Nelis' Dutch Village in Holland, Michigan

The west coast of Michigan is full of wineries, breweries and gardens-not exactly a wonderland for children. Enter Nelis’ Dutch Village in Holland, Michigan! This is part carnival, part playground and partially educational and perfect for the 12 and under set.

A brick building with a clock and bell tower on top. There is a sign with two Dutch children dancing on the front. Underneath them is a blue sign reading Dutch Village Entrance. — Nelis’ Dutch Village

Holland, Michigan

Located on the west coast of the state, between Chicago and Detroit, Holland makes for a beautiful weekend getaway. Famous for its tulip gardens, it also offers several places to learn about the rich Dutch heritage of the city. For more details about the city, the annual Tulip Time festival and more read my post: Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan-A can’t miss Festival.

Some links may be affiliate links. By clicking on them and/or making a purchase, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Nelis’ Dutch Village

If you are traveling with children in your group, they will most likely grow tired of wandering gardens, waiting at wineries or being dragged through shops. Nelis’ Dutch Village will appease the younger crowd with its carnival rides and playground games. Older visitors may appreciate the history, wooden shoe demonstration and traditional restaurant.

Location, Hours & Admission

Nelis’ Dutch Village is located at 12350 James St. Holland, MI 49424. This is not to be confused with the downtown store location. There is plenty of parking available.

The Dutch Village is open daily from mid-April to August. In September they have limited days of operation. Please check the website for details before your visit. The Village will have longer hours during the Tulip Time Festival.

Ages 3 and up require a ticket. The 2025 prices are $19 per person and you can save $2.00 by ordering tickets online ahead of time.

Educational Experiences at Nelis’ Dutch Village

While the kids might not initially be excited to learn on their vacation, there are hands-on activities at the Dutch Village that make learning fun!

Wooden Shoe Demonstrations

A sign at Nelis' Dutch Village has a drawing of a man in Dutch clothing carving wooden shoes. It reads, "Klompenmaker Wooden Shoe Carving".

Enter this building near the park’s entrance to learn about the famous Dutch wooden shoes, or Klompen. A variety of sizes are available for try-ons and photo ops. There is usually someone demonstrating the carving of the shoes who is able to lecture on the history as well as answer questions.

A semi circle of Dutch wooden shoes is displayed on a brick floor.

Dutch Games

For those not so interested in the Klompen, there are also a variety of Dutch games to play. This building also has a small craft table for children to draw as they wait for others to enjoy the history around them.

A child stands at a long wooden table. He holds a small wooden disc and attempts to get the disc in one of the slots at the end of the table.

Dutch Dancing Lessons

At scheduled times throughout the day there are Dutch Dancing performances. During the performance, park attendees are invited to join in and learn a traditional Dutch dance. This is extremely entertaining for the spectators who can enjoy the show from bleachers.

Make a Stroopwafel

Have you heard of Stroopwafel? It is a delicious Dutch cookie and caramel treat. Kids can learn to make their very own in the Dutch kitchen!

A child presses his hands on top of a cook's hands. The cook is dressed in traditional Dutch clothing as part of the Nelis' Dutch Village uniform. On the counter in front of them is a sauce pan and a waffle press. Their hands press down on a brown substance on top of a white cutting board. Behind them are oak kitchen cabinets.

Additional Stroopwafel are also available for sale in the gift shop.

Other educational opportunities at Nelis’ Dutch Village

In addition to the experiences I’ve shown above, here are some more of the historical attractions at the Village:

Cheese Making
1880’s Street Organ
Antique Costumes
Delftware Demonstrations
Historical buildings such as a church and schoolhouse

Carnival Attractions at Nelis’ Dutch Village

The first thing your children will notice on the drive in to the Dutch Village will be the carnival rides. They are included in your admission and available on a first come/first serve basis. We arrived first thing in the morning and had waits of about 5 minutes for most of the rides.

The top of a ferris wheel can be seen against a clear blue sky. — Harry’s Windmill Ride

Rides will be very fun for the 10 and younger crowd. They include:

Harry’s Windmill Ride (pictured above) – A Ferris wheel)
Tractor Time- Ride on tractors for children
Zweefmolen- A swing chair ride
A 1924 Carousel
Pedal Pumper Cars

Petting Zoo

Included in the price of admission (most things at Nelis’ Dutch Village are!) is the Petting Farm. There are an abundance of different farm animals for you to visit with. Purchasing feed is an additional cost. Animals that live at the farm:

Goats
Chickens
Cow
Bunnies
Llama

Playtime at Nelis’ Dutch Village

If the above activities haven’t tired out the kiddos, the Dutch Village has plenty of outdoor playscapes for them to explore!

Pirate Ships- Attack the enemy pirates with water balloons on these fun, kid-sized ships.
Wooden Shoe Slide- There was an Old Woman who lived in a shoe….and now you can slide down it!
Climbing Castle- A wooden playscape
Train- A wooden train perfect for pretending and climbing.

Food and Drink

After all of the learning and exploring, you will probably be in search of a snack! Nelis’ Dutch Village has a few options available, including an ice cream shop. Food purchases are an additional fee.

Snacks

The Ice Cream Shop
Dutch cheese shop & tasting
Dutch candy, chocolate and cookie shop
The Fudge Shop

Restaurant

The Hungry Dutchman Cafe keeps the same days of operation as the rest of the park and closes two hours before the park. It serves traditional Dutch fare including Metworst and Banket (a Dutch almond dessert). The Cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a coffee bar.

The Thirsty Dutchman Pub is also open whenever the park is open. It serves up local brews, wines and ciders. Looking for a sampler? It will be served up in a bright yellow Dutch shoe!

Nelis’ Dutch Village is a great way to spend a day away from the busy downtown Holland area. The kids will appreciate the chance to roam, run and ride at this cute little park!

The BEST Place to take Kids in Holland, Michigan

Holland, Michigan