Family guide to Easter in the Amsterdam Area

Experience Easter among the flowers

It’s hard to talk about this time of year without starting at the Keukenhof Gardens. Head to the picturesque village of Lisse, where you’ll be rewarded with the magnificence of the self-proclaimed “world’s most beautiful spring garden”.  And it’s hard to disagree with that label. Children can meet goats and sheep at the petting zoo, whilst the Miffy playground and hedge maze are excellent opportunities for little ones to burn off steam. An informative scavenger hunt will lead families to the most beautiful spots dotted around the park.

Check out our top reasons to visit Keukenhof in Spring 2025. 

Join in the family festival

Celebrate Easter together with the whole family at the Ruigoord artist village, just outside Haarlem, where the weekend programme is loaded up with theatre, music and costume activities. So wear your best Easter outfit and make sure you are there at 1:00 PM so you don't miss Easter lunch. Tip: bring extra marshmallows to roast around the firepit.

Ruigoord Family Easter Festival | April 20 and April 21 2025, 13:00 – 18:00

Head out on a sightseeing adventure

Zaanse Schans is a beautiful residential area that has been kept in the style of the 18th and 19th centuries. Here, you’ll find a bakery museum, a warehouse where clogs are made, a cheese factory, a pewter foundry and an array of windmills, wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops.  It’s beautiful in spring, with lambs skipping in the fields of the Kalverpolder and the windmills turning in the spring breeze.    

Feast at a brunch buffet

Enjoy a fabulous Easter brunch at Marquette Estate in their historic estate nestled between lush forests and blooming gardens. On both days, the generous Easter brunch buffet includes mountains of tasty breads, organic jams and cheeses, fresh salads, fish, meat and piles of desserts and pancakes. Book early to ensure you don’t miss out. For the children, there is plenty of Easter fun lined up: egg painting, cupcake decorating and a special children’s buffet with poffertjes and fries.

Bike to the beach

If the weather is bright and you’re looking for some fresh air, there’s simply nothing better than a good bike ride. Instead of hanging around town, why not make a day of it and head off to the beaches at Zandvoort and IJmuiden aan Zee? Take a picnic and spend a leisurely day on the paved cycle paths in the wind-sheltered dunes with a chance to spot rabbits, deer and cows, or make your way along the boulevard and stop off at one of the many fabulous cafés and pavilions. 

Spend the day with animals

If you’re looking for an animal-themed Easter while waiting for the Easter Bunny, head to the Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm, a delightful organic goat farm in the Amsterdamse Bos. Kids can pet and feed the goats, watch the milking process, and see how goat cheeses and ice cream are made. With a nature playground, a beech hedge maze, and a cozy terrace serving treats, it’s the perfect spot for family fun. And while you're nearby, be sure to look out for Easter eggs hidden by the bunny in Amsterdamse Bos.

Sail to a historic fortress

At Forteiland Pampus, Easter on Pampus madness will be in full swing. Search for hundreds of eggs spread across the island – hidden chocolate eggs waiting to be discovered, and the best free-range chicken eggs transformed into a beautiful Easter brunch. Although the festive Easter brunch is fully booked, you’re still welcome to enjoy a delightful lunch in the Pavilion. There are also plenty of other exciting activities to make your Easter visit unforgettable, including a tour of the fortress and a virtual reality tour from the seat of a hot air balloon.

Be part of the fairytale

The magnificent Medieval castle, Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot, is getting in on the Easter action, too. Take part in a nature treasure hunt: looking for the eggs of the birds around the castle. Discover all kinds of things about the different plants and animals in the gardens. And don't forget to participate in the creative Easter workshop in the walk-in studio!