Maaike’s guidebook for Families
Things to do with kids
Our family absolutely loves visiting Safari Park 'de Beekse Bergen'. Beside all the animals that there are to see, my boys love all the little obstacle courses along the walking route and the playgrounds scattered around the park. Sometimes we take the bus or the boat, sometimes we just like to walk the whole way. There are plenty of options to go around. Don't miss the hanging bridge over the bear enclosure!
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Beekse Bergen Safari Park
1 Beekse BergenOur family absolutely loves visiting Safari Park 'de Beekse Bergen'. Beside all the animals that there are to see, my boys love all the little obstacle courses along the walking route and the playgrounds scattered around the park. Sometimes we take the bus or the boat, sometimes we just like to walk the whole way. There are plenty of options to go around. Don't miss the hanging bridge over the bear enclosure!
Our kids love exploring the many play stations at this forest playground in Gilze and we can easily spend hours here. Though we never tried (we always bring our own snacks), Hotel Van der Valk next door has an outdoor patio for drinks and food.
Speelbos Gilze
12 NerhovenOur kids love exploring the many play stations at this forest playground in Gilze and we can easily spend hours here. Though we never tried (we always bring our own snacks), Hotel Van der Valk next door has an outdoor patio for drinks and food.
This small forest within Tilburg is a cool place to hang out on hot days. There are lots of trails to explore (bring a scooter or bike for the little ones) as well as a playground and a petting zoo. In the summer there is an ice cream vendor (De IJskoning) on the field east of the park. I have been getting ice creams there since I was a little girl!
Wandelbos
This small forest within Tilburg is a cool place to hang out on hot days. There are lots of trails to explore (bring a scooter or bike for the little ones) as well as a playground and a petting zoo. In the summer there is an ice cream vendor (De IJskoning) on the field east of the park. I have been getting ice creams there since I was a little girl!
My dinosaur-loving boys always enjoy this museum. There are scavenger hunts for different age groups and the volunteers in the lab are always happy to talk to the kids about the fossils they are working on. We love the outdoor part where you can walk around the different dinosaurs.
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El Museo Oertijdmuseum
80 BosschewegMy dinosaur-loving boys always enjoy this museum. There are scavenger hunts for different age groups and the volunteers in the lab are always happy to talk to the kids about the fossils they are working on. We love the outdoor part where you can walk around the different dinosaurs.
Great nature museum to visit with kids and spend a few hours. There are changing exhibitions that are interesting for all ages. Last time we were there they included exhibitions on the ice age and wolves. My kids are always impressed by the huge sperm whale skeleton at the entrance.
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Museo de Historia Natural de Brabant
434 SpoorlaanGreat nature museum to visit with kids and spend a few hours. There are changing exhibitions that are interesting for all ages. Last time we were there they included exhibitions on the ice age and wolves. My kids are always impressed by the huge sperm whale skeleton at the entrance.
This is usually our go-to place for hot days when the kids just want to swim. There is a traditional swimming pool as well as a beachy area on a natural lake. On hot weekend days it can get really busy and nearly impossible to park so we prefer to go on our bikes or come early.
Staalbergven
This is usually our go-to place for hot days when the kids just want to swim. There is a traditional swimming pool as well as a beachy area on a natural lake. On hot weekend days it can get really busy and nearly impossible to park so we prefer to go on our bikes or come early.
This small zoo in the middle of Tilburg packs in a surprising amount of animals. It started as a reptile zoo but the last time we were there, there were plenty of other animals on display. My kids loved the opportunity to hold a snake and a tarantula, me not so much!
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Zoopark The Oliemeulen
30 Reitse HoevenstraatThis small zoo in the middle of Tilburg packs in a surprising amount of animals. It started as a reptile zoo but the last time we were there, there were plenty of other animals on display. My kids loved the opportunity to hold a snake and a tarantula, me not so much!
The Efteling is one of the oldest and best-loved theme parks in the Netherlands (and Europe). I have fond memories from visiting the Efteling as a little girl and for my boys it is the highlight of every trip to the Netherlands. For the youngest kids there is a lovely fairytale forest, a train diorama, carrousels and much more. For the big kids there are plenty of roller coasters and thrill rides, everything done in a beautiful and thoughtful way. Be sure to add the Efteling to your itinerary.
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Efteling station
The Efteling is one of the oldest and best-loved theme parks in the Netherlands (and Europe). I have fond memories from visiting the Efteling as a little girl and for my boys it is the highlight of every trip to the Netherlands. For the youngest kids there is a lovely fairytale forest, a train diorama, carrousels and much more. For the big kids there are plenty of roller coasters and thrill rides, everything done in a beautiful and thoughtful way. Be sure to add the Efteling to your itinerary.
Hiking and Nature
This national park full of fens (small lakes) is a great place for short and long hikes. We like to use the 'Natuurmonumenten' app to find a walk of the right length. There are lots of places to start exploring from.
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Oisterwijkse Vennen
This national park full of fens (small lakes) is a great place for short and long hikes. We like to use the 'Natuurmonumenten' app to find a walk of the right length. There are lots of places to start exploring from.
Food scene
When we visit 'de Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen' (the woods and lakes of Oisterwijk) we often start and finish at Groot Speijck. It's a great place to have coffee or another drink and there is a big natural playground for the kids. There is also a small and lovely gift shop and lots of things to explore for the kids indoors too.
Natuurpoort Groot Speijck
4 Van TienhovenlaanWhen we visit 'de Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen' (the woods and lakes of Oisterwijk) we often start and finish at Groot Speijck. It's a great place to have coffee or another drink and there is a big natural playground for the kids. There is also a small and lovely gift shop and lots of things to explore for the kids indoors too.
Another one of our favourites in Oisterwijk is 'het Boscafé'. Here parents can enjoy a drink and food while the kids go crazy in the playground. The playground is especially suitable for little ones up to 6 years old.
Het Boscafé
9A ScheibaanAnother one of our favourites in Oisterwijk is 'het Boscafé'. Here parents can enjoy a drink and food while the kids go crazy in the playground. The playground is especially suitable for little ones up to 6 years old.
This is where we like to order our pizzas because the crusts are nice and thin and the sauce rich in tomatoes. Our favourites are the Pizza Royal and the Pizza Vegetarienne. If you don't speak Dutch, there is usually someone there who speaks French.
Massilia pizza
285 HasseltstraatThis is where we like to order our pizzas because the crusts are nice and thin and the sauce rich in tomatoes. Our favourites are the Pizza Royal and the Pizza Vegetarienne. If you don't speak Dutch, there is usually someone there who speaks French.
If you want a no-fuss meal with the kids in the center of Tilburg, Happy Italy is as easy as it gets. The restaurant is very kid friendly and has a playroom. The pizzas and pastas are maybe not the best or most authentic you have ever tasted but they are very decent and eating here won't break the bank.
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Happy Italy
126 HeuvelstraatIf you want a no-fuss meal with the kids in the center of Tilburg, Happy Italy is as easy as it gets. The restaurant is very kid friendly and has a playroom. The pizzas and pastas are maybe not the best or most authentic you have ever tasted but they are very decent and eating here won't break the bank.
Shopping
I can't visit the center of Tilburg without taking a peek in 'de Dobbelsteen', a great game store with board and card games for young and old and very knowledgeable sales staff. Just be warned that it might be hard to leave empty handed.
De Dobbelsteen
141 SchouwburgringI can't visit the center of Tilburg without taking a peek in 'de Dobbelsteen', a great game store with board and card games for young and old and very knowledgeable sales staff. Just be warned that it might be hard to leave empty handed.