The Netherlands might be one of the most kid-friendly places I’ve ever been. Everywhere you turn, there’s a playground, kid cafe, children’s farm, or something else magical for kids. With my transition to becoming a stay at home mom, this was so helpful for me to have a long list of activities I can do with Jojo regardless of the weather. Let’s start with kid cafes.

Kid cafes

When we first arrived here, the concept of kid cafes was very new to me. But they are exactly how they sound: cafes with kids in mind. These are restaurants with an included play area in them for children. It’s not just a few toys tucked away in the corner, it’s usually a full area for them to be engaged. The idea behind them is to have your children play while you enjoy a cup of coffee. It’s also great to have lunch or snacks with your child there in between playing. They vary from small play areas to full playgrounds. It’s the perfect place to go with young children on a rainy day, especially with friends. You can both enjoy a drink while the children play together. Unfortunately, with any other play area, it’s also full of germs. But when it’s the fourth rainy day of the week, it becomes a risk you’re willing to take. Our favorites are Brownies & downies Haarlem, Kweekcafé, and Kraantje Lek.

Children’s farms

Children’s farms are underrated. And the Netherlands is full of them. There’s so many different places to choose from depending on where you live. Some have restaurants and playgrounds. While others allow you to feed the animals or milk the cows. Boerderij Zorgvrij even has a barn attached where kids can go to play and learn. It’s an incredible place for kids to be outside and learn about wildlife, plus, there’s always a playground nearby. Our top farms right now are Kinderboerderij ‘t Molentje – Groenendaal (don’t miss their delicious raw honey) and Stadsboerderij de Houthoeve.

Children’s museums

From the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam to the Nijntje Museum in Utrecht, the Netherlands has countless kid-friendly museums to choose from. For only 75 euros a year for adults and 39 for children, you can purchase a museum card giving you access to over 500 museums across the Netherlands. Most of which can easily be reached by train. While the kid friendly ones are great, it’s also nice to take them to other museums where they can see old artifacts, beautiful art, and learn something new. We’ve often frequented the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden and Museum of Literature in the Hague. Another great rainy day activity.

Beach clubs and lakes

We’ve never lived this close to the beach before. From our current place, we can be there by bike in about 20 minutes. Along the beach, there are several “beach clubs” you can stop at that serve food and usually have a play area for kids. Even if that just means a dedicated spot in the sand for them to hang out. From starting off near the waves looking for seashells, to enjoying lunch together, and finishing off with more playtime in the sand, it makes for a perfect morning or afternoon. When it’s warm enough, the water is great for swimming too. In addition to the beach, there are many lakes to choose from if you’re looking for calmer, warmer water and a little less wind. Het Wed is one of our top go-to’s. Located in the National Park, it’s a beautiful bike ride to get there. At the entrance, there’s a nice restaurant and playground. If you continue to follow the path, you’ll end up at the lake with a nice sandy area to set up. The water is shallow and fairly warm in the summer, perfect for small children to be able to stand safely and play.

Woodsy playgrounds

If you notice a woodsy area with a fence peaking out, take a look inside and there’s probably a playground hidden somewhere in there. With slides built into hills of dirt and wooden jungle gyms, it sometimes feels like you are climbing the trees around you. The air is fresh, the obstacles are challenging, and it’s such a natural way to let children play. It’s also nice in the summer because the wood doesn’t get too hot from the sun (the metal slides are another story).

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The Netherlands got it right when it comes to making a children’s paradise. They provide so many different, healthy options for parents to choose from that exposes their children to new things and the outdoors. I’m so thankful to live in a place that allows me to wake up and decide between a children’s museum, the beach, outdoor playground, indoor kids cafe, children’s farm, and more.