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Hello Reader, Welcome back to this week’s Amsterdam Mamas Weekend Roundup! September may have us reaching for sunglasses, raincoats and jumpers all in the same afternoon, but luckily Amsterdam has plenty to keep the whole family entertained whatever the weather decides to do. From getting creative and discovering tiny water creatures to clapping, dancing and singing along, we’ve gathered some fun ways to make the most of the weekend with the kids. Let the weekend adventures begin! Events happening this weekend Open Huis X TF at Meervaart On Saturday 12 September, Meervaart opens its doors for an afternoon full of creativity and family fun. From 12:00 to 17:00, children can try their hand at dancing, acting, music and more during free trial lessons and creative workshops. There is plenty for different ages, including toddler activities for ages 2–3, dance and theatre sessions for older children, backstage tours and activities in the foyer. Families can also catch performances of Sam & Julia for ages 3–7 and Dag Poes for ages 4–8. Entry to the Open Huis activities and trial lessons is free, while tickets are required for the performances. Check the full programme and details on the Meervaart website. Waterdierenexcursie (Water creatures excursion) at Amsterdamse Bos Grab a net and discover what is hiding in and around the water at the Amsterdamse Bos! On Sunday 13 September, children can join a forest ranger on a special excursion in search of some of the Bos’s smallest and most fascinating inhabitants. Using small fishing nets, curious young nature lovers will explore the water and learn more about the creatures that call it home. The excursion runs from 14:00 to 15:30, starting at De Boswinkel. Find more details and tickets on the Amsterdamse Bos website. Groove Beest Family Concert: The Soul of Gospel Get ready to clap, stamp, sing and dance! On Sunday 13 September, ZO! Gospel Choir transforms BIMHUIS into one big musical playground with Groove Beest: The Soul of Gospel, an interactive family concert full of energy and rhythm. During the gospel jam, everyone gets to join in. Families will learn new moves, make music with their hands and feet and discover why some music simply makes it impossible to sit still. The concert runs from 13:30 to 14:30 with reduced-price tickets also available. And for families who want to keep the groove going, a SoundLAB Groove special takes place afterwards at Muziekgebouw from 15:00 to 16:30. Find more information and tickets on the BIMHUIS website. Walk-In Workshop at The Mouse Mansion Calling all little Sam & Julia fans! The Mouse Mansion invites families to get creative in its workshop space, where children can decorate their very own miniature creation inspired by the wonderful world of the famous mice. Choose from projects including a furniture set, Little Mouse Door or Bedroom To Go suitcase, then add your own colours, patterns and imaginative touches. Once the masterpiece is finished, children can take their creation home. The workshop is designed as a walk-in activity, so it is an easy addition to a family day in Amsterdam. Check the latest workshop dates, times and details on the Sam & Julia website. Ongoing & Upcoming Events Speelatelier – SYNESTHEET Family Weekend Little artists can explore the world through their senses at the Speelatelier (Play Workshop) on Saturday 19 September. Designed for children aged 2–5 and their parents or carers, this playful session is all about discovering art through touch, sound, movement and experimentation. Together with artists, children can investigate different materials, sounds and spaces, letting their imagination and curiosity lead the way. The workshop takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 at Synestheet in Amsterdam-Zuidoost and is free to attend. Find more details and reserve your spot on the Synestheet website. Kinderfestival Wajo! Wetenschap?! Calling all curious young minds! On Sunday 4 October, the beautiful 17th-century Trippenhuis turns into a playground for science during the free Wajo! Wetenschap?! children’s science festival, especially for children aged 8–14. Fold your own microscope and discover a hidden world, build an electric motor, test your knowledge of Dutch youth slang or go on a mysterious fungi hunt in the cellars. With experiments and interactive activities throughout the building, there is plenty to keep budding scientists busy. The festival runs from 12:00 to 17:00 and admission is free. Discover the programme and registration details on the KNAW website. The Art Café Workshops – Amsterdam Museum Time to roll up those sleeves and get creative! To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Amsterdam Museum is hosting a series of Art Café workshops at Amsterdam in Motion, with sessions taking place on several Saturdays throughout September and October. Each workshop takes inspiration from the museum’s collection and stories before inviting visitors to have a go themselves. Make Amsterdam canal houses from clay or experiment with linocut printing while discovering new techniques along the way. No previous artistic talent is required – masterpieces and enthusiastic experiments are equally welcome! Check the upcoming dates and book your workshop on the Amsterdam Museum website. Cinekid Festival 2026 Lights, camera, family day out! Cinekid Festival returns to Amsterdam from 10 to 16 October, bringing six days of film, media and plenty of opportunities to get creative at Pathé Amsterdam Noord. Alongside the latest films and series from around the world, families can peek behind the scenes of filmmaking and explore the Cinekid MediaLab, packed with games, VR and AR experiences. There are also special events that turn a trip to the cinema into a whole adventure, so families can put together their own festival day depending on what catches their eye. Explore the programme and get your tickets on the Cinekid Festival website. Parents’ Corner Opening Night in Oosterpark – Concertgebouw Orchestra Classical music under the stars? Yes, please! On Friday 11 September, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra celebrates the start of its new season with a free open-air concert in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark. Conducted by Han-Na Chang, the orchestra will perform classical favourites including music by Rossini, Bizet, Wagner and Glinka. Come early for the opening programme featuring young musicians from 18:45, grab something tasty from one of the food trucks and find a spot on the grass. The main concert starts at 20:15 and admission is completely free – no ticket required. Check the full programme and practical information on the Concertgebouw Orchestra website. Amsterdamse Sport- en Beweegweek 2026 Fancy trying a new sport without committing to a membership first? From 18 to 27 September, the Amsterdamse Sport- en Beweegweek (Sport and Movement Week) gives Amsterdammers the chance to get moving and try a huge variety of sports and activities for free. Sports clubs and organisations across the city open their doors, with activities ranging from gentle exercise to more energetic workouts. There are options for adults aged 18–55, older adults, children and teenagers, as well as adapted sports, so there really is something for everyone. With activities taking place across Amsterdam, it might just be the excuse you need to discover a new favourite way to move. Explore the activities in your neighbourhood on the Amsterdamse Sport- en Beweegweek website. A special invitation for the Amsterdam Mamas community! We’d love to welcome you and your little ones to WOW Family Center — a warm and joyful place for families to connect, learn, play and grow together. Come and discover our classes for parents & babies, toddlers, parents & toddlers, and older kids — with something special for every stage of your family’s journey. Special offer for Amsterdam Mama members: Enjoy 10% off when you purchase one of our 3 WOW Family Center Club Cards through the special link. Choose your WOW Family Center Club Card. Discount code: wowmamas Choose the Club Card that suits your family best and enjoy our wonderful selection of classes and activities together. We can’t wait to welcome you and your family to WOW Family Center! We endeavour to include everyone and are happy to mention events connected to all special holidays and festivities. Please email us with events or celebrations you want us to mention. AM will make the ultimate decision on what to publish. A team of volunteers compiles this newsletter, and we would welcome some new colleagues on the team. Are you interested and do you have a few hours to spare every few weeks? Please contact Amsterdam Mamas for more information at info@amsterdam-mamas.nl This Weekend Roundup was compiled by Arina Pricop. The above information is given to the best of our knowledge and ability, but please check the event links to confirm details. These are often events that the Amsterdam Mamas cannot personally recommend from experience but are provided as a starting point to help you find activities that are a good fit for your family. If you have seen any upcoming events that we should know about, please let the newsletter team know by replying to this email. Thanks, and have a good weekend! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. |
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