11x the best castles to visit with your children

De Haar Castle – Haarzuilens, Utrecht

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

Muiderslot Castle – Muiden, North Holland

It is downright a Valhalla 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 performances. 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 children can play old Dutch games such as stilt walking and ring throwing. You can also do a treasure hunt through the castle along the most special places, including a secret room. Plenty of action, in short. It is also possible to celebrate a children’s party here.

Slot Loevestein – Powderoijen, Gelderland

Exciting: when you visit this castle you will receive your own personal key. Explore the castle on your own, with guides at various points sharing 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 box themselves. Also a nice place for children’s parties.

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Ammersoyen Castle – Ammerzoden, Gelderland

This imposing castle dates from 1280 and exudes national history. There are plenty of activities here. Children’s parties with fancy dress are also possible, where pieces of armor can also be fitted in the armory. Exciting!

Heeswijk Castle – Heeswijk, North Brabant

Your children will go crazy in this castle. They go on a journey of discovery and in search of secret stairs and passages, they climb the tower and try on a knight’s helmet. Also nice: the hosts know special castle stories in which children hang on their every word. You can discover the entire castle, garden and estate via an app or a scavenger hunt.

Discover here:
All entrance deals for a castle visit >

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 missing materials from a ‘tree book’ and receive a medal afterwards. The castle itself can of course also be visited: discover all the nooks and crannies and learn about the way of life of the former inhabitants.

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 talk about their life on the Cannenburch. Today the castle is no longer inhabited and is only a museum. A nice place for children’s parties: in the festively decorated vaulted cellar, the children get something delicious and then the boys dress up as knights and the girls as maidens. Secret stairs lead you to the attic, where a nice surprise awaits you.

Castle Huis Bergh – ‘s-Heerenberg, Gelderland

This castle not only looks beautiful, your child can also take on the role of a medieval knight or a real lady-in-waiting. Go through the castle dressed up with a guide and hear the exciting story about Kasteel Huis Bergh (may not be available during the corona measures). Is your child good at solving puzzles? Then go for the code breakers or the exciting escape route Red het Verloren Verhaal van Gelderland.

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Keukenhof Castle – Lisse, South Holland

We know the Keukenhof mainly from the 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.

Castle Doornenburg – Doornenburg, Gelderland

A real family castle where your child is entertained all day long. From a 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.

For all princesses and knights

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