Activities in the Netherlands

Although the Netherlands has mild springs, warm summers and bright autumn days, there are also plenty of rainy days throughout the year that you'd rather spend indoors. Those looking for indoor activities in the Netherlands can indulge themselves in our country's many museums. A day at a museum is the ideal family outing on a day when it is pouring with rain. The Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo has a collection of nearly 20,000 modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures by Dutch and international artists. Enough to keep you entertained all day long! Discover art by Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian and many more.

Has it stopped raining and are you ready for some fresh air? Or are you not sugar-coated and just use an umbrella? Then don't hesitate to visit the sculpture garden. The museum is surrounded by one of the largest sculpture gardens in Europe. Whether it is raining or dry, here you can stroll along forest paths and discover a new sculpture around every corner. For example, Jean Dubuffet's famous Jardin d'émail. This enormous sculpture is one of the most famous and popular at the museum. If you are looking for fun activities in the Netherlands, then climbing on this work of art is a must. Because unlike a lot of other art, you are allowed to touch this work, walk through it and even play on it. This makes a visit to the sculpture garden one of the most fun family activities in the Netherlands!

Anyone visiting a museum in the Netherlands cannot leave without seeing the work of Vincent van Gogh up close. At the Kröller-Müller, you will have ample opportunity to do just that: here you will find the Van Gogh collection, with more than 90 paintings and over 180 drawings by the artist. The museum's founder, Helene Kröller-Müller, was a big fan of the painter from North Brabant and worked hard to build a vast collection of his work. Since its opening in 1938, the Van Gogh Gallery has been at the heart of the museum and includes his world-famous works The Potato Eaters and Terrace of a Café at Night. Want to dive into the collection? Then take a look at our online collection search tool. Here you will also find all the other artworks on display at the museum.

The Kröller-Müller is also delighted to welcome children. They won't be bored for a moment, because there is so much for them to discover at the museum! With the Detective Game, you can search for famous noses in works of art together. Time to run around and burn off some energy? Then discover the sculpture garden together with the Geo Route app and hunt for real treasure. Search for the code and find out whether you can open the treasure chest... There is plenty to do for the whole family at Kröller-Müller!

Want to learn more about the works of art on display at the Kröller-Müller? You can do so with the help of the audio tour. This personal tour provides background information on some 30 works of art from the permanent collection and is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Chinese. You can rent the audio tour for €2.50 at the museum's reception desk. There is also the option of joining a guided tour. Choose a tour of the museum or the sculpture garden, packed with interesting background information about masterpieces and their creators.

Whether you stroll through the museum or visit the sculpture garden: nature is always close by at the Kröller-Müller Museum. It could not be otherwise, due to the museum's location in De Hoge Veluwe National Park: a beautiful nature reserve in the east of the Netherlands. There is no such thing as bad weather: if you dress accordingly, you can enjoy the magnificent landscape of woods, heathland, moors and streams all year round. In full sunshine or with raindrops hanging from the branches, a visit to the national park is definitely worthwhile. And who knows, you might even come across a deer or wild boar along the way!

You will find the best indoor activities in the Netherlands at the Kröller-Müller. Prepare your visit well to get the most out of your daytrip. Avoid queues and book your tickets in advance, read all you want to know about the collection and check out the fun activities on the calendar. Family activities take place regularly. Want to know more about the museum's accessibility, for example if you use a walking aid or wheelchair? Read all about it on the accessibility page. 

If you are looking for activities in the Netherlands or want to find out about the best family activities in the Netherlands, come to the Kröller-Müller Museum. The museum and sculpture garden are open all year round and never fail to surprise in every season. Nowhere else will you find such a unique combination of art and nature for the whole family. Enjoy the works of art and the breathtaking scenery all day long. Of all the fun activities in the Netherlands, the museum should be at the top of your list. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the Netherlands.