Itinerary Feedback

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants

Above is my Trip Report from Spring 2024. I think the details on getting to Kinderdijk will be helpful. It is so worthwhile, one of the trip highlights, (and I don't think you'll need the other experience.) The other top adventure was Keikenhof.- seven million flower bulbs!
Just a few notes-
are your hotels books, hopefully? This time is very in demand because of the tulips, and Easter is April 20, so the week before and after gets busy.
Biking at Keukenhof is probably not the best with the kids. We found the bikes poorly maintained and thus difficult to ride. There's a lot of bikes out there, with a canal on one side, and incoming traffic on the other side. It was not a casual, leisurely experience. Not sure if they have bikes with child carriers.
We stayed in Haarlem, and there was a big carnival Fun Fair in the main square, that the kids should like. It was weird seeing the Cathedral Spire and the Ferris wheel together against the sky. I think it ran until King' s Day. (I think you'll miss King's Day, which is fine, just check when it is.)
The Keikenhof Flower parade ends in Haarlem late on a Saturday night, and the flower floats are then on display in Haarlem all day that Sunday. If it fits your schedule , check out the dates.
Haarlem Canal Cruises was excellent, in a small boat, and the captain was one of the most knowledgeable tour guides of our entire trip.
Market days are fun everywhere. Check out the days for the local markets. The kids can eat their way through them.
Do all the canal cruises you can. They are all different.
Again, the details are in my Trip Report.
Enjoy this wonderful area!

I don't have a ton to offer since I don't have kids, but I will make a few more general comments.

1. If possible, have a bike reservation ahead of time. We rented from A-Bike Vondelpark and when we got there to pick up our rental, the line was out the door, but our reservation put us next in line. Saved an hour plus, and with kids, that would be a real headache.
2. There's another thread on Zaanse Schans vs Kinderdijk, but I might be in the minority of those who thought Zaanse Schans was a rare disappointment in the Netherlands.
3. Keep your eyes out for dairy farms and dairy farm tours/shops. We were riding from Amsterdam to Edam one day, and passed a dairy farm with a cheese shop plus outdoor food & drink. Sitting outside with us (behind a small fence) were dozens of lambs that you could pet and also an assortment of ducks & geese. All "free". The countryside is full of farming of various kinds and also all sorts of wildlife - especially birds - and farm animals.
4. Keukenhof Gardens were very kid friendly, so while there WILL be crowds, the kids should have lots of options to just run around in gorgeous surroundings. We went towards the end of the season and got there at like 2pm, so the biggest crowds were gone but the still lovely.
5. If the weather is good, opt for a fully open canal cruise instead of one with a roof. 360 degree views are very nice if the weather is agreeing with you. Also, there are ferries all over around there, so if on bikes, those are fun to take when you see them :)
6. We also found the roof of the NEMO Science Museum to be really neat, and kids might really enjoy running around up there and interacting with the water features up there. Probably too "old" for your kids in the museum, but the rooftop area is free and accessible without going in or through the museum (and has nice views of Amsterdam). If you are over by the ARTIS Zoo, it's a short bike ride away.

The kermis (fun fair) will be on the Grote Markt in Haarlem from April 11 up to and including April 27.

Pat, thanks so much for the link to your trip report. Yes, our lodging is booked. It was pricey during tulip season, but the tulips were one of the main draws to the Netherlands for me so it's worth it.

That is helpful to know that biking at Keukenhof isn't the best. I contacted the email address listed on their bike rental page and the sales rep said they rent cargo bikes that would fit both of my kids. I'm hoping to rent bikes for Vondelpark or Amstelpark before Keukenhof and will see how easy cargo bikes are to maneuver.

We are unfortunately just missing the flower parade (April 12). I will put Haarlem Canal Cruises on my list. Thanks for the recommendation.

We plan to go to at least the Delft market day (Thursdays) and maybe some others too if it works scheduling-wise. Thanks for the recommendations.

Tom, thanks for the reply!
1. That's actually the bike rental place I was planning on renting from, so that is a great tip to reserve ahead of time! 2. Good to know about Zaanse Schans. I have put ZS on and off my itinerary a couple of times now. 3. The dairy farms/petting zoos sound awesome. 4. We are hoping to go early and avoid (some) of the crowds 5. If you have any canal cruise names in particular, I would love a recommendation. I was looking at the Blue Boat Company as it's close to our hotel and was advertising a kids cruise option. 6. That is great to know about the roof of the NEMO science museum. That sounds like something my kids would love.