Exploring the 25-Hectare Sculpture Garden: Tips for Families Visiting Kröller-Müller Museum

Looking for an outdoor art adventure your whole family will love? The Kröller-Müller Museum’s 25-hectare sculpture garden blends art and nature in a way that invites children to move, explore, and discover. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make the most of the 25-hectare sculpture garden—from playful highlights like Jardin d’émail to practical tips on picnics, geocaching, accessibility, and seasonal info.

Why families love this 25-hectare sculpture garden

Set in the heart of De Hoge Veluwe National Park, the sculpture garden is one of the largest in Europe. You’ll find over 200 modern art sculptures by prominent artists such as Aristide Maillol, Jean Dubuffet, Marta Pan, and Pierre Huyghe—spread across lawns, woodland edges, and thoughtfully designed open-air rooms. Two iconic 1960s pavilions by Gerrit Rietveld and Aldo van Eyck also have a new home here.

What truly sets this space apart for families is how welcoming it is to play and rest. In the sculpture garden, you’re encouraged to lie on the grass, enjoy a picnic, and let kids run around. Some works, like Jean Dubuffet’s Jardin d’émail (when conditions allow), can be touched and even walked on—turning art appreciation into a full-body experience for children.

Plan your day: For a relaxed visit to the museum and the sculpture garden, allow at least 3 hours. Read more tips at Plan your visit.

At-a-glance: Kröller-Müller Museum sculpture garden

Family-friendly highlights and activities

Jardin d’émail by Jean Dubuffet

• One of the garden’s most beloved works, Jardin d’émail invites children to explore, touch, and even play on its immersive white-and-black surfaces—when open.
• Seasonal access: Open from 1 April to 1 November, but only when the surface is completely dry. Closed during or shortly after rainfall due to slipperiness, and for maintenance every last Monday of the month.

Museum Dice Game (ages 4+)

• A playful way to explore the museum together. By throwing dice, searching for artworks, and answering questions, kids see art in a whole new light.
• Learn more family ideas at Families and groups.

Detective games (ages 4+)

• Detective games are available for both the museum and the sculpture garden and are free of charge in the museum. A great way to spark curiosity as you walk.

Geocaching treasure hunt in the sculpture garden

• Turn your visit into a treasure hunt with the free Kröller-Müller geocaching app (Geo Route). Choose a short route of 5 images (about 45 minutes) or a long route of 12 images (about 1.5 hours). You can pause anytime for a snack or a picnic.
• Complete the hunt to discover a hidden art treasure: you’ll receive a code, open it, take the credit card inside, and exchange it for a gift at the museum shop.
• The route starts in the sculpture garden and was created in collaboration with partner Mastercard. Start here: Geocaching route in the sculpture garden.

Picture books for toddlers

• Find two picture books in the museum shop to continue the art adventure at home: Swan looks for a playmate (featuring Marta Pan’s Floating Sculpture, ‘Otterlo’) and Swan gets dots, where George Seurat plays a special role.

Eating, resting, and recharging

• The sculpture garden is perfect for a family picnic—spread your blanket on the grass next to a favorite sculpture.
• Prefer a café break? The outdoor restaurant in the sculpture garden is open from 1 April to 1 November, with a lovely view of the Rietveld Pavilion. The main museum restaurant (Monsieur Jacques) serves coffee, sandwiches, soup, and salads, and closes at 16:30.
• See more on timings at Opening hours and prices.

Getting there and getting around (with kids in mind)

• The museum sits inside De Hoge Veluwe National Park. To visit, you need a day ticket for both the park and the museum. Buying online gives priority entry on busy days: Opening hours and prices.
• Park at one of the three park entrances and continue by car, on foot, or with a free White Bicycle (with child seat). Find distances and options at Address and route.
• For navigation in the garden, download the sculpture garden map (PDF).

Accessibility and practical essentials

• Most of the sculpture garden is accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter, except for some unpaved paths. Wheelchairs, walking frames, crutches, and children’s buggies are available to borrow free of charge from the cloakroom.
• Segways are permitted in the sculpture garden. Other motorized electronic aids are not allowed in the museum or the garden.
• Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum, the sculpture garden, and the park.
• There are two accessible toilets: one in the museum near the shop and one in the sculpture garden (to the right of the Rietveld Pavilion).
• Accessible parking: six spaces are available about 175 meters from the entrance (use your disabled parking card). Learn more at Accessibility.

Seasons, safety, and what to expect outdoors

• Winter period (1 November to 1 April): Some works are covered, temporarily removed, or inaccessible for safety and conservation. These include Floating Sculpture, ‘Otterlo’ by Marta Pan, Jardin d’émail by Jean Dubuffet, and Needle Tower by Kenneth Snelson.
• “Kijk Uit Attention” by Krijn Giezen is currently closed. From 27 June 2026, visitors will be able to climb the artwork again. Special conditions will apply and will be announced.
• Nature notes: Ticks are present in low vegetation in the Netherlands, including the sculpture garden. Check for ticks after your visit and remove promptly if needed.
• The museum has installed 50 bird houses to encourage birds that help control the oak processionary caterpillar. Avoid skin contact with the caterpillar’s hairs; the general advice is not to walk barefoot or sit on the ground.

House rules made family-friendly

• In the museum and the sculpture garden, artworks (including frames and pedestals) may not be touched—unless specifically indicated otherwise. Jardin d’émail is an example where touching and walking are allowed when the surface is dry and the work is open.
• Photography and smartphone filming are permitted without flash, tripod, or selfie stick.
• Food and drinks brought from home may only be consumed in the cloakroom or the sculpture garden.
• No smoking (including e-cigarettes) anywhere on site, including terraces and the sculpture garden.
• Children under 13 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
• Read the full guidelines at House rules.

Build your perfect family route (example)

• Start with the Geo Route short option (about 45 minutes) to get everyone engaged.
• Unroll your picnic blanket on the grass near a favorite sculpture for a relaxed break.
• If open and dry, head to Jardin d’émail for playtime on the artwork.
• Stroll by the Rietveld and Van Eyck pavilions and pause at the outdoor restaurant (1 April–1 November) for a coffee with a pavilion view.
• Use the map to loop back via a new path—kids love discovering sculptures from different angles.

Practical takeaways for parents

• Bring a picnic and a blanket—picnicking is welcome in the sculpture garden.
• Wear comfortable shoes; surfaces can be uneven and some paths are unpaved.
• Check the weather: Jardin d’émail is only open when completely dry and closes during/after rain and for monthly maintenance (last Monday).
• Plan at least 3 hours for the museum and garden to avoid rushing.
• Download the Geo Route app on-site for the geocaching hunt and choose a route length that suits your group.
• Stop by the cloakroom if you need to borrow a wheelchair, walking frame, or buggy.
• If you prefer cycling, pick up a free White Bicycle (with child seat) from the park.

Quick answers (for featured snippets)

• How big is the Kröller-Müller sculpture garden? It spans 25 hectares.
• Can you picnic in the sculpture garden? Yes—picnicking on the grass is encouraged.
• Is Jardin d’émail always open? No. It’s open from 1 April to 1 November only when completely dry, and it closes during/after rain and for maintenance on the last Monday of each month.
• Are there kid-friendly activities? Yes: Museum Dice Game (ages 4+), free detective games (ages 4+), and a geocaching treasure hunt with short and long routes.
• Is the garden accessible? Most areas are accessible; some unpaved paths are not. Wheelchairs and buggies are available to borrow.
• Do I need tickets for both the park and the museum? Yes—a day ticket for the museum and De Hoge Veluwe National Park is required.

Conclusion: Make your family day out unforgettable

The Kröller-Müller Museum’s 25-hectare sculpture garden gives families the space to explore, rest, and learn together—at your own pace. With playful highlights like Jardin d’émail, hands-on activities such as geocaching and detective games, and plenty of room for a picnic, it’s an ideal day out for all ages.

Ready to plan?

• Start with Plan your visit
• Check Opening hours and prices
• Explore family options at Families and groups
• Begin the treasure hunt: Geocaching route in the sculpture garden
• Review access details at Accessibility and routes at Address and route

Book your day tickets online and we’ll see you among the sculptures.