11x the best castles to visit with your kids

Tip: due to the corona measures, most castles work with time slots and you have to book your ticket online in advance.

It is also possible that not all castles and/or nearby playgrounds can be fully visited. Always check the website before departure for the latest developments.

De Haar Castle – Haarzuilens, Utrecht

This castle used to be the country residence of a very wealthy baron and baroness in September. Great industrialists, bankers, artists and movie stars then came to the castle. The Baron and Baroness threw large parties and extravagant dinners for guests such as Coco Chanel, Maria Callas and Yves Saint Laurent. Nowadays, the ‘ordinary’ citizens and country people can also enjoy this splendor. You can walk through the most beautiful halls of the castle yourself and stroll through the castle gardens, which include ponds, a maze and deer park (there are also treasure hunts especially for children).

Muiderslot Castle – Muiden, North Holland

It is nothing short of a mecca for children in this castle. For example, they can do an exciting audio tour where they learn everything about the defense of the castle. There is also a treasure hunt where you explore the entire castle with surrounding gardens together and on some days you can see a falconer in action. During school holidays there are extra activities such as garden safaris or shows. Also nice: it is possible to celebrate a children’s party here.

Hoensbroek Castle – South Limburg

Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest medieval castles in our country. Your kids can play old Dutch games such as stilt walking and ring toss. You can also do a treasure hunt through the castle along the most special places, including a secret room. In short, plenty of action. It is also possible to celebrate a children’s party here.

Loevestein Castle – Poederoijen, Gelderland

Exciting: when you visit this castle you will receive your own personal key. Explore the castle on your own, with guides in various places providing information about the knights and soldiers who used to live here. A story is also told especially for children in which they can climb into a book chest themselves. Also a nice place for children’s parties.

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Ammersoyen Castle – Ammerzoden, Gelderland

This imposing fortress dates back to 1280 and exudes Dutch history. There are plenty of activities here. Children’s parties with fancy dress are also possible, where parts of a suit of armor can also be tried on in the armory. Exciting!

Heeswijk Castle – Heeswijk, North Brabant

Your children will go wild in this castle. They explore and search for secret stairways and corridors, they climb the tower and try on a knight’s helmet. Also nice: the hosts and hosts know special castle stories that have children hanging on their every word. You can discover the entire castle, the garden and the estate via an app or a treasure hunt.

Groeneveld Castle – Baarn, Utrecht

This castle – actually a country house – was built around 1710 and is located in a beautiful forest. All kinds of activities are organized for children, such as family exhibitions and various treasure hunts. For example, they can search the park for materials that have disappeared from a ‘tree book’ and receive a medal afterwards. The castle itself can of course also be visited: discover every nook and cranny and learn about the way of life of the former inhabitants.

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Cannenburch Castle – Vaassen, Gelderland

At this castle on the Veluwe you can see exactly how people lived in the 18th century. In a film you see the old lord of the castle and his wife and they tell about their life at the Cannenburch. Today the castle is no longer inhabited and is only a museum. A great place for children’s parties: in the festively decorated vaulted cellar, the children are given a snack before the boys dress up as knights and the girls as damsels. Secret stairs lead to the attic, where a nice surprise awaits you.

Castle Huis Bergh – ‘s-Heerenberg, Gelderland

This castle is not only beautiful, your child can also take on the role of a medieval knight or a real lady-in-waiting. Go through the castle in costume with the help of a guide and hear the exciting story about Castle Huis Bergh (may not be available during the corona measures). Is your child good at solving puzzles? Then go for the code crackers or the exciting escape route Save the Lost Story of Gelderland.

Keukenhof Castle – Lisse, South Holland

We know the Keukenhof mainly for its beautiful tulips, but you will also find a beautiful castle on the estate. Want to learn more about the castle? Then go for the treasure hunt full of facts and assignments. And then you can also take a look at the adjacent petting zoo with goats, pigs, Shetlanders, rabbits and much more. Also nice: there is a gnome walk on the estate.

Doornenburg Castle – Doornenburg, Gelderland

A real family castle where your child is sweet all day long. From a guided tour to a real fairytale festival, storytellers, a walk around the castle and afterwards good food in the inn: here you have it. Does your child have any energy left? Combine your outing with a visit to the nearby playground.

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