What can you do in Leeuwarden with children? Below we give you 11 tips that have also been tested by our guides with small children themselves. Do you have older children? Then take a look at the page with activities, because there are also some tips for Leeuwarden with children.
1. Miniature People Leeuwarden
For years, this has been the most fun way to discover Leeuwarden with children. Leeuwarden photographer/artist
Michel Tilma has hidden scenes with miniature dolls throughout the city centre. When photographed in the right perspective, his miniatures look just like real people.
With a map and hints, you can find the more than 60 miniatures. This treasure hunt is great fun with children. And as a parent, it also takes you into small streets and alleys where you might not have gone otherwise. The map with hints costs 2 euros and is available at many places in the city. check the website.
2. Park Vijversburg
Visit Park vijversbrug just outside Leeuwarden. This is a park built for the most part in the 19th century. But it also has a very large new section built between 2005 and 2009. You can take lovely walks here and enjoy beautiful gardens. With children, there is also plenty to do. There is a very nice lookout hut, a maze with rafts, you can walk on a grid here and there on the water and there is a dark tunnel! Distance to Leeuwarden (city centre): 9 km
3. Swim, skate and climb
Swimming is always fun with children and also a nice bad-weather option. You can enjoy swimming in Leeuwarden with children at recreation pool de Blauwe Golf. There is a wave pool, two slides, an outdoor pool and also a toddler area. Swimming pool it Gryn in Stiens is also a good alternative that is slightly smaller, but has the advantage that it is often a lot quieter. In summer, they also have a large outdoor pool here. Would you rather swim outside in nature? Then head to recreational lake de Groene Ster.
4. Street Art Spotten
Leeuwarden really is a Valhalla if you like Street Art. In recent years, a lot of new murals by (inter)national artists have been added. This is a fun way to explore Leeuwarden with children. On our ‘Street Art Map’ you will find 2 route maps and you can discover a lot of murals. You will also get explanations and also fun catering (to-go) tips. More info and sales addresses on this webpage
5. Aqua Zoo
Visit Aqua Zoo on the outskirts of Leeuwarden. Upon entering, you are immediately greeted by flamingos here and then walk among the penguins! But there is much more to see. They have 2 large polar bears here and also 2 tigers! There are seals swimming in a small lake and you walk among kangaroos, wallabies and monkeys. In between, there are plenty of places to have a nice picnic and there are also several playgrounds. In short, plenty of fun things for the kids to do. Visit the Website…
6. Natuurmuseum Fryslân
Natuurmuseum Fryslân is all about Frisian nature and this museum is very much geared towards children. They can do experiments and touch and feel many things here. Another hit is the underwater safari (from 4 years). When you come out of the ‘water’ you will find more stuffed animals and also a skeleton of a sperm whale. Visit the website
7. Playground Vosseparkwijk
This is perhaps the most beautiful playground in all of Friesland! Every day, the gate is open from 8:00-20:00. Your kids can enjoy climbing and scrambling in houses here, sliding down the slide or down the cable car. It’s all here. For toddlers, there is a special toddler corner, where they can play shielded from the rest. There are also several picnic tables. And the best part is that this is all completely free! Location: Achlumerstraat 1a, Leeuwarden Open: Every day from 8:00 to 20:00, visit the website…
8. Eating and drinking with children
Looking for a place for coffee, lunch or ice cream with kids in Leeuwarden? Lazy Lemon is one of Leeuwarden’s most child-friendly cafés. There is a whole corner upstairs where your kids can play while you enjoy all the goodies on the menu.
And get a nice ice cream at La Venezia. When the weather is nice, there is often a long queue at the door and of course with good reason, because they have been making the best ice cream in Leeuwarden here since 1934. Just want to grab a cup of coffee? Then Koffie en Krijtjes is also a nice option, with a play corner and 2nd-hand children’s clothes.
9. Kinderboerderij Doniastate Stiens
Leeuwarden petting zoo is within walking distance of the city centre, but it is not very big. A little further north of Leeuwarden, Doniastate Stiens petting zoo (open: march-nov) is a lot bigger and quieter. They also have a fun balance trail and a gnome trail. If you want something even bigger, Sanjes Safari is also a nice option to visit.
10. Action! Ice skating, climbing or jumping
When you think of Friesland, you naturally think of ice skating. Luckily, you can visit the Elfstedenhal here for a large part of the year (Sept to March). Once a month, a Family Fun Day is organised where the entire ice hall is available for free skating for families.
Looking for a bit more adventure for your kids? Then head to Klimcentrum Leeuwarden. In the very colourful Clip ‘n Climb hall, you are welcome from the age of 5.
Do the kids need even more thrills? Then check out the bounce valley…
11. Pannekoektrein
The Dutch are very creative when it comes to pancakes. And not just when it comes to pancake toppings, but also the place where the pancakes are eaten. In Leeuwarden, for example, there is the pancake ship. 20 kilometres further on, in Marrum, we have the pancake train. The disused railway station has been lovingly restored. At the entrance, you are greeted by the station manager Trijntje (Trijntje means ‘little train’). You can then enjoy your pancakes in an old steam train.
Address: Stasjonswei 21, Marrum, opening hours: Fridays from 17:00, Sat, and Sun from 12:00, distance from Leeuwarden centre: 18 km
Done checking all our Leeuwarden with children recommendations? Don’t stop exploring, because we’ve got more tips about Leeuwarden and check the various walking tours we offer to discover the city with one of our guides!