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30 Living Fairytales

Step into the magical Sprookjesbos where timeless stories by Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, and Perrault come alive under ancient trees.

30 Living Stories Fairytale Forest (Marerijk)
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The Princess and the Pea
Introduced in 1963
Hans Christian Andersen

The Princess and the Pea

At the palace gate stood a girl soaked by the rain. A single little pea hidden beneath twenty soft mattresses proved her royal blood.

Moral of the Tale: "True nobility of soul and sensitivity reveals itself even through twenty mattresses."
Cinderella
Introduced in 2009
Charles Perrault & Brothers Grimm

Cinderella

Dressed in golden silk, Cinderella danced at the royal ball and lost her glass slipper on the palace staircase.

Moral of the Tale: "Patience, grace, and an honest heart shine brightly through ashes."
The Dragon
Introduced in 1979
Efteling Lore & Folk Tales

The Dragon

Touch the gleaming crown upon the treasure chest and awaken the fearsome dragon from his slumber.

Moral of the Tale: "Those who reach greedily for forbidden gold awaken the wrath of the beast."
The Indian Water Lilies
Introduced in 1966
Queen Fabiola of Belgium

The Indian Water Lilies

Seven naughty star-children danced past dawn and were enchanted into floating water lilies upon the jungle lagoon.

Moral of the Tale: "Never let reckless pride and vanity triumph over harmony and modesty."
The Frog Prince
Introduced in 1952
Brothers Grimm

The Frog Prince

A golden ball rolled into a shadowy well. The humble frog returned it and was freed from his curse.

Moral of the Tale: "Honor your promises, for inner virtue often hides behind humble appearances."
The Little Mermaid
Introduced in 1970
Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Mermaid

Perched upon a mossy stone by the flowing spring, the little mermaid gazes wistfully at the world above.

Moral of the Tale: "Pure devoted love is willing to sacrifice everything for an immortal soul."
The Magic Clock
Introduced in 1952
Folk Tale

The Magic Clock

Six mounted knights gallop around the fairytale clocktower whenever the melodic bells ring out.

Moral of the Tale: "Greed and sibling discord lead to eternal entrapment by one's own pride."
The Emperor's New Clothes
Introduced in 1952
European Folklore

The Emperor's New Clothes

The vain monarch struts proudly down his palace balcony in nothing but his royal undergarments.

Moral of the Tale: "Innocent honesty effortlessly unmasks vanity and pretentious deceit."
The Red Shoes
Introduced in 1953
Hans Christian Andersen

The Red Shoes

Upon an enchanted podium in the forest, the crimson slippers dance ceaselessly day and night.

Moral of the Tale: "Unchecked vanity carries the heart away upon a path of ceaseless unrest."
The Troll King
Introduced in 1988
Scandinavian Folklore / Anton Pieck

The Troll King

Turn the astrological dial and watch the wise Troll King awake to consult the stars for you.

Moral of the Tale: "Those who seek their fortune must listen closely to the ancient wisdom of nature."
The Gardener and the Fakir
Introduced in 1958
1001 Arabian Nights

The Gardener and the Fakir

A fakir on a magic carpet plays his enchanting flute, causing colorful tulips to bloom at his command.

Moral of the Tale: "Devotion, melody, and harmony with nature summon the sweetest blossoms."
The Wolf and the Seven Kids
Introduced in 1973
Brothers Grimm

The Wolf and the Seven Kids

The clever youngest goat hid inside the grandfather clock while the wolf tried to deceive them.

Moral of the Tale: "Do not be deceived by a sweetened voice and flour-dusted paws."
The Six Servants (Longneck)
Introduced in 1952
Brothers Grimm

The Six Servants (Longneck)

Longneck stretches his towering neck high into the forest canopy, surveying the entire park.

Moral of the Tale: "When diverse talents unite with loyalty, no impossible obstacle remains insurmountable."
The Six Swans
Introduced in 2019
Brothers Grimm

The Six Swans

Board a graceful swan boat and glide through the fairy castle where sister Elisa weaves starry shirts.

Moral of the Tale: "Devotion, silent perseverance, and selfless courage can shatter the darkest sorcery."
Sleeping Beauty
Introduced in 1952
Charles Perrault & Brothers Grimm

Sleeping Beauty

Deep within the briar-covered castle, Sleeping Beauty and the court guards sleep their peaceful slumber.

Moral of the Tale: "No dark enchantment lasts forever; genuine love awakens life anew."
The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Donkey
Introduced in 1956
Brothers Grimm

The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Donkey

Call out 'Donkey stretch yourself' and receive a shiny commemorative golden Efteling ducat coin.

Moral of the Tale: "Honest work receives its reward, while greedy thieves face justice from the cudgel."
Hansel and Gretel
Introduced in 1952
Brothers Grimm

Hansel and Gretel

Nibble nibble mousekin, who nibbles at my housekin? The witch peers from her confectionery cottage.

Moral of the Tale: "Beware of sweet deceptions and rely upon quick wits and sibling loyalty."
Guinevere's Bridal Gown
Introduced in 1952
European Folklore

Guinevere's Bridal Gown

Dozens of pure white doves flutter in harmony, weaving a gown of enchanted feathers.

Moral of the Tale: "Purity of spirit and companionship weave treasures richer than woven gold."
The Little Match Girl
Introduced in 2004
Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Match Girl

Each striking match illuminates poignant visions of love and warmth in the winter night.

Moral of the Tale: "Compassion and tender warmth for the forgotten are the truest gifts of the soul."
The Naughty Princess
Introduced in 1952
European Folklore

The Naughty Princess

The vain princess was enchanted into a squawking bird repeating visitors' passing chatter.

Moral of the Tale: "Arrogant pride and mockery inevitably lead to a humbling fall."
The Gnome Village
Introduced in 1952
Anton Pieck Lore

The Gnome Village

Peek inside red-capped mushroom houses to witness the industrious daily life of woodland gnomes.

Moral of the Tale: "Harmony, diligence, and peaceful neighborliness bring joy to woodland life."
Tom Thumb
Introduced in 1998
Charles Perrault

Tom Thumb

Clever Tom Thumb stealthily slips the magic seven-league boots from the sleeping giant.

Moral of the Tale: "Clever wits, courage, and sharp observation conquer the mightiest giant."
Wee Walter Messenger
Introduced in 1952
European Folklore

Wee Walter Messenger

The beloved gnome Wee Walter has pointed the way with a friendly gesture since 1952.

Moral of the Tale: "A cheerful guide always provides relief to weary travelers."
Pinocchio
Introduced in 2016
Carlo Collodi

Pinocchio

Visit Geppetto's charming woodshop and see the giant sea creature rising from the lake.

Moral of the Tale: "Truthfulness, bravery, and selflessness transform a wooden puppet into a real child."
Rapunzel
Introduced in 2001
Brothers Grimm

Rapunzel

Rapunzel lowers her long golden tress from the stone tower window as the witch climbs upward.

Moral of the Tale: "No fortress wall or wicked enchantment can prevent true love from reaching its destiny."
Rumpelstiltskin
Introduced in 1998
Brothers Grimm

Rumpelstiltskin

Dancing round his woodland fire, the little imp boasts: 'Today I bake, tomorrow I brew, Rumpelstiltskin is my name!'

Moral of the Tale: "Hidden trickery loses all dominion the moment truth and identity are brought to light."
Little Red Riding Hood
Introduced in 1953
Charles Perrault & Brothers Grimm

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood knocks at grandmother's door while the wolf lurks under the bedclothes.

Moral of the Tale: "Stay on the safe path and never trust sweet words from lurking woodland wolves."
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Introduced in 1952
Brothers Grimm

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White rests peacefully in a glass casket surrounded by seven devoted dwarfs in their cave.

Moral of the Tale: "Innocent beauty and warm kindness overcome the darkest malice of jealousy."
The Fairytale Tree
Introduced in 2010
Efteling Original

The Fairytale Tree

The wise Fairytale Tree stirs to life, blinking his eyes and sharing tales with eager listeners.

Moral of the Tale: "Every ancient tree shelters a thousand stories for those patient enough to listen."
Mother Holle
Introduced in 1952
European Folklore

Mother Holle

Mother Holle shakes her featherbed from the open cottage window, bringing snowfall to the world.

Moral of the Tale: "Diligence and kindness bring golden rewards; slothfulness is rewarded with pitch."