Escape to nature with kids around Amsterdam
Monkey business, treeparks and Almere Jungle
For an adventurous day out – and plenty for kids to do – head to Almere, where several different adventures await in close proximity. Within the area De Kemphaan, you can take your pick: petting zoos, hiking and MTB routes, disc golf, a fun forest and Almere’s very own jungle. Kids will delight in tackling the high ropes and zip lines of Klimbos Fun Forest Almere. Take a break at one of the local restaurants or even spend the night in one of the estate’s camping pitches or tipi tents on the nature campsite. Then, head over to Stichting AAP to observe the rescued monkeys in this animal shelter. If that wasn’t enough, the unmissable Almere Jungle wildlife park offers exotic animal surprises, a tropical cafe and exceptional play areas.
Go wild at the largest play forest in Europe
In the Zuigerplasbos, just north of nearby Lelystad, you’ll find an adventurous play forest called Belevenissenbos. This colossal, freely accessible nature reserve lives up to its name: ‘experience forest’. These 40 hectares of forest offer exciting adventures for little explorers, with over 150 different outdoor playground activities. There is a motocross track, sand ramps, storm courses, a course of over 50 obstacles and much more. Visit for the day or stay the night in one of several clearings for groups big and small.
Get close and personal at Almere’s petting zoos
Situated just west of Almere city centre, petting zoo Den Uylpark(in Dutch) is easily accessible and invites young and old to get up close with farm animals and other smaller pets, including pigs, ponies, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. Other petting zoos in Almere include Kinderboerderij De Beestenbende(in Dutch) and Manege de Stek(in Dutch), which is also a horse stable and offers riding lessons. For something more authentically agrarian, check outHet Vroege Vogelbos: a friendly and fun option for families – especially those with very young kids. Part forest, part sheep farm, it always promises a calming day out and is particularly exciting during the lambing season. Besides several wool-based products and activities offered here, you can also hike or bike through the surrounding countryside to get a deeper sense of this area of natural beauty.
Amble through Haarlemmermeerse Bos and Toolenburgerplas
Around Hoofddorp, to Amsterdam’s southwest, there are several outdoor areas perfect for a family adventure. Haarlemmermeerse Bos is a sprawling 115-hectare green paradise with a playground, scenic lake shores, and winding forest trails – perfect for a fun family ride meandering through the trees and beyond. Don’t miss climbing Big Spotters Hill—this 22-meter-high, pyramid-shaped landmark offers stunning views and plenty of space for imaginative play at the top. Nearby Toolenburgerplas is also perfect for splashing around in open water, building sandcastles, or simply soaking up the sun. When it’s time to refuel, treat the whole crew to a delicious meal at waterside restaurants like Lieveling or Long Island, where you can enjoy tasty food with gorgeous lake views.
Choose your own adventure at Spaarnwoude
Between Haarlem and Amsterdam, Spaarnwoude Recreational Area is a vast green retreat offering endless activities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Explore scenic trails perfect for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, or enjoy a leisurely picnic by the serene lakes. Kids will delight in the petting farm, playgrounds, and wide-open spaces. For adventure seekers, there’s a thrilling climbing park and even an indoor ski slope and paintballing. Whether you’re looking to relax in nature or get your adrenaline pumping, there's something for the whole family.
Head to the family-friendly beach at Heemskerk
Only 35 minutes from Amsterdam by train or car,Heemskerk(in Dutch) is the North Sea coastline’s best-kept secret. Sandwiched between the dunes and the sea, this historic town is known for its monuments, churches and castles, surrounded by lush green parks. Families looking for a coastal adventure can take a leisurely 20-minute cycle towards the beach, passing through stunning dunes and forested areas with grazing sheep and Scottish highland cows. The kid-friendly beach is equipped with all conveniences, including beach chairs, parasols, and rentable windbreaks, and refreshments are available from the beach pavilion.
Spot incredible wildlife among the dunes
Similar dune adventures and wildlife are to be found slightly to the south of Heemskerk, in one of two large nature parks: Zuid-Kennemerland National Park and the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. Here, a little away from the bustling beach at Zandvoort, you can count on spotting all kinds of animals all year round: Konik horses, fallow deer, Scottish Highland cattle and the impressive bison. Every October, the famous dunes are filled with the calls of male deer, noisily hunting for a mate. The park also offers many opportunities for children to climb, swim, and build huts. You can book treasure hunts to keep the kids entertained on a long walk, and there are multiple playgrounds across the park.
Get out into the dunes
Situated in the dunes just outside Haarlem, Kraantje Lek in Overveen is the perfect space to simultaneously refuel and burn off steam. Children can play for hours on end at the spectacular wooden playground, whilst parents feel the sense of history in the wooden interiors as you tuck into Dutch classics like appeltaart and kroketten, alongside a range of warming stews, snacks and sandwiches for the little ones. And, of course, Haarlem's location on the edge of the coastal dunes, described above, means that the lure of the sea is never far away.
Explore a stunning country estate
Explore the grounds of the unique Gooi and Vechtstreek country estates, just outside Hilversum. There are plenty of walking routes, such as a mini 1km route around the Jagtlust country estate, where you admire this beautiful old country house full of history, gather chestnuts and explore a cave. To discover the many activities for kids, try the Gooi and Vechtstreek Visitor Centre, where you can plan bike rides, scavenger hunts, nature playground exploration and visits to nearby forts.
Paddle through watery worlds in Waterland
There's no better way to explore the Waterland region than with a paddle. Wormer and Jisperveld(in Dutch) are beautiful nature reserves full of shallow waterways, extensive meadows and hundreds of small islands. At the water playground of the Poelboerderij Visitor Centre(in Dutch) in Wormer, kids can play with the boats, buckets and the crane on the unloading dock. There are picnic tables and the shop serves coffee and ice cream. At the Arjan Bloem Canoe Centre(in Dutch), you can rent kayaks, canoes, SUP boards and even pedal boats. The canoe centre is the starting point for numerous canoe routes through the narrow channels of the Wormer and Jisperveld. Bring your picnic basket and set sail towards a day of adventure. Alternatively, check out Wetlands Safari, which offers guided canoe tours throughout the region.
Make a splash at Het Twiske
In the Het Twiske recreational area there’s plenty to do: rent a canoe, rowboat, pedal boat or sailboat at Twiske Haven, or tie your own boat up to the piers there. The bike paths are paved and perfect for inline skating as well. There are large playgrounds and a swimming area, plus plenty of open green space for picnics, sunbathing, or playing games.