Summer Outings for Kids in Netherlands
Keeping children entertained when they’re off from school can get expensive. Here are lower-cost summer outings for kids in Netherlands including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and the rest of Holland…
BEACHES
Nothing quite matches the beach when it comes to low-cost ways to keep children entertained, assuming you live in commutable distance of the North Sea coast. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks to save money, as well as toys or games the kids can play when they aren’t in the water. These could include a Frisbee, kite or pail and shovel. You might always challenge your child(ren) to make a sand sculpture or castle.
Some of Holland’s best beaches are in…
- THE HAGUE – Scheveningen, Kijkduin
- ROTTERDAM – Hook of Holland, Maasvlakte
- HAARLEM Area – Zandvoort, Bloemendaal aan Zee
- LEIDEN Area – Katwijk aan Zee
INLAND FRESH-WATER SWIMMING
For those that live a significant distance from the coast, the Netherlands has a huge number of inland lakes, ponds and other fresh-water swimming spots.
Here are some inland beaches and fresh-water swimming spots in Holland…
- ALMERE – Almeerderstrand
- AMSTERDAM Region – Ijmeer, Diemerpark, Gaasperplas, Sloterplas, Strand IJburg
- BREDA Region – Asterdplas
- DELFT – De Grote Plas
- EINDHOVEN Region – De IJzeren Man, Neunen Strandbad, Aquabest Strandpark
- GRONINGEN – Stadsstrand, Hoornesplas
- HAARLEM – Molenplas
- LEIDEN Region – Het Joppe, Vlietland
- ROTTERDAM Region – Kralingse Plas, Zevenhuizerplas
- UTRECHT Region – Maarsseveensche Plassen, Haarrijnseplas
OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOLS
If you prefer pools to beaches (avoiding the dreaded sand always tracked back home), there are many public outdoor swimming pools (‘buitenzwembad‘) to choose from in Holland. Virtually all of them offer single-entry, multi-entry and full season passes. Prices are substantially lower than what you would pay for entry into a private waterpark.
Here are some outdoor swimming pool options in Holland…
- AMSTERDAM – Brediusbad, De Mirandabad, Flevoparkbad, Noorderparkbad, Sloterparkbad
- AMSTELVEEN – De Meerkamp
- BREDA – De Wisselaar, Sonsbeeck
- EINDHOVEN – Ottenbad
- GRONINGEN – De Papiermolen, Hoogkerk
- THE HAGUE Area – De Put (Rijswijk), De Waterman (Wateringen), ‘t Keerpunt (Zoetermeer)
- LEIDEN – De Zijl, De Vliet
- ROTTERDAM – Pernis Zwembad, Van Mannenbad, Buitenbad Hoek van Holland
- UTRECHT – De Krommerijn
- ZOUTERWOUDE – Haasbroek
PLAYGROUNDS
Dutch municipalities go to great lengths to ensure there are free, easily accessible and safe playgrounds (speelplekken, speeltuinen) for toddlers and young children to use. Try different ones and see which the kids like best.
Find out about the playgrounds in these Dutch cities…
PETTING FARMS
Almost all Dutch municipalities in Holland have at least one petting zoo (kinderboerderij). Admission is usually free or a nominal amount. The kids will love watching and interacting with the animals.
Find out more about the petting farms located in…
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
A public library (bibliotheek) may seem an unlikely choice for child entertainment with its strict rules on quiet behavior, but in fact many offer activities specifically for children including arts and crafts and other creative learning workshops. In the Netherlands, children can get a membership at their local library for free. What that membership entitles them to will vary by municipality but one common benefit is unlimited access to all children’s e-books. If reading isn’t your child’s favorite thing to do outside of the classroom, they can also borrow movies, TV series and documentary films at a nominal rate when compared to the cost of streaming these from an online media platforms.
See what is included with a child’s library membership when you live in…
MUNICIPAL ACTIVITIES CARDS
Most larger cities in the Netherlands offer some form of cultural pass for lower income households which provide free or discounted admission to local attractions and activity centers.
Here are some examples of Dutch municipal discount activity cards…
- AMSTERDAM – Stadspas
- BREDA – Bredapas
- DELFT – Delftpas
- EINDHOVEN – Sportpas
- GRONINGEN – Stadjerspas
- LEIDEN – Vakantiepas
- MAASTRICHT – PAS, Maastricht
- ROTTERDAM – Rotterdampas
- THE HAGUE – Ooievaarspas
- UTRECHT – U-pass
Other passes which offer free or discounted admission for children in the Netherlands include…
- Museumkaart (entry not just to museums but many castles as well)
- CJP (this one includes activities and performances)
SUMMER CAMPS
There are plenty of summer day camps in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and elsewhere in Netherlands (although most would require your child to know at least basic Dutch). You can also find a number of sleep-away camps.
A few low-cost summer camp options include:
- Fun2Stay (operated by YMCA Netherlands) – 1 week sleep-away camps at the YMCA campground in Leusden: Kinderkamp (7-10 years), Middenkamp (10-13 years), Tienerkamp (13-15 years), 4-day Minikamp (6-8 years), Musicalkamp (13-17 years)
- Zomerkamp Den Haag (operated by Protestant Church of Den Haag West) – A low-cost week-long sleep away camp for children ages 7-15 years. This year the camp location will be in Putten.
- Kinderkampen Rotterdam – This children’s summer camp foundation organizes low-cost week-long sleep-away camps: Kinderkamp (6-12 years), Tienerkamp (12-16 years)
- ZOKA (operated by Stichting Zomerkampen Breda) – 1 week sleep-away camps at the Sparrenhof site in Tilburg: Brakkenkamp (6-9 years), Tienerkamp (10-12 years). NOTE: These summer camps have been cancelled for 2020 due to the coronavirus situation.
BACKYARD FUN
If you live in a house with backyard space, it may be worth investing in some games or equipment kids of different ages typically enjoy such as a pool, slide/swings, trampoline, playhouse, shuffleboard set or sandbox.
See what backyard fun is on offer at… PRAXIS, LIDL, AMAZON and bol.com.
Related information…