Day out with kids

Day out with kids in South-West Drenthe

For kids - Tips for a day out

In South-West Drenthe, there is plenty to do for families with children all year round.
Whether it rains or the sun shines, there are countless opportunities to go on adventures together. For a day full of fun, visit various indoor playgrounds, where the children can let off steam for hours. Prefer to go outside? The region offers beautiful natural playgrounds with plenty of space to play, discover and romp around.

There are also museums with special offers for young visitors with interactive exhibitions and fun children's activities.
South-West Drenthe is also home to various experience trails and play forests where children can playfully explore nature. After an active day, relax at a child-friendly restaurant.

In short, Zuidwest-Drenthe is the ideal destination for a varied and fun day out with the whole family!

October: Children’s Month 2026

October is set to be extra fun! During ‘October Children’s Month’, you can take part in all sorts of brilliant activities throughout the month in South-West Drenthe. Go on a treasure hunt, make something lovely at a workshop, explore a museum, get out into nature or enjoy a show. And best of all: the activities are free for children aged 4 to 13!

There’s plenty to do in Westerveld, De Wolden, Meppel and Hoogeveen. Some activities take just one day, whilst others run throughout the month. So grab your diary and see what takes your fancy.

Take a look at the full programme and choose your favourite activity!

View the full programme
October: Children’s Month

Autumn half-term in South-West Drenthe

A week off. Perhaps have a lie-in on the first morning, then put on your wellies and head outside. Go mushroom hunting, clamber over tree trunks or discover a new play forest. And if it’s pouring with rain? Then pop into a museum, where another treasure hunt, puzzle trail or fun children’s activity is waiting for you.

With the free online Autumn Half-Term Activity Booklet, you’ll have plenty of ideas to fill the week. From exciting adventure trails and play forests to museums, pancakes and activities during October Children’s Month. Save the booklet to your phone and check what’s on today whilst you’re out and about.

Need some more inspiration? On our autumn half-term page, you’ll find everything you need for a week full of discovery, play and adventures in South-West Drenthe.

Discover all the tips for the autumn half-term
Child in a tree in autumn in South-West Drenthe

Experience trails and play forests

Tough Outdoor Games map - Play it!

Southwest Drenthe is bursting with opportunities to enjoy playing outdoors.
Come climbing and scrambling in a play forest, stimulate your senses and curiosity on an experience trail.
Plenty of choice to immerse yourself in nature.

Check out the Stoer Buitenenspelen map of South-West Drenthe and discover the best places to play outdoors!

Download the Cool Outdoor Games map here
Front cover of tough outdoor games map southwest Drenthe

Experience routes for kids

  • Children's Cycling Adventure through the Colonies of Weldadigheid

    In Frederiksoord

  • The Elfjespad, experience route in Dwingeloo
    The fairies of Torentjeshoek

    In Dwingeloo

  • Poacher Hunt in Westerbergen
    Poacher Hunt

    In Echten

     

  • Gnome trail Havelte
    Gnome trail Holtingerveld

    In Havelte

  • Family in Drenthe
    Discover the Mammoth Trail | Holtingerveld

    In Havelte

  • The Jutterspad, a play and experience trail for children
    The Jutterspad, a play and experience trail for children

    In Vledder

  • Children's cycle route the Planetenweg

    In Dwingeloo

Water fun

In South-West Drenthe, you will experience plenty of water fun! Whether you want to relax in a comfortable swimming pool, cool off in an outdoor pool or prefer to take a refreshing dip in one of the beautiful swimming lakes in the countryside, there is something for everyone. Perfect for a day out with the family or to cool off on a hot day.

View swimming locations here
swimming lake Blue Lake Drenthe

Indoor playgrounds - Less good weather? No problem!

Museums with fun activities for kids

  • Primal Museum

    In the museum you can playfully learn about prehistoric times in Drenthe: dress up as a reindeer hunter, build a dolmen, do an excavation and see how a prehistoric bronze oven works. Or take a scavenger hunt through the museum. From 12 years old, you can also join the OER walk to the dolmens. Here you will hear the story behind the creation of the dolmens.

    More information
    Primal Museum Primeval Museum Diever children's activities children mammoth ice age

  • Miramar sea museum

    Why not join a treasure hunt through the museum? Or would you prefer to draw or do jigsaw puzzles in the special children’s corner? In the special Miramar Zeelab, you can create your own unique piece of art for an additional charge. Special children’s activities are offered during the school holidays.

    More information
    Miramar sea museum Miramar Sea Museum Vledder children's activities tinkering shells

  • Museum the Trial Colony

    The interactive museum also offers our young guests plenty of fun ways to discover colony life. At the museum, for instance, you can learn to weave digitally, experience how hard it is to churn butter and try your hand at becoming a free farmer. If you come during the school holidays, there is even more to experience!

    More information
    Museum the Trial Colony

  • Museum De Wemme

    In the museum, you can set off on fun puzzle trails and discover the exhibition for yourself. Use a tablet or the digital board by the handcarts for extra tasks, videos and puzzles.

    More information
    Museum De Wemme Museum de Wemme

  • Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus

    Discover what life used to be like in Giethoorn. There’s plenty for children to explore in the old farmhouse, the fisherman’s cottage and the boathouse. During the holidays, there are sometimes extra activities, such as a creative craft afternoon.

    More information
    Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus Giethoorn Museum

  • Museum False Art

    At the art museum, children can get creative themselves. In the children’s workshop, they help – just like real young artists – to colour in the mural about Karel Appel, bringing it to life.

    More information
    Museum False Art Museum of Fake Art

  • Municipal Museum Meppel

    Discover art in a fun way! Go on a treasure hunt through the museum and learn how to look at art. Afterwards, you can get creative yourself with a drawing by the Drenthe artist Arne Brink

    More information
    Municipal Museum Meppel Municipal Museum Meppel

Discovering animals

Eating out with kids - Restaurants with plenty of play facilities

Eating pancakes - Discover restaurants in the region serving the most delicious pancakes

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