Netherlands with Kids
Tips for the perfect family adventure
Family Friendly?
Great for families
School Holidays & Travel Time
Most families travel during summer holidays (July/August). Plan early and book in advance – expect higher prices and more tourists during this time.
Kid-Friendly Infrastructure
Good facilities for families (changing rooms, childcare, etc.)
Planning a family trip to Netherlands? Here are valuable tips, kid-friendly activities, and everything you need for an unforgettable journey.
Kid-Friendly Places & Regions
These places and regions in Netherlands are particularly well-suited for families with children.
Texel
Texel is the largest of the West Frisian Islands and belongs to the province of Noord-Holland; from Den Helder on the mainland, the car ferry crosses in about 20 minutes. You come for the approximately 30-kilometer-long sandy beach on the west coast, the dune belt of the Duinen van Texel National Park, and bike tours between seven villages.
Giethoorn
Giethoorn ist ein Wasserdorf in der Provinz Overijssel im Nordosten der Niederlande, am Rand des Moorgebiets De Wieden. Du kommst für die Fahrt mit dem Boot: Das Dorf zieht sich rund acht Kilometer an einem Dorfkanal entlang, den zahlreiche Querkanäle und Holzbrücken kreuzen.
Utrecht
Utrecht is the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, centrally located in the country – a university city with canals, whose landmark is the 112.5-meter-high Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Since a tornado destroyed the nave of the Dom Cathedral in 1674, the tower has stood freely next to the rest of the church.The city has around 376,000 inhabitants and is the capital of its namesake province. Its university, founded in 1636, is the largest in the country. Utrecht boasts a UNESCO World Heritage site of modern architecture in the 1924 Rietveld-Schröder House, and Utrecht Centraal main station is a vital hub in the Dutch railway network.
Travel Climate for Families
Important information about climate, weather, and the best travel time for your family vacation in Netherlands.
10–17°C·45–70 mm(moderate rain)
Die Monate April, Mai und Juni bieten angenehme Temperaturen und die höchste Wahrscheinlichkeit für sonniges Wetter, ideal auch für die Tulpenblüte im Frühling. Der September ist ebenfalls empfehlenswert, da das Wetter oft noch mild ist und die Touristenmassen des Hochsommers abgenommen haben.
Die Niederlande haben ein gemäßigtes maritimes Klima, das stark von der Nordsee beeinflusst wird. Dies führt zu milden Wintern und kühlen bis mäßig warmen Sommern. Extreme Temperaturen sind selten.Niederschlag: Regen ist über das ganze Jahr verteilt, ohne ausgeprägte Trocken- oder Regenzeiten. Die feuchtesten Monate sind tendenziell im Herbst und Frühwinter, während das Frühjahr oft am trockensten ist.Wind: Das Land ist bekannt für seine Winde, insbesondere an der Küste und in offenen Landschaften. Dies kann das gefühlte Wetter kühler machen, als die Thermometerwerte anzeigen.Wetterwechsel: Das Wetter in den Niederlanden kann sehr wechselhaft sein; ein sonniger Morgen kann sich schnell in einen bewölkten oder regnerischen Nachmittag verwandeln. Schichtenkleidung ist daher das ganze Jahr über ratsam.Regionale Unterschiede: Die klimatischen Unterschiede innerhalb der Niederlande sind gering. Küstenregionen erleben tendenziell mildere Winter und kühlere Sommer als das Binnenland, mit etwas mehr Wind und oft mehr Sonnenstunden.Sonnenschein: Die sonnigsten Monate sind Mai, Juni, Juli und August, während die Wintermonate sehr wenig Sonnenschein bieten.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Hauptsaison
Übergangssaison
Nebensaison
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sun (h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.0 | 65 | 2.0 |
| February | 3.0 | 55 | 3.0 |
| March | 6.0 | 50 | 4.0 |
| April | 10.0 | 45 | 6.0 |
| May | 14.0 | 55 | 7.0 |
| June | 17.0 | 65 | 7.0 |
| July | 19.0 | 75 | 7.0 |
| August | 19.0 | 75 | 6.0 |
| September | 16.0 | 70 | 5.0 |
| October | 12.0 | 75 | 3.0 |
| November | 7.0 | 80 | 2.0 |
| December | 4.0 | 75 | 1.0 |
Consider School Holidays
The main travel times for families often fall during school holidays (July/August in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). Plan early and book in advance, as higher prices and more tourists are expected during this time.
Summer Holidays
Summer holidays are the most popular travel time for families. In Netherlands, it can get very warm during this time – make sure to have enough shade, sun protection, and cool activities for the children.
Warning: In the winter months, it can get very cold. Make sure children are dressed warmly and plan indoor activities.
Family Tips for Netherlands
Explore the Netherlands with KidsThe Netherlands is an exceptionally child-friendly destination, perfectly suited for families. The country offers a safe environment, a relaxed atmosphere, and excellent infrastructure that makes traveling with little ones straightforward. Cultural openness towards children and a moderate climate also contribute to a pleasant stay.Varied Activities for Young TravelersIn the Netherlands, you'll find a variety of options that will delight children. The flat landscape and well-maintained paths are ideal for excursions, often by bike.Theme and Amusement Parks: Efteling offers fairy tale worlds and exciting rides, while Madurodam invites you to marvel at miniature Holland.Science and Museums: The NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam is interactive and educational. Many larger museums like the Rijksmuseum offer special tours or audio guides for children.Nature and Beaches: The spacious North Sea beaches, for example in Scheveningen or Noordwijk, invite you to build sandcastles and play. The Nationalpark Hoge Veluwe offers wildlife observation.City Explorations: A canal cruise in Amsterdam or Utrecht is an experience for children. Bikes with child seats or trailers can be rented in many places to explore the cities from a new perspective.Practicalities for FamiliesThe Netherlands is excellently equipped for the needs of families with children.Supplies: Baby food, diapers, and other essential items are easily available and of high quality in supermarkets (e.g., Albert Heijn, Jumbo).Medical Care: Medical care is excellent. Pharmacies (apotheek) are well-equipped, and doctor care meets European standards.Playgrounds: Numerous, well-maintained public playgrounds can be found in almost every town and village.Accommodation and DiningRegarding accommodation and dining, the Netherlands is also family-friendly.Accommodation: Many hotels and holiday apartments offer family rooms or allow for children's beds (kinderbed) to be added. Particularly popular are the many holiday parks from providers like Center Parcs or Landal GreenParks, which are specifically tailored to families and often have their own leisure facilities.Restaurants: Restaurants are generally very child-friendly. High chairs (kinderstoel) are typically available, and special children's menus (kindermenu) are often available. Dutch cuisine also offers many child-friendly options.Mobility with ChildrenThe infrastructure is excellently geared towards travel with children.Strollers: Cities are mostly easy to navigate with a stroller, and sidewalks are even. In older city centers, there might be occasional cobblestones, but these are rarely problematic.Bicycles: The bicycle is an ideal mode of transport. Many rental stations provide bikes with child seats (achterzitje, voorzitje) or dedicated child bike trailers (fietskar).Rental Cars and Taxis: When booking a rental car or taxi, you should definitely request child seats (kinderzitje) in advance, as these are often required and not always standard.
General Tips
Planning Activities
Plan varied activities that are interesting for both adults and children.
Timing Your Trip
Keep school holidays, climate, and local events in mind.