The summer holidays have started: schools are closed and it's time for fun summer activities
The summer holidays have started, which means children are free from school. The streets may be quieter and there are lots of fun activities to do in the Netherlands. Below are the most important things you need to know about the summer holidays.
The Netherlands is divided into 3 regions for the summer holidays
The Netherlands is divided into three regions for the school holidays (north, central and south). This division is meant to reduce traffic and crowds at popular places. The summer holidays begin and end on different dates in each region.
South Netherlands has its 1st summer holiday from 6 July to 18 August. The provinces of Limburg, North Brabant and Zeeland belong to this region.
The central region follows from Friday, 13 July to 25 August. The provinces of South Holland, Utrecht and Gelderland belong to this region.
The north region has summer holidays from 20 July to 1 September. The provinces of Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, Flevoland, North Holland and Overijssel belong to this region.
During the school holidays, your children are off school
During the school holidays, schools are closed and your children are free, but you and your partner may have to continue working. In the Netherlands, parents arrange childcare for their children so they are not home alone without adults.
If you have to work and cannot look after your children, there are several ways you can arrange childcare:
Your child can go to out-of-school care (BSO)
Out-of-school care (BSO) offers care outside school hours for children between the ages of 4 and 13. Many daycare centres have a summer schedule for when schools are closed. And because it's a holiday, they make it extra fun for the children.
It is often possible to drop your child at one of these several days a week, even if your child does not normally use the daycare centre. Ask your children's school about the different forms of out-of-school care. A daycare centre costs money but, in some cases, you can apply for an allowance.
You can hire a babysitter for your children
Normal life continues in the summer
During the summer holidays, daily life goes on as usual. However, the streets and motorways tend to be quieter, except in the big cities where many tourists visit during the holidays.
The only thing that does not go on during the summer holidays is construction. In the summer, construction stops completely for 3 weeks in each region. If you work in construction, you are often off work during this period.
You can do these fun things during the summer holidays
Most parents in the Netherlands who work also take a few weeks off in the summer holidays. They often go away with their children. On a trip to another place in the Netherlands or abroad. Often to campsites to camp in a tent or a holiday house they rent somewhere. Or they go on day trips. To the zoo or an amusement park.
If you don't go on holiday, you might want to do fun things with your children. There are plenty of fun activities to do together in the summer. Many Dutch people enjoy the following activities during the holidays:
You can go cycling or hiking if the weather is nice and then have a picnic somewhere afterwards.
You can go swimming somewhere. In a swimming pool or natural water. Swimming in natural water is often free. A swimming pool costs money.
You can go to a petting zoo or playground with your children. This is often free.
Or go to the museum for free this summer. Learn more about the promotion and order tickets on this website:
Free museum tickets for refugees You can choose from more than 150 museums.Your municipality may organise activities for children during the summer. They also organise free activities. Check your municipality's website.
Many libraries also host free activities.