2 October 2026
Looking for an active outing with children? Being outdoors, moving around and experiencing something together is often enough for a successful day. From climbing in a tree forest and SUPing to a treasure hunt or mountain biking: there are plenty of outdoor activities for families with children.
We have put together 15 active outings with children for you.
1. Climbing in a climbing forest
For children who love adventure, a climbing forest is an exciting outdoor activity. High up among the trees, children can take various trails with bridges, nets, obstacles, and zip lines.
At Klimbos Nederland, children aged 6 and over and at least 1.20 meters tall can climb the junior routes independently. From 1.40 meters, the regular routes are also available. A visit takes about three hours, including the mandatory safety instructions.
The advantage of a climbing forest is that everyone can choose their own challenge. One person starts off gently, while the other tries to find a more difficult route. And if you as a parent don’t dare to get into the trees, you can take the photos from the ground as a reminder!
2. A long forest walk with tasks
A forest walk might not sound like the most exciting family outing at first, but add in some tasks and that quickly changes. For example, set up a nature bingo, look for animal tracks, or have children take photos of certain plants, colors, and animals along the way.
3. Mountain biking
For older children, mountain biking is a fun way to explore nature. In the Netherlands, there are many special mountain biking routes. When choosing a route for children, always choose one that suits their experience and fitness level.
4. Soups
Riding a SUP board over the water requires balance and usually also provides a lot of fun. Boards are available for rent in many places and beginner classes are offered.
5. Geocaching
Geocaching is actually treasure hunting using GPS. You use coordinates to search for hidden caches. This turns an ordinary walk into a goal in itself.
6. Canoeing
A canoe trip is a great combination of being active and exploring the surroundings together. Choose a quiet route when you are traveling with younger children.
7. A barefoot path
Mud, sand, water, grass and other natural surfaces: on a barefoot trail you can literally discover nature with your feet. This is especially a low-threshold outdoor activity for younger children.
8. Survival course
Climbing, jumping, balancing and working together: a survival course offers plenty of challenges. Check in advance which age and height requirements apply.
9. Cycling tour with stops
Turn a bike trip into a complete day out by planning several stops along the way. Think of a playground, ice cream, picnic spot, or nature reserve.
10. Exploration of nature
Create your own scavenger hunt or find an existing route. Let children solve puzzles along the way, take photos, or complete tasks.
11. To a water playground
On warm days, a water playground is an ideal activity. Bring dry clothes with you, because the chances of children staying dry are slim.
12. An obstacle run
More and more locations are offering obstacle courses for children. Running, climbing, crawling and climbing make this especially suitable for children who want to expend a lot of energy.
13. Horse riding
An outdoor ride or introductory lesson is a special activity for children who love animals. Many farms offer special activities for beginners.
14. Towards a nature playground
In a nature playground, standard play equipment is not the focus, but rather tree trunks, sand, water, and natural obstacles. This allows children to discover a lot on their own.
15. Picnic combined with an active outing
An outdoor activity doesn’t have to last the whole day. For example, combine climbing, cycling or hiking with an extensive picnic. This will naturally create a complete day trip.
Which active activity is suitable for your family?
Be sure to consider the age of the children, how much they enjoy the challenges, and how much time you have available. For young children, a nature playground can be perfect, while older children may prefer mountain biking or climbing.
Do you want to combine movement, nature and adventure? Climbing in a climbing forest is a great option. At Klimbos Nederland you choose your own route that suits your level and you spend about three hours active among the trees.
Frequently asked questions about active outings with children
What is a fun activity for children?
Climbing in a rainforest, mountain biking, SUPing, canoeing, geocaching and a treasure hunt are examples of active family outings in the great outdoors.
What is an active outdoor activity for children aged 6 and up?
That depends on the child and the provider. At Klimbos Nederland, children from the age of 6 and a minimum height of 1.20 meters can climb the junior routes.
What can you do outside with teenagers?
Think of climbing, mountain biking, SUPing, canoeing, survival or geocaching. Activities where teenagers can make their own choices and experience challenges are often interesting for this age group.
How long does a visit to a climbing forest last?
At Klimbos Nederland, the climbing adventure takes about three hours, including safety instructions.
Where can you find Klimbos Netherlands?
Klimbos Nederland has locations in Assen, Apeldoorn, Bergen op Zoom, Dordrecht, Lage Vuursche and Ruurlo.
Choose a location
Each of the locations is unique, but one thing they have in common is the beautiful surroundings.
All our climbing forests are located in real forests, where we do not use climbing poles. This gives you the best climbing experience! We build and maintain the routes ourselves and they are inspected externally for safety. Our staff is trained to give safety instructions and to give you the best experience. A day you will never forget!
