Ideas for outings in The Hague during the May holidays
This year, the holidays officially start on 26 April (kicking things off with King's Day celebrations). Some children might have 2 week holiday starting right after Easter as as some schools decide to have a 2-weeks break. The holidays end for everybody on 6 May as Liberation Day (Monday, 5 May) is a public holiday this year.
The May vacation is a great opportunity to recharge and spend quality time with your family and friends. To help you with ideas for spending the holidays in The Hague, we compiled a perfect blend of cultural experiences, family-friendly activities and festive events. Here are some highlights to make the most out of your break:
Madurodam is a miniature park showcasing famous Dutch landmarks, heritage sites, and iconic buildings in stunning detail. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits and discover the stories behind the Netherlands' rich history and culture. Perfect for families, this unique attraction combines education and entertainment, offering a memorable experience for all ages.
Visiting the Beach
After all we are in a city by the sea! Its easy to forget during busy days, but now that you have time, the beach is perfect for unwinding or enjoying water sports. Together with walks on the beach, you can enjoy a stroll in the wild Dunes around Scheveningen, Duindorp and Kijkduin. The dunes are perfect for exploring and walking / biking through the hills. If you are lucky, you can even spot a wild rabbit or fox there!
‘Zuiderpark’ South Park (of no relation to the funny cartoon) is one of the biggest parks in The Hague. The park is used by residents for sports, skating, cycling, sunbathing and also for events such as Parkpop, which is one of the biggest pop festivals in the Netherlands.
A great draw to the Zuiderpark is the nature playground, ‘Zuiderpret’, where kids can play with water, build with twigs and discover the wild plants and insects that inhabit this nature playground. Kids can spend hours exploring this diverse park, but do not forget to bring their rain boots and change of clothes. Check out this map with all available activities in the park.
Tulip fields (not far from The Hague)
In the ‘Bollenstreek’ you can find impressive fields of flowers from tulips to daffodils and hyacinths. Away from the usual crowd at the Keukenhof, there are many flower fields to explore in the vicinity. Enjoy the colourful fields by bike with this helpful Flower Map!
Children’s walking tour The Hague
Denhaag.com has created a children’s walking tour in The Hague city centre. The tour takes about 35 minutes and consists of 12 stops with 12 quizzes that will help reveal a secret message at the end. Pick a nice sunny day to explore the city with your children!
For more outdoor ideas, check out other parks and playgrounds in The Hague region.
Duivenoorde Castle ‘Kasteel Duivenoorde’
The Duivenvoorde Castle and estate, located between The Hague and Leiden, has a history that goes back to the 13th century. The castle has remained within the family through inheritance all this time – which makes its story quite unique. The castle is closed at the moment, but its beautiful 260-hectare estate is open to the public for walks and picnics at a small fee.
Escher in Het Paleis features M.C. Escher's mind-bending artworks in a former royal palace. Dive into the world of optical illusions and explore iconic prints and interactive displays that bring his optical illusions to life. A must-visit for art and puzzle enthusiasts!
As the holidays begin with a nation wide celebration of King's Day, it is important to be prepared. How you might be wondering? Well, grab all the orange clothing and accessories you have and you are ready to celebrate! Very important to keep in mind that as this year the actual birthday of the King, 27 April falls onto a Sunday, the festive activities are all moved a day earlier. Therefore King's Night celebration will begin in the evening of Friday, 25 April and the King's day festivities will be on Saturday, 26 April.