Posts

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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
sharenting
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Sharenting - the overshare of children on social media.

For many, having a baby is an occasion to be celebrated. But does it need to be celebrated together with every casual acquaintance and former co-worker that you’ve friended on Facebook over the last decade? The parenting overshares,…
Christmas tree action
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Christmas tree action on 4 and 10 January 2018

Just like in previous years, the municipality of Haarlem and Spaarnelanden organize the Christmas trees campaign in early 2018. On Thursday 4 and Wednesday 10 January 2018 - between 12.30 and 16.00 hrs - children up to 15 years old can bring…
child
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Being an expat as a child

When I came here to the Netherlands I quickly realized that this was a whole new and very different experience then what it felt like to be an expat as a child. I was born in Hungary, I lived with my parents in Budapest, started elementary school…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas in Haarlem

Sinterklaas is coming to Haarlem on November 19 at 13:00! He will be arriving on his steamboat on the River Spaarne! You do not want to miss this event! There will be a major parade with the following route: Spaarne, Damstraat, Oude Groenmarkt,…
Jip & Janneke (image: Annie M.G. Schmidt)
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Crafting a lantern for Sint Maarten

On November 11, it's Sint Maarten (Saint Martin)' s Day. Sint Maarten is a great children’s event! Ringing doorbells, singing songs at the doors in exchange for a treat (sweets, mandarins or even some small coins) and - as darkness falls -…
Sint Maarten
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Sint Maarten's Day

St. Martin's Day or Sint Maarten in Dutch is a popular children's feast day in many parts of the Netherlands and it is celebrated on 11 November.  Typically, in the early winter evening of 11 November, small groups of children can…
Experience Haarlem Fair 2017
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Video and photos Experience Haarlem Fair 2017

We are pleasured to show you the video en photos of the Experience Haarlem Fair 2017. Here is the video of the Experience Haarlem Fair 2017. The video is made by Cherello With. Find the photo album of the Experience Haarlem Fair…
kindermaand
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October = Kindermaand

Got kids? This is the perfect month for you and your little ones! Haarlem Marketing is hosting many activities throughout the month for children ages 4 – 12. There will be lots of activities scattered throughout the city including theatre…
kids
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How to entertain kids when its raining in Haarlem.

As great as the beach and lakes are, they are not quite as appealing on a blustery, rainy day, but then again, neither is staying inside the house for days on end, so what to do… Here are some ideas to entertain your kids: The kids cafes/child-friendly…
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Experience Haarlem Fair

Speeches, presentations, workshops, exhibitors, kids entertainment, Tierney's Pub Quiz, popular music band The Buccaneers, drinks, meeting people & having fun. Join the largest bilingual fair in the Haarlem area! The program will cover…
Italiano per bambini
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Italiano per bambini

Incontri con un misto di lezioni, giochi, canzoni in italiano e cucina italiana. Età: 3-8 anni Durata: 1,5 ore. Costo: € 12,50. Incluso: materiale educativo, limonata, biscotti, verdure crude (carotine, pomodori e sedano) e se in…
kindervriendelijk
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Haarlem - a “kindervriendelijk” city

Once you become a parent in the Netherlands, you’ll probably find that kindervriendelijk becomes one of your most frequent google searches. Your dinners out will turn into deliveroos and you’ll see yourself changing your favourite wine bar…
Baby Names
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The most popular Dutch baby name list has been published by SVB

The popular names list is published every year by the social insurance bank, SVB. 88,494 boys and 84,286 girls in total were born in the Netherlands in 2016. Here is the list of the most popular names; TOP 10 Girl Names 2016 (with various…
Ollie is ready for Halloween pumpkins. Are you?
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Ollie is ready for Halloween pumpkins. Are you?

Looking for indoor activities for your little one on a rainy day? How about helping Ollie to find pumpkins for upcoming Halloween? Looking for How to Carve a Halloween Pumpkin? Check it out here.
How To Carve A Halloween Pumpkin
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How To Carve A Halloween Pumpkin

Many people would like to carve Halloween pumpkins! Getting in the mood, preparing the atmosphere for a party, surprising kids.... Plus, what could be more therapeutic than hacking a pumpkin to bits? But Pumpkin carving isn't just for…
Halve Haarlem
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Halve van Haarlem

The 32nd edition of the Halve van Haarlem is happening on September 25th, 2016. Haarlem's biggest one-day sporting event attracts more than 4000 participants. Traditionally, the schedule will consist of the Half Marathon, the 10 km, 5 km, the…
airport
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Travelling abroad with a minor child: check State rules

If you are travelling abroad with a minor child, you must take into account additional rules and extensive checks at the country borders. Check the information provided by the State to ensure your next holiday goes smoothly. Children now…
Happy Mother's Day! (Picture: Arianna Ardia)
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Happy Mother's Day!

Moederdag or Mother's Day in the Netherlands is always the second Sunday of May: this year on May 8th. What, how, since when, ideas for Mother's Day, what to write in Dutch on a Mother's Day card. And... a drawing. Download and let your kid(s)…
Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground, is open
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Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground is open again

Speelparadijs Linnaeushof: the biggest playground of Europe! So close! Linnaeushof is located in Bennebroek, a 15 minute drive from Haarlem and Leiden, just some more from Amsterdam and The Hague.  During the whole season (April till…
holidays
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12 Powerful (and Inexpensive) Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

We have all heard it before: the holidays are a time for giving, for selflessness and random acts of kindness. It feels good to give, not only for the recipient but for the giver as well; many scientific studies show giving, especially in the…
Gifts
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Top tips in choosing gifts for children for the holiday season

The holiday season can be a period of frenzy for most parents. With all the assortment of toys and gadgets, parents feel the pressure in choosing the right gifts that not only will be appreciated but would hopefully also benefit their development. So…
Terrorism (photo: Ksayer1 ob Flickr)
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Answering our kids' WHY question on terrorism

Since the events of 13/11 in Paris, perhaps you've seen the articles on “How to talk with your kids about terrorism.” I read several useful tips, yet for me, as most parenting guide go, I especially liked "trust your intuition—you know…
Rice Cakes
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Warning: Don’t Let Your Children Eat Rice Cakes

Well-known rice products found in grocery stores all over the world can be harmful to young children. A new study has revealed excessive levels of a carcinogenic substance in some popular favorites and is issuing a warning to parents. Adults…
Important facts for the first step to elementary school (Photo: Leóny Lasschuit)

Important facts for the first step to elementary school

  In this article I focus on the first step towards the (regular) education: Elementary School Where should I start picking a good elementary school? Once your child is 4, it's time to attend school. But before the 4th anniversary…