If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a real-life fairytale, Efteling is the closest you’ll come. My parents took me twice when I was little, so I was very excited to revisit the Dutch theme park with my five-year-old daughter.
While lots has evolved over the years, the heart of the park hasn’t changed. The Fairytale Forest is just as magical as I remembered, Dreamflight (or Droomvlucht in Dutch) still feels just as magical, and there’s something uniquely special about watching your own little one fall in love with the same places that captured your imagination decades earlier.
A quick flight from London City Airport to Amsterdam and then a manageable train ride away, we spent two nights at Efteling Bosrijk Village, giving us two full days to explore the park at a relaxed pace. Here’s everything you need to know before planning your own family adventure.
Why Efteling Is the Perfect Theme Park for Young Families
At a Glance
- Best for: Families with children aged 4–10
- Where: Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
- We stayed: Two nights at Efteling Bosrijk Village
- Ideal trip length: Two days
- Must-do attractions: The Fairytale Forest, Dreamflight, and Max & Moritz
- Top tip: Hire one of the pull carts for tired little legs (it was the best €5 we spent all weekend!).
Staying at Efteling Bosrijk Village
Staying at Bosrijk made the whole trip feel like a proper family holiday rather than simply a visit to a theme park.
Set within peaceful woodland just a short walk from the park entrance, the holiday village has a really lovely calm atmosphere. Every morning ducks wandered past our patio doors, and after a busy day in the park it was lovely to return somewhere so quiet.
The accommodation was spacious and comfortable for our family of three, and having the park within easy walking distance meant we could pop back for a rest whenever we needed.
On Saturday morning we headed to the swimming pool before returning to the park. My daughter absolutely loved the rapids, making it the perfect way to cool off before another day of exploring.
Why Efteling Feels Different
Unlike many other theme parks, Efteling isn’t all about chasing the biggest rollercoasters. It’s a place built around storytelling.
For my daughter, who is currently obsessed with fairies and princesses, it felt like stepping inside one of her favourite storybooks. The Fairytale Forest completely captured her imagination, and she asked to ride Dreamflight twice – with its floating fairies, woodland creatures and magical scenes.
I loved revisiting my childhood memories whilst creating new ones with her. Even the park stores continue the storytelling, with one of the best selections of princess dresses, fairy costumes and magical accessories I’ve seen at any theme park.
Is Efteling Good for Five-Year-Olds?
Absolutely. At just over 110cm tall, my daughter wasn’t quite tall enough for some of the park’s biggest rollercoasters, but it didn’t disappoint her as there was still so much she could experience.
Max & Moritz quickly became a favourite, while Dreamflight, the Fairytale Forest and many of the family attractions kept us happily busy across both days.
If you’re visiting with younger children, Efteling offers an excellent balance of gentle rides, imaginative play and larger attractions for older family members.
Eating at Efteling
We were genuinely impressed by the food throughout our stay. On Friday evening we ate at the restaurant in Bosrijk Village, where the food really exceeded our expectations. As someone who eats plant-based, I was pleased to discover several excellent vegan option (something that’s still surprisingly rare at many theme parks!).
On Saturday evening we booked Brasserie 7, The Grand Hotel’s beautiful restaurant, and it became one of the highlights of our trip.
The interiors are stylish and elegant while still embracing the park’s magical atmosphere. My daughter’s dessert arrived with a tiny bottle of “Princess Tears” to drizzle over her ice cream, and midway through dinner the Frog Princess appeared to greet young guests. It was exactly the sort of extra special detail that makes Efteling feel so immersive.
Our Top Tips for Visiting Efteling with Young Children
Hire a pull cart
The park is much larger than it first appears, and during our visit temperatures were high. We hired one of the pull carts for just €5, and it was probably the best money we spent. My daughter loved riding in it whenever her legs got tired, and it meant we could comfortably stay until the evening.
Download the app
The Efteling app is well worth using, especially if you’re hoping to experience some of the larger rides. Virtual queuing is available for selected attractions, allowing you to reserve a time slot rather than standing in line. A real bonus when you’re travelling with impatient younger children.
Stay late
One of our favourite discoveries was how magical the park becomes in the evening. During our visit it stayed open until 10pm, and as daylight softened the atmosphere became even more magical. We also found queues for some of the larger rides were noticeably shorter later in the day.
Plan for two days plus if you can
Efteling is bigger than many first-time visitors expect. Having two full days meant we could enjoy everything at a relaxed pace, revisit favourite attractions and still find time for the pool without feeling rushed.
Is Efteling Worth It?
Without question. What makes Efteling so memorable isn’t the rides, it’s the atmosphere. Every pathway, restaurant, shop and attraction feels carefully designed to tell a story, creating a park that’s every bit as magical for adults as it is for children.
If you’re looking for a European family break that combines imaginative storytelling, beautiful surroundings and attractions for all ages, Efteling has it all.
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