Velsen with kids is a surprising combination of different activities such as beach fun, nature, history and adventure. This North Holland municipality (with places like IJmuiden, Santpoort and Driehuis) is located by the sea as well as the North Sea Canal and there is plenty to do for families with kids. Whether you enjoy active outdoor play, museums or relaxing at the beach, there is plenty to do for the whole family in Velsen. In this blog we share the best children’s activities in Velsen and give tips regarding family-friendly restaurants in Velsen.
Velsen with kids
#1 Swimming pool the Heerenduinen
You can go to a nice swimming pool in Velsen. Swimming pool the Heerenduinen is located just outside the city of IJmuiden and you can go free swimming here with kids. This indoor pool includes an interactive 66-meter-long slide. You can choose here what light effects you all want to see while sliding down this slide.
In addition, the pool has a wildwater creek that is fun for kids. In addition to the pools where you can play with kids, the pool also has a whirlpool where parents can relax. It is even possible to do a VR experience with kids here in the pool. In fact, you can rent VR glasses at the front desk for 12 minutes and then it will seem like you are swimming among sharks or a sunken ship.
You pay a few euros entrance fee per person for this pool, and you can free swim here Monday through Friday and Sundays. This is also a great activity if the weather in Velsen is a little cooler and you still want to do something with the kids. For more information on prices, opening hours and the different pools, take a look at Swimming Pool de Heerenduinen’s website.
#2 Beach of IJmuiden
As we mentioned in the introduction of this blog, Velsen is located on the coast and therefore you can easily spend a day at the beach in Velsen with the family. A good option, for example, is the beach at IJmuiden. IJmuiden’s beach is wide, clean and wonderfully quiet compared to other seaside resorts. So there is always a spot available on the beach during the hot summer months.
Along the beach are several beach clubs where you and kids can go for a snack or drink. Beach restaurant Makai is then a good option to grab a bite and a drink with kids. You can go here for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there are also plenty of tasty options for kids on the menu.
In summer, it is ideal for swimming or supping at IJmuiden beach. However, you should keep in mind (like everywhere else on the Dutch coast) that the sea water does get quite chilly. The nearby pier of IJmuiden also offers beautiful views AND seals if you are lucky.
#3 Sea and Harbor Museum
You can also visit a museum in Velsen with kids. Located in the city of IJmuiden, this museum is also fun to visit with kids. The IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum highlights the history and development of IJmuiden and the North Sea Canal, as well as fishing, maritime activities such as towing, rescue and pilotage, and industry in and around IJmuiden.
There are no less than 4 different scavenger hunts that kids can do at the museum. We always find this a fun way to explore a museum with our daughter. Then it doesn’t really matter what the museum is about, as kids will be fully entertained during this quest through the museum anyway. If they solve the scavenger hunt at the museum, they will receive a sailor’s diploma.
Furthermore, at this museum in IJmuiden, kids can learn to tie knots, put their heads in a diving suit and play captain in the cutter’s wheelhouse in the Outdoor Museum. The museum is run by volunteers, who can tell enthusiastic stories about the items in the museum.
Please note that the museum is not open every day. For more information on opening hours, admission prices and the various exhibits, take a look at the Sea and Harbor Museum‘s website.
#4 Playground Zeewijk
If you want to go somewhere fun outdoor playground in Velsen with kids then Speeltuin Zeewijk is a nice option. Playground Zeewijk is a spacious and well-maintained playground in the middle of IJmuiden with all kinds of natural playground equipment. Here kids can climb, slide, spin, swing and build in the sandbox. There is even a cable car and a traffic circuit for little bikers.
For parents there are benches in the shade and on summer days there is a small kiosk for something to drink or an ice cream. An ideal place to relax outside for an hour while the kids have fun on the playground. You pay a small entrance fee for the playground here.
Another playground you can visit in Velsen with kids is playground Santpoort. Again, you pay a small entrance fee (1 euro) for the playground, and this playground is open every afternoon for families with kids. It is also possible to buy a drink, candy or ice cream at this playground.
The last playground you can visit in Velsen with kids is playground De Veilige Haven. Here too you pay a small entrance fee and here too you have all kinds of playground equipment where the kids can play.
#5 Petting Zoo Velserbeek
You can also take the family to a petting zoo in the Velsen area. Petting Farm Velserbeek is located in Velsen-Zuid in Park Velserbeek and this park is about 34 acres in size. You have in this park a petting zoo, a deer park, an aviary, 2 sheep pastures, a wading pool (open only in summer) and a playground for the kids. In short, plenty to do to visit the park with kids.
Admission to the petting zoo is free and kids can check out a variety of farm animals here. A great activity to do in Velsen with young kids for an hour (or 2).
Other children’s activities Velsen
In addition to the kids activities in Velsen described above, here are a few more activities you can do with kids in Velsen. We briefly list the other children’s activities in Velsen below.
A visit to Fort Island IJmuiden is an exciting outing for the whole family. This imposing fortress, part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, is located on an island and can only be reached by a special boat crossing. You can wander through corridors, bunkers and towers here. During open days or tours for families, stories are told about soldiers, secret tunnels and hidden rooms.
Another museum where you can see bunkers is the Bunkers Museum in IJmuiden. The museum consists of 6 mostly underground bunkers. Different exhibits are also on display in the various bunkers. Of course, these are really museums that the kids must love of course, otherwise you can skip these museums just fine.
You can also visit an old ruin in the Velsen area. You can also visit the Ruins of Brederode inside, and inside you will find more information about the castle’s history. Kids can put on dress-up clothes at the ruins and explore the castle that way.
Family-friendly hotel Velsen
You can stay overnight with kids in several places in Velsen. We list below some family-friendly accommodations you can book as a family in different price ranges. These are all tremendously well-reviewed family-friendly accommodations.
Budget accommodation: Fletcher Hotel – Resort Spaarnwoude
Middle class accommodation: Eco Hotel Plantation Rococo
Luxury accommodation: Balistyle guesthouse incl Hot tub
Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Velsen.
Tips Velsen with kids
Family-friendly restaurant Velsen
You can eat in Velsen with kids just fine. We list below some family-friendly restaurants in Velsen where you can go with the family.
Strandpaviljoen Noordzee: right on the beach of IJmuiden is Strandpaviljoen Noordzee, a cozy place where you can sit very relaxed with kids. There is a children’s menu with fries, sandwiches or sandwiches, and plenty of room to play outside in the sand. Inside, it is cozy and warm, even on chillier days. You walk right from your table to the sea, making it perfect for a beach day with a lunch or dinner break.
Brasserie Beeckestijn: at the Beeckestijn buitenplaats sits Brasserie Beeckestijn, where you can go for coffee with something tasty, lunch or a light meal. There is a small terrace overlooking the garden and a family-friendly atmosphere. There is a menu especially for kids with more than 10 different options such as a sandwich, a fries or a soup. So plenty of choice for the kids!
Onder de Platanen: this pancake restaurant is located in Velsen Zuid and you can eat pizzas, salads, soups and burgers in addition to different types of pancakes here in Velsen with kids.
Best travel time Velsen with kids
The best travel time for Velsen with kids is from May through September. Then you can fully enjoy the region’s outdoor activities, beach, hiking trails and events.
In spring, Beeckestijn blossoms and there are open days at Forts and SHIP. Summer (June-August) is perfect for beach days, boat rides and outdoor play. In autumn, a walk in the dunes or park is wonderful, with autumn colors and often still mild temperatures. In winter, indoor activities are a bit more limited, but a brisk walk on the beach with hot chocolate afterwards is also well worth it.
Of course, keep in mind that it can also rain in the summer months in the Netherlands, so always check the weather forecast beforehand if you want to do something with the family.
