Kids Guide Haarlem: our favourite things to do with kids in Haarlem
Off to Haarlem: the best kids' tips in the city
Haarlem is the place to be for families and is bursting with activities that both you and your kids will love. Children's cafés with great coffee, toy shops with a refreshingly different range and plenty of nature to explore. From a greenhouse café to a playground in the dunes. So come on, let's go! These are our favourite children's activities in Haarlem.
Curated kids' fashion at The Kind Collective
Forget those overwhelming kids' shops and chaotic cafés. The Kind Collective is the place to be for a lovely bit of... well, everything really. A beautiful selection of (sustainable) clothing, great things for the kids' room and toys — all carefully curated, so guaranteed to be a hit. In the children's café your kids can explore the play corner while you sip on a genuinely good coffee made with LOT61 beans.
Bonus: The Kind Collective is a community and regularly organises events and workshops where you can connect with other parents. Highly recommended!
A firm favourite: toy shop Meneer Paprika
When you've had enough of the big chains or just fancy something different, head to Meneer Paprika. Your little one can play to their heart's content here and fill up their wishlist with things you simply won't find anywhere else. Amazing dress-up clothes, Jellycats, wooden toys and hand puppets — it's all here. Park yourself in a chair and treat yourself to a slice of cake or a croissant. A moment of peace while your little adventurer keeps themselves busy.
Relax at children's café Spruit
Anxious coffee drinking, we're done with that! At children's café Spruit you can finally let your shoulders drop, because your little ones will be more than entertained here. This is a proper children's café, so there's plenty to keep them busy. A Lego table, a sand kitchen, KAPLA blocks, picture books… you might as well order another round because you'll be here for a while. And the food and drinks are genuinely great too. Spruit has not only an affordable kids' menu, but also delicious breakfasts and sandwiches.
Outdoor fun at Kraantje Lek in the Overveen dunes
When you're not sure what to do with the kids, just head to Kraantje Lek. After an hour of adventuring through nature, you can settle in for a pancake and another round of playing. Think of a cosy old-fashioned inn, but completely refreshed. Alongside pancakes, the menu also offers bites to share and a fresh bulgur salad. For the kids, there's a huge amount to do — play equipment, slides, loads of sand and a giant dune to roll down.
Want to guarantee the best spot? Book a table right next to the playground. You could easily spend hours here.
Discover the Kweekcafé in Haarlem
In Haarlem Noord you'll find this wonderful green discovery spot. Kweekcafé is so much more than just a café. As well as seriously good food (pita pulled mushroom, kids' toasties, kimchi croquettes, you name it), you can wander through the greenhouse. There's a vertical herb garden full of fascinating plants, table football, a small playground and plenty of outdoor spots to run around in. While the little ones explore, you can browse the Kweekstraat, a market selling unique products from impact entrepreneurs.
A peek inside Artisklas: the smallest zoo in the Netherlands
Don't fancy spending hours wandering around a big zoo, but still want to see some animals? Artisklas is the place for you. This mini zoo is run by volunteers and has just the right amount of entertainment for little ones. There are four small indoor enclosures and an outdoor area with raccoons, skunks, ostriches, arctic foxes and porcupines. For older children, there are also dioramas — recreated natural habitats — with taxidermied animals. Super educational!
Pick up some sweet treats at Dropje van Haarlem
Is there anything better than an old-fashioned sweet shop? At Dropje van Haarlem you can scoop up liquorice, foam sweets and all kinds of classic Dutch candy. With more than 250 types of sweets and liquorice, hold on tight or just go for it. More of this kind of thing, please!
Find pre-loved gems at vintage kids' clothing store Opa Drop
Opa Drop is exactly as charming as its name suggests. Here you'll find vintage finds to wear, as well as toys that are ready for another round of play. New stock arrives every week, from baby sizes up to age 12. Which means every visit brings a new chance to score a treasure. Got good stuff you no longer need? Sell it through Opa Drop and you'll receive 40 percent of the sale price.
Kids' clothing shopping at Lieneloe
Beautiful things, a play corner, fresh coffee, this cheerful children's boutique on the Kruisstraat has it all. At Lieneloe you'll find a great range of quality brands like Wander & Wonder, Mini Rodini, Blundstone and Oilily. Lots for children and babies, as well as lovely baby shower gifts and beautiful things for the home. No fussing while you browse, because at the back there's a mountain of toys waiting and real live rabbits ready for a cuddle. Everyone happy!
Concept store Kleine HeldeN for your little hero
Whatever age your kids are, you'll find something at concept store Kleine HeldeN. The shop is filled to the brim with beautiful things for children aged 0 to 14. Owner Franciska selects only top brands like Mini Rodini, Bobo Choses, Charlie Petite, Joha and The New Society, exclusive, sustainable pieces that are far too good to leave behind. Lots of clothing, but also wonderful gifts, toys, soft toys and accessories. Everything for your little hero.
Go on a treasure hunt at Teylers Museum in Haarlem
Museums have an unfairly boring reputation when it comes to kids. But Teylers Museum in Haarlem is a genuine children's favourite. Pick up a free discovery trail at the ticket desk and your little ones will learn all about the exhibitions in a fun way, of course. There are different trails for different age groups, as well as one for non-Dutch-speaking families. Perfect for children between 5 and 12.
Curious beachcombers head to the Juttersmu-ZEE-um in Zandvoort
What actually lurks beneath those wild North Sea waves? A big question, and this beachcombers' museum in Zandvoort has some fascinating answers. Inside you'll find a treasure trove of things washed up on the beach and collected by real beachcombers — and it's far from just junk. Among the finds: dolls, shoes, messages in bottles, old wartime materials and even a piece of metal from a NASA rocket. Incredible! Everything has a story and you'll discover it all here. Best of all: the Juttersmu-ZEE-um is completely free.
Discover the summer programme at open-air theatre Caprera
Another gem hidden in nature: open-air theatre Caprera in Bloemendaal. Less than 10 minutes from Haarlem, every summer brings a programme full of something for everyone. Youth performances for kids who can sit still, and a treasure hunt through the woodland for those who'd rather roam. Cleverly thought out: after a performance there's often a free workshop on the same theme, so the kids learn something too.
Play on the beach at Tent 6 in Zandvoort
A beach café with a decent menu and a playground right outside always a very welcome combination. At Tent 6 in Zandvoort you get both. The kids will head straight for the play equipment while you get stuck into the menu, which is full of delicious fresh breakfast options. Lunch and dinner have Mediterranean influences and taste extra summery. Tent 6 also cares about organic and healthy food, so kids can go for chips but also a portion of cucumber or pepper. And on a warm beach day, that actually goes down pretty well.
Kick back at Gestrand in Bloemendaal aan Zee
Does Camping de Lakens ring a bell? Even if you're not planning to camp, it's well worth a visit, just 15 minutes from Haarlem. On the campsite you'll find restaurant Gestrand where your kids will have the time of their lives, all year round. A big slide, a zip line, swings and of course the greatest playground of all: the sand. Downstairs is the Zep Zone — an indoor play area and activity space with plenty going on.
And you, of course, get to enjoy the good beach life. Gestrand's menu has a great range of veggie options, as well as a smashburger or a juicy chicken dish. For the little ones there's the Zeppie Meal Kids Box with their favourite fried snack.
