Top 5 Toddler Holidays to Holland

Mums & Dads caught up with Laura and Jane, founders of Little Clogs Holidays to find out what it is about Holland that is so magical for little ones and why every young family should visit there at least once!

Holland, or The Netherlands, might not be the first place we think of when booking our family holiday. Well known for its famous cities, its cheese, clogs, tulips and windmills it attracts tourists from all over the world. Beyond this though, it is an ideal holiday destination for families and especially for families with babies and toddlers. Its family friendly attitude, numerous holiday accommodation solutions and family friendly attractions do make it an obvious holiday choice for little ones.

“Holland is a small, friendly country which is really easy to get to from the UK by car, train, ferry or plane and it’s really easy to get around: you can see a lot in one trip and easily stay in several different places on your holiday” explains Laura.

“It has some of the cleanest and sandiest beaches in Europe, many of which have little play areas and some lovely beach bars and family friendly beach front cafes. Holland is home to the adorable Miffy and Utrecht has an entire museum dedicated to her, brimming with toddler friendly interactive activities! Across the country you will discover plenty of toddler attractions such as petting farms and toddler theme parks and Holland is home to the most famous fairytale theme park in Europe: Efteling. Beyond the famous cities Holland has magical woodlands and national parks with plenty of opportunities for family walks and bike rides. Holland even has a desert!

In terms of holidays Holland has a huge supply of holiday parks and farm holidays. Holiday parks are set in the middle of nature and offer baby and toddler pools, indoor and outdoor play areas and comfortable bungalow or lodge accommodation. Farm holidays are all the rage in Holland and provide families with an opportunity to get away from it all and enjoy a simple life on the farm. Children can help feed and care for the animals and parents can unwind in tranquil surroundings.”

Mums & Dads asked Laura and Jane to give us their top 5 recommendations for a perfect toddler holiday in Holland.

Efteling

Located in southern Holland, Efteling theme park is in an enchanted forest with magical rides and entertainment for the entire family. It’s like something out of a brother’s Grimm book, focusing on creating magic and wonder through fairytales. It also has two holiday parks and a hotel with fairytale themed rooms such as Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel.

Jane has been to Efteling many times on her family holidays and told us: “we have experienced staying at both Efteling Bosrijk and Efteling Loonsche Land. The beauty of staying over is that your stay includes entry to Efteling theme park for all days of your stay including the day of arrival and departure. This can be useful if you want to pop back for a swim or to eat and then return for more fun in the afternoon or evening and it also makes your visit much more cost effective. We visited three times last year and my children are already asking when they can go back, as there is so much to do and see. Staying overnight makes the magic of Efteling come to life even more, from visits by the Efteling characters to bedtime stories read by The Sandman it truly is a magical experience that we can’t recommend highly enough.”

Beekse Bergen

“Beekse Bergen is always a favourite choice on our site!“, Laura told us.

Located in southern Holland, just a 20 minute drive from Efteling, it ticks a lot of boxes. Set in beautiful woodland with a large lake it has its own sandy lake beach, play zone and loads of little playgrounds dotted about near the bungalow accommodation.

It is also home to the largest safari park in the whole country! This year Beekse Bergen opened a new luxury safari resort in the grounds of its safari park. You can stay in lodge accommodation and watch the giraffes, zebras and lions while you’re having your breakfast. This is probably not something you’d thought you’d be doing in Holland and is quite a unique experience.

From Beekse Bergen you are only an hour from the university city of Utrecht where Miffy lovers can visit the Nijntje museum.

Breehees Farm

Breehees farm combines proximity to local attractions and tranquil farm life perfectly and is a short drive to both Efteling and Beekse Bergen safari park. However, if you prefer to soak up the farm life as much as possible then there is a lot on offer here. There is a range of lodges to stay in, each with its own charm.

Jane has stayed here several times and told us “what we really love is how there is a safe space for children to roam and play and get to know each other and the animals here. Being a pony farm, everything is centred around horses and the opportunity to take part in caring and riding them is yours for the taking. If you’re not quite big enough to ride yet there are petting animals such as in the rabbit corner, so you can get up close with these furry animals.

We loved the restaurant and its terrace. There is a wonderful selection of meals and snacks served throughout the day and a huge play area for children to play in while you enjoy your meal or simply a morning coffee.

The farmers here are really welcoming, and the weekly tractor ride they host through the woods to the neighbouring cow farm is a firm favourite with our children!”

Whether you’re a city dweller or country lover the beauty of farm holidays is that you choose the pace and interaction with farm life for yourself, yet you get to maximise on the laid-back holiday feel and the wonderful countryside panoramic views.

       Toddlers at Breehees Farm
7 nights from 7th June costs from €678 per family in a 4 person safari tent.

 

Hof van Saksen

Hof van Saksen is renowned for its luxurious amenities and feel which begins right from the moment you set foot in the main building to check in and are welcomed with a selection of drinks and snacks. Located in Drenthe in northern Holland it offers luxury thatched farmhouse accommodation with lots of open green areas to play. Each accommodation has a play area nearby which is perfect for young children.

Activities and facilities are extensive with indoor and outdoor pools, rapids and water slides. Whilst this is a paradise for babies and toddlers with its sandy lake beach, baby and toddler pools and play facilities, it has something for every age. Children’s academies offer new experiences and the spa and wellness centre means grown ups can enjoy a pamper too. Hof van Saksen’s farmhouses are extremely comfortable and it is also possible to rent children’s farmhouses with toys, games and extra safety features as well as the unique newborn farmhouses which come with a baby crib, Nuna leaf baby rocker, video monitor and bottle warmer.

Jane said “We have been to Hof van Saksen with our family and loved playing at the lakeside beach. My children can’t wait to return to the swimming pool, the Bounz trampoline area and the unique academies that are available for all ages with activities such as crafts and toy railway building! As a family we really loved the entire water complex, from its serene ambience to the outdoor water rapids and of course the new addition of some thrilling water slides which our eldest couldn’t get enough of”.

Hof van Saksen Accommodation
7 nights from 7th June costs from €1086 per family in a 4 person farmhouse or €1322 per family in a 4 person children’s farmhouse.

 

Sluftervallei

Some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches are located on the exclusive Wadden islands, an hour or so north of Amsterdam. These islands are accessed by a short ferry ride from the mainland and provide a real contrast to busy city life in Amsterdam! The vibe is laid back, chilled and the focus is on exploration and discovery. Holidays here are back to nature at their best with miles of beaches and sand dunes to play on. Laura told us “Sluftervallei is part of the Landal chain of esteemed holiday parks and provides a real fresh air experience in luxury accommodation where children can be free and grown ups can kick back a little. There is a fantastic pool and play area as well as children’s activities and the beach is about a 15-minute walk away through the dunes.”

With so much variety on offer Jane and Laura are aware that this can make it even harder to decide where to go and what to do. Therefore, they are always happy to hear from you if you need any advice booking your holiday.

Jane and Laura have genuine first-hand experience of Holland and Belgium and most of the holiday parks they feature on their site, so who better to book through?! So, as they say in Dutch ‘Tot binnenkort’ (see you soon)!

For more information please visit Little Clogs Holidays