24 hours on an adventure with the kids in Hilversum

Start your day out with a party. Hilversum's favourite bakery is located right across from Hilversum Centraal station. You can smell the delicious freshly baked bread as soon as you walk in the door at Matthijs. And you can watch the master bakers at work behind the glass wall as they knead, roll and decorate the dough. So that's how they make all the tasty treats! Find a table inside, or order a coffee and croissant to go. There's a great place for an al fresco breakfast at De Kwekerij park, on the Oosterspoorplein. Let the kids get rid of that pent-up energy from the train journey.  

• Bakkerij Matthijs Boon is closed on Sundays. 
• An average breakfast here will cost around € 7.50   

Noorderweg 2-4, Matthijsboon.nl

Your next activity in Hilversum depends on your children's age, but both of the options are at Mediapark. The Mediapark is a 20-minute walk from Hilversum Centraal station, or just a few minutes from Hilversum Media Park station. 

Mediamuseum: interactive experience for children aged 8 and up. 

The Mediamuseum is a great place to spend a few educational hours together. The interactive museum was completely renovated in 2022. Your media experience is divided into five zones, and 'Playing' will probably be your children's favourite. Here, they can build their own games and play 'the floor is lava' on an enormous interactive stage. But the other zones are just as interactive. Experience what it's like to be an influencer, learn to read a text as if you live with dyslexia, and find out how to deal with social media. And along the way, make your own films to watch at home. Double the fun!  

• Mediamuseum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 - 17:00. 
• Admission: free for Museumkaart holders and children age 8 and under, € 12.50 for children age 8 - 18, € 19.50 for adults. 
• Reserve a time slot online before your visit.

Media Parkboulevard 1, Mediamuseum 

Hillywood Tours: an experience for young and old

If your children are younger than eight years old, then it might be better to save a visit to the Mediamuseum until they're a bit older. One fun alternative is a tour through the Mediapark with Hillywood Tours. You'll get a unique glimpse behind the scenes of the Dutch TV and radio world. The guide will tell all kinds of fascinating stories about 'HIllywood', and you might just spot a Dutch celebrity! The highlights of the tour of the famous TV studios include the Walk of Fame and the prop depot. Maybe you'll recognise the desk from RTL Boulevard, or the props from Wie is de Mol?  

• The tours are available at the weekend and during school holidays. 
• A family ticket (2 adults and 2 children ) costs € 56, individual tickets are € 16.50, and children age 4 and under can get in free. 
• Reserve your tour online in advance.

Media Parkboulevard 1, Hillywood Tours

By now, you might be running low on energy after all the activities at Hilversum Mediapark. So it's time to recharge with lunch at Your Coffee. Yes, they do serve coffee here, but the barista will be just as happy to make you a delicious Maple Cinnamon Latte or a Chai Tea. They also serve double-decker grilled cheese sandwiches and healthy salads. And there are plenty of options for the youngest among us: sandwiches with peanut butter or humus, pancakes with syrup, and even a glass of Roosvicee. Once you've made your choices, the children can put the order in a ball and throw it into the order tube. How fun is that!  

And in the beach-themed playroom attic, the children are the boss. They can get as rowdy as they like, while you keep an eye on things. Or you can all sit down together at a table on the sun-drenched terrace. The restaurant is a no-car and no-smoking zone, and is only a 7-minute walk from Hilversum station.  

• Your Coffee is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. No reservations necessary. 
• Lunch for adults: € 15, kids: € 5 

Kerkstraat 38A, yourcoffeehilversum.nl

Now it's time to get some more exercise! Your next destination is around 20 minutes' walk from Your Coffee. Or maybe you'd prefer a ride on a Check shared scooter? HIlversum is home to what may be the coolest indoor trampoline park in the Netherlands. And now you can experience it together. At Flight Deck 53, you can jump around inside a national monument: the Clemenskerk church. Jump as high as you can among the arched columns and frescoed ceilings. Let the kids show off their skills. Even the smallest jumpers aged 1 1/2 and up are welcome during the toddler jump sessions. And you'll probably want to take the leap yourself, when you see how much fun it is.  

• Order your ticket online in advance, and check the times for specific ages. 
• An hour-long jump session will cost € 12.50. 

Bosdrift 53, flightdeck53.com 

Before you get to De Smidse for dinner, you'll come across an enormous mural in the same street, Oude Doelen. It's a perfect spot for a family selfie or a TikTok! Who's the biggest angel in the family? Find out as you stand between the two massive wings. A great souvenir of your day out or to share with #hillywood on your socials.  

And now, you can sit down for a cosy family dinner at De Smidse. Here, they serve artisanal pancakes in all shapes and sizes. You can even choose the vegan batter, which is also lactose- and gluten-free. And there are plenty of other options on the menu: from a classic saté, to the vegan 'Geitenbreier' salad entrée. The restaurant is located in a picturesque old smithy from 1900. There's a play corner for the kids, and you can eat outdoors in summer. It's the perfect way to end a fun day out with your children in Hilversum.  

If you're visiting Hilversum between Sunday and Wednesday, then you can also check out restaurant Primoat Groest 9B. Primo serves delicious pizza and pasta dishes. They even have a special 'bambino' menu for € 15, including a beverage and an ice cream.  

De Smidse and Primo are both located within a 5-minute walk from Hilversum station.  

• De Smidse opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday until 17:00, Thursday to Saturday until 20:00. 
• A plain pancake at De Smidse costs € 7, and the kid's pancake is € 5. 

Oude Doelen 58, de-smidse.nl

If one day isn't enough for you to experience everything you want to do in Hilversum, then consider spending the night in the charming apartment at The Livingrooms. Your kids will also feel like kings in their own cosy loft room. Who gets to take a bath first? The hotel is located in the centre of Laren, with a view of the St. Jansbasiliek church. The hotel is easy to reach by bus from HIlversum station.  

If you plan on spending the day exploring the countryside around Hilversum with the children, then check out our tips for a sustainable discovery tour of Hilversum.

• You can book a family suite at The Livingrooms-Laren for prices starting at € 185 per night. 

Kerklaan 9, thelivingsrooms-laren.nl

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Image: Beeld & Geluid, Jorrit Lousberg, Flightdeck 53, Visit Gooi & Vechtstreek, Hilversum Marketing, Your Cofee, LIving Rooms Laren, Mink Mingle, Ksenia Chernaya, Stockapp}