Our Top Three: Outstanding Nature Playgrounds for Sunny Winter Outings
The Lowdown:
Winter sunshine has a way of making even the busiest city families crave fresh air and open space. Getting out of the city with children however doesn’t have to mean committing to a full outdoor expedition — the best nature playgrounds offer room to roam, alongside the comfort of a good on-site restaurant or café.
Think sand-filled boots, flushed cheeks and proper outdoor play, balanced with warm drinks, relaxed lunches and somewhere welcoming to pause.
Here are our top three outstanding nature playgrounds, perfect for sunny winter days, just beyond the city.
Kraantje Lek
Hidden among the trees in the rather lovely Overveen woodlands, sits one of the region’s best-kept and much loved secrets: Kraantje Lek. Dating back to 1739 (yes, really!), this storybook-pretty family restaurant & playground feels like something lifted from a fairy tale — yet nothing about it is manufactured or contrived. Its charm is the real deal.
Grab a seat inside the cosy, cottage-chic interior or head outside to soak up the sun while sipping a coffee (or wine). Meanwhile, your children can run absolutely wild in the large, fully visible from your seat, sanded playground.
The most popular order here seems to be the pancakes and whilst they are excellent, if you aren’t in the mood for a heavy Dutch carb-fest, don’t worry — there are plenty of other equally tasty offerings including delicious, fresh, salads and soups.
Cherry On Top: Kraantje Lek sits at the base of the famously large & steep sand-dune De Blinkert, which means any visit almost inevitably ends in multiple dune races. Perfect for tiring out tiny legs before the journey home.
Speeltuin Heidezicht
Set on the edge of the breathtaking Bussum heathland lies one of the Netherlands’ most spectacular nature playgrounds; Speeltuin Heidezicht. Just a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam and suddenly you’re surrounded by wild landscapes, sweeping heath views and — crucially — one of the best outdoor play spaces in the region.
The extensive playground is fully fenced, so children can roam free-range in full view while you relax on the terrace of the rather spectacular glass-walled restaurant. The space is cleverly divided into different zones, offering something for every age — from fearless climbers to toddlers happily disappearing into wooden play structures. With your children fully occupied, this leaves you with only one real dilemma: whether to order that second flat white.
If your little ones still have energy to burn, simply step beyond the gates onto the expansive heathland. With an abundance of climbable trees, woodland trails and endless space to explore, it’s the perfect extension of the playground.
Cherry On Top: The kids’ menu at the restaurant Heidezicht is extra — in the best way. Yes, you’ll find the usual suspects, but they also offer pasta, mini portions of soup, and even corn on the cob. And for a simple, healthy bite, children can have little bowls of sliced apple and cucumber. Impressed.
Zuid Kennemerland
If you’re not yet acquainted with the Zuid Kennemerland Nationaal Park, you’re in for a treat. Known as a summer hot spot thanks to its sparkling lakes and sandy beaches, also home to rolling dunes and sweeping heathlands, it’s not to be overlooked in the colder months. It is quite simply, one of the best nature playgrounds in the country. Oh, and there’s a fabulous actual playground right at the entrance too.
This playground is a dream for little climbers — all rope-swinging, beam-scaling and adventurous scrambling. And fear not: the entire area is safely sanded. For toddlers who gravitate toward water play like magnets to a fridge, there’s a beautifully designed water-pump zone to keep them happily occupied. A gentle reminder: waterproof boots and trousers are your friend here.
Right on the doorstep of the playground sits the delightful Duincafé, with a sun-soaked terrace for warm days and a cosy, snug interior for when the weather turns. If you’ve got little ones who need closer supervision, simply take your coffee to go and perch on one of the logs circling the playground — the perfect parent vantage point.
Cherry On Top: Once the kids have conquered the playground, it’s time to tackle the dunes — and once you’ve reached the summit, there’s really only one thing to do: run (or tumble) down at lightning speed. Few childhood pleasures compare.
