Walking with children – short routes, just a little different…

We regularly go out into the “Treasure Chamber of Twente” to walk short routes with the kids. We usually choose routes between 2.5 and 4.5 km.

We love going for walks to enjoy being outdoors. In addition to the special children’s routes (with assignments), such as the OERRR trail, Elfje Dageraad, the Boerskotten family walk, and well-known beautiful nature areas like Lutterzand and Arboretum Poort Bulten, there are also many other wonderful natural areas worth exploring.

We share some of our own tips for short walking routes that are fun for children and suitable for pushchairs and balance bikes.

Walks with balance bikes / pushchairs Happy walking, and we are curious what you think of these beautiful and sometimes less well-known spots.

Five fun walking areas for children, balance bikes, and buggies in the municipality of Losser:

Round Beuningen

From the village centre we walk via Oude Dijk towards the River Dinkel. We follow the purple waymarked route for about 3 km and make a short loop along the Dinkel and through the meadows. First, we find a xylophone where the children play a tune (part of the nature learning trail), and then we climb onto a viewing platform for a beautiful view of the Dinkel. The highlight of this walk is the impressive Maurits Bridge.

After about 1.5 km we reach the place where Prince Maurits crossed the Dinkel with his army during the Eighty Years’ War. There we also find a cannon, which is fun to explore with children, and an information board telling the story. A little further on there is an insect hotel and a lovely picnic spot by the river, where we often stop for a sandwich.

The short loop of about 3 km is nice to combine with a visit to restaurant Streekrestaurant ’t Sterrebos, a child-friendly place with a small playground. Along the way, you can also stop at care farm Sleiderink, where you can tap your own milk and, more recently, enjoy ice cream from IJskuip. A real experience for kids.

Gerardus Majella Park in Overdinkel

Not very well known, but definitely worth a visit. You can park in front of the church near the park. Here you can take a nice short walk. There are many tall trees—if you stand still and look up, you might spot a squirrel. At the back of the park there is a labyrinth, which is like a small maze for children and a bit exciting to find your way out.

There is also plenty to see and do, such as a stage where a beautiful Christmas nativity scene is set up in December, the Kiekschuur with African wood carvings, and many artworks to admire. In spring, the rhododendrons are in full bloom. More information about Gerardus Majella Park.

Wood carvings in the park

Nature estate De Wilmersberg in De Lutte

A gently rolling landscape around Landgoed Hotel De Wilmersberg. We park at the estate’s car park and walk downhill, then turn left into the forest. The estate features many special tree species, all labelled with signs. Along the paths you pass meadows with flower-rich grasslands and watering places for livestock. A peaceful place for walking.

Further along the Rhododendron Avenue there is a treehouse with a beautiful view—great fun for children. There is also a barn where Scottish Highland cattle graze, a perfect spot for a break. Tip: after this walk, you can visit nearby Pannenkoekhoes De Stroper.

View Rhododendron Avenue

Kerkebos loop in De Lutte

A hidden gem behind the Plechelmus Church in De Lutte is the Kerkebos forest. You can park at Erve Boerrigter or in the village centre. Via the monastery path you enter the forest. Along the way there is the St. Joseph Chapel, where you can light a candle, and a high viewing platform with a wide view over the landscape.

There are several picnic benches in the forest for a break. The walk is about 2 km in total. Afterwards you can get ice cream or a treat in one of the nearby cafés. It is also nice to visit the Lourdes grotto and the statue of the Hellehond. A longer marked route of 2.7 km is also available.

Landgoed Snippert in Losser

For this route, we park at the Judithhoeve farm car park. The marked trail starts directly there. We cross the road and enter the forest. The green route is 3.7 km long. It leads through a varied landscape, past heathland and narrow forest paths, and sometimes even fallen logs you can climb over.

There are also trees to climb and places to jump across small ditches. Along the way there are resting spots in beautiful locations, and in spring the rhododendrons are in full bloom.

More information about this nature area managed by Natuurmonumenten Twente.

Walking network map

Did you know that the walking network map also includes several short routes and indicates whether a route is suitable for pushchairs? The map for Noordoost-Twente can be ordered online.

Children’s treasure map

Of course, there are many more fun children’s activities and routes. The Children’s Treasure Map of Noordoost-Twente is also highly recommended for inspiration. It is available at the Tourist Information offices in Noordoost-Twente.