Family-friendly flower fields and gardens
Keukenhof Gardens
Besides the splendour of the flowers, one of the most beautiful things about Keukenhof Gardens is that it can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. At the petting zoo, children can meet curious goats and sheep, wallowing pigs, strutting peacocks and cuddly rabbits. The Miffy playground and hedge maze are an excellent opportunity for little ones to burn off steam, whilst the fun scavenger hunt will lead families to the most beautiful spots dotted around the park. In mid-April, don't miss a festive flower parade like no other as the Bloemencorso’s array of colourful floats and displays travels along a 40km route from the coastal town of Noordwijk to Haarlem. Hundreds of thousands of spectators take the opportunity to enjoy the carnival atmosphere of the parade, and there’s even the chance to spot luxury cars and live bands that join the procession. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the country estate at Keukenhof Castle, too.
Botanical gardens and country estates
Tucked away in a residential suburb within walking distance from the centre of Hilversum, Pinetum Blijdenstein is a stunning botanical garden. The greenhouses are packed with exciting tropical plants, and the grounds are home to incredible tree species. Keep an eye on the agenda as Pinetum regularly organises activities for green-fingered little ones. Nearby in the country estates of Gooi and Vechtstreek, there are many short, kid-friendly walks, such as a mini 1km route around the Jagtlust estate.
Reclaimed flower fields, jungles and urban gardens
Across the country’s newest province, Flevoland, there are botanical and horticultural delights aplenty, with lots for the kids too. Almere Jungle is packed with not only exotic wildlife, sure to please the young ones, but also tropical flora from giant water lilies to carnivorous plants. In flower season, Flevoland’s Tulip Route is a great alternative to Keukenhof for colour as far as the eye can see. And Almere proper also contains arboreta and a developing green neighbourhood on the site of the former horticultural convention Floridae. All are well worth a visit alongside the area’s many natural and cultural family activities.
Tour the dune gardens along the coast
The two national parks by the coast east of Amsterdam not only offer some of the country’s most stunning wildlife but also several gardens and botanical areas. Thijsse’s Hof(in Dutch), in Bloemendaal, is the oldest wildlife garden in the Netherlands, showcasing hundreds of species of indigenous plants alongside educational activities and tours. Elsewhere in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, you can wine and dine among the English landscape-style gardens of theDuin & Kruidbergestate. Wherever you end up, there will always be plenty for the kids to do, from water and other sports activities at the beach to exploring the dunes themselves.
Discover mini-play paradises
Haarlem is overflowing with beautiful speeltuinen (play gardens) where parents can relax in quaint surroundings while the kids blow off steam. For every kid that loves to climb, run, build and get dirty, there’s Natuurspeeleiland (in Dutch) in the Veerplas. Let the youngsters spend hours building huts, climbing in the jungle gyms, playing mini golf and looking for insects. Nestled in the city's heart, the community Speeltuin het Paradijsje offers a giant sandpit, swings, little cars and tricycles. It will keep younger children entertained for hours while parents enjoy a coffee surrounded by cute Dutch houses. Another notable playground is De Glasblazers(in Dutch) on the River Spaarne, which boasts a wooden pirate ship and outdoor trampoline.
Lakes, tulips and gnomes
From Volendam to Beemster, the Old Holland region has plenty of cultivated natural beauty to please parents, alongside adventures for the little ones. The Bioteque (in Dutch; formerly Beemster Arboretum) is not only the lowest arboretum in the world, at four metres below sea level, but it also caters to kids: with a “gnome path”, educational “food forest” and plenty of child-friendly short walks. Nearby at Nicolaashoeveare, extensive tulip fields, a solid alternative to Keukenhof in season (mid-April to May). Closer to Amsterdam at the Het Twiske recreational area, there are also plenty of kid-friendly activities surrounded by trees and water: rent a canoe, rowboat, pedal boat or sailboat at Twiske Haven, or tie your own boat up to the piers there.