The Hague with Kids at a Glance
| 📍 Location | The Hague, South Holland |
| ⏱️ Recommended visit | 1–2 days |
| 👨👩👧👦 Best for | Families with children of all ages |
| 🚆 Easy by train? | Yes, direct trains from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht |
| 🚗 Parking | Several public car parks in the city centre and near the beach |
| 🏖️ Don’t miss | Madurodam, Scheveningen, the Binnenhof and the Pier |
| 🌷 Best time to visit | April to September |
| ⭐ Family Travel Netherlands says | A perfect mix of history, beaches and family attractions. |
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Why visit The Hague with kids?
The Hague often surprises first-time visitors. Many people know it as the political capital of the Netherlands, but there’s much more to discover than government buildings. Within a single day, you can walk through centuries of Dutch history, visit one of the country’s best family attractions and end the afternoon on the beach.
We think that’s exactly what makes The Hague such a great destination for families. The city offers plenty of variety without feeling overwhelming. Because many of the highlights are close together, it’s easy to explore at a relaxed pace. Meanwhile, the excellent tram network makes travelling between the city centre and the coast quick and simple.
If you’re spending several days in the Netherlands, The Hague also combines perfectly with Rotterdam, Delft or Kinderdijk (windmills). Therefore, whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay, it’s a destination that’s easy to include in almost any itinerary.
Visit the Binnenhof with kids
The Binnenhof is one of the most famous landmarks in the Netherlands and the perfect place to begin exploring The Hague.
For centuries, this historic complex has been the centre of Dutch politics. Although younger children may not be interested in government, the impressive buildings and courtyards still make this an enjoyable place to walk around. Older children often find it interesting to learn where the Dutch Prime Minister works and where important decisions are made.
Even while renovation work continues, the Binnenhof remains one of the city’s most iconic sights. Because it’s located in the heart of The Hague, you’ll also be within walking distance of several other attractions.
Visit the Gevangenpoort with kids
Only a short walk from the Binnenhof stands the Gevangenpoort, a former medieval prison that tells a fascinating part of Dutch history.
We were pleasantly surprised by this museum. Instead of endless displays behind glass, the stories focus on real prisoners, famous court cases and medieval punishments. As a result, the visit feels much more engaging than you might expect.
We probably wouldn’t recommend the Gevangenpoort for toddlers. However, families with older children who enjoy history, castles or knights will likely find it a memorable experience. Because the museum is fairly compact, it’s easy to combine with a walk through the historic centre.
Visit Madurodam with kids
If we had to recommend just one attraction in The Hague for families, Madurodam would probably be our first choice.
This miniature park allows children to discover the Netherlands in a completely different way. You’ll find tiny versions of famous landmarks, airports, canals and windmills, many of which include interactive elements. Instead of simply looking at the models, children can often press buttons, move objects or complete small activities along the way.
What we like most is that Madurodam appeals to almost every age group. Younger children love watching the trains and boats, while older children often enjoy recognising places they have already visited during their holiday.
Because Madurodam is one of the most popular attractions in the city, we recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially during school holidays.
Should you visit Scheveningen with kids?
Most visitors automatically head to Scheveningen when they’re in The Hague, and we completely understand why. The wide sandy beach, lively boulevard and famous Pier make it one of the best-known seaside resorts in the Netherlands.
During the day, Scheveningen is a great place to visit with children. There are plenty of beach clubs, ice cream parlours and places to relax while the kids play in the sand. If the weather is good, it’s easy to spend several hours here.
That said, our opinion has changed a little over the years. On busy summer evenings, the boulevard can become extremely crowded. Although most visitors will have a perfectly enjoyable experience, we personally prefer a quieter atmosphere when travelling with children.
If your main goal is a relaxing beach day, we’d actually recommend heading to Kijkduin or Meijendel instead. Both offer beautiful sandy beaches and a calmer atmosphere, while still being easy to reach from The Hague.
If, however, you want to combine the beach with attractions, restaurants and entertainment, Scheveningen is still the better choice.
Walk along De Pier
No visit to Scheveningen feels complete without a walk along De Pier.
Originally built in the 1960s, the pier has become one of the area’s most recognisable landmarks. Today you’ll find restaurants, food stalls, panoramic views over the North Sea and, if you’re feeling adventurous, Europe’s first Pier SkyView Ferris wheel.
Children usually enjoy watching the surfers and fishing boats from the end of the pier. Meanwhile, parents can simply sit down with a coffee and enjoy the sea views.
Even if you don’t plan to spend much money, we still recommend taking a walk here. The atmosphere is part of what makes Scheveningen such a popular destination.
Visit SEA LIFE Scheveningen with kids
If the weather isn’t ideal, SEA LIFE is one of the best indoor attractions in The Hague with kids.
The aquarium is home to sharks, rays, sea turtles, jellyfish and hundreds of colourful fish. One of our favourite parts is the underwater tunnel, where children can watch marine animals swimming overhead.
Although SEA LIFE isn’t the largest aquarium we’ve visited, it’s well organised and easy to explore in a couple of hours. Therefore, it works especially well as part of a day in Scheveningen rather than as a standalone attraction.
Families with younger children will probably get the most out of the visit. Teenagers may move through it more quickly, but they usually still enjoy the tunnel and the shark displays.
Relax in the Palace Garden
After a busy morning of sightseeing, the Palace Garden is one of our favourite places to slow down for a while.
Located behind Noordeinde Palace, this peaceful park offers plenty of green space where children can stretch their legs while parents enjoy a short break. Although it isn’t a destination you’ll travel across the city for, it’s a lovely stop if you’re already exploring the historic centre.
During spring and summer, locals often bring a picnic or simply relax on the grass. We like that it feels much quieter than many of the city’s main attractions, making it a nice change of pace before continuing your day.
Walk past Noordeinde Palace
Just a short walk from the Palace Garden stands Noordeinde Palace, one of the working palaces of the Dutch royal family.
Although the palace isn’t open to visitors, we still think it’s worth passing by. The elegant building, the surrounding streets and the small boutiques nearby give this part of The Hague a completely different atmosphere from the political centre around the Binnenhof.
If you’re lucky, you may even spot preparations for an official event, although the palace is usually quiet. It’s not a major attraction for children, but it fits naturally into a walking route through the city centre.
Spend the afternoon at the beach
One of the biggest advantages of visiting The Hague with kids is that you don’t have to choose between a city break and a beach holiday. Within about fifteen minutes by tram, you can swap historic streets for a wide sandy beach.
Most families head to Scheveningen, and it’s easy to see why. The beach is huge, there are plenty of places to eat and children have lots of space to play. If it’s your first visit to The Hague, we definitely think it’s worth experiencing.
However, if you’re mainly looking for a relaxing beach day, we’d personally head somewhere a little quieter. Beaches such as Kijkduin or Meijendel have a calmer atmosphere, especially during the busiest weeks of summer. They may not have the same famous boulevard, but that’s exactly why we enjoy them.
Our advice is simple. Visit Scheveningen for the Pier, SEA LIFE and the lively atmosphere. Then choose one of the quieter beaches if your family wants to spend an entire day by the sea.
Planning to explore more of the Dutch coast? Renting a car makes it easy to visit The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft and the quieter beaches around South Holland at your own pace. For car rental options, we recommend using DiscoverCars.
Where to eat in The Hague with kids
The Hague has no shortage of family-friendly restaurants. Whether you’re looking for pancakes, burgers, Indonesian food or fresh seafood, you’ll find plenty of choice throughout the city.
If you’re visiting the historic centre, there are several cafés around the Binnenhof and Plein where families can enjoy lunch on an outdoor terrace. Meanwhile, Scheveningen offers countless beach clubs where you can eat with your feet almost in the sand.
For us, one of the nicest parts of visiting The Hague is ending the day at the beach with dinner while watching the sun slowly disappear into the North Sea. It’s a completely different experience from Amsterdam or Rotterdam and one that children often remember surprisingly well.
Where to stay in The Hague with kids
Although many people visit The Hague as a day trip, we think the city deserves at least one night. Staying longer allows you to explore the historic centre at a relaxed pace and still have plenty of time for the beach.
Families can choose between hotels in the city centre or accommodation closer to Scheveningen. If your main focus is sightseeing, staying in the centre is the most convenient option. However, if your children are looking forward to the beach, staying near the coast can make your visit feel more like a holiday.
Is The Hague with kids worth visiting?
We think so, especially if you’re looking for more than just another city break.
What we enjoy most about The Hague is that no two parts of the city feel the same. You can start your morning around the historic Binnenhof, have lunch on a terrace in the city centre and finish the day watching your children build sandcastles on the beach. There aren’t many places in the Netherlands where you can do all of that without travelling very far.
We also like that you don’t have to rush. The Hague has plenty to see, but it never feels as busy as Amsterdam. Because of that, it’s a city where families can slow down and simply enjoy the day instead of constantly moving from one attraction to the next.
If we had one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t spend your entire day in Scheveningen. Visit the Pier, enjoy the beach for a while and then head back into the city. The real charm of The Hague comes from experiencing both the historic centre and the coastline together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about The Hague with kids
Yes. We think The Hague is one of the best family destinations in the Netherlands thanks to its mix of history, beaches and attractions like Madurodam and SEA LIFE.
One full day is enough to see the highlights, but staying for two days gives you time to enjoy both the city and the beach.
Both are excellent. We recommend Rotterdam for modern architecture and attractions, while The Hague offers a more relaxed atmosphere with easy access to the beach.
Scheveningen is the most famous and is ideal if you want restaurants, the Pier and attractions. However, for a quieter beach day, we personally prefer Kijkduin or Meijendel.
Yes. The city has excellent public transport, and most attractions are easy to reach by tram or train.
We recommend combining The Hague with Rotterdam, Delft or Kinderdijk. If you’re planning a longer trip, don’t miss our guides to Rotterdam with kids and Kinderdijk with kids.