Three children are playing on a windmill sail in the yard of Museum Mill Nederwaard, with the windmills of Kinderdijk in the background.
29 January 2026

Learn, play, explore

It’s impossible to be bored at Kinderdijk. Come on an adventure with your children and discover the amazing facts of this unique piece of Dutch history. There’s always something exciting happening. Let’s go!

A world of adventures

Why don’t you all come inside the windmill and listen to the miller’s story? The miller must have all sorts of skills to keep the sails turning. There’s a world to discover here for children: the revolving sails, the creaking wood, the views of the water. Or take a boat trip and sail like a skipper through the countryside, which is seething with wildlife. There are many species of birds to look out and all sorts of machines and animals to amaze you. Of course, after a long day of playful exploration, you deserve a delicious treat. Kinderdijk has plenty of those too.

 

Learn about life in a windmill

What was it like as a child to live in a windmill, with no internet or hot water? You can look around inside the windmills, which is exciting and a bit scary. In Blokweer Museum Mill, you will see remnants of outdoor life in bygone days: a garden full of things the miller needed to earn some money or to eat. In Nederwaard Museum Mill, you will pass close to a revolving gear wheel as you climb the stairs. Everything creaks and it’s very noisy. Find out how cleverly people dealt with the water in the olden days and what children played together.

The windmills are safe and accessible for children. There is plenty to see and touch, and they can ask the millers anything.

 

A day of fun on the water

Ahoy there sailor, come aboard! From the water, you can see the Netherlands in a completely new way. The windmills seem even more impressive. It feels as if you have stepped into your own fairytale.

 

The floating exhibition in an old barge really shows how clever the Dutch are with water. On this old boat, you can investigate the smart inventions that have helped keep the land dry for centuries. It looks like magic, but it’s just super-duper clever.

 

 

Experience Kinderdijk with the kids

Kinderdijk is certainly an exciting place: there’s never a dull moment. Children may go exploring among the working windmills. The stories they hear along the way will enchant them. You can climb close to the machinery and find out what a windmill does. The scavenger hunt makes this exploration even more exciting. The exhibition and the video tell the story with words and pictures, bringing the history to life and keeping you engaged.

 

Come and enjoy a day of excitement with your children or grandchildren!

 

 

Practical information for families

Are the windmills suitable for children of all ages?

Yes, children of all ages can go inside the windmills. The paths and the stairs are safe, but adult supervision is important for young children.

Are there life jackets on board the boats?

Certainly: life jackets are available, and we recommend that children wear them. You do not need to bring a life jacket with you.

Do children need to have swim certificates?

No, swim certificates are not required. The boats are safe and sail slowly. And there are always life jackets available.

Should kids be walking a lot?

You will probably spend equal amounts of time walking and on the boat. The distances are reasonable, and the boat trip provides even more fun and variety for kids.

Is there an audio tour for families?

Yes! We offer a special family audio tour for young explorers aged 4 to 12, available in both Dutch and English. Choose between a shorter route of around 45 minutes to the Nederwaard Museum Mill or a longer route of approximately 1.5 hours visiting both museum mills.

 

Open the online guide on your smartphone and enjoy stories created especially for children as you explore Kinderdijk. Before you start, you can also add the Mill Code scavenger hunt, where children solve clues while listening to the stories.

 

You can listen using earphones or your phone’s speaker. Thanks to the free Wi-Fi throughout the mill area, it’s easy to access the online guide during your visit. The family audio tour is included with your ticket and can be accessed through our Online Guide.

A child and grandparent looking through a peep box at the Wisboom Pumping Station.

Experience it yourself!

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