Alkmaar with kids
A day in Alkmaar with kids? What are you going to do? We’ve put together the tips, because Alkmaar is the ideal city to visit with the whole family!
Fresh air
Is the weather nice and do you feel like getting some fresh air? We have four tips!
There is a special route designed for children, the Elf Door Route. In the center of Alkmaar, you can see a total of 23 special little doors.
Hortus Alkmaar has a garden with a very unique character. Many people are surprised when they discover this hidden place with such a large biodiversity.
Discover the city from the water during a canal cruise! The captain and guide will tell you all the ins and outs of Alkmaar during the cruise.
Prefer to sail a boat yourself? Rent a boat with the whole family. You can also rent a boat or canoe to explore the Eilandspolder. Tip: bring a picnic basket to enjoy a picnic on one of the three specially equipped little islands!
Active & sporty
Want to do something active and sporty? Alkmaar offers plenty of possibilities.
Go swimming at the Hoornse Vaart, climbing and scrambling at Outdoor Park, wall climbing at Indoor Beach Alkmaar, play at the indoor playground Happy Inn, or skate at Ice Rink De Meent.
Go on an adventure on a fun, challenging, and unexpected route at Indoor Beach Alkmaar. By solving assignments, you advance further each time.
Also fun: try to escape as a family from one of the rooms at Escaperoom Alkmaar or do a scavenger hunt from Alkmaar Store/VVV.
At the end of this intensive day, you can relax at one of the restaurant tips below!
Note! At some locations, reservations are required. Check in advance if this is necessary.
Cultural
Want to do something cultural with the children? Or is the weather bad and you want to stay indoors?
Go to a special film at the Filmhuis or VUE, visit the interactive Cheese Museum, be amazed at the Stedelijk Museum, be surprised by a performance at TAQA Theater De Vest, find your way through Museum and Sculpture Garden Nic Jonk, discover how families used to live in a mill at the Museummolen, or learn about the Land of Leeghwater at Museum 't Houten Huis.
At Filmhuis, you’ll find a wide range of films for young and old. At the Cheese Museum, you learn everything about cheese, and children can play games to learn even more! At Stedelijk Museum, exhibitions are interesting for different age categories. At TAQA Theater De Vest, there are often performances for children.
City farms
In Alkmaar, there are several city farms where children can play!
Kinderboerderij Rekerhout is located in Rekerhout city park. You’ll find goats, sheep, chickens, donkeys, ducks, and a pig. There is also a tea house, herb garden, and educational center. The city farm is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:30. During winter, it closes at 16:00.
At WijkBoerderij Alkmaar, children can interact with animals under the guidance of experienced staff. Here you can find sheep, cows, birds, rabbits, pigs, and a butterfly garden! WijkBoerderij Alkmaar is open Tuesday to Sunday afternoons from 13:30 to 17:00.
At Stadsboerderij De Hout, children can play in the gnome corner, visit the animals at the farm, the birds in the aviary, and the deer in the deer park. Besides deer, you’ll find sheep, goats, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, peacocks, pigs, lambs, and llamas. A budget-friendly outing, because everything is free!
At the end of this busy day, you can relax at one of the restaurant tips below.
Playgrounds
Want to play in a playground? Read on and discover them all!
Speeltuin 't Span is a safe place for every child. There are many play equipment (also for wheelchair users), a water playground, and a sandbox.
Speeltuin OKB is a nice and safe place for children to play. The playground and shop are open seven days a week from 14:00 to 17:00.
Speeltuin de Hoef is a pleasant and clear playground with various play equipment. Open seven days a week. Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 17:00. Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00.
De Jeugdhoek is located in the heart of the village Koedijk. There are swings, carousels, slides, climbing and scrambling equipment, a zip line, and a sandbox. Open from April to October from 15:00 to 17:00.
Speelpark De Batavier is a lively park where children can play, climb, and romp. You can play mini-golf with the whole family! Parents can have a drink on the sunny terrace or in the restaurant.
At some locations, reservations are required. Check in advance if this is necessary.
Entertainment & sporty fun for older kids
Want an active outing in Alkmaar? That’s definitely possible! In Alkmaar, there are plenty of fun and sporty activities. Test your jeu de boules skills, learn to race like Max Verstappen, go bowling or pool. Prefer something more exciting? That’s possible too! Check the full range.
Active tips outside Alkmaar
- At De Jongens, Surfschool Bergen aan Zee, Hookipa Beach Noord-Holland in Camperduin, and Surfschool Castricum, little water rats can take surf lessons.
- At SKEEF in Heerhugowaard, you can water ski, wakeboard, and paddleboard.
- Go into nature with the kids, for example to Buitencentrum Schoorlse Duinen to climb, scramble, or follow the gnome path.
- At Recreatiegebied Geestmerambacht, you can swim, cycle, paddle, walk, fish, and play in the playground.
- Go to the land and create your own bouquet at Pluktuin Bakkum!
More tips outside Alkmaar
- At Museum Kranenburgh in Bergen, there’s a lot to discover for kids in the paintings, the garden, and activities!
- Walk through the Tuin van Kapitein Rommel in Castricum and enjoy all the growing and blooming plants.
- De Broeker Veiling in Broek op Langedijk is the first and last vegetable auction in the world. Fun for young and old!
- At Huis van Hilde in Castricum, the past comes alive.
- Dive into the wonderful underwater world at Zee Aquarium in Bergen aan Zee!
Breakfast
Want to have breakfast with the kids in the city? Here are our tips:
At ECHT Alkmaar, all products are homemade, fresh, and without unnecessary additives. Want fresh croissants, granola, an acai bowl, oatmeal, or scrambled eggs? You can find it all at ECHT.
Brownies & DownieS has a homely atmosphere, artisanal menu, special staff, and a large play area for children! No day is the same here. Enjoy breakfast with various sandwiches or pancakes.
Anne&Max works with fresh and, where possible, organic products. You can come here for breakfast, lunch, or coffee. There is a place for children to play. You also get a discount with your AlkmaarPas!
Looking for a fun kids-friendly restaurant in Alkmaar? At Gasfabriek, there’s plenty of space, and with a trampoline, pool, and sand pile, the children can have hours of fun.
Lunch
For lunch, you’re also in the right place in Alkmaar.
At SOEPP, everything is 100% organic and vegetarian. Every day, Soepp has a new menu with soup, salad, vegetarian burger, or curry. Additionally, Soepp is a vintage store where everything is for sale! You can also stay overnight at SOEPP.
Sencha Lunchstore is a living store where you get a second living room feeling. Come shop and enjoy lunch. Experience the relaxed atmosphere! Located in the heart of Alkmaar, near the Grote Sint Laurenskerk.
Near the Grote Kerk in Alkmaar is the cozy café De Binnenkomer. There is a homely atmosphere. Choose from panini, fried eggs, soup, toastie, club sandwich, burger, or a rich salad.
Dinner
Looking for a restaurant in Alkmaar for dinner? Here are our favorite restaurants.
At Heinde, you can enjoy delicious dishes and various drinks for a fixed price. The menu offers small dishes from near and far, from Eastern to traditional Dutch cuisine.
Stadsstrand de Kade is a unique place by the water. Here you can eat, drink, relax, or have fun. During the day, it’s a nice hangout with good music. At night, the fire pit is lit for a BBQ. Also ideal for children.
For over 10 years, La Cubanita has been a well-known restaurant in Alkmaar and surroundings. Located in a historic building next to the nightlife center at Plattestenenbrug, you can enjoy delicious tapas here.
