Texel Travelling with children: the complete guide to an unforgettable family holiday

Samengevat: Texel is one of the most child-friendly holiday destinations in the Netherlands. This Wadden Sea island combines 30 kilometres of beach, seals at Ecomare, the chance to cuddle lambs, a pirate play ship and around 200 kilometres of safe cycle paths. Whether you’re a family with young children, teenagers or a mix of all ages, nobody will get bored on Texel. In this article, as a local bike hire company, we’ve listed the best activities, including practical tips that you won’t find anywhere else in such a compact format.

Why is ‘ Texel ’ so suitable for children?

Texel has three unique features that make the island particularly suitable for families:

1. Road safety: the island has over 140 kilometres of cycle paths, virtually separate from motor traffic. Children can cycle safely, even in the high season.
2. Compact gebied: all the activities are within 30 minutes of each other. No long car journeys with a grumpy child in the back.
3. Variatie: beach, woodland, dunes, villages, museums and wildlife. All on an island measuring 24 by 9 kilometres.

The 10 best things to do with children at Texel

1. Ecomare in De Koog: seals up close

Adres: Ruijslaan 92, De Koog Voertijden zeehonden: 11.00 en 15.30 uur (dagelijks) Leeftijd: alle leeftijden Indoors or outdoors: beide

Ecomare It is the most famous family day out in Texel. The nature museum combines a seal sanctuary, a bird sanctuary and an aquarium with a large playground and a tidal water play area. During the seal feeding times, there’s plenty to see and learn. For toddlers, there’s a separate sandpit with climbing seals.

2. Schapenboerderij Texel: lammetjes knuffelen

Adres: Pontweg 77, Den Burg Demonstraties schapendrijven: dagelijks om 11.00 en 14.00 uur Leeftijd: all ages, particularly suitable for 2 to 10-year-olds

In the spring (March to October), children can sit on a bale of straw and hold a newborn lamb on their lap. As well as lambs, you’ll find 25 different breeds of sheep, dwarf goats, calves, ponies, pigs and chickens here. You’re welcome to bring your own food and drink; there are picnic benches available.

3. Sommeltjespad in De Dennen: a free fairy-tale walk

Startpunt: Pelikaanweg, De Koog Lengte: 1,5 km Leeftijd: 3 t/m 8 jaar Kosten: gratis

According to an old Texel legend, Sommeltjes (little earth spirits) used to live in De Dennen wood. They would turn to stone at sunrise and come to life in the moonlight. Along this short walking route, children search for petrified Sommeltjes and wooden animals amongst the trees. It’s free and guaranteed to be a hit with young explorers.

4. The Pirate Ship play centre Oudeschild

Adres: Haven 21, Oudeschild Leeftijd: 3 t/m 16 jaar Kosten: gratis

A 32-metre-long shipwreck complete with ropes, nets, climbing nets and a crow’s nest, right in the middle of the marina at Oudeschild. Next to the ‘Speelwrak’ you’ll find a water playground where children can operate all sorts of mechanisms using real seawater. Combine this with catching crabs at the harbour and picking up some kibbeling – a full day out for the kids with no entrance fee.

5. Fonteinsnol Play Forest: building huts in the dunes

Location: De Dennen, Dunes of National Park Texel Leeftijd: 4 t/m 12 jaar Kosten: gratis

A real play forest with no ready-made play equipment. Children can build huts with loose branches, play ‘capture the flag’, climb trees and scale the watchtower. Next to the play forest is a traditional playground with a miniature train, swings and a slide. We think this is one of the loveliest places for children who love to run about outdoors.

6. Shrimp fishing with the TX10 from Oudeschild

Vertrekpunt: Haven Oudeschild Duur: ongeveer 2 uur Leeftijd: 4 years and over

An adventurous boat trip across the Wadden Sea, during which children help to haul in the nets. The catch includes prawns, crabs, starfish and sometimes even flatfish; anything that isn’t a prawn is thrown back into the sea. The prawns are cooked on board and the children are shown how to peel them. It doesn’t get any fresher than this.

7. Museum Kaap Skil in Oudeschild

Adres: Heemskerckstraat 9, Oudeschild Leeftijd: 6 years and over

An award-winning maritime museum where children can earn ‘Kaapskills’, a sort of treasure hunt through the exhibitions. Anyone who completes all the skills receives a certificate. Behind the museum is an open-air museum featuring authentic fishermen’s cottages, a grain mill and a smithy where crafts are demonstrated during the season.

8. Food Forest Texel: pick your own fruit

Location: on the edge of the De Hogeberg nature reserve Leeftijd: all ages, gnome trail for children up to 10 years old

Here, children are allowed to pick their own fruit and herbs. Anything that’s ripe can be tasted straight away – the strawberries are legendary. For the youngest children, there’s a gnome trail. On the terrace, you’ll find jam and home-grown produce.

9. Juttersmuseum Flora: 80 jaar aanspoelsel

Adres: Pontweg, between Den Burg and De Koog Leeftijd: 5 years and over

A surprising museum full of items that have washed up on Texel’s beach over the past 80 years. From ship’s cargo to unusual personal belongings, children are amazed. There are treasure hunts, games and a spacious playground. A great alternative in bad weather.

10. Beach and sea: the very best playground

Texel has a continuous 30-kilometre stretch of North Sea beach, marked by marker numbers from 9 (Den Hoorn) to 33 (lighthouse De Cocksdorp). Family-friendly beaches can be found mainly at Marker 17 (De Koog), Marker 21 (De Koog) and Marker 28 (De Slufter). During the high season, there is a voluntary lifeguard service and most beach access points have beach huts.

Texel Exploring by bike with children

The great thing about Texel is that you can do virtually all of the above activities per fiets can reach. That saves you the hassle of finding a parking space in the high season, and it’s an experience in itself. Here are a few handy routes for families:

• Ecomare → Sommeltjespad → Speelbos Fonteinsnol: all three in De Dennen, totalling one day’s cycling
• Schapenboerderij → Voedselbos: a beautiful polder route of about 8 km there and back
• Oudeschild Speelwrak → Kaap Skil → Garnalenvissen: alles in één dorp, ideale ‘havendag’

For young children who cannot yet ride a bike on their own, we hire out child seats, bike trailers and cargo bikes. For slightly older children, we have children’s bikes in various sizes. And for parents who don’t underestimate the wind: a e-bike makes a day out with the kids on the back a bit more relaxing.

Browse all our bikes and children’s accessories

Frequently asked questions about Texel with children

What is the best age to take children to Texel?

Texel is suitable for all ages, from babies to teenagers. For toddlers and pre-schoolers (aged 2–6), the Sheep Farm, the Sommeltjespad and the beach are particularly popular. For primary school-aged children (aged 6–12), ‘ Ecomare ’, the ‘Speelwrak’, prawn fishing and cycling through the dunes are ideal. Teenagers particularly enjoy the beach, surfing lessons and cycle rides.

What can you do at Texel with children when the weather is bad?

When it rains, Texel offers a surprisingly wide range of indoor activities: Ecomare (partly covered), the Museum Kaap Skil, the Flora Beachcombers’ Museum, De Krim Indoor Play Centre, the swimming pool at Vakantiepark de Krim and bowling. Even a walk through De Dennen in your rainwear is an experience in itself.

How much does a day out at Texel cost with children?

The admission fee for ‘ Ecomare ’ and the Sheep Farm is the biggest expense per family. But many of the best activities are gratis: the beach, the ‘Speelwrak’ play area at Oudeschild, the ‘Sommeltjespad’ trail, the ‘Speelbos Fonteinsnol’ play forest and all the walking and cycling routes. For a family with two children, allow €40–€80 per day for admission fees, plus food and bike hire.

Can you cycle on the Texel with young children?

Yes, and it’s highly recommended. Texel has wide, car-free cycle paths and is largely flat. For children who can’t cycle on their own yet, we hire out child seats, cargo bikes and bike trailers. Bear the wind in mind: when cycling into a headwind, an e-bike is a great advantage for parents.

How do you get to Texel with children?

From Den Helder, the TESO ferry service runs at least every hour to 't Horntje at Texel. The crossing takes 20 minutes and is a mini-adventure in itself for children. You only need to pay on the return journey.

When are the lambs born at Texel?

Most lambs are born between mid-February and April. From March onwards, you can cuddle the lambs at the Texel sheep farm, and in the countryside you’ll see plenty of them grazing in the meadows well into May.

Can you take your dog on board the Texel?

Dogs are allowed to run free on large sections of the beach outside the high season (1 October to 1 May). During the high season, dogs must be kept on a lead on most beaches. In nature reserves, signs indicate whether dogs must be kept on a lead in each specific area. Read more here!

Our tip: make your family holiday a cycling holiday

Wij bij Fietsen op Texel We’ve been hiring out bikes to families for years, and the best holiday memories parents share with us almost always involve a day out cycling. A morning at Ecomare, a picnic at De Dennen, an afternoon on the beach, and then back through the polders – that’s the ‘ Texel ’ feeling that children will still be talking about years later.

Met 25 depots spread across the island You can hop on your bike in no time, wherever you are. Children’s bikes, child seats, cargo bikes and e-bikes – we’ve got everything you need to get out and about with the whole family.

Book your family bikes here straight away and make your ‘ Texel ’ holiday an unforgettable experience on two wheels. 🚲

Looking for more planning inspiration? For events, opening hours and seasonal tips, please visit VVV Texel.