Planning a family holiday can feel like a logistical puzzle, but The Hague has a way of making it all click into place. The city is compact, easy to navigate, and genuinely set up for families. From miniature cities and optical illusions to wide sandy beaches and botanical gardens, the things to do in The Hague with kids span every age, interest, and energy level. Whether your children are three or thirteen, this guide will help you build a trip that everyone will talk about long after you get home.
Madurodam: A Miniature Netherlands in One Place
If you could only do one thing with kids in The Hague, Madurodam would be a strong contender. This extraordinary miniature park recreates the Netherlands' most iconic landmarks at 1:25 scale, from windmills and canals to Schiphol Airport and the Rijksmuseum. Children can operate tiny locks, land model planes, and walk among scenes they might have only seen in picture books. It is interactive, educational, and genuinely fun for adults too. Best for ages 3 and up, though older children and teens tend to love the hands-on elements just as much as younger ones. Stroller access is excellent throughout the park.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Scheveningen
For families with younger children, the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Scheveningen is an indoor wonderland of building, rides, and imagination. There are themed LEGO build zones, a 4D cinema, a soft play area, and a MINILAND section featuring Dutch cities built entirely from LEGO bricks. It is ideal for ages 3 to 10 and is a brilliant option on a rainy day or when younger children need a contained, stimulating environment. The venue is fully stroller-friendly and has a good on-site café for snacks and lunch.
Scheveningen Beach
Just a short tram ride from the city centre, Scheveningen is one of the most family-friendly beaches in the Netherlands. The wide stretch of sand is perfect for building castles, running into the waves, or simply letting children burn off energy while parents breathe in the sea air. The pier area has amusements, ice cream stands, and plenty of casual restaurants serving fish and chips, pancakes, and other crowd-pleasers. For a memorable view, the Pier SkyView offers a panoramic lookout over the coastline that older children and teenagers will find genuinely impressive. The beach is pushchair-friendly along the promenade, and there are changing facilities nearby.
Escher in the Palace
M.C. Escher's mind-bending artwork is surprisingly captivating for children, and Escher in the Palace is one of those rare museums where kids and parents are equally engaged. Housed in a former royal palace, the museum showcases the Dutch artist's impossible staircases, tessellations, and optical illusions in a beautifully curated space. Children aged 7 and up tend to be particularly fascinated, asking questions and trying to figure out how each image works. TixLayer offers both a child entry ticket and a youth entry ticket, making it easy to book the right option for your family. The museum is stroller accessible on the ground floor.
Mauritshuis
If you want to introduce older children to art history in a manageable way, the Mauritshuis is the perfect starting point. The collection is small enough not to overwhelm, but includes genuine masterpieces like Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson. Children aged 10 and up tend to respond well here, especially if you frame it as a detective mission to find the famous paintings. The museum offers family audio guides and activity sheets for younger visitors. It is a calm, manageable experience without the crowds of larger national museums.
Hortus botanicus Leiden
A short train ride from the city centre, the Hortus Botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and a genuinely lovely place to spend a morning with children. The garden is filled with tropical greenhouses, carnivorous plants, and centuries-old trees that spark curiosity in children of all ages. It is a natural nap spot for toddlers in strollers and a great outdoor reset after a few days of indoor sightseeing. You can book a skip-the-line child ticket through TixLayer to avoid queues and head straight in. Best for ages 3 and up, with particular appeal for children who love nature and science.
The Hop-on Hop-off Heritage Tram Tour
One of the most stress-free ways to see the city with children is the Hop-on Hop-off Heritage Tram Tour. The vintage trams are charming in themselves, and the format means you can hop off wherever catches your eye and rejoin when you are ready. It is a great option for families with mixed ages, since everyone gets to see the city without anyone complaining about sore feet. The tram covers key neighbourhoods and landmarks, and the pace is relaxed enough to keep younger children comfortable.
The Prison Gate Museum
For families with older children and teenagers, the Prison Gate Museum offers a genuinely gripping look at Dutch history. The medieval gatehouse served as a prison for centuries, and the guided tour covers everything from noble prisoners to instruments of punishment. It sounds grim, but it is presented in a historically thoughtful way that tends to fascinate curious children aged 10 and up. It is also one of the most atmospheric buildings in the city, and teenagers who think museums are boring often find this one changes their mind.
Practical Family Tips for Visiting The Hague
Getting around: The tram network is excellent and stroller-friendly. Most trams have low-floor access and designated space for pushchairs. Cycling is also a wonderful option for families with children old enough to ride confidently.
Kid-friendly food: The city has a strong café culture with plenty of options for children. Look out for Dutch pancake restaurants (pannenkoeken), which are universally popular with kids. Scheveningen's seafront has casual spots serving fries, stroopwafels, and fresh herring if your children are feeling adventurous.
Nap spots and rest breaks: Scheveningen beach, the Hortus Botanicus Leiden, and the gardens around the Binnenhof are all ideal for a slow walk or a quiet sit-down when energy levels dip. Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle to keep things moving without detours.
Timing: Aim to visit popular indoor attractions like Madurodam and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre on weekday mornings when they are quietest. Weekends can get busy, especially during Dutch school holidays.
Booking ahead: Pre-booking tickets through TixLayer saves time at the door and helps you plan your days with confidence, which makes the whole trip feel more relaxed from the start.
The Hague rewards families who take their time and mix the big attractions with slower moments, a beach afternoon here, a garden wander there. Go at your children's pace and you will find the city gives back generously.
