Kinderboekenmuseum in The Hague: a place where books come to life
If you are traveling in The Hague with a child, the Kinderboekenmuseum can be a great option for a few hours. It is not just a museum with displays, but a space where young visitors meet characters, play literary games, and can use their own imagination. The museum is dedicated to Dutch-language children's literature and works in conjunction with the Literatuurmuseum.
What to do there
The main attraction of the museum is its interactive format. Here, a child not only looks at books, illustrations, or objects, but literally immerses themselves in the world of stories through games, decorations, and exhibitions. Among familiar Dutch characters, you can meet Kermit the Frog, Dolph the Wolf, King Katerina, and Pluk from the Petteflet — however, without knowledge of Dutch, some plot points may not be fully understood.
For the youngest visitors, there is a colorful space related to picture books. Older children and teenagers may find the changing exhibitions and tasks interesting, which encourage not just reading, but inventing their own stories. So this place is more for curious explorers than for those expecting a quiet classical museum.
Where to find it
The Kinderboekenmuseum is located in the building of the Royal Library of the Netherlands, next to The Hague's central station. The museum's address is Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5, 2595 BE Den Haag; the entrance to the museum part is located on the first floor of the complex. Due to its proximity to Den Haag Centraal, it is convenient to reach by public transport, bicycle, or on foot from the station.
The museum is part of an institution that also preserves the national literary heritage of the Netherlands. Next to the children's exhibitions, you can see materials about writers and illustrators: manuscripts, letters, photographs, portraits, and original illustrations.
Is it worth going
Yes, especially if you are traveling with a child who loves fairy tales, role-playing games, and active exhibitions. The museum is well-suited for a rainy day or a break between walks in the center of The Hague: it is conveniently located, and the format does not require the child to stand for long at text panels.
At the same time, it is worth considering the language aspect: the main literary program is related to the Dutch language. For toddlers, this is not necessarily a problem, as much is explained through images and play, but for older children without knowledge of Dutch, it may be more difficult to fully understand certain stories.
The museum plans to remain in The Hague until the end of 2027, after which it is set to move to Utrecht. If you have long wanted to peek into the world of Dutch children's books, now is a good reason to do so — will you go?
