Camping Ruinen

What a covered waterpark... and indoor play area... and undercover petting farm: you'll need to firmly factor in some outdoor time too at the Drenthe region's Camping Ruinen to ensure you and yours get an appropriate amount of fresh air.

Which, to be fair, is a walk in the park as well. For this family-friendly place has top-notch facilities and activities for all age groups out of doors as well as in, all on a roomy, green and laidback site with spacious pitches set scenically under trees.

Indoor antics first... as the kids will no doubt whoop when they clap eyes on the waterpark: they have their own paddling pool area here, with a teeny slide for teeny types. The main pool has a waterslide for bigger (and braver) types, as well as a Jacuzzi corner for serene steaming while the smalls splash about.

Once everyone's dried off, take the crew to the petting farm to meet, coo over and probably talk to the Ruinen animals, then make your way to the indoor playground for miniature golf, trampolines, table tennis and karting. Time then for refuelling indoors at the restaurant if the kids are able to sit still after all that excitement; if not, let them loose outside while you have a rejuvenating drink or two.

There's stacks of space outdoors too for kicking a ball about or pedalling around using bikes hired from the team – and if the kids are so inclined you can bamboozle them/calm them down by challenging them to outdoor giant chess. Then, finally, get out and about in the region: on the hiking and cycling paths of Dwingelderveld National Park, or to famed Netherlands attractions such as Emmen's zoo.