Bijou, welcoming, easy to get around, and stacked with attractions of both the manmade and natural variety, there are plenty of reasons to consider heading to the Netherlands for a fun family vacation that’ll keep all ages happy. To help you plan your own Netherlands itinerary, read on to find out everything you need to know about traveling to the Netherlands with kids, from the best time to visit and how to get around, to the best things to see and do.
Thanks to its compact size, excellent infrastructure, and richness of kid-friendly attractions — from storybook canals and windmills, to interactive museums, theme parks and countryside landscapes that are easy to navigate — the Netherlands is a fantastic family destination.
With a welcoming, easy-going vibe in cities and villages alike, outdoor living is a way of life, here, which means there are plenty of safe open spaces for your kids to explore.
Add to that a world-class public transport network, food that even the pickiest of eaters will surely love, and the fact that English is widely spoken, and it’s clear why the Netherlands is one of the easiest and most enjoyable places for family travel in Europe.
Travelling to the Netherlands with kids is a walk in the park! © JeniFoto/Shutter-stock
From figuring out when’s the best time for you to visit with your little ones, to how to get around, here are our top ten tips for traveling to the Netherlands with kids.
On balance, the best time to visit the Netherlands with kids is late spring (April–June) and early fall (September).
Offering mild weather, fewer tourist crowds than summer, and vibrant landscapes — especially all those tulip fields that bloom from April to early May — these are pleasant times to visit, with extra liveliness in store if you visit for King’s Day. Held on 27th April, this country-wide party of music, games and flea markets is a fun family-friendly affair.
While summer (July–August) is warm and ideal for outdoor activities — think biking through the countryside and visiting beaches — this is also the busiest season, which tends to mean higher prices.
Conversely, while festive Christmas markets and ice-skating rinks add charm, cold, wet weather may limit sightseeing with younger kids. So, it’s best to avoid winter (December–February) if your family are into outdoor activities.
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world, making it a reassuring choice for family vacations.
For more peace of mind, note that tap water is safe, pharmacies (apotheek) are reliable, and hospitals offer high-quality care. For emergencies, dial 112.
You certainly don’t need to worry on the language front. Almost everyone speaks fluent English, so its super-easy to communicate if you need help.
Keukenhof Park, the Netherlands © Shutterstock
Getting around the Netherlands with kids is safe and efficient, thanks to an excellent public transport network that's punctual and eminently family-friendly.
In fact, the longest journeys you’re likely to make take under three hours by car or train, with the latter being the swiftest, smoothest way to travel between cities.
Major routes (e.g. Amsterdam to Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague) are frequent, are trains are clean and equipped with bathrooms.
Children under 4 travel free, and 4–11-year-olds can ride for just €2.50 a day using a Railrunner ticket.
In cities, trams, buses and metros are efficient and stroller-accessible. Get an OV-chipkaart — a rechargeable travel card that can be used on all public transport.
For short distances, you also consider cycling. Many cities offer cargo bikes (bakfietsen) or child seats for rent, which makes cycling designated quiet, scenic paths a fun way for families to explore parks, towns and canals.
Our tip is to bring a compact stroller to navigate cobblestone streets and narrow sidewalks, and consider a baby carrier for small children.
Scenic railway line in the Netherlands © Shutterstock
This applies to any family vacation — resist the urge to overpack activities into your itinerary. Better to factor in plenty of time to relax, with generous buffers around your schedule, perhaps even leaving a couple of day free from any firm plans.
That way, you can gauge the energy levels of your kids, take time to recharge if necessary, or else embrace unexpected opportunities if everyone is full of beans.
All of which is preferable to you and your kids feeling too exhausted to enjoy yourselves!
In addition to factoring in time to take it easy and travel slower, it’s also a good idea to alternate structured sight-seeing activities (e.g. visits to museums and galleries) with enjoying all-out fun!
To that end, use maps to locate parks, playgrounds and kid-pleasing snack stops near sights, and devote entire days to Netherlands’ attractions that are entirely devoted to keeping kids happy — more on those a little later.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands © bmszealand/Shutterstock
When looking for the best family-friendly places to stay in the Netherlands, check for family rooms or apartments with kitchenettes or multiple beds, and on-site amenities like high chairs, cribs, play areas, and bike rentals.
You might also want to look for places that are close to public transport, city parks and family attractions.
Alternatively, you could think outside the box and consider some special accommodation options such as farm stays (Boerderijvakantie) that give kids the chance to experience rural life and meet animals. If that sounds appealing, take a look at places in Friesland, Gelderland and Drenthe.
Dutch holiday parks like Landal GreenParks and Roompot are also perfectly set up for families, with bungalows, pools, playgrounds and nature trails. Many also have glamping tents, treehouses, cabins, and stacks of on-site kid-friendly activities.
Another option is to book to stay in a floating home on the canals of Amsterdam, Utrecht or Leiden. Some houseboats are fully equipped with kitchens, heating, and pretty generous sleeping areas.
Lastly, it’s also possible to stay in an actual windmill!
To help you narrow down your search, read our guide to the best places to stay in the Netherlands.
Why not book to stay in a windmill during your vacation to the Netherlands with kids? © JeniFoto/Shutterstock
While canals are beautiful, note that they’re often unfenced. So, you’ll need to keep an eye on younger children near water, especially in cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Also watch out for cyclists — bike lanes are everywhere, and cyclists tend to ride fast!
So, teach kids to look both ways when crossing bike lanes, which are separate from roads and sidewalks.
Warm, gooey stroopwafels and mini fluffy pancakes (poffertjes) are must-tries for little foodies! Even the pickiest eaters will find these sweet treats hard to resist
Somewhat contradicting our tip to visit the Netherlands in spring or fall, we also wanted to highlight the child-pleasing joys of visiting in mid-November to see Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) arrive by boat.
To avoid disappointment, check which city he’s due to make his appearance in
Offering access to many museums, among them interactive child-focused places like NEMO Science Museum and the Maritime Museum, and including public transport, these passes are great value for families.
Rijksmuseum garden, Amsterdam © Shutterstock
Boasting a bounty of hands-on museums, safe cities, and charming countryside that invites easy cycling adventures, while playing host to some rather special child-friendly attractions, here are some of the best things to do in the Netherlands with kids of all ages.
Amsterdamse Bos © Shutterstock
Covering cool kid-friendly city experiences, magical theme parks, and even a beach, this 7-night, family-friendly Netherlands itinerary keeps travel to a minimum while maximising fun.
On arriving in Amsterdam, settle into your family-friendly hotel, apartment or houseboat. You’ll find accommodation tips in our guide to the best area to stay in Amsterdam.
After resting up and maybe grabbing some snacks to keep energy levels high, take a canal cruise to see the city from a fun angle — some offer kids’ commentaries and coloring kits.
Come the late-afternoon, head to Vondelpark, where kids can let off steam in the open spaces and playground areas.
Ahead of your trip, give some thought to which museums best suit the ages of your kids so you can head straight to your number one choice on the morning of day two.
For example, NEMO Science Museum and Micropia Museum are pretty great for pretty much all ages, while Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum (take the family audio tour) are better for 10+-year-olds.
Meanwhile, Artis Zoo is another attraction the whole family is likely to love.
The hands-on cultural joys of Zaanse Schans are in store on day three — a charming open-air museum village located just 30 minutes from Amsterdam.
Take an early train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, then walk ten minutes to reach the site.
Showcasing traditional Dutch life, here kids can explore working windmills and cute wooden houses, and watch cheese-making demos and clog workshops.
Also offering scenic paths and animals, Zaanse Schans feels like stepping into a storybook scene.
Utrecht, the Netherlands
Day four will see you transfer to Utrecht. It takes just 30–40 mins by train from Amsterdam Centraal. With frequent departures throughout the day, you don’t have to rush.
When you do arrive, if your kids are young, kick things off at the delightful Miffy Museum, which boasts interactive rooms themed around the beloved bunny.
Next, take time to explore Utrecht’s charming car-free city center. Strolling the canals, with their unique sunken wharves and cafés, is a joy.
Older kids might want visit Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, no less, and wander through Museum Speelklok, which is filled with magical musical instruments.
Be sure to make a stop (or two!) at a cute canal-side café for pancakes before overnighting in Utrecht, or else return to Amsterdam if you don’t fancy another hotel move.
One of Europe’s most enchanting theme parks, visiting Efteling is sure to be an unforgettable highlight of your trip to the Netherlands with kids.
To get to Efteling, take a 1.5 to 2-hour train to Tilburg from Amsterdam or Utrecht, followed by a short bus ride to the park.
Ideal for all ages, start your day exploring the magical Fairy Tale Forest, with its life-sized storybook scenes.
Depending on their age, kids can enjoy gentle rides like Droomvlucht (Dream Flight), or thrilling rollercoasters like Baron 1898, with live shows and themed areas like Raveleijn and Symbolica, the royal fantasy palace, a delight for everyone.
Also loaded with lush landscaping and child-friendly eateries, you could look to stay in an on-site hotel or holiday park for a special treat.
Utrecht, Netherlands © Olena Z/Shutterstock
On day six, we suggest heading to De Hoge Veluwe National Park where you can use free bikes to explore magical forests, and see the second-largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world.
Getting from Efteling to De Hoge Veluwe National Park is pretty easy. It’s a 1.5-hour drive, or you can use public transport.
Take a bus or taxi to Tilburg train station from Efteling, then catch a train to Arnhem. From Arnhem, take bus 105 or 106 to Otterlo or Hoenderloo to enter the park.
After enjoying the trails, visit the Kröller-Müller Museum, which is handily located inside the park.
Alongside showcasing several iconic works by Van Gogh, such as The Potato Eaters and Café Terrace at Night, it also boasts pieces by Picasso, Monet and Seurat.
Outside, a vast sculpture garden blends art with natural beauty, with 160+ sculptures set on grassy lawns and along wooded trails.
That night, either have a fun farm-stay sorted, or else bed down in cosy countryside accommodation in Veluwe or Gelderland.
On day seven, transfer to the Hague — a 1.5-hour train ride from Arnhem — and head to the marvellous Madurodam to see the Netherlands in miniature!
For example, kids can see planes taxi at a mini Schiphol, watch ships move through ports, and marvel at little operational dams, cranes and windmills.
Come lunchtime, head to the Hague’s historic heart, stopping to lunch on Dutch pancakes or broodjes (sandwiches) before wandering Binnenhof, the waterside Dutch parliamentary complex, or strolling through Noordeinde Palace.
Meanwhile, older arty kids might want to visit the Mauritshuis Museum to see masterpieces like Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Next, devote the afternoon to relaxing around Scheveningen — the Hague’s popular seaside district.
After playing in the sand and exploring the lovely beach promenade, ride the SkyView Ferris wheel before ending your day with dinner at a beachside restaurant as the sun sets over the North Sea.
You might want to get an early night, though — tomorrow morning will see you return to Amsterdam for your homeward flight.
Kings Day, the Netherlands © Shutterstock
Keen to enjoy a vacation in the Netherlands with your kids? Browse our Netherlands itineraries for more inspiration before taking the plunge and booking your vacation.
Alternatively, to forgo all the hassle of planning, have our local Netherlands travel experts curate your perfect family vacation for any duration.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 27.03.2025
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Netherlands
