Efteling is a fairy-tale theme park open all year, with on-site stays a short walk from the gates and one of Western Europe's largest drifting-sand landscapes right next door. Give the park one or two days, then balance them with a dune walk, a safari day at Beekse Bergen and a museum or boat trip in 's-Hertogenbosch or Tilburg.
Parent tip: Efteling's daily opening times vary through the year and are shown only in the official date calendar; check it for each day before planning evenings.
A fairy-tale theme park whose Fairytale Forest suits toddlers, with family dark rides and big coasters for older children and teens. Many families spread it over two days.
A huge drifting-sand landscape on Efteling's doorstep, where children can take their shoes off in the 'desert' sand. The Natuurmonumenten Roestelberg route from Kaatsheuvel is 5.5 km through sand, heath and forest.
A safari park explored four ways, all included in the ticket: in your own car, on foot (with adventure trails and play equipment), by ranger-guided bus and, in season, by boat.
An indoor and outdoor play park beside Beekse Bergen, with climbing and slides indoors and, in summer, play equipment, a lake beach and splash areas outside. Ideal for under-10s on a wet day.
The provincial art and history museum in 's-Hertogenbosch, with changing exhibitions and a sculpture garden. Best for school-age children and teens with an interest in art.
A huge Gothic cathedral whose flying buttresses carry dozens of small carved figures; spotting them is a good game for children. Combine with the Markt and a Bossche bol.
A quiet whisper-boat trip through the medieval canals that run under 's-Hertogenbosch's streets and houses. Short, unusual and memorable for all ages.
Reproductions of Hieronymus Bosch's paintings in a former church, whose strange creatures fascinate many school-age children. There is also a tower with views.
A hands-on natural history museum in Tilburg with a zone where children act as nature researchers and many interactive exhibits. An easy rainy-day choice.
A working textile museum in a former Tilburg mill, where you can watch looms and the TextielLab in action. Suits older children and teens who like making things.