Drents-Friese Wold with Kids: Top 10 Things To Do and Family Holiday Guide

Where Assen pulls families toward its TT Circuit and city museums, Drents-Friese Wold offers something quieter and harder to replicate: a sprawling cross-provincial forest and heath landscape in Drenthe where the whole point is slowing down. It straddles the Drenthe–Friesland border, and that breadth shows — wide heathlands, ancient woodland, boggy fringes and enough signed walking and cycling routes to fill several different days without repeating yourself. Pick one corner of it, give the day room to unfold, and it rarely disappoints.

Quick facts for families visiting Drents-Friese Wold

Top 10 things to do in Drents-Friese Wold

1. Rent bikes at one of the local hire points and follow a signed family cycle route through the forest — the flat terrain makes it genuinely manageable for younger riders.
2. Walk out onto the open heathland in late summer when the purple bloom is at its peak; it is one of the most striking landscapes in Drenthe.
3. Combine the national park with a side trip to Dolmen D52 near Diever, one of the better-preserved hunebedden in the area and easy to reach by bike or car.
4. Head into Dwingelderveld National Park, which overlaps with Drents-Friese Wold, for marked routes across wet heath and raised bog that feel genuinely wild.
5. Look for red deer in the early morning or evening at the forest edges — the national park holds one of the largest populations in the Netherlands.
6. Stop at the visitor centre to pick up a route map and check which trails are currently dry enough for pushchairs or small children.
7. Spend time at one of the forest swimming spots if you are visiting in summer; cool, tree-lined water is one of the area’s best family rewards.
8. Try Klimpark De Roggeberg for a half-day of tree-top climbing circuits — it sits close enough to make a natural second stop on the same day.
9. Cross into the Frisian side of the park to notice how the landscape shifts from heath to low-lying polder edge; it is a small geography lesson in itself.
10. Follow the Ruinen–Dwingeloo section of the national cycle network if you want a longer day out with clear signage and quiet country roads.

Top 10 things to do in Drents-Friese Wold for kids

1. Challenge children to spot five different tree species before the route reaches the first bench — oak, birch, Scots pine, beech and alder are all common here.
2. Bring a simple track identification card; roe deer, fox and wild boar prints all appear in the softer forest soil after wet weather.
3. Let children choose the picnic spot rather than picking it yourself — having ownership of that decision keeps them invested in the walk.
4. Visit Taman Indonesia Zoo for a completely different kind of animal encounter; the collection is unusual enough to feel like a genuine discovery rather than a standard zoo trip.
5. Dolmen D54 is close to D52 and gives children two ancient stones to compare on the same outing — spotting the differences between them makes for a simple but satisfying challenge.
6. Pack a waterproof bag with a dry set of socks and trousers; boggy sections are common after rain, and knowing there is a backup means children can splash without the day falling apart.
7. Set a family photography challenge — each person photographs one thing smaller than their hand before you reach the car again.
8. Collect fallen cones, bark pieces or feathers along the trail and identify them at the picnic stop using a basic nature app or field guide.
9. Klimpark De Roggeberg has age-appropriate climbing circuits, so even younger siblings can participate while older children tackle the harder routes.
10. On the drive home, ask each child to name one thing they would show a friend who had never been — it rounds the day off and often surfaces moments you missed.

Best family activities in Drents-Friese Wold

Drents-Friese Wold rewards families who resist the urge to plan every hour. Cycling, heathland walking and wildlife watching all work best when there is time to stop, double back and follow whatever catches a child’s eye. The forest is large enough that even a short loop feels like proper exploration rather than a stroll around a park.

For families who want to add a structured activity, Klimpark De Roggeberg fits neatly into the day without requiring a long detour. Those with an interest in prehistory will find the hunebedden near Diever — including Dolmen D52 and D54 — genuinely engaging for children who like big old things they can actually touch and climb around. Dwingelderveld National Park extends the possibilities further, offering boardwalk paths across open bog landscape that children tend to find more interesting than a standard forest floor trail.

Where to stay near Drents-Friese Wold

Forest holiday parks and family campsites in the Dwingeloo and Diever area put you inside or right on the edge of the national park, which means mornings start with a short walk rather than a drive. Lodges with outdoor space and on-site bike hire are particularly practical here, since cycling is one of the best ways to move through the landscape with children.

When comparing options, pay more attention to how close a property sits to a trailhead or cycle path than to its indoor amenities. A well-placed campsite or simple forest cabin will give you more usable time in the park than a comfortable hotel that adds twenty minutes to every departure.

Nearby places to visit

1. Diever village pairs well with a morning in the park — it is small, quiet and close to both Dolmen D52 and D54, making it a natural end point for a loop.
2. Dwingelderveld National Park overlaps with Drents-Friese Wold but has its own distinct heathland and bog character; families can move between both areas in a single day without backtracking significantly.
3. Taman Indonesia Zoo offers a half-day alternative for families who want animal encounters beyond the deer and birds of the national park itself.
4. Klimpark De Roggeberg works as either an afternoon follow-up or a standalone activity on a second day, particularly for children who need something more physically active after a quiet morning walk.

Family travel tips

1. Arrive at the park early during Dutch school holidays — car parks near popular trailheads fill faster than most visitors expect.
2. Pick one route and commit to it rather than deciding at the trailhead; having a clear plan means children know roughly how long they are walking.
3. Check trail surface information before choosing a route if you are bringing a pushchair — some sections cross soft heath or gravel that is harder going than the map suggests.
4. Build the snack stop into the outward leg rather than saving it for the return; moods hold better when children are not yet tired.
5. Bring layers even on clear mornings — the open heathland sections of Dwingelderveld catch wind that the forest completely conceals, and temperatures shift quickly.
6. If the day is going well, resist adding a second major stop; finishing with energy and goodwill intact is worth more than squeezing in one more sight.

FAQ

Is Drents-Friese Wold good for kids?

Yes, particularly for families who enjoy being outside without a rigid schedule. The flat terrain, signed routes and varied landscape — forest, heath, bog and open sky — give children plenty to look at and respond to, and the pace is entirely yours to set.

What are the best things to do in Drents-Friese Wold with kids?

Cycling a family route through the forest, walking out onto the heathland, looking for red deer and visiting the hunebedden near Diever are all well suited to children. Klimpark De Roggeberg and Taman Indonesia Zoo are nearby options if you want to add something more structured.

How long should families spend in Drents-Friese Wold?

A relaxed half-day covers a single trail and a picnic stop comfortably. Allow a full day if you plan to combine cycling with a visit to Diever or one of the nearby attractions, or if you simply want time to move slowly without watching the clock.

What can families do in Drents-Friese Wold when it rains?

Light rain is manageable with waterproofs and the right expectations — forest trails stay interesting even in grey weather. For heavier rain, Taman Indonesia Zoo offers a covered alternative, or use the day to drive to Assen or Emmen for indoor museum options.

Where should families stay near Drents-Friese Wold?

Forest holiday parks and campsites in the Dwingeloo and Diever area are the most convenient base. They keep travel time to the park itself to a minimum and usually offer bike hire, which is the most useful single amenity for a stay here.

Nearby Attractions

• Dolmen D52 in Diever
• D54
• Taman Indonesia Zoo
• Dwingelderveld National Park
• Klimpark De Roggeberg

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