Westerbork with Kids: Top 10 Things To Do and Family Holiday Guide

Westerbork suits families who want a relaxed half-day in rural Drenthe without committing to a full itinerary — though the village and its surroundings can easily fill a whole day if you combine it with the heathlands or a nearby attraction. It works particularly well as a base for exploring this part of the province, with forest, open landscape and several worthwhile day-trip destinations within a short drive.

Quick facts for families visiting Westerbork

Top 10 things to do in Westerbork

1. Walk the village centre and look out for the quiet streets and green spaces that make Westerbork feel different from busier Drenthe towns.
2. Head into the surrounding countryside — Dwingelderveld National Park is close by and offers wide heathland walks that children can manage without complaint.
3. Pick one paid or ticketed activity and keep everything else relaxed and unscheduled.
4. Try the Wandelroute Melkwegpad-Bospad for a gentle forest walk that works well for mixed-age groups.
5. Use a long lunch stop as a real pause in the day, not something to rush through between activities.
6. Give children a local treat from a bakery or snack stop — it costs little and buys goodwill for the rest of the afternoon.
7. Consider combining Westerbork with a visit to Zoo Bizar if the group includes animal-lovers who need a clear highlight to look forward to.
8. Keep a weather-proof option in reserve — something specific you have already looked up, not a vague plan to find something indoors.
9. Drive to TT Circuit Assen if older children are motorsport fans; it is close enough to add without turning it into a separate trip.
10. Wrap the day up with the lowest-energy activity on the list, not the one you did not get around to earlier.

Top 10 things to do in Westerbork for kids

1. Let children set the walking pace for at least one stretch of the day — Westerbork is calm enough that there is no need to rush them between stops.
2. Visit Museum van Papierknipkunst if your children are creative or craft-minded; the subject is unusual enough to genuinely hold their attention.
3. Find a playground early and use it as a planned stop rather than a distraction from the real agenda.
4. Give older children the map or navigation app and let them lead the group to the next stop.
5. Pack a bag snack that can bridge the gap if lunch runs late — hunger derails days faster than bad weather does.
6. Choose just one longer outdoor walk and keep everything else short, so children arrive at each stop with legs still willing.
7. Let kids pick one moment to photograph themselves — a gate, a tree, a funny sign — something they chose, not something you pointed at.
8. Build in five minutes at a bench or green space between stops rather than moving directly from one activity to the next.
9. If the group includes a range of ages, anchor the day around one thing that genuinely works for everyone rather than trying to satisfy each age group separately.
10. When something unplanned catches the children’s interest — a stream, an animal, a strange-looking building — follow it rather than sticking rigidly to the schedule.

Best family activities in Westerbork

Westerbork sits in a part of Drenthe where the outdoor options are genuinely good. Dwingelderveld National Park is nearby and gives families access to proper heathland and forest without needing to drive far. The Wandelroute Melkwegpad-Bospad is a manageable route through woodland that suits families with children who are used to walking but not yet ready for long-distance trails.

For something more structured, Zoo Bizar offers an unusual animal experience that stands apart from conventional zoos, and Museum van Papierknipkunst is a genuinely specific attraction — the kind of place children remember because it is unlike anything they have seen before. Neither requires a full day, which means either can slot into a Westerbork visit without taking it over.

Where to stay near Westerbork

Westerbork and the surrounding area have a solid range of family accommodation, from forest campsites and holiday parks to smaller lodges and rural stays. Families who want easy morning starts should look for somewhere with parking directly on site and breakfast included or self-catered, so there is no need to go out before the day has properly begun.

Think about how you will actually use the base rather than how it looks in photos. Distance to Westerbork village, access to outdoor space and whether there is somewhere for children to run around at the end of the day all matter more than most families expect before they arrive.

Nearby places to visit

1. Dwingelderveld National Park is the most natural pairing with a Westerbork day — heathland, forest paths and open sky, all within easy reach.
2. TT Circuit Assen draws families with older children who have an interest in motorsport; even on non-race days, the circuit itself is worth a visit.
3. The hunebedden scattered across Drenthe are close enough to include as a short detour and give children something ancient and tangible to stand next to.
4. Zoo Bizar works well as a standalone half-day activity that pairs naturally with a quieter morning in Westerbork village.

Family travel tips

1. Put the snack stop on the plan before anyone gets grumpy — treat it as a real part of the itinerary, not a reaction to a problem.
2. Check the parking situation before you set off; knowing where you will leave the car removes one small stress from an already full day.
3. Bring rain layers even if the morning looks clear — Drenthe weather shifts quickly, especially out on open heathland.
4. Use playgrounds and benches as deliberate pauses rather than last resorts; children move better through a day that has breathing room built in.
5. Cut one planned stop rather than cramming everything in — a day that ends calmly tends to be remembered more fondly than one that squeezed in the final activity at cost.
6. Let children have a say in at least one decision during the day, whether that is where to eat, which path to take or what to look at next.

FAQ

Is Westerbork good for kids?

Yes. The village is calm, the surrounding nature is accessible, and there are enough nearby options — including Zoo Bizar and Dwingelderveld National Park — to build a full day without overloading younger children.

What are the best things to do in Westerbork with kids?

A walk through the village, time in the surrounding countryside and one specific activity — Museum van Papierknipkunst, Zoo Bizar or a forest route — tends to give the day a shape that works for most ages.

How long should families spend in Westerbork?

Half a day covers the village comfortably. A full day makes sense if you combine it with a walk in Dwingelderveld or a nearby attraction, and still leaves time to return to your accommodation without a rushed finish.

What can families do in Westerbork when it rains?

Museum van Papierknipkunst is a practical indoor option that works particularly well for creative children. Deciding on your backup before the rain arrives makes the switch much smoother.

Where should families stay near Westerbork?

Forest holiday parks and family campsites in the Westerbork area give children outdoor space in the evening and morning, which takes pressure off the daytime schedule. Prioritise access and practicality over appearance when comparing options.

Nearby Attractions

• TT Circuit Assen
• Dwingelderveld National Park
• Wandelroute Melkwegpad-Bospad
• Museum van Papierknipkunst
• Zoo Bizar

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Zoo Bizar, Westerbork, Drenthe

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