10 reasons why you should visit the Netherlands with kids

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Here are 10 reasons why you should definitely visit the Netherlands with kids, so if you’re wondering whether it’s worth a trip then keep reading! There’s so much fun to be had in this fab country, and it’s the perfect road trip destination as it’s not far from the UK. Here’s why you’ll want to check out the Netherlands with the kids for a family holiday…

1. It’s perfect for a road trip

Calais to the Netherlands is around a three hour drive, so it’s the perfect destination for a family road trip from the UK. Travelling through Belgium, the route is toll free too, which makes things cheap and simple! When I contacted Eurocamp recently for up-to-date prices, though things fluctuate slightly, the cost of a return trip on the ferry was around £100, whilst Le Shuttle was £250. It does add an extra hour onto your journey to opt for the ferry over the Channel Tunnel, but it’s around half the cost so it should definitely be considered if you’re trying to travel on a small budget. (And booking directly through providers like Eurocamp when you book your accommodation will usually be at a discounted rate too.)

2. The Dutch are really friendly

We found the Dutch to be so friendly and welcoming. The roads were calm, with everyone sticking to the speed limits, people were polite and helpful, and we had no problem communicating because everyone seemed to speak some English. It’s a really easy country to take a holiday in – and you’ll feel totally relaxed travelling in the Netherlands with the kids.

3. The Netherlands has some of the best family holiday parks

The Netherlands has some of the best family holiday parks we’ve come across – and we are definitely heading back to check out some of the others too! So far we’ve stayed with Eurocamp at: Beekse Bergen Lake Resort (which comes with free entry to Speelland Attraction Park and the most incredible Beekse Bergen Safari Park!) and the Duinrell Resort which gets you free theme park entry! (Click through to read my reviews.) Just stay for 3 days or more and you’ll have your days out sorted with spending a penny. (We split our time between them to get the best of both worlds!)

They were both brilliant value for money, and with it all included we spent very little whilst we were there. Eurocamp have some fantastic holiday parks in the Netherlands, we had so much fun during our visit – the kids loved it! The holiday parks also tend to be brilliantly located for exploring cities, lakes, beaches, tourist attractions and everything else that you might want from a family holiday. With per party prices rather than per person, it can make travelling with kids a lot more affordable – for loads of brilliant options for places to stay with the kids check out: The 10 best holiday parks in the Netherlands for kids.

4. The Netherlands is easy to visit on a budget

Prices in the Netherlands for things like days out and food shopping are very similar to the UK – we found we didn’t spend more than we’d have done at home. In fact, we were shocked when we went to Duinrell Theme Park that we could get a Mr Whippy ice-cream for €1.50 – when they’re usually double this (or more!) at home. As I mentioned above, we also didn’t come across any tolls on our route to the Netherlands from Calais. Or, if you’re opting to fly, I’ve seen flights to Eindhoven advertised with budget airline Ryan Air for £14.99! All in all, it’s a great country to visit on a budget and you won’t need an insane amount of spending money to keep the kids entertained either.

5. It’s a great country for getting outdoors

The Netherlands is actually known for having some lovely beaches – perfect for some free family fun if you’re visiting during the summer months. There’s also lots of pretty countryside to explore with its infamous windmills too. The Netherlands is also insanely flat, and people cycle everywhere so there are safe cycling areas – perfect for exploring with the kids. Hire bikes on resort, or from dedicated bike shops in cities like Amsterdam, or travel by road and bring your own on a bike rack.

6. There’s something in the Netherlands for every season

The Netherlands is 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. So, the Netherlands really lends itself to every season!

7. The Netherlands has some brilliant family attractions

The Netherlands is a great family holiday destination – there are loads of child-friendly places to visit. Beekse Bergen Safari Park is quite honestly the best zoo we’ve ever been to, and you definitely have to go if you’re visiting the Netherlands. Speelland, next door to the zoo, is a lovely little attraction park that’s reasonably priced. For theme parks you’ve got Efteling (known as their version of Disneyland) – which has incredible reviews! Or opt for the Duinrell Resort, with it’s theme park and waterpark, which can be visited for the day even if you’re not staying on-site, or Slagharen Theme Park is another option too.

For younger children, as an alternative to Efteling Theme Park, Sprookjeswonderland looks like brilliant fun. And, Linnaeushof is the largest playground in Europe and one of the most popular attractions for kids in the Netherlands. Honestly, getting bored in the Netherlands just isn’t an option – there are so many things for the kids to do and this is definitely one of the main reasons why you should pay this fantastic country a visit! For loads of ideas for days out, check out my article: The Netherlands family holiday itinerary – the 10 best things to do with kids!

8. The country is easy to get around

The Netherlands isn’t a huge country – you can literally drive from one end to the other in just a few hours. This makes it really great for days out and travelling around; you’ll be able to do and see everything on your itinerary without spending too long stuck in the car. We also found getting the train into Amsterdam city centre really quick and easy – public transport is easy to use – so if you’re flying rather than driving you can still make the most of everything.

9. You can enjoy a unique city day out

With it’s beautiful canals, history and unique charm, spending a day in Amsterdam is definitely a great reason for a visit to the Netherlands. It’s easy to get around and (as I mentioned before) you can hire bikes once you arrive too, or perhaps take a boat ride along the canals. But, don’t rule out cities like Rotterdam either for a quieter, cheaper city experience. (And, they’re only an hour apart from each other so you could always visit both!) For tips on how to explore in an affordable way, check out my article: How to spend a day in Amsterdam on a budget with kids.

10. The Netherlands is incredibly child-friendly

When it comes to the perfect child-friendly destination the Netherlands is hard to beat. The Dutch are extremely tolerant of children, and the whole country seems to have been designed with family entertainment and comfort in mind. I think of all the places that we’ve been in Europe, the Netherlands has to be number one for family fun. From brilliant family resorts, to a whole host of choices for fun days out, and such polite and friendly people – I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed! There are so many reasons why you should visit the Netherlands with kids.

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.

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

I hope that this article has shown you that the Netherlands is a fantastic place 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. 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! 😍