summer holiday outings for children in the Netherlands
© Your Little Black Book

50+ Fun outings with children during the summer holidays throughout the Netherlands

Danique

 

21 August 2025
Last updated: August 21, 2025

Hello summer holidays! Time to get inspired for fun outings with kids during your summer holidays in the Netherlands. From fantastic museums and kid-friendly festivals to amusement parks, beach days, and nature adventures: there's plenty to do this summer. Whether you live in the north, central, or south of the Netherlands, with these tips, boredom is impossible!

When are the summer holidays in 2025?

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**Rotterdam is a vibrant city: Rotterdam is a vibrant city** As a child I came there with my parents to shop, as a teenager and in my twenties to club. Now I love coming there for a weekend escape characterized by good food, nice wine bars and that typical Rotterdam down-to-earth attitude. Rotterdam is buzzing with creativity and has a real IT factor. In this mini-guide, I share my favorite hotspots that you'll really want to know. 📌𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 for your next trip to Rotterdam. 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 ⦁ @parqiet_parkcafe ⦁ @dunerotterdam ⦁ @wollyaandewaterkant ⦁ @nice.neighbourhood 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 ⦁ @morganandmees ⦁ @hotelame ⦁ @roommate_bruno ⦁ @thejameshotelrotterdam 𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 ⦁ Noord ⦁ Katendrecht ⦁ Dijkzigt (Museum Park) ⦁ Scheepvaartkwartier 𝗗𝗢 ⦁ Take the Watertaxi ⦁ @boijmans ⦁ Walk & unwind at de Kralingse Plas ⦁ @nlfotomuseum ⦁ Visit @stationbergweg 𝗘𝗔𝗧 ⦁ @tresrotterdam ⦁ @barbertarotterdam ⦁ @hinoki_rotterdam ⦁ @barbistroloevetdie ⦁ @oxrotterdam ⦁ @restaurant_rotonde ⦁ On my to-visit list, the new @lioncitybistro 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 ⦁ @walsjerot_nl ⦁ @cafeverward ⦁ @spikizibar ⦁ @lenselinq 💌What's your favourite spot in Rotterdam? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Maybe the last weekend with ice and snow ⛄️❄️ Are you cocooning indoors or preferring to go outside? In our Snowy Amsterdam Guide, I share my favorite winter tips for this weekend in the city. Save it – because snow days like this are rare 🥰 Do you have a nice winter tip for Amsterdam? I'm reading along 👀 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #snow #amsterdam #winter snow in amsterdam, things to do winter in amsterdam
I have always been part of the family and have always been proud of my work. NEW DATE AND EVENTS IN AMSTERDAM 🗝️👀 Mark your calendars! Because on January 17 & 18 Hotelnacht is back in Amsterdam with an edition full of health & wellness events and of course legendary parties that you will be talking about all year long. I got a sneak peek at The Art of Balance theme at the luxurious Anantara Krasnapolsky and arranged a similarly special experience for you as a YLBB follower. AND YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: • overnight stay for 2 people in a luxury room on January 17, 2026 • access to the spa & wellness (based on availability via the wellness desk) • pre-dinner cocktail at Bar The Tailor • fully catered chef's dinner • passe-partouts for the Hotelnacht parties • extensive breakfast in the Wintergarden • participation in the unique Ice Experience in the Summergarden of Krasnapolsky 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦: • let us know who you would like to check in with at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky during the Mastercard Hotelnacht • download the Mastercard Hotelnacht app where you can find the See the full program • and check out @hotelnacht and @anantarakrasnapolsky for the latest updates and to get the fun started! The winner will be notified on January 5th via a comment from @hotelnacht that I'll share in my stories. Fingers crossed for you! Love, Anne #hotelnacht #amsterdam #yourlbbcollab #winactie #giveaway
Merry Christmas 🎄❤️ I wish you very happy holidays. Curious what you are going to do today ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck PS: who recognizes this Christmas tree? 👀
I hope you enjoy it and have fun! 🎄 Send a message to that one friend you want to grab one with this weekend. 𝗭𝘂𝗶𝗱-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Royal Christmas Fair – The Hague (until 23 Dec) @royalchristmasfairthehague – Winter Wonder Weeks – Leiden (12–14 & 18–21 Dec) – Green Christmas Market – Rotterdam (12–14 Dec) – Dordrecht December Days Christmas Market – Dordrecht (13–14 Dec) – Rotterdam Harvest Christmas Edition – Rotterdam (13 & 20 Dec) 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Winter Festival Zutphen – Zutphen (14 Dec) 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 – Christmas City Valkenburg – Valkenburg (until 4 Jan) Christmas Market – Delden Christmas Market – Delden (13 Dec) – Dickens Festival – Deventer (13–14 Dec) – (H)onest Christmas Market – Deventer (13–14 Dec) Christmas Market – Museumplein Christmas Market – Amsterdam (until 28 Dec) – Haarlem Christmas Market – Haarlem (12–14 Dec) – Funky Xmas Sunday Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) – Pure Markt Winter Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) 𝗨𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝘁 – Winter Market Molen de Ster – Utrecht (13–14 Dec) – The Utrecht Winter Spectacle – Utrecht (18 Dec–4 Jan) Have fun! Nothing is as much fun as spontaneous plans in December. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊 @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasmarketnetherlands #christmasmarkets2025 christmasmarketamsterdam christmasmarketthehague christmasoutings thingstodointhenetherlands
𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 👀 This is the coolest new hotel for a night away! Meet @viaantwerp , the newest boutique hotel in Antwerp on the border of Zurenborg and Borgerhout (yep, voted 2nd coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out). I recently stayed at this gem and this hotel really has it all: a lively bar with a cozy atmosphere, walls full of creative art, beautiful bright rooms and it's within walking distance of great hotspots. And I haven't even mentioned @mea.antwerp! The delicious restaurant with a chef behind the pans who previously cooked at The Palomar in London. If you know, you know! And now the best news: I can surprise one of you with a dream night away at VIA Antwerp. 💛 𝗪𝗔𝗧 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗡 • Overnight stay for 2 people • Breakfast included • Chef's dinner at MEA 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦 • Let us know in the comments which friend you would like to stay here with • Of course, also take a look at @viaantwerp & @mea.antwerp to dream away and follow their updates The winner will be notified personally via DM on December 10th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and will soon share a mini guide with more great tips for Antwerp! 🖤 ​​✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #antwerp #antwerp #zurenborg #antwerpencity #borgerhout

fun outings with children during the summer holidays throughout the Netherlands

Museums with special summer programs

Looking for a cultural and interactive outing? Many museums in the Netherlands organize workshops and children's tours during the summer holidays. Here are a few favorites:

Noordeinde Palace and Royal Stables – The Hague

A unique opportunity: Noordeinde Palace and the Royal Stables are temporarily opening their doors to the public. Children can explore the palace on an interactive multimedia tour, where security guard Rico will guide them through hidden details and a personal message from the king. At the Royal Stables, there are horses, historic carriages, and a fun treasure hunt on display.
Dates: July 16 to August 3, 2025 – royalcollections.nl

© Maarten Schuth – Noordeinde Palace and Royal Stables

Zuiderzee Museum – Enkhuizen

Climb aboard for a short boat trip and discover the open-air museum full of historic streets and houses. From the harbor route to Maritime Week (August 4th to 10th), here you'll experience the past in a playful way.
zuiderzeemuseum.nl

Railway Museum – Utrecht

Explore the Spoortuin (Railway Garden), hop on the dark ride, or have fun in the 4D simulator. The Railway Museum is open daily this summer with extra activities for kids.
railwaymuseum.nl

 | TIP: View the extensive list of the 38 best museums for children throughout the Netherlands here >>

Best museums for children in the Netherlands

©Railway Museum © Facebook

Child-friendly beaches and beach tents

Beach days are a favorite! Choose a family beach or discover our top 10 tips child-friendly beach tents with playground in the Netherlands.

Child-friendly festivals during the summer holidays

From theater to live music and food trucks, these festivals are perfect for families:

  • The Parade: Traveling theatre festival with special Children's Parade in The Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. View the program.
  • Fairytale Gardens – Drenthe: Treasure hunts and interactive fairytale performances in atmospheric gardens. More Info.
  • Food festivals: View the overview of food festivals in the Netherlands in 2025 where children are also welcome.
  • Weitjerock – Zeeland: Family festival with young talent and live music. Check the program.

© The Parade

Adventures in nature: hiking, cycling and exploring | summer outings with children

Explore the most fun corn mazes with children

Looking for an original summer outing with the kids? Then go on an adventure in one of the corn mazes in the Netherlands. As soon as the corn is tall enough—usually from mid-July onward—all sorts of mazes open their gates across the country. A perfect activity for a sunny day, where children (and parents!) can entertain themselves for hours with treasure hunts, challenges, and finding the exit. View all tips here >>

best corn mazes in the Netherlands

© Elf Ieken, Friesland

National Park De Hoge Veluwe – Gelderland

Explore nature with your kids on the white bikes and the new Summer Challenge. Chance of spotting deer and wild boar!
July 12 to August 31 – hogeveluwe.nl

Gnome trails in the Netherlands

With a pointed hat and assignments along the way, walking suddenly becomes an adventure. View all gnome trails in the Netherlands here

Day at the zoo during the summer holidays 

Amersfoort Animal Park

Visit the new Chimpanzee Valley or take a pedal boat ride. During the ZOOmer Festival, from July 23rd to 26th, there's music, food, and entertainment among the animals.
animalsparkamersfoort.nl

Amusement parks & play parks for children in the Netherlands

Playground Oud Valkeveen - Naarden

A green play paradise with a theater, beach, and indoor hall. Perfect for young children up to about 8 years old.
oudvalkeveen.nl

Fairytale wonderland - Enkhuizen

A well-organized park with fairytale attractions, ideal for young children. Magic guaranteed!
fairytalewonderland.nl

The Efteling – Kaatsheuvel

A classic for every family! Fairytale forest, roller coasters, shows, and the magic of Efteling in summer.
efteling.com

Things to do with kids summer holiday Netherlands Efteling

© Efteling Summer

 | TIP: Also check out our extensive list of fun amusement parks for toddlers and preschoolers in the Netherlands >>

more Day out with children tips

Amsterdam Light Festival Foodwalks

All about the Foodwalks

Travel Essentials

view all 36 tips here