Wild seal spotting on the Waddenzee, visiting orphaned seal pups at Ecomare, searching the woods for Texel gnomes, climbing the lighthouse and cuddling little lambs on the farm: as a child, you can have great – unplugged – fun on Texel.

1. Water playground

Having a good old mess around with sand and salt water and using it to operate all kinds of mechanisms is something you can do at the Wadden water playground at Oudeschild marina. Here, you can also find a 32-metre-long pirate ship with ropes, nets and crow’s nest which you can climb and clamber to your heart’s content. Still not tired? Go wild on the 25-metre-long zip wire and giant swing

2. The Food Forest

When you visit the food forest, you pick your own fruit and flowers. You can explore on the gnome trail, follow the jeep go-kart route or play in the playground.

3. The Sommeltjespad

The Sommeltjespad, a kids’ nature trail that teaches the youngest of nature lovers to explore their surroundings. Along the route (1.5 km), the kids try to spot Sommeltjes (Texel gnomes), animals living on Texel and other fun things. The Sommeltjespad is situated in De Dennen, on the south side of Pelikaanweg. Startingpoint: Pelikaanweg, De Koog.

4. Delicious ice cream

At ice-cream farm Labora they make ice cream from fresh milk and cream, from cows which are allowed to graze in the stunning nature reserve De Roggesloot. At Labora, you can try all kinds of flavours: from Oma’s Appeltaart (Grandma’s Apple Pie) and Hoky Poky to strawberry sorbet.

5. Sheep farm visit

At Schapenboerderij Texel, there are more than 25 different breeds of sheep to see. You can also gambol around in the hay, cuddle lambs on your lap, ride a pony and play with all the other animals on the farm.

6. Mudflat walks

Walk on the seafloor during a mudflat excursion and discover how impressive the Wadden area is. Led by an experienced guide, you study the uncovered seafloor. This may seem bare but it’s actually teeming with life: with a little bit of exploring, messing around with fishing nets or digging with your hands, you will discover lugworms, cockles, oysters and little sprinting crabs. Mudflat excursions can be booked via Ecomare.

7. Playground

At the playground, children can have hours of fun climbing and clambering. There is one play paradise at Camping Kogerstrand and the other is at holiday park De Krim. Both are free to visit.

8. Beach combing

Oysters, cockles, nuns, banded wedge shells and mussels: you can collect shells both on the North Sea beach and on the Wadden side and – very occasionally – you can also find remnants of prehistoric times. It’s a case of looking very carefully and being lucky.

9. Cute orphaned seal pups

Common seals have their young in the summer. Sometimes they get separated from their mums. These orphaned seal pups are taken in at Ecomare; cute orphaned seals can be admired here from the beginning of the summer.

10. Climb the lighthouse

You can climb the cheerful red-painted lighthouse in the northern tip of Texel. From the gallery, at 45 metres above sea level, you get to enjoy awesome views of the North Sea, Vlieland, the Waddenzee and Texel itself. In clear skies, you can even see Terschelling!

11. Take a trip on a prawner

A trip on a prawner is a real experience, not in the least because you can spot seals in the wild along the way. At low tide, they lie in groups on the sandbar and at high tide, they sometimes swim around the boat all inquisitively.

12. Eating pancakes

Who doesn't love fresh pancakes? On the edge of the forest near Den Burg you will find Farm Boerderij Eethuis Catharinahoeve. There are many pancakes with Texel products on the menu. The children can play in the garden or in the play loft. Klif 23 in Den Hoorn offers a choice of more than 125 species. In spring you have a beautiful view of the daffodil fields from the terrace.

Stay overnight

There are so many fun activities and outings to do on our island that one day is really not enough. Stay a few nights and check out the child-friendly accommodation.

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