The Netherlands with Kids: Best Things to Do
Last Updated on Aug 23, 2024
The Netherlands is a fantastic place for children as there’s plenty for them to do without sacrificing the comfort of adults. The Dutch let the kids be kids and welcome them everywhere, so don’t worry – visiting with little bubs can be smooth and fun.
Where to Stay with Kids in the Netherlands
Most people, especially first-time visitors, will always opt to stay in Amsterdam. While you can and there are some great places to stay with kids, a smaller town might be the best option.
Depending on what you want to see in the country, you can stay in different areas, but I think either Haarlem or Leiden might be your best bet.
Both spots are within a 20-minute ride to Amsterdam by train and feels less hectic to bike around, enjoy markets, and offer other attractions nearby.
How to Get Around Netherlands?
While Netherlands can be easy to get around, depending on where you’re going you might need to plan things. Most places can be accessible with public transport, whether it’s a train, bus, or combination, but it might take a while.
Check 9292.nl for schedules and delays.
Don’t rule out renting a car in the Netherlands. Driving is organized and easy, and it can save a lot of time especially with kids. However, I will say that my kids absolutely loved taking the train everywhere when we ventured all the way to Efteling we still rented a car.
Things to Do with Kids in the Netherlands (General)
Kinderboerderij
No matter where you go in the Netherlands, you’ll see a kinderboerderij – basically, a children’s petting farm. There’s usually a cafe and a playground and you can roam in enclosures.
The best part? This is absolutely free to enjoy for everyone!
Eurocamps
Have you heard of Eurocamps? It’s a chain of very affordable places, slightly similar to Kinderhotels. Think of it as resort, but with more homey feeling.
You don’t have to camp unless you want to. They all have plenty of self-catered cabins and rooms.
The most popular one in the Netherlands is Duinrell. It’s located in Wassenaar, very close to Leiden and Haarlem, and has an incredible waterpark (for both kids and adults) and a little amusement park.
You can visit it on a day trip from either, but if you want to extend your total stay in the Netherlands and just relax, I highly recommend considering staying on the property.
Efteling
Efteling deserves a separate mention, as it’s a unique thing and I highly recommend dedicating a day to visit. It’s one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and basically what Disney used to be before it got overcrowded and overcommercialized.
There are rides and things to do for truly all ages and it feels incredibly relaxing, even on a busy day. Most importantly, you won’t break the bank by going as things are affordable, without pushing you to buy a souvenir at every corner.
For younger visitors and nostalgic adults Efteling has a big magic forest with familiar fairytale scenes from H.H. Andersen’s stories and crazy things like talking trash bins that will suck the trash out of your hands.
My kids absolutely loved visiting Efteling and we can’t say the same thing about Disney. Our favorite rides were Carnival Festival (Efteling’s version of It’s A Small World), Fata Morgana (an Arabian Nights boat ride) and Max&Morris roller coaster.
Close to Amsterdam and Haarlem
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is very touristy, but honestly with the kids it’s a fun place to visit. You can pose in giant clog shoes, try some cheese, learn how windmills work, or see the original Albert Heijn.
I do think it’s a fun little trip and easily accessible from Amsterdam. Plus, you’ll also pass through Zandaam with fun architecture.
Muiderslot
Muiderslot is a charming Medieval castle that offers activities for the kids. Kids can dress up and take part in an archery class, or discover their love for owls and other birds or prey.
Works with Museumkaart/Museum Pass.
Linnaeushof
You absolutely cannot miss Europe’s biggest playground, on the outskirts of Haarlem. Open from the end of March to the end of October, it’s fun for all ages – from toddlers to teens (and I will say, my husband and I had fun too).
While you do pay an entrance fee and book tickets in advance, there are 350 different things to do and it’s all 100% human-powered. Apart from the go-karts nothing else had lines and the placfe was absolutely nuts and had everything a child can imagine.
There’s also a giant splashpad/mini-waterpark section, so bring swim clothes and a towel. Last time we visiti Linnaeushof we spent 6h on site and it was still hard to get the kids out, so 3h is a bare minimum you should plan for.
Alkmaar Cheese Market
If you fancy a little trip to see the traditional cheese market, I recommend Alkmaar over Gouda. Most people head to Gouda and while it’s a great spot it gets busy and uncomfortable with kids.
Alkmaar’s market is essentially very similar, with people rolling the cheese wheels, but with fewer people.
Schiphol Plane Spotting
Schiphol airport in Amsterdam is big and planes are coming in and out all the time. You can easily spot them from the highway (or drive underneath the plane crossing), but there’s a spot where you can see planes very nearby.
Many places will mention two places, and while the McDonalds by the parking lot used to have a lot of planes the runway there isn’t really used. Go to the main roadside viewing spot (linked here). You will need a car to get there.
Leiden & Surrounding Areas
Corpus
Corpus is a unique museum of human anatomy as you enter the body and go through different organs. The recommended age is 6, but my 5-year-old and 3-year-old are both into anatomy and it was a hit.
The kids said it was like being in a Magic School Bus in real life and they learned a lot. The one-hour audioguide tour, including elevator trips through lungs, moving objects and projectors, or jumping on a tongue, kept my kids entertained and even asked for more.
Naturalis
Institute of Biodiversity Naturalis is a popular place for Dutch school trips and a wonderful place to learn. It has life-size animal models, T-rex and other dinosaur bones, and many interactive exhibits.
It’s a very Dutch museum with no taboo, so might be quite a shock to some foreign parents but I assure you that it’s a great way of teaching kids.
Works with Museumkaart/Museum Pass.
NOTE: Naturalis works with Museumkaart (Museum Pass). It costs 39 EUR a year for children up to 12, and 75 EUR per adult and it’s valid for a whole year and almost all museums in the Netherlands. It’s worth the price and will save you a lot.
Keukenhof & Tulips
If you’re visiting Netherlands in the spring you might want to see some tulips. Many venture to magnificent Keukenhof Gardens which open up for just 8 weeks a year, but you can also bike among tulip fields for free.
I do think Keukenhof can be fun with little ones (they also have a castle there!), you can also stop by FAM Flower Farm or find a farm nearby. I have a full post here about visiting tulips in the Netherlands.
Utrecht & Surrounding Areas
Railway Museum
Who doesn’t like seeing full-size trains and dioramas with model trains? I was pleasantly surprised at how interactive and informative the museum was for both children and adults.
The museum is fully bilingual so non-Dutch speakers can enjoy it, just as much as locals.
Archeon Museum Park
It’s a interactive museum park with set-ups from Prehistory, Roman and Medieval periods. You can step into the middle of history and discover how it used to be.
Archeon is oriented towards children under 9 years old and it’s an activity-based facility where kids can learn and have fun at the same time.
Works with Museumkaart/Museum Pass.
Miffy Museum (Nijntje Museum)
The beloved bunny has its own place in Utrecht! Kids can sleep in Miffy’s bed, hang out her washing, explore the little houses, and ride on the little bikes. It’s more of a playspot than a museum, but it’s a cute stop.
Den Hague (The Hague) & Surrounding Areas
Madurodam
Madurodam is a model village in the Netherlands. There are moving cars, planes, and real ducks floating around and it’s fun to see little town basically being an interactive dollhouse.
Scheveningen beach
If you’re looking for a wide and long beach with cute boardwalk cafes, Scheveningen is the best. You can walk around, take a dip in cold water with local kids, dig around and just enjoy your time outdoors.
There’s also a Sea Life aquarium by the beach with plenty of fish, jellyfish and other creatures to see.
Lelystad & Surrounding Areas
Luchtvaartmuseum Aviodrome
Fantastic aviation museum with an outdoor and indoor area, located at the actual airport of Lelystad (where you can take a Cessna flying lesson with older kids).
The indoor area is packed with things to see, and there’s also a wonderful outdoor space with playgrounds and rusty old planes for kids to get on board.
Works with Museumkaart/Museum Pass.
Hans & Grietje
Hans & Grietje is a super unique Dutch pancake restaurant, based on the H.H.Andersen’s tale. The decorations of the restaurant are well done and the kids loved finding hidden slides, play corners, and random moving figures. There’s even a slide to the toilet!
While the food is just all right, you’re going to this place for experience. They even have moving tables! Reservations are a must because it gets busy.
The outdoor area is ultimately a gigantic playground with jumping pillows, multiple big playhouses, roads with bikes, a splash area, and even a haunted play area. My kids gave it a 10/10 and we loved it too!
Oud Valkeveen
Not too far from Hans & Grietje is a relaxing small amusement park called Oud Valkeveen. While 90-year-olds, it truly redeemed itself and makes a perfect outing for kids under 8. There are some play areas, small rides, and shows, and you can picnic there as well.
