Houtfestival
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Houtfestival: open-air music and dance festival

One of Haarlem’s biggest outdoor fests offers an exotic blend of music. It takes place at the Stadspark de Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem. Houtfestival is a relaxed event where people of all ages and backgrounds come. You can listen to the…
Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg
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Pentecost 2019 in Holland

Something that intrigued me ever since I first arrived in Holland is the number of Dutch public holidays specifically related to events on the Roman Catholic calendar.  It struck me and still does that a fairly non-religious country like the…
Speeltuin
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Best Speeltuin in Haarlem.

What kid can resist a good playground? Luckily, we can find in Haarlem safe and fun Speeltuins to let children play outside and enjoy the sun. After visiting with my son most of the Speeltuin in the city, I thought it could be useful for mums…
childrens books
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Children’s books too (re)read as an adult.

My friends are having children. And I am happy for them. I am also very happy for myself. Not only do I get to be the cool in-law uncle who spoils them without worrying about bed times and healthy meals, but I also get to buy them books. Children’s…
MarchexpatsHaarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this March.

EVENTS, EVENTS & MORE EVENTS! From a Kids Carnival to a Dutch Language Café, a free Tax Income Return Workshop, an Artificial Intelligence Lecture, a Comedy in English with award-winning comedians to the Monthly Drink. March, we do it…
multilingualhttps://pixabay.com/en/users/readyelements-8569947/
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Planning a Multilingual Family

Living away from the home country, I didn’t need to take a decision on whether my children are going to be raised multilingual, it is just meant to be so. At home, we speak Russian, Ukrainian with some friends, English with non-Russian/…
CanadaJulie Smile
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Our 6 weeks in Canada with a baby.

Canada, a country of big cars, big buildings, big distances. We came here for a big vacation of 6 weeks with our little one-year-old daughter. For us, it’s a country of our first intercontinental travel, first travel experience outside Europe.…
London with kidshttps://pixabay.com/en/users/annie_bridie-11346/
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Travel Ideas 2019: London with kids

If you have children and love travelling, London is the perfect destination for 2019. In just 3.30h by train or around 40 minutes by plane, you can land in one of the best european cities to visit with kids. Here you have a recap of my family…
Kids in Haarlem
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Why You Should Raise Your Kids In Haarlem

The Netherlands is one of Europe's most kid-friendly countries, according to Lonely Planet. Haarlem, which is a rich destination for history, culture, and shopping - it's also exciting and comfortable to explore or live in. With almost all…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas arrives to Haarlem!

Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive by steamboat and moors on the Spaarne on 18 November in Haarlem. A fun and festive activity for the whole family, starting from 13.00, Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive on his famous Steamboat along the…
Things to do in Haarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this November

The weather is getting colder but that doesn't mean Haarlem is quiet. From the Comedy Factory night to the arrival of Sinterklaas himself; November is full of activities for the whole family. From Friday 2 November to 4 November Haarlem…
pregnancy and dismissal
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Pregnancy and dismissal: what you need to know

Unfortunately, getting fired during pregnancy is a nasty situation that some women have to face in the Netherlands. If your boss has handed you a dismissal letter when you are expecting, here you can learn everything about what to do and not…
Marc de Haan
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Dutch History; Sint-Maarten Dag, the Dutch Halloween.

Sint-Maarten (St. Martin's Day) is a popular children's feast day in many parts of the Netherlands. On the evening of November 11th, small groups of children can be heard going up and down the street singing songs and reciting poems, equipped…
birth
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My story of my second birth in a Dutch Hospital.

It is approximately 22:30 hours and I am shifting and turning and nursing painful cramps. I am 9 months pregnant. It is the 7th of July 2014. Is it labour pains already!? His due date (uitgerekend) is 16th July but the planned c-section (keizersnede)…
dutch school
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Are you looking for a school for your children?

Are you looking for a school for your children? A Dutch public school may be the answer. When moving to The Netherlands with children, your first plan might be to send your kids to an international school. The curricula are of high quality…
international school haarlem
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The International School Haarlem is opening their secondary school in 2018.

The International School Haarlem (ISH) is opening their secondary school department in September 2018. The demand for international education is greater than the municipality and school boards of IRIS and Solomon originally anticipated. For…
Animals
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A child or a dog? A decision of millennial's.

A close friend, a successful journalist, an attractive girl and wife, bought a dog with her husband. They are not ready for children at the moment but will consider this question in five or six years. Having the dog is an excellent solution…
road trip
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3 road trips with kids to make from the netherlands part 3 Germany

Its summer and you're probably thinking about taking the family out for a road trip! In this final instalment, we look at Germany. Part one of this series is in France and part two of this series is in Belgium.  Road trips from the…
road trips
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3 road trips with kids to make from Netherlands part 2 Belgium

No matter if you are planning a break for a weekend or your summer vacations, these road trips with kids are perfect for anyone living in the Netherlands. This article is a part of a three-part series. Part 2 is about Belgium. Part one…
road trip
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3 road trips with kids to make from the Netherlands part 1 France

Spring is already here and I am sure you have already started thinking about your next family trip. No matter if you are planning a break for the upcoming bank holidays or your summer vacations, these road trips with kids are perfect for anyone…
Liberation Day
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5th May: Liberation Day and festival

Following directly on from Remembrance Day, 5 May is a national day of celebration known as Liberation Day throughout Haarlem and the Netherlands. You will find a wide variety of entertainment and events taking place to commemorate the liberation…
Mud Masters Obstacle Run
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Mud Masters Obstacle Run 2018

Doing Mud Masters is one for the bucket list. A day full of mud, obstacles and fun with your friends – one that years later you’ll look back on with a smile and brag about at get-togethers with friends and family. This year the Mud Masters…
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Shopping in Haarlem: 10 baby gifts to make mums happy

After talking to different mums about their must-have baby items, here you can find my definitive baby gifts list. This top 10 baby products will help mums to sleep, feed, dress or educate their babies better. Make mums and babies happy by shopping…
Keukenhof spring garden
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Keukenhof Spring Garden open 22 March-13 May 2018

Keukenhof, the world’s most beautiful spring garden, opens its doors from 22 March to 13 May 2018. Keukenhof Spring Garden Keukenhof (“Kitchen garden”, also known as the Garden of Europe), is one of the world’s largest flower…
bilingual
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How to raise a bilingual child?

The problem of bilingual children is acutely felt in another country, where the one language is used at home and another is used in the big wide world. The son of my friends from the UK, a five-year-old Dany, speaks the purest English…
Veronica's Funky Vintage Market
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Veronica's Funky Vintage Market

Second hand lady, men, kids clothes, shoes, jewels and more. On Sunday 11 March 11-16,30 hours in Haarlem. - There's a lot of baby clothes, also a lot of great brands! - There's A LOT of girls' clothes size 92-116 - There's super nice women's…
Experience Haarlemmermeer
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Experience Haarlemmermeer Fair 2018

Get information, meet services and businesses, attend free workshops and presentations, enjoy a stand up comedy, live music, networking, meeting people and having fun! Free professional childcare and kids entertainment is available during…
Haarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this March

From peeking into your neighbour's houses and the expats Haarlem end of month drink, we got you covered this March. On Friday, March 2 is  Italiano per Bambini. on Friday, March 9 is the Haarlem Mamma Club. On Sunday, March…
giving birth
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Pros and cons of giving birth in the Netherlands

I became a new mum recently, and one of the first things I wondered when I found out I was pregnant was ‘do I want to give birth in the Netherlands?’. For some expats, especially the ones from other European countries, giving birth in their…
Kids Carnival
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VIDEO: expatsHaarlem Kids Carnival

Highlights of the Kids Carnival. Enjoy!   You can also purchase photos here.