Vechtdal with children: 10 fun outings within 20 km of Vilsteren
On holiday in the Vechtdal with children? Good news: within a radius of just 20 kilometres around Vilsteren you’ll find surprisingly many child-friendly outings — from a real family amusement park to heath hills, open-air pools and play paradises. We’ve lined up the ten best, with distance from the bungalow and tips on when best to go.
1. Avonturenpark Hellendoorn (16 km)
The region’s best-known amusement park and definitely a day out for the whole family. Avonturenpark Hellendoorn has more than 45 attractions, from water rides (Wild Waterfall and Sungai Kalimantan) to rollercoasters (Balagos, Thunderstones, Sewer Rat). In 2026, for its 90th anniversary, the new Wild Swing OerKracht opened — a Dutch first.
For the very youngest there’s a water carousel, a vintage-car track and small playgrounds. From June to September inclusive you’ll enjoy water fun at Aquaventura Slidepark: 11 slides, sandy beach and children’s pools.
Practical: open April to early November. Short distances between attractions and short waiting times — ideal for young children.
2. Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park (12 km)
The largest continuous dry heathland in north-west Europe, reachable by car in fifteen minutes. Endless walking among purple heather, a chance to see red deer and the rare black grouse, and, laid out especially for children, pirate and gnome routes.
Begin your visit at the visitor centre for maps and interactive exhibitions. On sunny days, set off early to find the car park still empty.
3. The Sahara — Ommen (7 km)
A real drift-sand area in the middle of the forest, with gnarled shifting dunes and pines that has something of American Westerns about it. Children love it — digging, scrambling, picnicking. Free entry and no ticket booth.
Tip: combine it with a walk or a takeaway picnic. In summer the sand can get very hot, so keep your shoes on.
4. Olde Vechte open-air pool — Ommen (8 km)
On the Vecht lies this characterful open-air pool with two large swimming pools, a big slide and a diving board. In season (May to September inclusive) this is the meeting place for families from far around.
5. De Wolventuin indoor play paradise (15 km)
When it rains or after a long morning’s walk: De Wolventuin is an interactive indoor play paradise with three zones plus a large swimming paradise with a super-long slide, rapids, bubble bath and children’s pools. Good for at least half a day’s fun — whatever the weather.
6. The Vilsteren estate (0 km)
Straight from the bungalow. The estate with the little village of Vilsteren at its heart offers quiet wooded lanes, a village square, small art and farmers’ markets and seasonal activities. Take the bikes or explore on foot. For children it’s a safe area to roam freely.
7. Brandrode Vechtdalrund farm safari (10 km)
At several farms in the region you can join the farmer on a safari through the meadows, to learn all about the Brandrode Vechtdalrund — a regional cattle breed that helps shape the Vechtdal landscape. Often combined with a tasting of regional produce.
8. De Burgerkamp playground — Ommen (7 km)
A spacious neighbourhood playground in Ommen with a cable runway, climbing frames, sandpit and grass field. Free entry. Combine it with an ice cream in the centre of Ommen on the way back.
9. De Nieuwe Brug pancake restaurant — Lemele (12 km)
A characterful family restaurant at the foot of the Lemelerberg. Its own playground right next to the sunny terrace — children play, parents eat their pancakes undisturbed. A great stop after a walk on the Lemelerberg.
10. Cycling along the Vecht (from 0 km)
The Vechtdal is criss-crossed with cycle junctions on (virtually) traffic-free paths along the river Vecht. Tarmac, no bumps, suitable for children’s bikes from around the age of six. Plan a route via vechtdaloverijssel.nl.
If it rains: indoor backup
The weather in Overijssel is changeable. If you have a wet day, Avonturenpark Hellendoorn (partly covered), De Wolventuin (entirely indoor) and the indoor pool of Het Laar in Ommen are fine alternatives. A museum card also makes many smaller museums in the region a cheap alternative in the rain.
What the bungalow itself offers for children
50 metres from the nature house there’s a grass field where you can, for example, play football or badminton. Under the covered canopy stands a professional table-tennis table. And the swimming lake 200 metres away is a hit in summer. In short: even without a far-flung outing, there’s plenty for children to do around the bungalow.
