Children's activities in Schoorl Although the village of Schoorl with its 6,000 inhabitants is anything but large, it offers plenty of highlights for children. For example, the 51 m high climbing dune, which starts in the middle of the village centre of Schoorl and is often used as a gigantic sandpit. While the little ones are playing, parents can enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the cafés at the foot of the dune, such as JOOP or Zilte Zoen. Another starting point for adventures with the whole family is the Buitencentrum Schoorlse Duinen, the visitor centre of the Schoorlse Duinen nature park with an adjoining café. There is a forest playground, activities are offered and a barefoot path and special themed hiking routes for children start here. Stop for a bite to eat during a walk or cycle ride through the Schoorlse Duinen: Bospaviljoen De Berenkuil.

If you are on holiday in Schoorl, you will be spoilt for choice with 6 beaches in the immediate vicinity. Especially family-friendly is the beach and lagoon of Camperduin, which impresses with its shallow water, the pirate play ship, various water sports and the proximity of two beach pavilions. If you want to explore the dunes and beaches of Schoorl by bike, you can rent bicycles, e-bikes and cargo bikes at the Dutchen reception.

There are some great play areas and playgrounds around Schoorl:

• Take your kids to De Goudvis playground in Sint Maartenszee, which is open all year round and is a huge outdoor playground with an indoor play paradise to visit when the weather is bad.

• Holle Bolle Boom is a three-part adventure world consisting of "Play", an indoor playground, "Splash" a tropical indoor water playground and "Slide", an outdoor water park. The latter is only open during the summer months. Please check the opening hours in advance.

• Speelpark de Swaan is the largest outdoor play park in North Holland, which is open daily from April to September and offers everything from climbing cheese to bouncy cushions and water attractions.

• Batavier is a cosy play park open from April to September, consisting of a large playground, rowing boats, mini golf, trampolines, bouncy cushions and a café. There is a toddler-friendly playground for the very young.

Animal lovers take note: There are several recommended animal parks and zoos around Schoorl:

• Landgoed Hoenderdaell is a special animal park with many animals rescued from bad living conditions, such as retired circus lions and brown bears taken in from Bulgaria.

• In addition to many unique animal species, Van Blanckendaell Park also has a museum with farming equipment and a large playground with a children's railway.

• The Hertenkamp in Bergen is a petting zoo, which makes especially younger children happy.

• The Zee Aquarium in Bergen aan Zee shows over 300 different species of fish and offers an interactive insight into the underwater world.

In the dunes of Schoorl you will find one of the most beautiful mountain bike trails in the Netherlands. The 14 km route can be divided into shorter stages and is great fun for older children.

Mountain bikes can be hired from Mountainbike Huren Schoorl or the Off Road Centre Schoorl.

The Klimvallei climbing park is the place to be. Here you and your children (120 cm or taller) can climb obstacles at heights of 4 to 8 metres.

Right next door is Kanoverhuur Den Helder, where you can hire canoes and SUPs and set off on prescribed tours.

The ski slope in Bergen doesn't stand still in the summer months either: from the beginning of May, children aged 6 and over can try their hand at tubing here. Reservations are obligatory.

In the cheese city of Alkmaar, you can not only visit the cheese market every Friday, but also rent motorboats to sail through the pretty canals. A great day out! Summer is strawberry time!

At By Broersen you can pick your own strawberries and buy asparagus during the strawberry season. In addition to a farm shop, By Broersen also has a small garden café where you can sit outside and relax.