If it were up to me I would go travelling every school holiday but unfortunately… I don’t have enough days off work and, oh that’s right, not enough money 😉 A day out with the kids during the Christmas holiday is great too of course! But what are the best days out? I’ve made you a top 10 with the most fun days out for you and the kids in the Netherlands.
1.Winter Efteling
The Efteling makes me (and the kids) happy throughout the whole year. During the winter season it’s even cosier, with Christmas trees everywhere, snow, burning log fires and delicious winter drinks and snacks, e,g, oliebollen (typical Dutch), mulled wine and hot chocolate!
2.Disney on Ice
In Utrecht and Amsterdam you and your kids can enjoy skating Disney characters during the new Disney on Ice show “Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic”; Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the Disney princesses are all there!
3. Antwerp Christmas market
In contrast to the German Christmas markets you can enjoy that Christmas feeling during Christmas and even after New Year’s Eve at the Antwerp Christmas market while the kids go skating on the ice rink in the centre of Antwerp.
4.Christmas Eve in Artis
The animals celebrate Christmas too! Artis even arranges a special tour through the zoo on Christmas Eve, so you can finally gaze at the nocturnal animals in all their glory.
5.Amsterdam Light Festival
Amsterdam has the Amsterdam Light Festival. What could be more fun in this city with its many canals than watching the beautiful artwork of lights during a canal tour? I guarantee the kids will be amazed! Eindhoven has Glow (also amazing, definitely worth a visit each year in November). You can combine 4 and 5 of course for the BEST day out..
6.Sprookjeswonderland
Fairy-tale Wonder Land in Enkhuizen is open during the Christmas holidays AND completely transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Upon arrival you can immediately gaze at the 15 meter tall Christmas tree in admiration, you can heartily sing along with the residents of “Bear Winterland” and come face to face with a living Fairy-tale character.
7.Lego City Fire Department
Pit, in Almere, is a veeeeery exciting museum; a safety museum. You’ll learn everything there is to know about the Police, the Fire department and ambulances. It’s an interactive experience where your kids will get to know whether they have what it takes to become a Police officer or how to put out a fire quickly AND during the Christmas holidays you can also admire the largest Lego City of the Netherlands or go skating on the ice rink.
8.Christmas Circus
Kids and circus, always a good combination! Watching the clowns and acrobats! There are multiple Christmas circuses throughout the whole country; from Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Eindhoven to Leeuwarden.
9.Christmas Plaza
Christmas Plaza in Groningen has the largest indoor fair of the Netherlands! Besides the fair, which has attractions for all ages, you can find an indoor winter market and a very good vaudeville show. You only pay the entrance fee and all the fair rides are free. Kids happy, you’re happy.
10.Ice sculpture festival
Or you can shiver and freeze for a day in Amsterdam during the Ice sculpture festival. This year you’ll find more than 100 ice sculptures up to 6 meters high. The theme is “music inspires”. You and the kids can enjoy an ice cold Bieber and many other world stars or go with them for a ride down a real ice slide.
Which day out do you choose? I’m curious. Have fun!
Disney On Ice viert 100 Years of Magic
