The Brabantse Kempen is one of the nicest places in the Netherlands for a family day out. Vast pine forests, open heathland, charming village centers, and a touch of history everywhere you go. But what exactly will you do? We've listed fifteen concrete outings, all in and around Bladel, from adventurous to relaxing, so there's something for every family and every season.
1. Go on a witch hunt with a GPS scavenger hunt
Do you want the kids to be talking about it for weeks afterward? Then start with Witch Hunt Bladel, an interactive outdoor GPS scavenger hunt through the heart of the Kempen. Using a free app on your smartphone, you and your team will hunt for Zwarte Kaat, the notorious robber witch from 1596. Along the way, you'll solve riddles, follow hidden tracks, and discover places most people never see. Everyone participates: one navigates, another reads the hints, and the children run ahead. One ticket is valid for an entire team of up to four people, and you can start whenever it suits you.
2. Walk across the Cartierheide
The Cartierheide near Eersel is a beautiful nature reserve full of heathland, pine forests, and fens, a fifteen-minute drive from Bladel. There are several marked routes, including the Laarvenloopje: a family trail that is also suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. In August, the heath turns purple, and with a bit of luck, you might spot deer. The starting point with parking and catering is Natuurpoort TerSpegelt on Postelseweg.
3. Look for gnomes on the Gnome Trail
For the little ones, the Gnome Trail Kempen in Eersel is a real hit. At Recreation Park TerSpegelt, you pick up a knapsack and a red pointed hat, and then you walk a short route of 500 to 1500 meters past gnome houses and challenges. Specifically designed for children aged 3 to 7, and easily accessible with a stroller.
4. Walk barefoot on the Barefoot Path
In Hooge Mierde, there is a Barefoot Path of 1.5 kilometers with ten challenges and all kinds of natural surfaces. Ticklish grass, cool mud, rough stones: children love it. Backpacks to put your shoes in can be bought at De Spartelvijver on Weeldsedijk.
5. Cuddle the animals at De Hollandershoeve
De Hollandershoeve in Reusel is an outing in itself: a freely accessible petting zoo with ponies, donkeys, alpacas, and goats, a natural playground, and a pancake inn with more than eighty types of pancakes. In the summer, there's also a corn maze. While the children climb and feed the animals, you can sit on the terrace. About a ten-minute drive from Bladel.
6. Go on safari in Safaripark Beekse Bergen
Do you want to go all out? Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek is about a half-hour drive away. You can drive or sail past lions, giraffes, and elephants, or explore the park on foot. Plan for a full day, so don't combine it with too many other plans.
7. Experience the magic of De Efteling
About forty-five minutes away is, of course, De Efteling in Kaatsheuvel. From the Fairytale Forest to the roller coasters: for families with children of all ages, it remains one of the most beautiful amusement parks in Europe. A day at Efteling is an outing the children won't soon forget.
8. Splash in the tropical swimming pool
Rain predicted or just in the mood for water fun? At Aqua Mundo at Center Parcs De Kempervennen in Westerhoven, fifteen minutes from Bladel, you can visit as a day guest. Slides, a wave pool, and a wonderfully warm temperature, regardless of the weather outside.
9. Step back in time at the Kempen Museum
At Kempenmuseum De Acht Zaligheden in Eersel, you can discover what life was like in the Kempen between 1850 and 1950, in a beautiful old long-facade farm. It's interactively designed, with old crafts and games, so it's also fun for children. Note: the museum is closed for renovation and is expected to reopen at the end of September 2026, so check the website before your visit.
10. Cycle along the junction network
The Kempen is a true cycling paradise with an extensive, low-traffic junction network. Create your own short route along forests and meadows, and plan a playground or ice cream stop along the way. By bike, you'll discover the most beautiful corners of the countryside, and it's also a great way to tire out the kids.
11. Discover the Eight Beatitudes
The Kempen is known for the Eight Beatitudes: the villages whose names end in -sel. A tour along Bergeijk, Bladel, Eersel, and the centers of Reusel-De Mierden, with their old churches and squares, feels like a journey back in time. Great to combine with a terrace and a story for the children.
12. Enjoy artisanal ice cream at Ice Cream Farm Fabor
At Ice Cream Farm Fabor in Reusel, they make artisanal ice cream from the fresh milk of their own cows. A delicious regional product and the perfect reward after a walk or bike ride. The children choose their favorite flavor, and you enjoy the view of the Kempen landscape.
13. Stroll through the market in Bladel
The center of Bladel has spacious, child-friendly terraces and a cozy market square. An ice cream, some browsing, and a moment to relax: the perfect quiet end to a busy day. On market day, there's extra hustle and bustle.
14. Spot deer, butterflies, and the nightjar
Nature in the Kempen is full of life. Early in the morning or at dusk, you can spot deer on the Cartierheide, and in summer, special butterflies and dragonflies flutter around the fens. Give the children binoculars and a spot list, and it will naturally become a game. At dusk, even the nightjar hunts along the edge of the forest.
15. Make it an evening adventure
When the sun sets, the Kempen transforms into something magical. A short evening walk with a flashlight or stargazing on the heath is exciting and unforgettable, even for older children. Keep it short and close to a parking lot, so everyone can enjoy it.
Which outing will it be?
Whether you choose nature, animals, culture, or a good dose of adventure: in the Kempen, you're always in the right place. Do you want to make it an unforgettable experience right away? Go on a witch hunt and discover Bladel in a way the children will never forget.
Book your ticket now and start the hunt whenever you want.
