In a last-minute effort to travel before the end of summer, my partner and I booked a trip to The Hague just two weeks prior to our departure. As with most travel deals, being open to any destination and flexible on dates can help find a budget-friendly option, even at the last minute.
That is precisely how we landed upon Den Haag, and I'm thrilled we did. The journey was an easy one, taking just under 3 hours by train. The city's location on the sea promised the potential for a delightful beach day - an exciting prospect, especially with two toddlers in tow.
Little did we know just how toddler-friendly The Hague would turn out to be.
Below, I'll share everything you need to know and what we did when traveling to The Hague with a baby or toddler.
And incase you want to skip ahead to other sections: ABOUT DEN HAAG
About Den Haag
Den Haag, the administrative capital of the Netherlands, is a city rich in history and cultural significance. As the seat of the Dutch government and home to the royal family, it is a hub of political and diplomatic activity.
Throughout its history, Den Haag has played a significant role in the Netherlands. It was the seat of the counts of Holland in the 13th century and later became the administrative capital of the Dutch Republic. Today, it continues to be a hub of political, diplomatic, and cultural activity, making it a must-visit destination for both tourists and locals alike.
One of the city's main highlights is the Binnenhof, a complex of historic buildings surrounding an artificial lake. This is the heart of Dutch democracy, where the States General (parliament) meets. Nearby, the Peace Palace houses the International Court of Justice, making Den Haag a center of international law and diplomacy.
For families with young children, Den Haag offers an abundance of attractions. The city is home to over 1,000 national monuments, allowing visitors to step back in time and explore the Netherlands' rich heritage. Whether it's the many museums, indoor playspaces, Scheveningen Beach, or the city's numerous parks, there is no shortage of things to do in Den Haag - a major advantage when traveling with babies or toddlers.
Hotel: Babylon Hotel Den Haag
The Babylon Hotel Den Haag is an excellent choice for families with young children. The hotel offers spacious Junior Suite/Family Rooms that can accommodate up to 4 people, with a comfortable king-size bed and a sofa bed. These rooms provide ample space for parents and children to relax together.
The rooms come equipped with thoughtful amenities for families, such as a baby cot available upon request, a well-stocked minibar (at no additional charge), and a spacious bathtub in the bathroom - a must-have for bathing little ones. The property also offers a restaurant with breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as room service, in case you decide to take a night in.
Beyond the rooms, the Babylon Hotel is conveniently located right next to The Hague Central Station, making it easy to explore the city and its family-friendly attractions. There is even a grocery store in the building with its entrance just around the corner, ensuring that any of your child's snacking needs are within easy reach.
The hotel's central location allows guests to get to most places in the city within a 15-20 minute walk or take the tram around even quicker. From central station to Scheveningen Beach, one of the further attractions from the city, it only takes a 20-minute tram ride.
Overall, the Babylon Hotel Den Haag is an excellent choice for families with babies and toddlers, offering spacious accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and a convenient location to explore the charming city of The Hague.
Transportation
Transportation throughout The Hague was really simple and easy. The inner city itself is very walkable and anything a little further away (for example Scheveningen) has plenty of bus or tram access as well. Google Maps had accurate and real time information in order to look up the best routes around the city whether we needed to walk or take a tram.
During our stay, travel out to the beach was the only day that we needed to take public transportation so we opted for a day pass that day and the rest of the time we just walked around and enjoyed seeing the city.
To purchase tickets you can do so at the HTM counter within Central station or on the buses and trams. You can purchase day tickets from either location. Just be sure to tap on and off with each journey you take.
What We Did
We really packed our mornings during our stay, there were just so many options to choose from. That way we could be a bit more flexible with the afternoons and let the kids dictate how productive we wanted to be based on their moods.
Binnenhof & Surrounding Area: The Binnenhof is a historic complex of buildings in the heart of The Hague, home to the Dutch Parliament. Its Gothic architecture and picturesque courtyards make it a fascinating place to explore.
Tips for Visiting
Stroller Access: Cobblestone paths can be a bit bumpy, so consider a sturdy stroller.
Picnic Spots: Bring snacks and enjoy a picnic by the Hofvijver pond. Nearby Cafés: There are several family-friendly cafés nearby for a quick meal.
Mauritshuis: Het Mauritshuis is a renowned art museum housing masterpieces like Vermeer’s "Girl with a Pearl Earring." The museum offers a glimpse into Dutch Golden Age paintings. Tips for Visiting (taken directly from the museum website because its perfect): "Art is for everyone; so, the Mauritshuis is also great fun for (very) young people. We provide excellent facilities for museum visits with babies and young children. There is a special baby-changing area in the rest-rooms in the foyer to change your baby’s nappies. Breastfeeding is allowed throughout the museum.
Do you need a quiet place for feeding, lactating and/or changing? Our team will be happy to show you the way to our lactation room. Buggies and prams are obviously allowed in the museum."
Scheveningen Beach & De Pier: Scheveningen is a popular seaside resort with a long sandy beach and a lively promenade. De Pier offers attractions like a Ferris wheel and a wide variety of food, snack, and entertainment options. There is also a playground on the beach with drinks and food available 🙌🏼
Tips for Visiting
Beach Gear: Bring sunscreen, hats, and beach toys for a fun day in the sand.
Stroller-Friendly Paths: The promenade is easy to navigate with a stroller.
Family Facilities: Many of the beach clubs have high chairs available and baby changing tables in the restroom.
Legoland: Legoland Discovery Centre is an indoor attraction perfect for young children, featuring LEGO-themed rides, play areas, and interactive exhibits. We found ourselves here after arriving to Scheveningen a bit too early on a sunny but cold day and it was a great way to kill a few hours.
Tips for Visiting
Age-Appropriate Activities: Most of the exhibits (but not all) were suitable for toddlers with Duplo play zone.
Tickets: Tickets are not cheap. It is worth trying to find some deals in advance if you know you will want to stop by here. Plus purchasing tickets in advance with help you avoid queues or as it got pretty crowded later in the afternoon.
Snack Options: There are child-friendly food and drink options available.
SeaLife Aquarium: SeaLife Aquarium offers an underwater adventure with a variety of marine life exhibits, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles.
Tips for Visiting
Interactive Zones: Toddlers will love the touch pools and interactive displays.
Stroller Access: The aquarium is stroller-friendly throughout.
Feeding Times: Check the schedule for feeding sessions to help entertain your little ones. Tickets: Can be combined with a ticket to Legoland for a slightly discounted price to each.
Plein: Plein is a lively square surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, and shops. It’s a great place to soak in the local atmosphere and we really enjoyed dinner there during our stay.
Tips for Visiting
Cafés and Restaurants: Many offer outdoor seating, perfect for families.
Space to Play: There's ample room for toddlers to stretch their legs.
Shaded Areas: Look for shaded seating spots to keep cool. Reviews: When walking up from central station, restaurants to the right (building 13 and up) tend to have better reviews than those on the left.
Kinderboeken Museum: The Kinderboeken Museum, or Children's Book Museum, celebrates Dutch children's literature through interactive exhibits and storytelling sessions. Almost all exhibits were also in English. We spent hours here on one particularly rainy day and had a great time.
Tips for Visiting
Hands-On Exhibits: Perfect for toddlers with engaging, hands-on activities.
Storytime Sessions: Check the schedule for story readings.
Facilities: Equipped with plenty of changing tables and a café for snacks. Tickets: We did not purchase tickets online in advance however the front desk worker recommended we may want to do it for next time as sometimes they do reach capacity. They only take cash for payment as well if you don't reserve online.
Where We Dined
MingleMush - Foodhall Den Haag: The Food Hall offers a variety of cuisines in a vibrant, casual setting. It's perfect for sampling different dishes all in one place. Additionally it's central location right by our hotel made it a great first stop while we got oriented.
Tips for Dining
High Chairs: Available for little ones.
Variety of Options: Great for picky eaters as you can try different stalls.
Stroller Access: Spacious enough for strollers, but it can get busy.
House of Tribes Cafe: Great coffee shop with a relaxed atmosphere with great breakfast (and other) options. I liked that they had egg dishes on their menu. Definitely ideal for a leisurely meal with children.
Oceans Beach House: Located by the beach, Oceans Beach House offers stunning views and a seafood-focused menu with a children's menu as well. The food was phenomenal.
Tips for Dining
Outdoor Seating: Perfect for strollers and offers a relaxed vibe.
Beach Play: Let the kids play on the sand while you enjoy your meal.
Sun Protection: Bring hats and sunscreen for outdoor seating.
Moya Tapas Club: Moya Tapas Club serves Spanish tapas in a lively setting, perfect for sharing with family. The food was very very good but as with most spanish tapas, you'll run up a tab.
Tips for Dining
Sharing Plates: Tapas are great for sharing and trying different flavors.
Early Dining: Arrive early to avoid crowds. It gets really busy by 6pm.
Interactive Dining: Encourage kids to try small bites of various dishes.
Netherlands Bagels: I don't typically recommend "American" style restaurants to Americans outside of Europe. However these were true authentic New York Bagels. Possibly the best i've had in Europe. So if you're looking for a casual breakfast spot, its a great option.
Peking Crepes: Peking Crepes offers a taste of Chinese street food with a variety of savory and sweet crepes. Perfect for a quick stop and mid day snack with kids. Also it was delicious. 10/10 mid day treat.
Pazze e Pizze: Pazze e Pizze offers Italian pizzas in a family-friendly environment. The place is large with plenty of room for the family while also having a small toddler area for your kids to play or draw while you enjoy a glass of wine or two.
Tips for Dining
Pizza for All: Kids love pizza, and there are plenty of options to suit everyone.
High Chairs: Available for younger children.
Interactive: Kids can watch the pizza-making process.
Wish List
Honestly there wasnt much that I was dying to get to that we missed out on. Just in general there was so much more to do depending on the weather, age of your kids, what their interests are and how much time you have.
My only wishes was that we had a bit more time to try the Chinese and Taiwanese food as the city apparently has some really amazing and authentic places for this cuisine and that we had warmer weather. As it was very cold for July... even for the Netherlands 🙃
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