Family and kids in Old Holland

Paddle through watery worlds in Waterland

There's no better way to explore the Waterland region that with a paddle Wormer and Jisperveld are beautiful nature reserves with shallow ditches, extensive meadows and hundreds of small islands. At the water playground of the Poelboerderij Visitor Center 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 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.

Find out how windmills work at Zaanse Schans

A day out at the Zaanse Schans is fun and educational - perfect for a day with the kids. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh cookies, or take a look in the warehouse where clogs are made. Don’t miss the cheese factory, pewter foundry and, of course, the iconic windmills themselves. Filled with wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops, this place is an adventure park for kids and adults.

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 to picnic, enjoy the sun or play games.

Explore a biscuit factory at the Verkade Experience

At the heart of the Zaans Museum in Zaandam, you will find the Verkade Experience. A treat for young and old alike, the Verkade Experience transports you back to the chocolate-and-biscuit factory of the early 20th century, where the original machines are still churning away.

Taste all the cheeses in Edam

The Dutch are known around their world for their expert cheese-making, and nowhere is this more true than in the town of Edam. Until 1922, farmers from the surrounding area sailed to Edam’s cheese market, where their produce was weighed and sold. You can see these old practices for yourself when the cheese market is revived every Wednesday in July and August (10:30-12:30). Alternatively, De Kaaswaag Edam (Edam Cheese Weighhouse) invites families to explore the cheesemaking traditions of Edam and, best of all, tasting is allowed!

Dress up in Volendam

All in VR, Experience Volendam takes you back to 1916 when Volendam was a small fishing village. The charming hostess, dressed in original Volendam costumes, tells the story of traditional clothing and how people lived and worked. Next is a virtual walk in an old Volendam street. Will you help the fisherman during his adventure? And don't miss the Volendams Museum, undoubtedly one of the most unconventional museums in the Netherlands, where visitors can glimpse into unique elements of early Dutch life in the region.

Climb the bell tower in Monnickendam

Waterlands Museum de Speeltoren in Monnickendam museum offers something for everyone: take a journey through tales of ancient settlements, see the beauty of the Waterland region, and hear the most out-of-tune carillon play from the top of the bell tower. For the kids, there's a fun-filled attic where you can play in the exciting House of Discovery, dig in the well, or discover surprising combinations in a game of memory.