Netherlands family holiday itinerary - the best things to do with kids!

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The Netherlands is such a great place for a getaway with the kids – and you’ll find some of the best things to see and do in this family holiday itinerary. With beautiful beaches, scenic countryside, city adventures and amazing family attractions, the Netherlands is a fantastic choice for an affordable yet unforgettable holiday with some of the best holiday parks in Europe for kids too. The Netherlands is the perfect destination for a family road trip as it’s only a few hours drive from Calais – so hop on the ferry to avoid a big spend on flights. Here are some of the best things to do with the kids that you’ll want to add to your holiday itinerary – honestly there are so many great family-friendly days out in the Netherlands it was hard to choose!

1. Have a wild adventure at Beekse Bergen Safari Park

For an unforgettable animal experience, head to Beekse Bergen Safari Park where you can drive through the park and see lions, giraffes, rhinos and zebras up close. Unlike a regular zoo, this safari park lets you explore in your own car, by bus and even by boat, making it feel like a real African safari. There’s also a walking safari route with fun interactive play areas, plus an on-site holiday park if you fancy staying a little longer. Beekse Bergen is quite honestly the best zoo we’ve ever been to – we loved our visit and our stay at Lake Resort Beekse Bergen. Find out more info here in my Beekse Bergen Safari Park Review.

2. Enjoy theme park and water fun in one at Duinrell

If you’re looking for a great mix of theme park rides and water fun, Duinrell is a fantastic choice. Duinrell is one of the best family days out in the Netherlands – with an on-site theme park and a huge indoor waterpark – you’ll need this place in your itinerary as there’s so much there for the kids to do. The theme park has rides for all ages, from gentle carousels to thrilling rollercoasters and water rides. The real highlight, though, is Tikibad – one of the biggest indoor waterparks in Europe with wave pools, waterslides and toddler-friendly splash areas. If you’re staying on-site in a holiday home, you get free access to the theme park and discounted entry to Tikibad – making it a great value option for a fun-filled family holiday! Find out more info here in my Duinrell Theme Park Resort review.

3. Have fun at Speelland – the ultimate outdoor playground

If you’re visiting Beekse Bergen Safari Park, don’t miss Speelland, a brilliant outdoor play park right next door. It’s the perfect spot for young kids with climbing frames, waterslides and even mini rides. Set beside a lake with a sandy beach, Speelland is ideal for warm summer days – kids can paddle in the water, build sandcastles and enjoy pedal boats while parents relax. You can save money by purchasing joint tickets with Beekse Bergen Safari Park, or stay at Lake Resort Beekse Bergen and you can visit for free – find out more info here in my Speelland Beekse Bergen Attraction Park Review. Alternatively, head to Linnaeushof – the largest playground in Europe and one of the most popular attractions for kids in the Netherlands.

4. Build sandcastles on the gorgeous Dutch beaches

The Netherlands might not be the first place you think of for a beach holiday, but it’s actually home to some stunning spots perfect for some free family fun! Scheveningen Beach offers a lively pier with arcades, restaurants and a Ferris wheel, making it ideal for families who love a mix of fun and relaxation. Zandvoort Beach is just a 30 minute train ride from Amsterdam with wide sandy stretches, family-friendly beach clubs and gentle waves for paddling. For a more peaceful setting, Texel Island is a hidden gem featuring dunes, cycle paths and even seal-watching tours. Bergen aan Zee is a beautiful lesser-known spot, with soft sand and lovely coastal walking routes. Or head to Domburg Beach in Zeeland which is a great choice for families and has a charming seaside town to explore.

5. Spend a day wandering the city of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a really walkable (or cyclable) place so it can be a good choice for a family city visit. Many canal cruise companies offer family-friendly tours that cater specifically to children and it’s a great way to see the city’s iconic sights, like the Anne Frank House, while resting little legs if you’re travelling with young children. Pack up a picnic to enjoy in Vondelpark (Amsterdam’s largest park) to get a break from the bustle of the city – with wide open spaces, several playgrounds and even a dedicated paddling pool during the summer months it’s a lovely spot to visit with the kids. If the weather isn’t on your side the NEMO Science Museum is packed with engaging activities for the kids. Find out more with my guide: How to spend a day in Amsterdam on a budget with kids.

6. Thrill seek at Efteling – The Netherlands fairytale theme park

If the kids love rides there’s loads to see and do at Efteling – one of Europe’s best theme parks – you’ll definitely want to include a visit in your Netherlands family holiday itinerary if you’re staying nearby. Efteling has a charming fairytale atmosphere with storybook-themed rides, magical forests and enchanting shows. There’s something for all ages – from gentle boat rides and a fairytale forest for little ones, to thrilling rollercoasters for older kids. For the best family-friendly places to stay nearby, check out my article: The 10 best places to stay near Efteling Theme Park with kids. Or, for younger children as an alternative to Efteling Theme Park, Sprookjeswonderland looks like brilliant fun.

7. Cycle like the locals

The Netherlands is one of the most bike-friendly countries in the world, and cycling is a fantastic way to explore! There are safe flat cycle paths everywhere, making it easy and fun for families to get around. Some of the best cycling routes for families include: The Hoge Veluwe National Park – here you can borrow a white bike for free and cycle through forests and sand dunes. Kinderdijk Windmills – a scenic route past UNESCO-protected windmills. The Dunes of Zandvoort – a lovely coastal ride through nature reserves. And, of course, the cycling routes around the city of Amsterdam are a great way to explore the sights and the canals. Most towns have bike rental shops, with options for toddler seats or dual-bikes for younger kids.

8. Step back in time at Zaanse Schans

For a taste of traditional Dutch life, visit Zaanse Schans in Zaandam. The open-air museum filled with windmills, wooden houses and old-fashioned workshops is one of the most quaint places to explore in the Netherlands. Kids will love watching clogs being made, exploring the historic windmills and trying Dutch cheese in the farm shops. It’s a fun and educational day out that’s a world away from a typical museum visit.

9. Enjoy an action-packed visit to Toverland

If your kids love theme parks, Toverland is another brilliant choice and it may be a bit more budget-friendly than Efteling too. It’s a smaller lesser-known park but it has a great mix of rides, from gentle family attractions to big rollercoasters. A big bonus is that a large part of the park is indoors, making it a great option for rainy days or a colder out-of-season visit. Plus, it’s often much quieter than Efteling, meaning shorter queues and a more relaxed experience which might be particularly helpful if you have younger children.

10. Visit Keukenhof and the tulip fields

If you’re visiting in spring (March-May), don’t miss Keukenhof – one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the world. Kids will love running through colourful tulip fields, spotting windmills and enjoying the interactive playgrounds. For a cheaper way to see the tulips, you can also rent bikes and explore the surrounding flower fields at your own pace. We missed the tulips on our last visit, as we went there in September, but since they’re one of my favourite flowers I think it’s a great excuse for another visit to the Netherlands! 😉

Where is the Netherlands located?

The Netherlands is a small country in Northwestern Europe, bordered by Germany and Belgium. Getting to the Netherlands from the UK is really simple – in fact it’s the perfect destination for a road trip – take the ferry from Dover to Calais (or the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais – though it’s a bit pricier than the ferry) and it’s then just a 3 hour drive on a toll free route. If you live further up the country, you can also take a ferry from Harwich directly to the Hook of Holland port in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is easy to explore thanks to excellent public transport and its compact size – you can drive across the country in just a few hours! The capital city, Amsterdam, is a major hub with a fantastic airport, making it super convenient for families flying in from the UK if you’d prefer not to drive.

What’s the weather like in the Netherlands – when’s the best time to visit?

The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate, which means mild summers and cool winters, but it’s a fabulous family holiday destination for all seasons. The holiday parks tend to be set up with indoor swimming pools, as well as outdoor attractions, so the weather is definitely less of an issue. With it not being a typically sunny destination, though there are obvious perks to visiting in the warmer summer months, it’s definitely a place that can be visited outside of peak season too. If you want to do some city exploring then it can be handy for it to be a bit cooler, so the shoulder seasons either side of the summer can be great for that. Plus, the winter offers a chance to see the Christmas markets, and the infamous tulips will be blooming in the spring time.

Where are the best places to stay in the Netherlands with kids?

I hope that this article has shown you that the Netherlands has loads of great places to visit with the kids – it’s one of the easiest destinations for planning a fun-filled family holiday itinerary because there’s just such a lot on offer. Let me know in the comments if you have any other suggestions too, and check out my articles below for more Netherlands guides and the best places to stay with the kids. I’ve got quite a few guides based on family and budget-friendly accommodation for your Netherlands adventure, so click through what you’re after below – and happy holidays! 😍