational activities on holiday is they must be fun, and that’s why visiting the NEMO Science Museum is high on many lists of things to do in the Netherlands in family groups. Located in Amsterdam, the museum is five floors of curiosity, wonderment and explanation. With so many interactive exhibits and shows, learning about science is a truly fun experience (for Mum and Dad, too!). Breaks from learning can be had in the play area or café.

Beekse Bergen Safari Park

A visit to a safari park or zoo is a quintessential family outing, and in Hilvarenbeek in the south Netherlands is Beekse Bergen Safari Park. You can see more than 1,200 animals representing more than 150 species on a 5 km drive by car or by bus with an experienced and knowledgeable ranger guide if you want to learn more. A boat ride or going for a walk through the lovely natural habitats are other options as well. All the typical safari and zoo animals are here, and there are scheduled feeding times, as well as exhibitions and the ever-popular bird show.

Linnaeushof

Not a single child could leave Linnaeushof claiming they didn’t have some fun. With over 350 separate attractions, Linnaeushof is Europe’s largest playground. Just some of the attractions are an 11-metre high pirate nest, cable cars, pedal boats, go-karts, trampolines, super slide, obstacle course, climbing equipment, inflatable castle and mini-golf courses. Attractions are indoors and outdoors, and there are separate areas for the littlest guests as well as for the older kids. All ages will enjoy the water playground, with its many water slides set amongst towering palm trees.

Biesbosch National Park

If you’re a family who loves the outdoors, the national parks of the Netherlands are an attractive option. Biesbosch National Park is popular with all ages. An area of tidal freshwater wetlands, the park’s network of large and small rivers and creeks dotted with islands offer a rich array of flora and fauna for nature lovers. There’s also a full menu of outdoor activities, including camping, walking, hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing and bird watching.

There’s a wide variety of things to do in the Netherlands with kids. All ages and tastes are accounted for, which makes visiting the country one of the greatest destinations for a family holiday any time of the year.