Thomas the Train – Coming Soon!

Reader Contribution (AS)

“A Day Out With Thomas”

Oct.22-24, 2010

Tickets on sale now for “A Day out with Thomas.” This is an annual even which takes place at the train station in Simpelveld, NL. These tickets sell out very quickly, so if you’re interested, book now! The little ones have so much fun- you can have your picture taken w/Thomas, watch a show with Thomas and Sir Topham Hat, and ride on other trains from station to station. They have activities planned at each station- so much to do!

For Tickets:  www.miljoenenlijn.nl or www.zlsm.de and click on the Thomas tickets link at the bottom right of the page. This will take you directly to the Euroticket link, where you buy the tickets.  You can also call them and order on the telephone- 0900-3636966 (40 Eurocents per min).  I am guessing their English is good enough to help you. They will mail you the tickets with a schedule of the day.

When you go, know that parking in Simpelveld for this event is crazy- we had to park in a random spot on the street and walk about 15 minutes to the station. It was worth it, though! This was one of the highlights of our time in Europe for my son (who was 4 when we went).

Continium Science/Discovery Museum

Reader Contribution (AS)

Have you heard about the Discovery Center Continium in Kerkrade?  It’s a science center with special events and exhibits.  Looks like fun!   The website is in Dutch and German, but click on Bezoekersinfo for details on open hours and cost.  The home page will show you events.  Bob the Builder was there just last month!

Continium
Museumplein 2
6461 Kerkrade, Netherlands
t +31 (0)45-5670809
info@continium.nl
www.continium.nl

Continium is located next to the train station in Kerkrade with free parking for visitors.

Local Fun List – all ages

The weather is getting nicer now and it’s time to get out… peruse this.  It’s an older list, but you may not remember it all.  Check out the Dagstrand park in Oost Maarland just 4 clicks from Maastricht!  So many fun things to do!

Less than an hour away

Niederheid, DE (7 min from GK)

Pee Wee’s — rainy day fun for young kids
Max Plankstrasse 14; Neiderheide DE
Tel: 02451 – 8228
Open: Mon – Fri: 13.30 – 18.30; Sat & Sun: 10.00 – 18.30; Holidays and vacation weeks: 10.00 – 18.30 (Great place in the winter, but do dress warm… and keep in mind that there is no air conditioning, so it does close on extremely hot summer days.)
Website: http://geilenkirchen.peeweeposterholt.nl/Auskunft.html
*Large Indoor Play area with separate toddler area, large slides, huge air bed/bouncy castle, bumper cars, ball pits, food available, large seating area for adults. Pee Wee’s is a favorite among kids and with enough to do for toddler ages as well, I’ve seen plenty of adults enjoy themselves with a book and a cup of all-you-can-drink coffee while the kids run off and play for hours. Like most, it is socks only, but where socks you don’t cherish as they’ll be black by the end of the day. Socks with the no-slide bottoms would be helpful for younger kids. Saying that, the place is not spotless, so don’t white glove test it and the bumper cars are fun though it smells of burning rubber. Still, kids love it and we’ve been to a few thousand (feels like it anyway) parties there now and it always turns out great.

Gangelt, DE (13 min from GK)

Haus Hamacher – Swimming pool and mini-golf
Am Freibad 10
52538 Gangelt
Telefon: (0 24 54) 14 14
Telefax: (0 24 54) 93 93 01
Email: Haus.Hamacher@t-online.de
Web: http://www.haus-hamacher.de/
Open: Monday-Saturday 1100-2200 and Sunday 1000-2200

Wildpark Gangelt
Schinvelder Str.; Mindergangelt
Tel: 02454-2459
Web: http://www.wildpark-gangelt.com/
(The Website has English translations on all its pages)
Open: 0900-1900 every day
Price: Adults — 6 E; Children ages 4-15 — 4 E
Food: 1 Euro/bag to feed the animals. They also like chestnuts and acorns in the fall.

Heinsberg, DE (13 min from GK)

Monkey’s Spielparadies — More rainy day fun for little ones
Humbolt Strasse 5; Heinsburg
Tel: 02452-977655
Open: Mon- Fri 1000-1900; Sat and Sun and holidays 1000-2200
Web: http://www.monkeys-spielparadies.de/
Price: Kids under 2: Free; Kids up to age 12: 4 Euros; Adults: 3 Euros; Grandma and Grandpa are free.

Landgraaf, NL (20 min from GK)

SnowWorld Indoor Ski Fun!
Witte Wereld 1, Landgraaf, NL
Web: www.snowworld.nl (English site available)

Limbricht, NL (24 min from GK)

Limbricht Kasteel – medieval themed vaulted bowling alley and good food
Allee 1; Limbricht Tel: 046-451 44 44
Opens: Thurs – Sun evening.
Web: www.kasteellimbricht.nl
*Look carefully at bowling package pricing… most look expensive, but include food.

Heerlen, NL (26 min from GK)

Kinderstadt — Large indoor playground
Parallelweg 4; Heerlen
Tel: 0031-455-717-252
http://www.kinderstad.nl/
Open: Every day 1000-1800
Price: 9.50 for ages 2-9

Neoliet Heerlen – Indoor Wall Climbing!
Sportpark Kaldeborn
Stadionbaan 52
6416CS Heerlen
31 (0)45 5424358
http://neoliet.climbing.nl/
> 17.5 m height, 1000 m² area
**They teach children from age 7, and do groups, parties, and can teach in English.

Würselen, DE (27 min from GK)

Euregio Freizeitbad Würselen – FUN! Indoor Swimming Center
Willy-Brandt-Ring 100; Würselen

http://aquana.de/Freizeitbad/Freizeitbad.htm

Open: M-Th 1300-2000, Fri 1300-2100, Sat-Sun 1000-2100

Kerkrade, NL (28 min from GK)

Gaia Park — zoo
Dentgenbachweg 105
6468 PG Kerkrade
Tel: 045 567 60 70
Web: http://www.gaiapark.nl
Hours: Opens daily at 1000.
Dec – Feb closes at 1600. March – June and Sept – Nov closes at 1700.
July – August closes at 1800.
Prices: Age 13 to 64 years € 17,00
Children 3 – 12 € 12.50
Under 3 is free
65 and over € 12.50

Echt, NL (28 min from GK)

De Ballon – rainy day fun for little people.
Bandertlaan 13; Echt, NL
Tel: 0031-0475-410845
Web: http://www.de-ballon.nl
Open: Wed, Fri-Sun 1000 – 1900
Cost: 3.25E
*This is small, but is open weekday mornings and has a separate toddler area.

Indoor Kartcenter — Bowling and Indoor Go-Carts!
Bandertlaan 9; Echt, NL
tel. 0475-418900
info@pke.nl
Web: www.pke.nl
Hours: Mon-Thurs 1800-2300, Fri 1800-2400, Sat 1300-2400, Sun 1300-2300

Aachen, DE (29 min from GK)

Badminton und Kletterhalle Tivoli Rock Aachen
Strangenhäuschen 11; 52070 Aachen
Tel: +49 (0) 241 / 15 77 60
Open: Mo – Fr: 09.00 bis 24.00 Uhr
Sa, So, Feiertags: 09.30 bis 22.30 Uhr
Web: www.tivoli-rock.de
*More than 1000sqm of indoor climbing space, bistro, camps for kids, and more!

Juelich, DE (30 min from GK)

Bruckenkopf Park
Rurauenstraße 11
52428 Jülich
Tel: 02461 – 9795-0
E-Mail: brueckenkopf-park@t-online.de

Web: http://www.brueckenkopfpark.de/
(Click on the Brueckenkopf park photo in the center, then click on the “fur kids” link above)
Price: Adults 4Euro, Kids above 1 meter 1.80, Kids under 1 Meter free
Open: Nov-Feb 1000-1630, Mar-Oct 0900-1800
*This park has several playgrounds (nice, big ones), minigolf, rafting, a bungee, rock climbing, sand pits, sports fields, a small kid train, a lake for water play, skate board ramps, and a nature park.

Neuss, DE (34 min from GK)

Kinderbauernhof
Nixhütter Weg 141, Neuss-Selikum
Tel: 02131 90 85 21
http://www.kinderbauernhof-neuss.de
Open: daily 0900-1800
Kurse = Course…. check the link online for many classes available.

Maasmechelen, BE (35 min from GK)

Cargo Karting
Heufkensweg 5; Maasmechelen, BE
Tel: 0032-089-77-28-50
Email: info@cargo-karting.be
Web: www.cargo-karting.be
Open: Mon – Fri 1800-2330, Sat 1300-1415 kids and 1415-2400 adults, Sun 1300-1500 kids and 1500-2300 adults.

Vaals, NL (36 min from GK)

Outdoor Go-Carts in Vaals
http://www.kartingvaals.nl/

http://actionfun.goedbegin.nl/

Labyrint Drielandenpunt – Large maze and playground
Viergrenzenweg 97; Vaals, NL
Tel +31 (043) 306 52 00
E-mail info@drielandenpunt.nl
http://www.drielandenpunt.nl/

Gulpen, NL (37 min from GK)

Mosaqua
Landsraderweg 11; Gulpen
tel.: +31 (0)43-4507400
email: info@mosaqua.nl
http://www.mosaqua.nl/
**Amazing subtropical aquatic extravaganza with indoor and outdoor
facilities. The indoor complex has several pools, slides, river rapids, Jacuzzis, Turkish
Bath and a small toddler pool with slides and water canons. For all ages. Hours and prices online in English. Reasonable rates.

Dusseldorf, DE (42 min from GK)

Duesselstrand
Kettwiger Strasse 50; Dusseldorf
http://www.baeder-duesseldorf.de/duesselstrand.htm

Kessenich, BE (43 min from GK)

Alles Kids
Venlosesteenweg 330; Kessenich, BE
Tel:- (0032) 089 57 22 80
Web: www.alleskids.be
Hours: Wed 1330-1900, Sat-Sun 1000-1900, School vacations 1000-1900, Summer 1000-1800
*Large indoor play area includes trike track, sponge ball guns, a couple of big slides,
separate toddler area, and enclosed mini football pitch with goals. Great for young kids on rainy, cold days.

Genk, BE (44 min from GK)

EuroPlanetarium
Planetariumweg 19; Genk
Tel: 0032-089-65-5555
Web: http://www.europlanetarium.be/

Valkenburg, NL (45 min from GK)

Laser Tag, Chairlift and Toboggan at GoGo Valkenburg
http://www.kabelbaan.nl

Valkenier Family Park
Koningswinkelstraat 53; Valkenburg NL
Tel: 0031-043-601-2289
Email: info@pretpark-de-valkenier.nl
Web: www.pretpark-de-valkenier.nl

Venlo, NL (45 min from GK)

Laser Quest & Bowling

VENLO MEGAZONE
Rijksweg 181
5941 AD Velden
Netherlands
Tel: 0031 77 472 2274

Noervenich, DE (45 min from GK)

Bubenheimer Playground and Maze
Burg-Bubenheim; 52388 Nörvenich
Tel: 02421 – 71194
Infoband: 02421 – 9709969
Web: www.bubenheimer-spieleland.de
Open: Mo. : Sa. 9.00 – 12.00
Mo. : Fr. 15.00 – 18.00

Oost-Maarland, NL (48 min from GK)

Dagstrand – Outdoor Recreation Park
Oosterweg 5, Oost-Maarland
Tel: +31 43 409 44 41
Tel: +31 43 409 36 71
info@dagstrand.nl
www.dagstrand.nl
*beach, paintball, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, restaurant, paintball, quad runners, canoes, boats, rope courses, camping, team buidling events, and more – reasonable prices. See website for details.

Bruehl, DE (48 min from GK)

Phantasialand Amusement Park
Berggeistrasse 31-41; Bruhl, DE
Web: http://www.phantasialand.de
*Ticket prices, hours, and other information is available on the easy-to-use English website.

Duisburg, DE (49 Minutes from GK)

Duisburg Zoo
Mülheimer Strasse 273; Duisburg, DE
Tel.: 0203-305590
E-Mail: Info@Zoo-Duisburg.de
Internet: www.zoo-duisburg.de
Price: Adult 11 Euro, Children 5.50 Euro – Family ticket available with good discount
Hours: Everyday from 0900. Holidays (Christmas and New Years) open at 1000. Closes at 1600 in winter, 1730 in summer.
*zoo with Dolphin exhibit

Tegelen, NL (50 min from GK)

High Ropes Course

Genk, BE (53 min from GK)

Het Domein Bokrijk – Bokrijks Adventure Park
Bokrijklaan 1; Genk
32 011 26 53 00
bokrijk@limburg.be
http://www.bokrijk.be
http://www1.limburg.be/bokrijk/eng/index.html

This entire town is set up to entertain you from March through September with its Open Air Museum which recreates special events in the past with music, costume, and actors. Enjoy the town and the many gardens, forests and walking paths surrounding it and take the kids. There is A LOT for them to do as well.

Bokrijk Adventure Park: There is a high and a low rope course, by which most challenges are at an average of about 6 meters. Open: year round
Miniature golf: Open: March – June weekdays 1100-1700 & weekends 1100-1800
July – August every day 1100-1900 & September 1300 – 1800
Playground: The Bokrijk playground is the biggest in the country. Sensational toys, a slide complex, a rope pyramid, and an animal corner are ready for hours of play. A playground specially designed for pre-schoolers offers safe playing pleasure for the smallest. And when the weather’s bad, there’s always Bokland, the indoor playground.
Bokland: Children from 3 to 10 years can play to their heart’s content in this indoor soft-play area. Diving into the vat of balls, scrambling on the toys, the entire area is suitable for children.
Open air Museum — Arboretum and a garden of fragrances and colours — Het Groene Huis — Covered wagons and a fishpond (more information available on the websites above or here)

Sevenum, NL (56 min from GK)

Toverland
Toverlaan 2; Sevenum
T (+31)077 – 467 70 50
info@toverland.nl
http://www.toverland.nl/
Price: € 19,50 per person
Parking: € 5,00
Hours: 1000-1800 every day
** Large indoor and outdoor play place. Great for kids all year round!

Oberhausen, DE (59 min from GK)

CentrOPark Oberhausen
Promenade 10; Oberhausen
http://www.centropark.de

SeaLife Oberhausen
Zum Aquarium 1; Amsterdamer Strasse; Oberhausen DE
Tel: 0208-444-88-444

http://www.sealifeeurope.com/map.php
oberhausen@sealife.de

One to two hours away

Bottrop, DE (62 min from GK)

alpincenter Bottrop — indoor ski center
Prosperstr. 299-301; Bottrop (DE)
http://www.alpincenter.com/
Open: Daily 0930 – 2400

Last entry: 2130 (Su – Thu) or 2230 (Fr – Sa)

Kevelaer, DE (64 min from GK)

Niederrheinpark Plantaria — gardens, playgrounds…
Am Scheidweg 1-5; 47624 Kevelaer
Tel: 02832-93270
plantaria@t-online.de
www.plantaria.de

Gelsenkirchen, DE (65 min from GK)

Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen
Bleckstr. 47
D – 45889 Gelsenkirchen
Tel. ++49 / (0)209 / 954 50
Fax ++49 / (0)209 / 954 51 21
e-mail: info@zoom-erlebniswelt.de
Internet: www.zoom-erlebniswelt.de
Review: http://livingingk.blogspot.com/2008/04/gelsenkirchen-zoo.html

Bottrop-Kirchhellen, DE ( 67 min from GK)

Movie Park
Warner Allee 1
46244 Bottrop-Kirchhellen
(Germany)
http://www.movieparkgermany.de

Kasterlee, BE (87 min from GK)

Bobbeejaanland

Olensteenweg 45; Kasterlee
Info 0032/ (02) 528 28 28
http://www.bobbejaanland.be
** Rave reviews from families who have been there.

Hilvarenbeek, NL (90 min from GK)

Beekse Bergen Safaripark and Adventure Playground
Beekse Bergen 31; Hilvarenbeek, NL
Tel. 0900-2335732
Web: http://www.safaripark.nl

Wavre, BE (100 min from GK)

WALIBI BELGIUM AQUALIBI
Rue J. Deschamps 9, Wavre, BE
Tel : 32 (0)10 42 15 00
email : info-wbe@cda-parks.com
site : www.walibi.be

Kaatsheuvel, NL (103 min from GK)

De Efteling
Europalaan 1
Postbus 18
5170 AA Kaatsheuvel
Phone: +31 (0)416 – 288 111
http://www.efteling.com

Biddinghuizen, NL (142 min from GK)

Walibi World
Spijkweg 30; Biddinghuizen, NL
Tel : 31(0)321 32 99 99
www.walibiworld.nl
info-wwo@cda-parks.com

Sittard ‘s Kinderoptocht – Carnival Children’s Parade

This Sunday, 7 February, at 1333 this year’s Children’s Carnival Parade will begin in Sittard.  If you have kids, GO!  It’s a lot of fun and the costumes and makeup are absolutely amazing!  If you’re a fan of Bagels and Beans, YES, they will be open.  That’s a great place to stand and watch the parade as well. 

Tifnotes version: If you have elementary school age kids, dress them up in their Halloween or Carnival costumes, pack a bag of confetti, silly string, or curly streamers to throw, and go to the Kinderoptocht in Sittard on the last Sunday before the Carnival season officially starts. Park in lots or nearby streets avoiding areas with the “verdunning hounders” sign. Pack drinks and snacks if you’d like or warm up with delicious hot chocolate or coffee at Bagels and Beans or Die Twee. Check the website above for dates closer to the next Carnival, but do go. It is a lot of fun! Oh, and don’t forget your camera! The photo-ops are fantastic!

Full version (where I ramble on a bit more): One week before the big Carnival parties start, Sittard has a special parade for the children. Winding through the old streets around the old market square, this parade will be enjoyed by your entire family. For almost two hours costumed groups travel along the parade route passing out treats, singing, playing music, and entertaining the crowds. Just the costumes and makeup alone make this a very special parade, but knowing that it’s a children’s parade during this season is nice too making it a family event that the kids will enjoy. Both in the parade and on the streets you’ll find people of all ages from infants sleeping in their decorated strollers to grandmothers and grandfathers with painted faces and silly hats. Among the crowds of spectators most all children are dressed in costumes and more then half the adults have on a hat, boa, or other colorful accessory.

Go a little early if you want parking in a parking lot. If you’re running late, park on the side streets, but look for signs that say ” verdunning hounders.” This means “for residents only,” so you will be ticketed if you park there.

The parade winds down the last half of Putstraat, turns just in front of Bagels and Beans, then circles back to the market, so we stood near Bagels and Beans (which just so happens to have delicious coffee and hot chocolate drinks in to go cups) and watched the parade from there. The crowds were big, but not horrible at that spot and it’s easy to turn and catch the last half of the parade again as it winds back to the market behind you.

The Dutch kids were well armed with silly string and armfuls of confetti and curly streamers. My girls would have loved that as well. So, now you know. Bring those things and it will just add to the fun. We saw plenty of tubas walking by thoroughly covered in silly string and even the police car wasn’t exempt from the decoration. The atmosphere is one of fun and is a perfect family event.

The website (only in Dutch) has information on the parade with times, the route, and photos of past parades dating back to the 1920′s. The Dutch word for parade is optocht, so the Groteoptocht link will get you to the information for the large parade that they have during the Carnival week itself. If you want more information on the Kinderoptocht (Children’s parade), click on that link for the route and photos of past children’s parades as well.

This year the parade was held on January 27, the Sunday before the Women’s Day, at 1333.

http://www.optocht-sittard.nl/HTML_content/1200_Introductie.htm

Mondo Verde

Ok, I haven’t actually been here, but several others have who’ve said that while pricey (and what isn’t around here?!?), Mondo Verde is a great place to go once in a while. Plus, they’re under new management and have expanded from just a garden park thing to much much more. Just check out the website. It’s all in English, so it’s easy to explore.

New – Mondo Verde is no longer just the gardens. There’s also a dinosaur park, a zoo with petting zoo, and a fun park area for kids!

In Landgraaf about 20 minutes (or less) from GK.

Mondo Verde
Groene Wereld 10
6372 PW Landgraaf
Tel: 045-5350161

http://www.wereldtuinenmondoverde.nl
Open: 365/year 1000-1600 winter — 1000-1800 summer
Tickets: Adults 10 — Kids 4 — Season tickets available!

Indoor and Outdoor Swim Center in Wassenberg

Fairly new, the new Parcbad Wassenberg is not only reasonably priced, but has enough pools to keep everyone happy. This isn’t an over-the-top play center like Aquana, but inside, you’ll find the sports pool for the serious swimmers as well as a small children’s pool, a hot tub, sauna, plenty of place for big kids to play and a 65M waterslide they’ll love. The outdoor pool is open year round at a nice hot temperature, so you can swim aside the snow. But when the weather is nice, you and your family can enjoy the large grassy area, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and a sand play area as well.

Parcbad Wassenberg
Auf dem Taubenkamp 2
41849 Wassenberg
Telefon: 0 24 32 / 8 91 14 0
E-Mail: parkbad@wassenberg.de
Web: http://www.parkbad-wassenberg.de

Classes: Pool staff offer aqua-fitness, water-cycling, children’s swim classes, mommy and me babies swim classes,

Prices are 3.50E for adults and 2.50E for kids, but you can get a package of 10 tickets for a discount price.

Hours:
Monday 1500-2130
Tuesday 0700-1000 and 1330-2130
Wednes 0700-1000 and 1330-1800
Ladies night – women 16 and older only 1830 – 2130
Thursday 0700-2130
Friday 0600-1000 and 1330-2130 (1330-1700 Water Play with Pool Toys)
Saturday 0800-1900
Sunday 0830-1730

Noah’s Ark

Yes, a FULL SCALE replica of Noah’s ark has been built by a Dutch man and now travels around the Netherlands. I saw it in Schagen last year and it’s currently in Amsterdam just a ten minute walk from the train station.

Fun for kids and pretty cool.

http://www.arkvannoach.com/

Hengelhoef – Family Play Park – Belgium

Reader Recommendation…

One hour from GK…

Hengelhoef Family Recreation Area
Tulpenstraat 141
Houthalen-Helchteren 3530, Belgium
T: 0032-89-382500
http://www.hengelhoef.info/

Huge indoor tropical swim center, indoor play center, outdoor beach area, biking trails, camping facilities, mini golf, kids club with disco, picnic grounds, parties available…

Prices:
Combined swim center and indoor play ground ticket: 8E/per person

Prices for indoor swim center:
Sat-Sun, Holidays and School Vacations: Adults 10E, Children 2 to 12 years 7E
Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri (not holidays or school vacations): Adults 8E, Children 2-12 6E
Mon-Fri after 1900 (not holidays or school vacations): Adults 5E, Children 3.50E

Groups of 20+ receive a discount.

Camping: 10E/night

Hours:
Mon-Fri 1400-2100
Wed 1300-2100
Sat-Sun and Holidays 1000-2100

24 Dec 1000-1800
25 Dec 1200-2000
31 Dec 1000-1900
1 Jan 1200-2000

Parking: 50 cents/hour

Another Informational Website – in English: http://www.suncamp.co.uk/gb/en/camp-sites/belgium/limburg/campsite-hengelhoef/

The Chocolate Factory – Amsterdam

Alas, it’s still too early for us now, but if you’re just arriving here, keep your eyes out for this – a chocolate amusement park/experience opening in the spring of 2011.

http://www.dechocoladefabriek.nl

Bobsledding near Monschau

Reader Contribution…

Hey all, we did a day trip to Monschau, but before hitting the village of Monschau, we drove to Rohren and for just a few euros, rode the bob sled down the mountain side. It was great fun, and the girls loved it. Very inexpensive, and all kids can ride. If they are under 8, they cannot ride alone. That is an easy rule.
Location: Monschau-Rohren

Sommer- und Wintersportzentrum Monschau-Rohren
Rödchenstr. 37
52156 Monschau-Rohren
Phone: (024 72) 41 72
Fax: (024 72) 41 47

info@sommerbobbahn.de
www.sommerbobbahn.de

Opening hours: 10am till 6pm
Admission charge: see homepage