What’s Earth Overshoot Day?

Think of it like this: Planet Earth has an annual budget of natural goodies it can regenerate each year- clean air and water, forests, fish, fertile land, you name it. Earth Overshoot Day is the date when humanity, collectively, has used up that entire budget for the year. After that day, we’re basically dipping into next year’s resources and piling up waste like CO2. It’s calculated by comparing our global demand (our “Ecological Footprint”) with what the Earth can supply (its “biocapacity”).

May 5th? Already? The Dutch Overshoot Day

Here’s the surprising part: for 2025, the Netherlands’ Overshoot Day is estimated to be May 5th. That feels like it is early, right? Especially for a country known for being green and innovative. To put that into perspective, this implies that humanity’s consumption rate requires the resources of over 3 Earths to be sustainable for the year. It makes you wonder what’s going on behind the scenes in the Netherlands.

Why So Early for the Netherlands?

It’s a mix of things. Even with great green efforts, the average consumption level per person here is quite high. Plus, the Netherlands is a bustling, densely populated country on a relatively small piece of land. Historically, there’s been a reliance on fossil fuels (though the switch to renewables is happening!), and this is reflected in the footprint breakdown. The Carbon Footprint, mainly from burning fossil fuels for energy, transport, and industry, is the biggest chunk, making up about 60% of the total Dutch Ecological Footprint.

The large and intensive agricultural sector also plays a significant role. The Food Footprint (which includes cropland, grazing land for livestock, and fishing grounds) accounts for roughly 24% of the total footprint. High consumption of meat and dairy contributes significantly to this, and the country also faces challenges with high nitrogen emissions from agriculture. Also, in our globalised world, a lot of what we consume is linked to resources and production happening elsewhere.

You can check the Earth Overshoot days for others countries here:

https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/newsroom/country-overshoot-days/

Thinking Bigger: Planetary Boundaries

Earth Overshoot Day ties into a bigger idea called Planetary Boundaries. Scientists have identified nine key processes that keep our planet stable and liveable – things like climate stability, healthy biodiversity, and clean freshwater. These boundaries define a “safe zone” for us. Pushing past these limits increases the risk of major, potentially irreversible environmental changes. Sadly, we’ve already crossed several of these boundaries, which makes reducing our overshoot even more important.

Making a Difference, Amsterdam Style!

The good news? Living in Amsterdam gives us loads of great ways to help push that Overshoot Date back! We can all contribute in many ways:

• Embrace Dutch Transport: Getting around by bike, bakfiets, or public transport isn’t just practical here, it’s a powerful way to lower our carbon footprint.
• Tap into Great Water: Amsterdam’s tap water is excellent! Carrying a reusable bottle is such an easy win against single-use plastic.
• Eat Consciously: Shopping at local markets for seasonal produce and reducing meat consumption are tasty ways to be kinder to the planet.

For more ideas, check out the insights in the Amsterdam Mamas article, “The Circular Path to Sustainability” (https://amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/the-circular-path-to-sustainability/) and “Keeping it Cool” (https://amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/keeping-it-cool/).

A Nudge for Earth Day and Every Day

Earth Overshoot Day is like an annual check-up for our planet, reminding us of the goals we celebrate on Earth Day. It shows us where we’re overspending our natural budget. Caring for our planet isn’t just for April 22nd; it’s an everyday thing. The aim is to #MoveTheDate back, year by year.

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ARTZUID Art Camp

Work like a mini artist at the ArtZuid camp, studying the masters, making your own work and finishing with an exhibition.

WOW Camp

Art, Science, Music & Movement are offered in this versatile 3- in-1 holiday camp.

Bikes, Obstacles, Skates

Griffioenoutdoor BMX

Ride BMX bikes and learn the ropes at the Griffioen outdoor centre in Ookmeer.

Cooking, Dance, Music, Theatre

Amsterdam Youth Theatre School’s May Make Days

A variety of day workshops ranging from K-Pop, Filmmaking, Improvisation, Comedy & more

BeatZone Dance Camp

A different style of urban dance every day and a mini performance at the end of the week.

Sterk In Eten

It has become a tradition: during the May holiday “Sterk In Eten” opens the city’s most delightful pop-up restaurant. In two days, the children prepare a complete restaurant menu where everything — absolutely everything — is homemade.

Toverknol Theater Camp

Discover acting in a playful way by attending one of the daily workshops with various themes.

Hockey

Panasj Hockey

Hockey camps at hockey club VVV, also suitable for beginners.

Sportways Hockey Camp

Intensive hockey camps at Amsterdam hockey clubs Athena and AMHC Westerpark.

Multisports

Little Star Fitness

Have fun while learning fundamental athletic skills and a healthy lifestyle in this multi sport camp, which has been happening since 2014.

Stichting Manege Waveren

The horse riding school is on the edge of the city, bordering fields and parks. The kids will take care of the ponies and also take them for small excursions.

VROG Camps

Trampolining, free running, mini football and basketball are all on offer at VROG’s two-day camps near Waterlooplein

Outdoor Camps

Sport4Kidz

A variety of water- and outdoor sports activities, held at Watersport Jeugdland in Amsterdam Oost.

Terragon Nature Camp

All-weather activities camp on a 2.5 acre nature reserve in Amsterdam.

UP Events Kids

A wide variety of outdoor fun and games.

Science and Technology

CoderMinds

AI, Programming, Robotics & Science are the name of the game at this STEM focused camp in Amstelveen

The Science Camp

One full week of experiments, STEAM activities, practicing engineering and outside play. Pure fun!

Sailing & Surfing

Sport4Kidz Sailing

A week of sailing in an Optimist, combined with other fun outdoor activities like campfires or building rafts at Jeugdland.

Surfkamp Zandvoort

Juvigo offers multiple water sports and hockey camps. Perfect place for teenagers to enjoy water sports camps like kite surfing, surfing, and sailing.

Football

Ajax Camps

One day themed soccer clinics for kids of all ages and levels, with special clinics for girls and keepers, at the Ajax facilities next to the famous Johan Cruijff ArenA.

ProCamps

One day themed soccer clinics for kids of all ages and levels, with special clinics for girls and keepers, at the Ajax facilities next to the famous Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Tennis

Drive ITT Tennis Linnaeushof

Tennis camps at different levels, combining fun and competition, at the tennis club Linneaushof right in the middle of Watergraafsmeer.

Tennis op Maat

Lots of tennis mixed with other fun and games at the Kattenlaan tennis park in Vondelpark or Haarlem.

The post May Holiday Camps 2026 appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Liberation Day in the Netherlands is a joyous national holiday that marks the end of the German occupation during World War II and celebrates the country’s freedom. Observed annually on May 5, it’s a day of various events like concerts, parades, and ceremonies honouring the sacrifices made for freedom. It’s a day when the Dutch unite to celebrate their past and renew their commitment to peace and democracy, fostering a sense of community and joy. ​

It is a special occasion where Dutch and international artists celebrate freedom through the Liberation Festivals. You can also visit ​Open Jewish and Resistance Homes​ situated in the heart of Amsterdam to hear about personal wartime experiences, watch films and enjoy music. There are Freedom Feasts, where communal meals foster unity, and children’s events are organised to educate them about freedom, providing an enriching and worthwhile experience for the young.

Multiple activities are available in the city to celebrate Liberation Day for families with kids. The complete agenda is available ​here​​ (in Dutch). ​

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Embrace the Orange Spirit Together: During King’s Day, orange isn’t just a colour — it’s a symbol of celebration. Dress your family in orange clothes, hats, crowns, or even face paint to join in the fun and show your enthusiasm for the festivities. It’s a great way to blend in with the locals and create lasting memories together!

Navigating King’s Day: First things first, plan your travel wisely. If you want to reach Amsterdam from outside the city, trains are your best option but keep in mind there won’t be any trains to Amsterdam Science Park and Amsterdam RAI. Since the city centre shuts down and people take over the streets, public transport is nearly impossible, metro and walking are your best bet, leave your bike at home or be prepared to walk with it when required. You can conveniently plan your trip right before leaving by using the planner in the GVB app which is also available in English. Don’t forget public transportation is not free during King’s Day.

Market Magic: The city transforms into a ‘giant market’ on King’s Day. From 6:00 to 20:00, you can join the hustle and bustle of endless street markets, spread across the city (and country) where people sell and buy mostly second hand tidbits, homeware, clothes, toys and so much more! There are also special kid-friendly zones where your little entrepreneurs can shine. In fact, children have already begun to mark out their ‘spots’ in the neighbourhood so they are all booked and ready for them to sell their wares on King’s Day, sans competition.

Vondelpark Adventure: Vondelpark is THE place to be for families on King’s Day. Doors will close at 20.00 the night before and open at 9 am, so arrive early to snag a spot for your kids to sell their toys or entertain the crowd with their talents, such as singing, dancing, playing an instrument etc. Don’t forget to bring some spare change for all the goodies you’ll sell or find!

Vondelpark isn’t the only hotspot for family fun… Explore other kid-friendly areas like Amstelveld, Noorderpark, Rembrandtplein, Artisplein, Middenweg or the Westerpark. And if you want to avoid the crowds, steer clear of busy spots like Westerstraat in Jordaan. Check out the designated areas for children on this website (in Dutch).

King’s Day Festivities: The celebrations aren’t limited to the city centre. Check out in the East/Oost, the Bredeweg Festival for street theatre performances, a free market, music, dance, puppet shows, and live music. This year the festival will also go across the water; the Oranjevrijstraat Square and part of the Oranjevrijstaatkade. Check the times for the performances here: schedule. Or head north to NDSM Vrijhaven for the biggest children’s flea market in Amsterdam, packed with live music, entertainment, workshops, and a variety of food and drink options. Admission is free, so put on your orange outfit and join the fun! If you want a stand for your kid to sell, get a ticket.
For the ‘West crew’, Erasmus Park promises a vibrant atmosphere with a flea market and live music. Throughout the day, visitors can explore the flea market for children and enjoy the live music which begins at noon, check the programma here.

Giving Back: After the festivities, look for kringloop containers throughout the city to donate unsold items to charity shops. It’s a great way to spread kindness and declutter your home at the same time!

Staying Home, Staying Festive: If you prefer to celebrate indoors, don’t worry… Be sure to hang the Dutch flag outside your house or on a window, stock up on some orange tompouce or bitterballen, and watch the King on TV. There are plenty of exciting ideas and activities to keep the King’s Day spirit alive at home. Check out some fun suggestions here.

Fun fact: Traditionally, King’s Day is celebrated every April 27th since Willem Alexander became king. However, in 2025, King’s Day falls on Saturday, April 26, because King’s Day never competes with a Sunday’s festivities!

Take into account that most shops will be closed during the day, but you can expect large and small neighbourhood supermarkets to be open for business.

Get ready to paint the town orange and create unforgettable memories with your family this King’s Day!

The post King’s Day: A Family-Friendly Orange Party! appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

DIY Upcycling: Make Your Own Bird Feeder

One of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day is by repurposing everyday items to create something new and useful. A simple and enjoyable DIY activity for kids is making their own bird feeders using recycled materials. Not only does this activity teach kids about going green, but it also encourages creative thinking and gives an opportunity for children to connect with nature. Hearing the birds chirping outside is a great way to increase biophilic responses, as nature sounds are found to have positive impacts on our health and wellbeing.

Supplies needed:

• One tin can, clean and label removed.
• Paint of assorted colours (acrylic/water resistant) or decorative paper
• Paint brushes (if using paint)
• Ribbons/ strings
• Bird Seed
• Sturdy stick to act as a perch for the birds.

Instructions to put it together:

• Take the paper off of your tin can and paint the can in the desired colour. Leave it to dry and add another coat of paint if needed. You can also use decorative paper to wrap up the tin can instead of painting.
• If using paint, let the paint dry and add whatever other decorative elements you want using other colours.
• When the paint is dry, cut a long piece of ribbon about 18 to 24 inches long and tie it around one end of the tin can, leaving the two long edges at the top. Tie the two ends together to loop over a branch for hanging.
• Repeat this on the other end of the tin.
• Glue the stick into the can to function as a perch.
• When the glue is set, fill the can about halfway with seed and hang it sideways from a branch.

Your Earth Day craft is finished! Now hang it in the balcony or garden and sit back and watch the birds come in for a snack with your kids! Sometimes it can take a week for the birds to discover and start feeding from this new feeder so be patient.

Books to Inspire Young Environmentalists

Reading together is another wonderful way to introduce children to important environmental concepts and here are four recommended books to read to/with their kids this month:

1. “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss: This classic tale tells the story of the Lorax, who speaks for the trees, and teaches children about the importance of conservation and protecting our natural resources.
2. “Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa” by Jeanette Winter – Based on the true story of Wangari Maathai, this book tells the inspiring tale of how she empowered her community in Kenya to plant trees and restore the environment, ultimately leading to her winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
3. “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein: It is a cautionary tale about human exploitation of nature and the consequences of taking more than we give back.
4. “The Earth Book” by Todd Parr: In this colorful book, Todd Parr highlights different ways children can help take care of the Earth, such as conserving water, planting trees, and recycling.

Hope these activities are able to instill appreciation for the earth at a young age and empower our children to become stewards of the earth.

Let’s make every day Earth Day!

The post We Only Have One Earth appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Passover/Pesach – the Celebration of Slavery to Freedom

Passover, also known as Pesach in Hebrew, is a Jewish holiday that falls during early spring in the northern hemisphere, close to Easter. It is commonly known as the time when one can find matzah crackers on supermarket shelves (which are delicious with butter and jam, or some cheese, by the way).

Morre importantly, Pesach is a celebration and appreciation of freedom, and this story of the ancient Israelites exodus from 400 years of slavery is a powerful one. The eight-day holiday is celebrated from the 15th to the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan, which in 2021 falls between 27 March and 4 April, 2021.

What is Pesach?

Pesach celebrates the emancipation of the people of Israel from the Egyptians in Ancient Egypt. God, using Moses as their leader, helped the people of Israel to escape their servitude by casting 10 plagues on the Egyptians so that the Pharoah would free them from slavery. These 10 devastating plagues affected everything from their livestock and water to their health and homes, but still the Pharoah would not free the people of Israel until the 10th and final plague: death to the Egyptians’ first-born children. To be spared, Israelites were told to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a lamb. By doing this, God would spare them and “pass over” their homes, hence the name of the festival.  

Pharoah eventually gave in, and he ordered the Israelites to flee. They had to leave in such a hurry that the bread that they had baked for their journey didn’t have enough time to rise, and so instead ate unleavened matzah, which is why we commemorate Pesach by not eating bread or any other leavened products. 

How We Celebrate

We celebrate Pesach with a seder (which means “order”) on the first night of Pesach, and in many countries outside of Israel like The Netherlands, on the second night too. The seder is a festive meal in which the Haggadah (the Jewish text) is read. 

We read prayers, sing songs and eat food that is symbolic of the story of Pesach. These include maror (bitter herbs, usually horseradish, to remind us of the bitterness of slavery), charoset (sweet paste made of nuts and fruit, symbolising the mortar the slaves used to build the pyramids), salt water (symbolising the tears of the slaves), zeroah (shank bone, representing the Passover sacrifice), egg (hard-boiled egg, symbolic of life and birth associated with the spring season), and karpas (a leafy green vegetable, symbolizing spring and hope). It is also customary to drink four cups of wine or grape juice throughout the seder to celebrate our freedom.

For Ashkenazi Jews (those who originated from Russia and Eastern Europe), the main meal might include matzah ball soup, gefilte fish (stuffed fish dish), brisket and tzimmes (sweet carrot and fruit dish). Unlike Ashkenazis on Pesach, Sephardi Jews (from Spain and Portugal) eat corn, rice, legumes and beans.

Local Resources for Kosher Food:

This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some local businesses where you can find specialty food items for Passover/Pesach:

Davids Corner

Mouwes Kosher Delicatessen 

Slagerij Marcus ORT 

Kosher food is also available in chain groceries. Of note are:

Albert Heijn Gelderlandplein 

Jumbo: several locations

Amstelveen

Amsterdam Buitenveldert

Amsterdam Stadhouderskade

Amsterdam Velu

How to Wish Someone a Happy Pesach

If you want to wish your friends Happy Passover, the greeting is “chag sameach!” (happy holidays) or “chag Pesach sameach!” (Happy Pesach holiday).

The post Passover/Pesach: An Explainer appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Holi – The Festival of Colour

Growing up, Holi was one of my favourite celebrations, second only to my birthday! I remember all the children in my neighbourhood being so excited when Holi preparations began in earnest, days in advance! Coloured powder, Gulal, was bought, water balloons were ready to be filled, sweets were prepared, and wood was collected for the big communal bonfire. On the day of Holi itself, we’d wake up really early, put on white clothes (the colours we’d get soaked in later show up best on white clothes) and meet with our cousins and friends, everybody armed with buckets full of coloured water and mountains of water balloons ready for throwing at any passersby unlucky enough to cross our paths. Of course, no one seemed to mind being drenched in coloured water, after all it was Holi!

Holi is a Hindu festival that is celebrated over two days starting on the night of poornima or full-moon in the month of Phalgun of the Hindu calendar (February or March in the Gregorian calendar). Holi brings with it so many reasons for celebration:

• the end of winter and the onset of spring – the season of abundance
• the harvest of the winter crops,
• the victory of good over evil
• the celebration of friendship, love and fertility

Holi is celebrated across India with much enthusiasm although the rituals, customs and even the names of the festival vary greatly depending on region. Holi is known as Phakuwa or Phagwa in Assam, Dola Jatra in Odisha, Lath mar Holi in Uttar Pradesh, Shimga or Rang Panchami in Maharashtra, etc. Its popularity has grown throughout the world because of the expanding global Indian diaspora.

The Story Behind Holi

Holi celebrations begin with the burning of a communal bonfire, around which people gather and pray that evil be vanquished from their hearts and lives forever. This ritual is called Holika Dahan. Legend has it that a king called Hiranyakashipu, greedy for power and wealth, earned a boon from the gods that gave him five special powers.

1. He could not be killed by either a human or an animal.
2. He could not be killed either indoors or outdoors.
3. He could not be killed at day or at night.
4. He could not be killed either by astra (projectile weapons) or by shastra (handheld weapons).
5. He could not be killed on land, water or air.

With such protection, Hiranyakashipu grew arrogant, thought he was God, and demanded that everyone worship him. His son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to pray to his father. The angered king tried to kill Prahlada by making him sit on a pyre in the lap of his aunt Holika, who was immune to fire. Miraculously, the fire destroyed Holika but Prahlada came out unharmed. Finally, Lord Vishnu himself assumed the form of a half lion/half human (Narasimha) and attacked Hiranyakashipu at dusk (neither day nor night), on his doorstep (neither outdoors nor indoors), by placing him on his lap (neither air, water, nor earth) and killed him with his claws (neither astra nor shastra). And thus came about the end of the King Hiranyakashipu!

Holi Today

The bonfire, also known as Choti Holi, signifies the burning of all that is evil and pernicious; the colours, sweets, and playful nature of the Holi celebrations signify new beginnings and hope for a favourable future.

Holi is celebrated with much fervour in the Braj region of central India which is also considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. In this region, the festival is a commemoration of the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Young men and women reenact scenes from the love story while playfully throwing colour on each other.

Traditionally the colours (Gulal) used at Holi were made from natural dyes and medicinal herbs. Ayurvedic herbs such as Neem, Kumkuma, Haldi, Bilva, etc. were used to make the powdered colour and since the change of season often brings with it illnesses such as colds, coughs and the flu, the medicinal herbs in the Gulal helped relieve flu symptoms and even cured minor ailments.  In the present day however, harmful chemicals have often replaced the herbally derived colours. It’s important to be mindful of the source and content of the colours you will be using on your friends and family. Organic colours, talcum powder, and simply water are often used for play these days.

Holi in The Netherlands

Trade and travel over centuries brought the festival of Holi to the shores of countries far and wide. Holi is celebrated in various parts of the world predominantly due to the presence of Indian diaspora. In recent years, the Netherlands has seen a surge in the number of people of Indian origin who come here for work. Naturally, where people go, customs and rituals must follow. This year Holi will be celebrated on the 9th and 10th of March. Since Holi is celebrated as a community, people usually book private venues such as restaurants or open air areas. There are, however, some places that organise public celebrations. 

Bridging The Gap foundation is organizing Holi celebrations this year at Emergo Hal in Amstelveen on Saturday, the 21st of March from 13:00 to 16:30. 

Holi is also being celebrated this year at the Amsterdamsebos (Bosbaanweg 5, 1182 DA Amstelveen)on the 7th of March from 10:30am. It is being organized by Yujgram Indian Community. Tickets are currently being sold on yujgram.com.

In Uithoorn, come celebrate Holi on the 21st of March from 12:00-17:00 at De Merodelaan 1, 1422 GB Uithoorn, Nederland. Book your tickets here.

In Hoofddorp/Rijsenhout, Holi this year is being celebrated on Saturday, the 14th of March at Anna’s Hoeve from 17:00-01:00. This event is being organized by Stichting Zorggelijk. The entry fee is €5 for adults. 

In Den Haag, Holi will be celebrated on the 10th of March in Wijkpark Transvaal. You can read more about the program here.

It is important to remember that Holi is more than just colour play; it is a religious festival and deserves to be celebrated with respect, both for the festival itself and the people celebrating it. Most people “playing” Holi will be happy for you to join in the celebrations if you don’t mind getting a bit of colour on your clothes. If you decide to join the Holi celebrations this year, you might get treated with some of the sweet delicacies and the infamous drink Bhang – which I would watch out for if I were you …

The post Happy Holi 2020! appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.

Like many things in the Netherlands, the bulb flower season‘s exact dates depend on the weather gods’ moods. Still, as a general rule, it starts in mid-March with the crocus flowering,  followed by narsissen (daffodils) and hyacinths. The star of the season, the tulip, flowers in all her abundant glory from about mid-April to mid-May.  However, similar to last season, visiting the flower fields are impacted by covid-19 restrictions. To avoid disappointment, it is best to check before you travel.

Cycling for miles next to these fields of colour explosions has been on my bucket list since childhood when my dad gave me a box of Dutch cookies adorned with a picture of the tulip fields.  As I now call Haarlem home, this has become the highlight of our family spring celebrations.

The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek is the most popular Dutch flower parade, and your best vantage point is on the Keukenhof Boulevard in Lisse in front of the main entrance of Keukenhof.

Areas and Routes

The three main areas of the Netherlands are the Bollenstreek in Noord Holland, Noordoostpolder in Flevoland, and (possibly less well known) the tulip fields along the beautiful coastline of Den Haag and Leiden up to Alkmaar.  Normally, you can reach all the flower fields easily with public transport, which is currently limited due to restrictions.

The aptly named Bollenstreek (bulb district) is the area of flower fields surrounded by the charming villages of Lisse, Hillegom, Noordwijkerhout, and Voorhout. It is here that you will find the world’s biggest flower exhibition, Keukenhof.  The longest tulip route is in Noordoostpolder in Flevoland, with over 100 km snaking through 2500 acres of flower fields.

One way to plan your blooms-chasing adventure is to have an overview of all the flower fields, making Bloemenradar your reliable tool to map out your route. The flowering fields are updated daily.

ANWB takes the guesswork out of planning your journey by suggesting both cycle and car routes, marked by numbers on the map.  With Route.nl you can find even more detailed cycle routes. Routes range from a breezy 5 km to a huffier 35 km,but as is the true beauty of cycling in the Netherlands, the road is flat and safe.

This international community in Haarlem has local information on bike rentals, non-tourist buses from Haarlem, as well as road numbers and place names for your sat nav.

Places Worth a Visit

Keukenhof

Keukenhof is known as the world’s biggest open-air flower exhibition and is only a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam.  It is also easily reachable by train or by bus. With the promise of more than 7 million bulbs to bloom and 800 varieties of tulips alone, it is indeed something to behold. Children will have fun at Keukenhof too. They can design their own bulb mosaic, play sleuth during a speurtoch (treasure hunt), clamber across the playgrounds and cuddle furry animals at the petting zoo. Be warned that it can be hectic; busiest times are over the weekend, so if you can manage, try for a midweek visit or arrive before 10:30 or after 16:30.

Land van Fluwel

This tulip paradise is about an hour’s drive north of Amsterdam, between the colourful flower fields of North Holland.  Here, you can learn more about how the tulip became a Dutch icon. Land van Fluwel will truly enchant your children with an avonturen speelparadijs (adventure playground), a verstoppertjesbos (hide and seek forest), a klimparcours (a climbing course), a sensory blote voetenpad (barefoot path), a strand (beach) and even a skelterbaan (go-karts track).  An exciting new addition is the 11-meter high uitkijktoring ( lookout tower), where you can enjoy a panoramic view across the colourful fields. Land van Fluwel is also the collection point for the Bloemenbollenboemel (the Dutch language is as colourful as the fields, love it!).

This is a unique experience riding on a tractor-pulled carriage through the flower bulb fields. It is wheelchair accessible.

Annemieke’s Pluktuin

Fancy taking some tulips home? Why not create unique hand-made bouquets from the tulips you hand-picked at Annemieke’s Pluktuin (Picking Garden) near Hillegom? You can also rent a bicycle, and they will provide you with a map with different flower routes. In the Flevoland area, you can pop into Annemieke’s sister, Hanneke’s Pluktuin.

Buitenplaats Plantage

Appreciating rows and rows of colourful flower fields can be thirsty work, especially on a bicycle. I have heard great things about Buitenplaats Plantage, an organic cafe with a lovely garden where the kids can run free while you soak up the sun. Just take note for the little ones that the ponds are not fenced.

De Tulperij

This is a working tulip farm in Voorhout where you can enjoy a guided tour amongst the kleurrijk (colourful) flower fields, learning more about the process from bulb to tulip. Being amid these blooming fields also makes for great photo opportunities.  And of course, you will be able to replenish with a hot beverage and appeltaart met slagroom (apple pie with cream) or indulge in a freshly made stroopwafel (syrup waffle). De Tulperij is the perfect place to buy bulbs to colourise your own garden.

Kasteel Keukenhof

This 17th-century mansion is not strictly a place to appreciate tulips, but it is most certainly well worth a side trip while on a flower safari in the Bollenstreek.  Guided tours inside the castle transport you back to the Golden Age era of the Netherlands. The Castle only open her doors on a few selected days a year, such as Dag van het Kasteel (Day of the Castle) on 24 May and Open Monumentendag (Monument Day) on 11 and 12 of September.  All are dependent on corona restrictions.   Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for updates.  Take a breather from all the cycling or hiking with a stroll through the magnificent gardens and forest and let the kids cuddle a furry friend in the kinderboerderij (petting farm).  The indoor animal enclosures are currently closed to the public.

Museum de Zwarte Tulp

This local Lisse museum, which translates as The Black Tulip Museum, is all about tulips.  You can learn everything about the history of the bulb flower and how the Netherlands became one of the biggest exporters of tulips globally.  All the art in the exhibition is tulip inspired, and they run both adult and children workshops throughout the year.

Royal Holland Flower Auction

If you love being in amongst the hustle and bustle of a trading floor, set your alarm early and visit this world-famous flower auction in Aalsmeer. Be awestruck by the sheer amount of flowers as you watch the exciting bidding from the gallery.

Alternative to Pedal Power: Car, Air, Water, and Foot

By Air

For the more adventurous with deeper pockets, enjoy a birdseye view of the rows and rows and then more rows of rainbow coloured fields of flowers by helicopter. They promise a corona-safe trip.

This year, the flower-copter flies only on two Saturdays in April

By Water

Once inside Keukenhof, you can opt for a 45-minute serene boat ride past the fields of flowers in an electrically-propelled boat known as fluitervaren (whisper boats).  Not wanting to sound like a broken record, but Keukenhof has not yet been cleared to open this 2021 season.

By Foot

Pack a backpack, lace up those boots and hike through the bulb flowers district following the Wandelnetwerk Bollenstreek (hiking network). It offers over a 100kms of hiking trails which are all clearly marked en route.  You can also pick up a map from any of the VVV offices in Lisse, Noordwijk, Warmond, Katwijk and Leiden.

Veel plezier in de bloembollenvelden…have fun in the flower fields!

Photo Credits: All in-text images and banner supplied and copyrighted by Magdalena Laas Photography.

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Spring at Last!

Winters in the Netherlands can be long, dark, and rainy. It can be quite a shock for someone like me who has not lived here my whole life.

But the long, dark winter means that I can really, truly appreciate spring. And wow, does the Netherlands know how to do spring! From the moment I see the snowdrops and crocuses poke up from the ground, I know spring is around the corner. In the Netherlands, the first signs of spring are also a promise of something spectacular yet to come – tulips. Millions and millions of tulips.

Keukenhof is a wonderful place to go if you want to experience these flowers in bloom. Each year, they plant millions of bulbs, arranged in gorgeous designs based on the year’s theme. They have hundreds of varieties of tulips, as well as many other spring-flowering bulbs.

In the Netherlands, the first signs of spring are also a promise of something spectacular yet to come – tulips. Millions and millions of tulips.

We took our two sons, ages four and six, to Keukenhof last April, and we had a fun and memorable family day. If you haven’t experienced the splendor of these gardens, I highly recommend it as a lovely day trip for your family. And do not forget to bring your camera!

Getting To Keukenhof

Keukenhof is in Lisse, approximately 20 kilometers from Schiphol airport. It is very accessible by bus or train from locations in and around Amsterdam (as well as other surrounding towns). They even have some routes designated as Keukenhof Express routes. Because it is a popular destination, there are also possibilities for guided bus tours to take you to the gardens. The Keukenhof website has a page dedicated to all of the ways to get there, ensuring you are able to pick the mode of travel that works best for your family.

We travelled to Keukenhof by car from Amstelveen. It was an easy drive, and depending on when you go, it may be possible to see the surrounding tulip fields in bloom. Though it was a crowded weekend day, we found it easy to park in the Keukenhof lot for a fee.

Of course, for the more adventurous, it is possible to ride your bike to Keukenhof. You can even rent bicycles at the Keukenhof entrance to explore the areas around Keukenhof.

What to Do When You are There

Entrance into Keukenhof requires a ticket, and as we hadn’t bought them online in advance, we purchased them at the front gate. We also picked up a map of the grounds and purchased a park guide, a very pretty book that helped explain the gardens.

Upon entering, we were surrounded by winding paths and fairytale-like gardens full of color. My children wanted to run from garden to garden, discovering each new type of flower and design. I, of course, wanted to take a million pictures, and the scenery did not disappoint. I was even able to convince my family to pose for a number of pictures – not always an easy feat for this mama! You can easily spend your whole visit walking around and exploring the outdoor flower displays.

Though the weather was mostly nice on the day of our trip, it is the Netherlands, and it was springtime, and therefore we did have to manage some short afternoon rain showers. Fortunately, Keukenhof has a number of indoor pavilions. Each pavilion houses flower shows and demonstrations. Some pavilions showcase cut flowers, while others have potted plants. Some of the shows change weekly, while others stay throughout the whole season. You might find lilies, orchids, roses, or daffodils in these pavilions. There was also an indoor pavilion dedicated to the story of the tulips. Here, we learned a little about the history of the tulip bulb, how they are cultivated, and why they grow so well in the Netherlands. Dates and descriptions of the various showcases can be found on their website.

We did not try it on our last trip, but if you are looking for a different way to see flowers without as much walking, they have whisper boat tours of the tulip fields around Keukenhof. This is a separate fee, and weather-permitting.

My children wanted to run from garden to garden, discovering each new type of flower and design.

For the Kids

My children enjoyed our day at Keukenhof. They were mesmerized by the number of flowers, the different designs, and the seemingly endless gardens through which we walked. We had fun trying to choose our favorite flowers:“This is my favorite! No, wait, THIS is my favorite!” They ran along the paths and explored the many colors and designs. We found small streams and stepping stones and bridges to jump and walk on. It was just so nice to be spending the day outside together.

When they wanted a break from looking at flowers, there were other activities as well. A giant playground, petting farm, and maze turned the day into an adventure for them. It was a great way to burn off some mid-afternoon energy!

Eating

Keukenhof has restaurants and food stands with both indoor and outdoor seating. They also have a picnic area. It was nice to take a lunch break inside while we waited for a passing rain shower. We even managed to find a cart that sold ice cream, which was a nice treat for all of us at the end of a long day.

When the day was over, we were happy and tired. We had taken hundreds of pictures, and I was ready to go home and fill my house with tulips and other flowers. My sons were sad to leave, and they made us promise to bring them back another time. Our visit to Keukenhof will always be a wonderful memory of our time in the Netherlands.

Visit the Keukenhof website for opening times, entrance fees, and more information about the family-friendly events that take place throughout the season.

Photo credit: Katie Nowicki

The post A Day Out at Keukenhof with Kids appeared first on Amsterdam Mamas.