Kids and Family in Eindhoven

Eindhoven is a great city for families, whether you were born here or moved here for work. There are museums where children can touch and try things, festivals that need no language, theatre for the youngest and days out in the parks. On this page you will find all activities specifically aimed at children and families.

Museums for children

• Museumpark VONK in the Genneper Parken, which many locals still call the preHistorisch Dorp, is an open-air museum where children walk through farms and houses from the Iron Age and the Middle Ages and see old crafts being demonstrated. It is open every day.
• The DAF Museum has more than a hundred trucks and cars, a replica of the forge where the company started, and a lot to marvel at for young car lovers. Children under 5 go free.
• The Philips Museum has Mission Eureka, an interactive game that takes children through the history of Philips, and extra activities during the school holidays.
• The Van Abbemuseum is free for children under 13 and has a Children's Art Club on Saturday afternoons for ages 6 to 12.

Festivals for the whole family

The big festivals of Eindhoven are great with children. GLOW in November is a free evening walk past light art, with projects made especially for children. During Dutch Design Week in October, children under 11 go free, and the DDW Young programme has routes for different ages. And of course there is Sinterklaas in November and carnival in February, when children dress up just as enthusiastically as their parents.

Dutch traditions explained

International families sometimes wonder what all the fuss is about. A quick guide:

• Sinterklaas: in mid-November Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands, and on the evening of 5 December families exchange presents. Children put their shoe by the fireplace in the weeks before.
• Carnival: in February, children in Brabant dress up and join the parades. Schools often celebrate the day before the holiday.
• King's Day: on 27 April children sell their old toys at the free markets on the streets.

Tips for days out with children

• Look for the age. We mention age recommendations when organisers give them. Theatre for toddlers is very different from theatre for ten-year-olds.
• Pushchairs and stairs. Not every venue is pushchair-friendly. The GLOW drone show at the Philips Stadion, for example, asks visitors with pushchairs to use a specific entrance.
• School holidays. The south of the Netherlands has its own school holiday dates. Museums often add activities during the autumn, Christmas and spring holidays.
• Free for the youngest. Many museums and events are free for young children; check the price line on the event page.

Practical tips for international families

• Ask other parents. School gates and sports clubs are where Dutch parents share tips about activities, birthday parties and holiday plans.
• Use the Museumkaart for children. Children also get a Museumkaart at a reduced price, which quickly pays off for families who like museums.

Organising something for children?

Add your activity to the calendar for free and tick "suitable for children". It will then also appear on Eindhoven with kids. Looking for more? See our ideas for rainy days and all free events.