Last day of school yesterday so that means no more school for one week! Start making your fall bucket list with fun things to do. On our list will be some apple picking, pumpkin carving, drinking warm cider (or hot chocolate), jumping in a pile of leaves and maybe even try to make a bonfire and roast some marshmallows. There is so much to do this week to keep the kids entertained! We found some really fun things to do to in Amsterdam and around. And no, no indoor crazy playgrounds. We promise. We like to have some fun too, right?

AMSTERDAM

  • Rijksmuseum. Every day in October there will be a children books Expo with the illustrations from books wich won awards during this year’s Children’s Book week. But there is so much more to do. From workshops to special tours for family’s (even for toddlers). For more info go to www.rijksmuseum.nl
  • Amsterdam Museum. A great place to visit with children and learn more about the history of Amsterdam. Visit the special expo about the Amsterdam Warehouses (age 4-12). Or celebrate the 740-iest birthday of Amsterdam on October the 25th. There is also a cool expo about Graffiti called; New York Meets the dam. For more info & opening hours visit www.amsterdammuseum.nl
  • Theater Toverknol. This cosy and sweet theatre is perfect for kids. Before the show start, they can dress like a princess, a dragon or a knight. Have a cookie & then sit and watch the play. The plays are so much fun and all the kids love it. It’s even funny for adults as the lines are really witty. During the holiday, there will be shows every day divided in two age groups. 1 -4 and 5-9. www.detoverknol.nl
  • Boskabouterpad Amsterdamse Bos. Go to the Amsterdamse bos and follow a little dwarfs path through the forest. If you are lucky you might spot one! You can start at the Boswinkel where you can buy a dwarfs bag if you like, with a little red dwarf’s hat, a magnifying glass and small assignments. It’s a perfect outdoor outing from age 2 till 6.  www.amsterdamsebos.nl
  • Eye Amsterdam. Not only the best movies and a stunning view over ‘Het IJ’ but Eye will also host workshops during the holiday organised by Cartoon Network. The kids will be able to follow workshops from illustrators and animators. You can learn to animate, draw a storyboard or draw cartoon figures. Age: 4 till 14 years. www.eyefilm.nl

HAARLEM

  • Frans Hals Museum. Here you can explore Seventy-one tiny rooms from historical Dutch dolls’ houses. Together they give  a glimpse of everyday life in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Collect a booklet from the ticket desk and join the hunt! There are booklets for different ages. Have fun! www.franshalsmuseum.nl
  • Theater Toverknol. See above.

DEN HAAG

  • Japanese Garden. The magnificent Japanese Garden is the crown jewel of Clingendael Park, with beautiful and rare trees and plants. The garden is extremely fragile. That is why the Japanese Garden is open only 6 weeks in the year in fall and spring.  It will be open from 10 to 25 October 2015, daily from 10.00 to 16.00 hrs. For more info go here. 
  • Gemeente Museum. Museums boring? Visit the new incarnation of the Wonderkamers at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and you’ll never say so again! The new interactive displays offer an amazingly fresh and entertaining introduction to fine art, the decorative arts, architecture and fashion. Director Benno Tempel: ‘The Wonderkamers offer a totally different experience compared to a traditional museum. This is a fantastic outing for parents or grandparents with children and an extended learning environment for schools. The Wonderkamers are a challenge to anyone aged 10 and over. The only question is: Are you up for it?’ www.wonderkamers.nl
  • Escher in the Palace. Museum Escher in ‘ het Paleis’  is a permanent exhibition in The Hague dedicated to the world-famous artist M.C. Escher, whose art startled millions of people all over the world. The kids will love the amazing illustrations! The collection is housed in the former Winter Palace of Queen Mother Emma. www.escherinhetpaleis.nl

ADDITIONAL

  • Butterfly garden at Orchideeen hoeve. The Butterfly Valley is the biggest in Europe! and promises a real jungle experience with wilderness trails and rushing mountain streams. There are a lot more gardens to explore but we think the kids will also love the Mangrove Forest Playground. Here they can enjoy climbing and clambering on all kinds of playground equipment, and try to get a cross the little bridges and bodies of water without getting wet feet. Count the stick insects or Phasmatodea in one of the terraria or come and help feed the turtles at 14:00 o’clock! www.orchideeenhoeve.nl
  • Kasteel Groeneveld.  Who doesn’t know the books by Charlotte Dematons? The fantastic attic of ‘Kasteel Groeneveld’ is turned into one big playground for the ‘Holland is a party’ expo. You can see the different magnified illustrations from Dematon’s book ‘ Holland’ and they are the foundation of all the different games you can play in the old attic.
  • Landgoed Olmenhorst. Get your grandma’s best recipe for apple pie, put on your wellies and go apple picking at Olmenhorst. Just walking through the apple tree orchard is so nice to do. During the apple picking period (which ends on October 25th), Olmenhorst organises a lot more fun activities for kids ans there is a big playground as well. www.olmenhorst.nl

Have Fun!!