Bebopping…
Theatre · Ages 3+
Contemporary cultural venue hosting theatre, dance, film and performance art year-round. Building designed by renowned comic artist Joost Swarte features distinctive slanted glass facade. Regular children's programming includes youth performances, family films and workshops; free Schuurlab activities available during school breaks.
Natural History Museum · Ages 6+
The oldest museum in the Netherlands (founded 1778), preserved in its original 18th-century Enlightenment state. Houses an eclectic mix of fossils, minerals, scientific instruments, books, and masterpieces by Rembrandt and Michelangelo across ornate galleries and the iconic Oval Room. Kids explore via treasure hunts and interactive activities, with helpful stools available for younger visitors to reach exhibits.
History Museum · Ages 6+
A 700-year-old former church housing North Holland's provincial archives with documents, maps, photos and objects telling the region's history. The centre features interactive exhibitions and hands-on workshops including cyanotype printing, paper marbling, and bookbinding on historic presses. Family-friendly treasure hunts and guided explorations led by Archie the mascot introduce children to the building's medieval heritage.
Kids Cafe · All Ages
Community hub and social space welcoming all ages, especially families. Features a cafe serving coffee and lunches, play area for children, and hosts creative activities including language courses, art classes, and workshops. Regularly organized events bring together locals and visitors.
Kids Cafe · Ages 1–12
A quirky fusion of toy store and café where children play with Duplo, Lego, and a 5-meter Thomas the Train table while parents enjoy homemade toasties, quesadillas, and coffee. Eclectic handcrafted toys and collectibles fill the expansive space, offering treasures not found in conventional shops. Fresh, organic, gluten-free menu options cater to families.
Cafe · All Ages
Seasonal brunch and all-day breakfast spot with homemade sweets and fresh ingredients. Family-friendly with creative kids menu, play corner, and relaxed seating without outdoor seating in an enclosed courtyard. Located on the charming Zijlstraat shopping street.
Cafe · All Ages
Funky brunch spot along the Spaarne canal with a cozy interior and sunny waterfront terrace. Serves breakfast, lunch, and all-day brunch items including French toast, pancakes, sandwiches, and cocktails. Kid-friendly atmosphere with play corner, friendly staff and varied menu options.
Cafe · All Ages
Spacious inclusive cafe with fresh food, famous brownies, and cheerful atmosphere. Bright interior features large windows, comfortable seating, and a dedicated play area for children. Known for employing staff with Down syndrome in a supportive work environment.
Cafe · All Ages
Cozy café within a boutique hostel in central Haarlem's historic Spaarnwouderstraat, housed in a 19th-century building with exposed original beams. Serves barista coffee, homemade apple pie, breakfast, lunch and snacks in a laid-back setting with two patios (one open and one covered), toy chests, and board games. Hosts community events including Irish music sessions and workshops.
Playground · Ages 1–12
A scenic playground on the Spaarne riverbank with multiple slides, trampoline, large sandpit and wooden play structures including a pirate ship. Regular organised activities including a toddler morning and craft sessions.
Cafe · Ages 3–12
Trendy brunch bar in central Haarlem with Asian-fusion dishes like Taiwanese fried chicken and bao buns. Features a dedicated play area making it ideal for families seeking quality food and relaxed vibes. Praised for inventive menu combining eggs Benedict with creative Asian twists.
Library · All Ages
Modern library with an extensive children's collection and dedicated programs including babybieb and peuterbieb storytelling sessions with songs and games. Onsite café (Coffee-Star) with fair trade coffee, lunch and snacks. Bright, welcoming spaces with a spectacular upstairs study room and large glass windows overlooking gardens.
Kids Cafe · All Ages
A dedicated kids café with separate menu items all under €5 serving breakfast and lunch. Indoor and outdoor play spaces with multiple play corners, sensory activities, and a muddy kitchen sandbox with metal cookware. Warm home-like interior with yellow and pink tones, designed by founder Bibi who brings expertise in hospitality, marketing, and pedagogy.
Art Museum · Ages 3+
Home to the world's largest collection of Frans Hals paintings in a beautifully restored 17th-century almshouse. Interactive activities include scavenger hunts, dress-up with period clothing, exploring a vintage dollhouse, and hands-on creative sessions inspired by old masters. Garden cafe provides a peaceful retreat between gallery visits.
Cafe · All Ages
A cosy cafe in central Haarlem with a dedicated kids corner equipped with toys. Serves excellent homemade cakes, pastries, coffee and all-day breakfast. Offers kids-specific high tea and casual drop-in visits ideal for families doing weekend coffee and shopping breaks.
Restaurant · Ages 1+
Urban beach with sand on the banks of the Spaarne river where children build sand castles while parents relax on colourful chairs. Transformed barn-restaurant serves thin-crust pizzas, snacks and craft beers; covered gazebo and fire pits provide comfort in cooler weather. Seasonal destination best in sunny months from April onwards.
Playground · Ages 1–8
Small play area with enclosed football/basketball court and a series of sculptural fish-themed play equipment for young children. Located within historic Bolwerken park, which was built on Haarlem's former 16th-century fortifications and later transformed into an English landscape garden in the 19th century. Park features picturesque pathways, waterways, and plenty of grass for picnics.
Cafe · All Ages
Cozy cafe inside Het Badhuis community center serving fresh coffee, tea, homemade baked goods, and simple lunch items like toasties. Family-friendly atmosphere with children's play corner and high chair available.
Skatepark · Ages 5+
A purpose-built indoor skatepark offering public skating sessions, skateboard lessons for all levels, and a lively cafe with events. Born from a youth petition and built by passionate volunteers, the facility features custom wooden ramps and obstacles designed by experienced skaters. The cafe hosts live music, markets, and themed evenings creating a vibrant community hub.
Playground · Ages 0–11
Community-run outdoor playground in Haarlem Oost serving children ages 4-11 years unattended, with younger children welcome under supervision. Hosts structured activities including playgroups for babies and toddlers (0-2.5 years), parent-child gym classes, and dance classes including streetdance and hip-hop. Volunteer-led with emphasis on free, unstructured outdoor play.
Gymnastics Classes · Ages 0–12
A bright, clean children's gym offering gymnastics-based development classes using Three-Dimensional Learning philosophy that nurtures physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. Small class groups tailored by age and ability, led by trained instructors, with parent/child classes starting at 4 months and progressing through age 12. Holiday camps, birthday parties, and regular classes create a safe, structured learning environment where children build skills and confidence.
Playground · Ages 2–12
Multi-generational playground with dedicated areas for young children featuring unique climbing tower designed for ages up to 6. Older kids enjoy basketball, skateboard ramps, and a cable car. Water play area with pump and channel, climbing walls with Haarlem-themed designs. Supervisor present Wednesday and Friday afternoons when snacks and drinks are available.
Cafe · All Ages
A charming teahouse nestled within the Haarlemmerhout, the oldest urban forest in the Netherlands, offering high tea, pancakes, and light meals on a lush terrace overlooking the historic park. The location adjacent to the Hertenkamp deer park and a petting zoo creates a verdant, family-friendly escape from the city center. Regular Sunday live music performances and seasonal events add to its appeal as a gathering spot.
Swimming Pool · All Ages
Historic 1927 outdoor pool with three separate pools for different ages and skill levels, including a 50m main pool, instruction pool and shallow play area. Classical kubist architecture housing this heritage monument, with a sunny lawn and snack bar. Open seasonally (May-September), heated water and clear conditions make it one of Haarlem's finest swimming destinations.
Indoor Playground · Ages 1–12
Sprawling 2,200 m² colorful indoor playground packed with trampolines, air cushions, slides, and climbing structures. Features dedicated quiet toddler zones during special morning sessions for younger children. Parents can relax in the café area while supervising.
Playground · Ages 0–12
Supervised neighborhood playground in Haarlem-Noord with traditional play equipment including swings, seesaws, climbing frames and slides. Features a large sandbox with borrowable toys, seasonal water play area in summer, and a shop offering refreshments and ice cream. Historic playground established in 1949 with adjacent clubhouse available for birthday parties.
Children's Farm · Ages 2–12
Free urban petting farm with llamas, alpacas, donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits and guinea pigs in a centuries-old park. Children pet and feed diverse animals while learning about nature and agriculture. Playground onsite; nearby family-friendly café Theehuis de Haarlemmerhout serves pancakes and sandwiches within walking distance.
Library · All Ages
A charming public library in Haarlem's east with an extensive children's collection and modern facilities. Hosts regular workshops for kids including Peuterbieb (toddler storytelling with music and movement), Baby Bieb (storytime for infants), and LEGO building workshops. Accessible via public transport in a redesigned building that combines historic character with contemporary spaces.
Swimming Pool · All Ages
Indoor and outdoor facility with two pools: a 25-meter lap pool and a recreation pool heated to 27°C. Features waterfall, long covered slide, two hot whirlpools, current channel, bubble pools, and water jets. Offers both casual swimming and structured lessons from age 4.
Nature Playground · All Ages
An ecological city park blending nature, water, education and recreation on the historic grounds of a former nursery. Features multiple play areas including a nature playground called Paddenpoel with water features, a gnome trail, castle ruins dating to 1250, tropical greenhouses, and gardens. On-site café serves snacks and meals; BIO market held Saturdays with local organic vendors.
Cafe · All Ages
Organic cafe within a former urban nursery garden, housed in a greenhouse with a focus on sustainability and circular economy. Features seasonal vegetarian menus, on-site plants, and a small play space for toddlers. Part of the Haarlemmer Kweektuin park which includes a petting zoo with parrots and turtles, nature playground with climbing areas near water, and various garden installations.
Cafe · All Ages
New Zealand-inspired vegan café in north Haarlem with specialty coffee and fresh seasonal plant-based dishe. Warm neighbourhood gathering spot featuring a play kitchen, toys, books, and drawing supplies, plus cosy couch seating and macrame swings.
Playground · Ages 4–12
Spacious green playground in a historic polder setting with unique play equipment including a wooden Fokker aeroplane replica. Vintage charm meets modern play with plenty of grass, sand pits and toy vehicles. Small shop selling ice cream, drinks and snacks during afternoon hours.
Bowling · Ages 3+
Bowling alley with 16 professional lanes featuring adjustable bumpers and ramps for young bowlers. Prison Island escape-game attraction with 28 themed rooms where teams solve puzzles and complete physical challenges. Two on-site restaurants, dance floor, and special children's disco times throughout the week.
Botanical Garden · Ages 2+
Open-air flower meadow where families self-pick seasonal bouquets of 20-25 stems. Blooms naturally grown without pesticides or artificial fertilisers, alongside wild insects and butterflies. Accessible every day from sunrise to sunset during June–October season.
Pancake House · All Ages
Family-friendly pancake restaurant set in the renovated Reinaldapark with extensive play facilities. Children enjoy indoor and outdoor playgrounds with climbing equipment, trampolines, ball pits, bumper cars and a minigolf course. Adults relax on the terrace while kids play, with options for diverse menu offerings beyond pancakes.
Cafe · All Ages
Specialty coffee cafe with a cozy living-room feel, serving quality Italian coffee from Trieste. Features a play corner and book collection for children, welcoming parents with kids. Simple menu of sandwiches, salads, smoothie bowls, and American pancakes.
Playground · Ages 0–12
Completely renovated outdoor playground with equipment for ages 0-12, including baby swings, cable cars, climbing courses, swings, slides and water play area. Purposefully designed for accessibility with hardened surfaces, wheelchair-accessible play stations and dedicated toddler zone. Small on-site shop sells snacks and drinks when supervisor is present.
Fun Center · Ages 2–12
A 5000m2 outdoor adventure playground in the Waarderpolder combining free play with urban discovery activities. Children build huts, crack escape room codes, dress in a costume corner, play a round of mini golf, and tackle laser games. Designed for natural play and talent discovery through creative, hands-on exploration.
Playground · Ages 1–12
A renovated neighbourhood playground with equipment for all ages, featuring climbing structures, swings, a sandbox with water play on warm days, and a football court. Community-run with supervised play three afternoons a week. Hosts regular events like Neighbour's Day with games, face painting, and activities.
Theatre · Ages 2+
A small cultural theatre and performance space for young and old offering music, theatre, and films. Toddler and preschool performances alternate with children's films and youth theatre, with post-show conversations over refreshments. Wheelchair accessible with disabled toilet facilities.
Playground · Ages 2–12
Spacious outdoor playground with Haarlem's largest slide plus a cable car, swings, sandpit, and climbing structures. Small children's farm with goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens and horses. Covered heated terrace with café serving drinks and snacks; in summer a paddling pool.
Art Classes · Ages 3+
A creative recycling shop housed in a converted school building where children can buy or browse sustainably sourced craft materials that would otherwise be discarded. Shop by basket or cart at fixed prices, or curate your own selections from shelves stacked with leather scraps, fabrics, buttons, wood, plastic caps, beads, and repurposed items. Also hosts themed birthday parties and art workshops like 'Messy Mall Making' and 'Rummaging Robots.'
Swimming Pool · All Ages
Indoor swimming center with two 25-meter competition pools, one featuring a diving board. Offers swimming lessons from age 4, free recreational swimming during school holidays, and themed water activities like obstacle courses. Wheelchair-accessible with family-friendly amenities including on-site dining.
Library · All Ages
Public library with dedicated children's programming including baby hour (babybieb) and toddler sessions (peuterbieb) with storytelling, singing and dancing. Offers computers, printers, study spaces and a coffee/tea machine.
Library · All Ages
A modern public library with extensive collections including children's books, offering story time activities like Peuterbieb for toddlers with singing and play. Features a cosy reading cafe with WiFi, computers, and coffee service where families can relax together.
Zoo · Ages 2–12
Netherlands' smallest official zoo run entirely by enthusiastic volunteers in Haarlem-Noord. Four indoor cabins house reptiles, mammals, taxidermy dioramas with eight biotopes plus skulls and shells; outdoor enclosures for larger animals including porcupines, foxes, skunks and emus. Educational environment with knowledgeable staff keen to share animal facts.
We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic. By clicking "Accept", you consent to our use of cookies. Check out our privacy policy for more details.
Sign in to save specific locations to your account.
