We had a wonderful time at Efteling! Last year, when the children were 1.5 and 4.5, we went too. The youngest didn't really get much of it then. It was even more fun to see how much something can change over the course of a year. The Droomvlucht was especially favorite with the youngest. Luckily, the oldest still prefers fairy tales and fantasy, so we all had a wonderful time wandering around the enchanted forest together. This time we also went on a few rides on Joris en de Draak (Joris and the Dragon), which was secretly our son's favorite part of the day. Luckily, it wasn't too crowded. That's the advantage of going during this time of year. It might be a bit colder, but we had our thick coats on. And we didn't have any rain, so what more could you ask for? What I appreciate most about an outing like this is being together. Making a plan together about what you want to do and respecting everyone's dignity. I feel constantly cheerful, and my smile is constantly on my face (admittedly, there are times when we're all a bit down and the atmosphere is a bit sluggish, but that passes too). This time we also went to see Klaas Vaak (Santa Claus). He's part of Bosrijk, and he tells bedtime stories. It's also a fun experience: sitting in a circle with all the children, blankets on, listening to a man wearing tights, a very long beard, and a giant pointed hat. In short, highly recommended! And now back home to rehash everything in the "afterplay," haha, replaying all the experiences. For ideas, check out the other blog post about Efteling .
PS. We also let the children take home a souvenir. To avoid taking home unnecessary items, it's helpful to guide them towards something useful. For example, my son chose a new lunch box and cup from Ravelijn, and our daughter chose craft bracelets and a toothbrush from Cinderella.
