How to visit Keukenhof Gardens with kids

Plan your next family trip to the Netherlands and visit Keukenhof Gardens with kids. These Dutch Tulip fields are so spectacular, and one of the best reasons to visit the Netherlands in the spring.

Keukenhof Gardens is one of the most visited tulip gardens in the world, and is fun for the whole family! It’s so easy to see this famous tulip garden in the Netherlands on a day trip from Amsterdam.

On the blog I highlight the best way to visit Keukenhof Gardens with kids, including some tips to make the most of your visit.

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Read about our road trip through the Netherlands here. I share some of our favorite places, including some tips for your visit.

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Keukenhof Tulip Gardens

Best time to visit Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof Gardens are only open in the spring from about Mid March to early May, and is open from 8am-7:30 pm.

Mid-April to May is usually the most reliable time to see the tulips, and is dependent on the weather.

Keukenhof Gardens can also get very crowded, especially on weekends. I suggest planning a weekday visit, or plan to get here early in the morning (like by 8am), or late in the afternoon after all the bus tours have left for the day. 

What to bring to Keukenhof Gardens

• Dress Warm: When planning a visit to Keukenhof Gardens, make sure to dress warm. I suggest dressing in layers, as it can still be quite cold in the Netherlands in the spring. We love packing a lightweight coat, with layers underneath. We love these thermals for adults, and these ones for kids.

• Comfy Shoes: Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes too, as there will be lots of walking. We love these Crocs sneakers, not only are they perfect for the rainy spring weather, they are also comfy for walking, here’s one for kids as well.

• Camera: You also need a good lightweight camera to take photos of all the beautiful tulips. We love this camera for traveling, and this Tripod for taking family photos.

• Snacks: Make sure to pack some snacks for the kids. There is a self service restaurant at Keukenhof, but the lines can get quite long, and snacks will ward off hunger while waiting.

*Check out our Amazon storefront for more of our Winter Travel Essentials here.

How to get to Keukenhof Gardens

You can easily see Keukenof Gardens on a day trip from Amsterdam. Located in a town called Lisse, Keukenhof Gardens is an easy bus ride from the train station.

If coming in by train, you can store your luggage at the luggage depot, or store smaller bags in the lockers at Keukenhof.

If you’re planning to drive to Keukenof Gardens, (which I highly recommend), there is a car park right outside and costs 6 euros to park.

Make sure to get the free maps of Keukenof gardens at the entrance to plan your route.

Keukenhof ticket prices

For the 2022 season, Keukenhof will be open on March 24 until May 15 2022.

Tickets to Keukenhof gardens can only be purchased online, and are on a specific time slot.

Adult tickets cost €18.50, Kids (4-17) are €9.00, while kids 3 and under are free / Parking costs €6.

*Be aware that with the ongoing pandemic, events can’t be canceled. Please visit the website to keep up to date on opening times at Keukenhof Gardens.

Top things to do in Keukenhof gardens

What to expect on your visit to Keukenhof Gardens with kids

Spring in the Netherlands can get quite cold. During a visit in early April, we were greeted with icy cold temperatures, luckily we were dressed in layers!

Once you make your way into Keukenhof gardens, the colorful tulip fields will leave you breathless. This is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, and is so worth a visit.

According to the website, there are approximately 7 million bulbs in full bloom, and every year brings in a different theme. Which means it’s never the same and you will always have a unique experience at every visit.

*Did you know you can loan FREE wheelchairs at Keukenhof Gardens? Click here for more information.

With 79 acres of tulips to explore, one day in Keukenhof really isn’t enough time to explore these tulip gardens.

Throughout the gardens you will find various themes and styles, including water gardens and beautiful fountains and ponds.

Keukenhof with kids

Keukenhof gardens is fun for the whole family. Not only will the kids be amazed by all the rainbow color tulips, they will also love the playgrounds, petting zoo, the maze and the fun scavenger hunt.

Kids Scavenger Hunt

• One of the best things to do in Keukenhof with kids is a scavenger hunt. Make sure to pick up a free Keukenhof scavenger hunt booklet at the entrance.

• The Scavenger hunt is filled with facts, challenges and brain teasers that the kids will surely love. When they’ve finished the booklet, the kids can pick up a gift from the information desk at the entrance.

Petting Zoo and Playground

• When visiting Keukenhof with kids, make sure to visit the petting zoo and the Miffy playground. It’s a great way to let the kids have some downtime, especially after strolling though the miles of tulip fields at Keukenhof.

Go on a Keukenhof Boat Tour

• On your visit to Keukenhof Gardens, take a relaxing boat ride while you admire the Dutch landscape. The Whisper boat tour takes about an hour, and you get to know more about the tulip fields.

*For more tulip garden fun at home, download these fun coloring pages for kids on Keukenhof gardens website.

Where to eat in Keukenhof Gardens

Restaurants in Keukenhof are mostly self-service, and you can find them spread throughout the many pavilions in the gardens.

You can even sample some Dutch specialties, like the Poffertjes, which are mini pancakes dusted with confectioners sugar, and stroopwafels, which are two thin waffles with a caramel spread in between, they were both delicious!

Food trucks can also be found on the premises selling different types of food and even wine! But if your a budget conscious traveler you can pack your own food and enjoy a picnic in the gardens.

Tips on visiting Keukenhof Gardens

• Getting here early is the key to enjoying your time at the gardens, and getting those crowd free photos of the tulips. Plan to arrive by opening time, with tickets purchased online, so you can enjoy seeing it all before the bus tours arrive.

• Keukenhof is such a massive garden, you would probably need two days to cover all there is to see here. Make sure to bring a stroller when you visit Keukenhof with kids, as there will be lots of walking in the gardens.

• I also suggest downloading the Keukenhof Gardens Map, or grab one at the entrance, to familiarize yourself with the layout of the gardens, and to ensure you get to visit the specific areas you want to see.

• I also suggest skipping the indoor exhibits for later, and explore more of the tulip gardens outdoors.

• I would also make time to explore the Lisse tulip fields outside of Keukenhof. If you can’t make it to Keukenhof, seeing the Lisse Tulip fields is the next best thing. Rent a bike and explore the fields of tulips. You can rent bicycles at the car park, next to the main entrance so you can explore the surrounding area by bike. 

I hope this Keukenhof Garden travel guide helps you plan that family trip to the Netherlands, to visit one of the most famous tulip gardens in the world.

Keukenhof is fun for the whole family, and I highly recommend you visit if you ever plan a trip to Holland. Check out this post on some travel essentials for kids, to help plan your trip.

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You can also read about another Tulip Garden we visited in Europe. Read about the Groot Bijgaarden castle and it’s annual Tulip festival in Belgium here.

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