Best kids playgrounds in the Amsterdam Area

Make a splash in Old Holland

The entire recreational area of Het Twiske, in Amsterdam’s Old Holland, offers a wealth of nature-friendly activities for children. But the Speelsloot is unique. Situated on one of the seven beaches, this kids-rule zone cannot be accessed by car (but rather through Het Twiske’s Den Ilp entrance). And it’s worth the pedestrian effort: besides playground equipment, kids can get their hands – and feet – on a climbing tower, huts and totem poles. Plus, there’s a cable car ride and a ferry that children can operate themselves.

Find adventure challenges in New Land

Almere is the newest city in the Netherlands’ newest province, Flevoland, which is built almost entirely on reclaimed land. It’s no surprise that there’s also much to entertain the world’s newest humans at Outdoor Park SEC Almere. This park in the Almeerderhout forest offers miniature golfing, canoeing, archery, paintball, treasure hunts, mud-bathing and more. Check the events calendar and book spots in advance.

Aye aye, captain at Amsterdam Beach

De Veilige Haven – which translates to “the safe haven” – is also a kids’ playtime paradise. Located in the North Sea port city of IJmuiden, the playground was established in 1930 by a non-profit organisation, whose volunteers still manage it and run the canteen. There is plenty of playground equipment, though the prevailing theme is maritime realness, with a pirate boat and a lighthouse that children are welcome to commandeer.

Enjoy kid-friendly dining in the Dutch Dunes

Seeking an evocative spot for pancakes, coffee or seafood-spotlighting Dutch cuisine? But also aware that the kids will excuse themselves from the table before drinks even arrive? Then look no further than Kraantje Lek, located at the foot of the De Blinkert dune in Overveen near Amsterdam Beach. The restaurant has a view over its own playground, essentially an enormous sandbox with naturalistic wooden equipment. A bronze statue replicates the ancient hollow tree that once stood there and was fabled to be the birthplace of children.

Feel on top of the world in the Flower Strip

The Netherlands’ flower region has more than bulbs and blooms, which is good news if you’re visiting outside of the tulip season. Encourage the kids to be vine-like themselves at Klimpark 21 in the town of Nieuw-Vennep. At this park, they can scale over 40 walls, zip-line two routes and climb up in the air along four different courses via bridges, ropes and ladders. Those who prefer to stay more grounded can play archery tag or cruise the 500-metre track on a solar-charged e-skateboard.

Explore the miniature farm outside Haarlem

A short distance from Amsterdam, Hoofddorp, and Haarlem, the Spaarnwoude recreation area is famous for hosting summer music festivals for grownups. Canoeing, cycling, golfing and climbing are available, but there are many alfresco activities for the underage set, too. Have questions upon arrival? Stop by the information centre, located within a delightful farm. Zorgvrij, as it’s named, has its own playground, plus cows for petting, milk and cheese for tasting, and a pancake restaurant for refuelling.

Feel old-school thrills in Castles & Gardens

Located just outside Naarden in the Castles & Garden region, old-school thrills and shows feature at the traditional amusement park. With attractions for kids of all ages, play paradise Oud Valkeveen offers a perfect, fun-filled day out. After starting out as a pancake farm, the venue has now grown into an amusement park with rollercoasters, slides, trains and climbing frames.

Discover Europe's biggest playground at Linnaeushof

Europe’s biggest playground is the headline – who could ask for more? Everything at Linnaeushof in the Flower Strip is child-powered. For toddlers there is a large area that includes a ‘traffic village’ for tricycles – effectively a road complete with signals, crossings, a police station and a fast-food outlet.  Older children get to enjoy the lake with pedalos, rope bridges, mini-golf, slides, go-karts, a train ride, a pedalled monorail, a waterpark and hundreds of other activities.  So, whether your kids love balancing, pedalling, bouncing, hanging, swinging or cycling, this makes for the ultimate fresh-air getaway.