Are you moving to the Netherlands as an expat family and would you like your child to pick up more Dutch in a playful, natural way? Then you are definitely not alone.

Many parents choose online Dutch lessons with Dutch for Kids so their child can continue working on the language in a focused way. But alongside those lessons, there is so much more you can do in everyday life to strengthen Dutch naturally.

The best part is: It really doesn’t have to be complicated.

Often, it’s the small, practical things that make the biggest difference. Think of a visit to the library, joining a sports club in Dutch, or fun local activities where your child gets to meet other Dutch-speaking children.

In this blog, I’ll share:

Why extra Dutch input is so important for expat children

If your child goes to an international school, or mostly hears another language at home, it makes perfect sense that Dutch may not feel naturally present in daily life.

That’s exactly why it helps so much to create extra Dutch moments outside of lessons:

• in a relaxed setting
• without pressure
• and most importantly: in a way that feels fun

Because language grows fastest when children:

• practise in a playful way
• meet other Dutch-speaking children
• hear words in real-life situations
• and realise: hey, Dutch is also simply part of my life

General tips for expat parents in the Netherlands

Even if you don’t yet know exactly what’s available in your city, there are a few things that work well almost everywhere in the Netherlands.

1. Sign your child up for the library right away

One of the best and easiest first steps: get your child a library membership.

In the Netherlands, children can usually join the library for free until the age of 18. And that’s fantastic.

Why this is so helpful:

• you don’t need to keep buying new Dutch books
• your child can explore which reading level feels comfortable
• you can build things up step by step
• many libraries also offer picture books, early readers (AVI books), audiobooks and sometimes bilingual books

For expat children, that’s ideal. Especially if your child is still getting used to Dutch, you can start with:

• simple picture books
• non-fiction books about topics they enjoy
• comics
• or books you read together

Extra tip: ask the library about:

• story time sessions
• children’s activities
• holiday programmes
• or special language activities for children

2. Choose after-school activities in Dutch

Does your child go to an international school? Then it’s smart to look for Dutch input outside school hours.

Think of activities like:

• football
• tennis
• hockey
• basketball
• dance classes
• music lessons
• scouting
• theatre
• swimming lessons
• judo or gymnastics

It actually matters less what you choose…
as long as it’s in Dutch.

This helps your child learn to:

• listen to instructions
• understand everyday vocabulary
• join in group activities
• and speak naturally with other children

That is often far more powerful than simply practising isolated words.

3. Consider sports camps or holiday activities

During school holidays, sports camps, creative camps and day programmes can be absolute gold for expat children.

Because children:

• spend longer periods in a Dutch-speaking environment
• have to listen and respond a lot
• make new friends
• and absorb a huge amount of language without even realising it

Think of:

• surf camps
• sailing camps
• sports weeks
• dance or theatre camps
• arts and crafts or nature camps
• holiday activities organised by community centres or sports clubs

For many parents, this is also a lovely way to help their child connect with Dutch-speaking children in a fun, natural setting.

4. Look for Dutch play opportunities nearby

Not everything has to be big or formal.

Often, the small community-style activities are incredibly valuable.

Think of:

• a playdate with neighbourhood children
• a picnic in the park
• a craft morning in the neighbourhood
• a local music class
• a sports afternoon
• activities organised by a local playground association
• meeting at a family-friendly coffee place
• a clean-up event or gardening afternoon where families come together

Children don’t just learn language from books, but especially by:

and simply feeling like they belong

• playing together
• negotiating
• making jokes
• explaining rules
• and simply feeling like they belong

5. Consider Dutch childcare or toddler activities too

For younger children, this can be a wonderful step.

If your child can attend:

• a Dutch daycare
• a preschool/playgroup
• or a Dutch after-school care (BSO)

…that often gives a huge boost to language development.

Even just a few half-days a week can make a big difference.

If you’d also like your child to keep building vocabulary, reading and speaking in a more focused way, online Dutch lessons can be a lovely addition to everything you’re already doing at home.

Practical places for expat families in The Hague

Are you living in The Hague as an expat family? Then you’re in luck: this is one of the most international cities in the Netherlands. And because of that, there are also many wonderful places where you can start if you want your child to pick up more Dutch in a playful, natural way.

A very logical first step is The Hague Public Library (Haagse Bibliotheek). Wherever you live in The Hague, the library is a lovely, low-threshold place to borrow Dutch books and gently get used to the language. Many parents think of a library mainly as a place for books, but it’s often so much more than that: it’s a place where children can explore, browse, read and sometimes join activities. For expat children, that’s ideal, because Dutch comes in in a relaxed and natural way.

But also think about places where you can easily meet other parents. Because that often makes the biggest difference: a good cappuccino for you, a nice place for your child, and meanwhile you connect with other international or Dutch families.

A wonderful tip is Dutch Language Café. This is truly a special place in The Hague: a café and community where people from all kinds of nationalities come together to practise Dutch, meet others and feel at home in the Netherlands more quickly. They literally describe themselves as “a café & community in The Hague” and regularly organise activities and events too. That makes it a beautiful place for expat parents who care not only about language, but also about connection.

Do you have younger children? Then Coffee and Kids (Koffie en Kind) is an absolute golden tip. It’s a real meeting place for parents with children aged 0–4 in The Hague. While you enjoy a coffee, your child can play with other children. Exactly the kind of place where you naturally meet other parents and where Dutch comes in playfully and effortlessly.

Another lovely place is The Hungry Mind. This is not just a regular coffee spot, but a community centre, café and activity space where local and international families come together. They organise activities for both children and adults and even offer after-school programmes for children, such as creative classes and sports activities. For expat families, that’s such a wonderful combination: social, warm and practical.

And if you’d love to meet other international women as a mother, then The American Women’s Club of The Hague is another beautiful tip. This is an English-speaking community for women of many different nationalities, designed as a kind of “home away from home” for internationals. So lovely if you’ve just moved and are looking for friendships, activities and a stronger sense of belonging in The Hague.

And if you’d like something active or fun during the school holidays, then Kidsproof The Hague is a fantastic resource. There you’ll find an up-to-date list of holiday camps and sports camps in and around The Hague. Think of sports camps, creative camps and even beach or surf activities. This is not only fun, but also a very natural way for children to absorb more Dutch without it ever feeling like “learning”.

Praktische plekken voor expatgezinnen in Rotterdam

Practical places for expat families in Rotterdam

Many international families also live in Rotterdam, and if you’ve just moved, it can be so helpful to have a few concrete places where you can start right away.

A lovely first step is Bibliotheek Rotterdam. Especially the central library is a wonderful starting point for many families: not only to borrow Dutch books, but also because it’s a place where reading, discovery and culture come together. For expat children, that’s ideal, because you can gradually build up Dutch children’s books in a calm, accessible way without having to buy everything yourself.

Looking for something creative after school or at the weekend? Then SKVR is a really strong recommendation. SKVR offers creative classes for children in Rotterdam, such as music, dance, theatre and visual arts. These kinds of activities are especially wonderful for expat children, because they hear and use Dutch in a relaxed, playful setting.

Would you like a place where you can land for a moment too? Café @Home is such a lovely, accessible spot. Even the name says it all: it’s the kind of place where you can easily settle down for a coffee, and it feels low-key and relaxed. Perfect as a “first stop” in the city while you’re still discovering where you’ll feel at home.

If you’d prefer somewhere with a more classic Rotterdam feel, where you can easily go with children, then Dudok is a great tip. Many families already know Dudok as a lovely, spacious place for coffee, lunch or their famous apple pie. It’s not specifically an expat place, but that’s exactly why it’s nice: you’ll find yourself among both Rotterdammers and internationals, and it’s an easy place to start making the city feel more familiar.

A more playful, community-style tip for parents with children is Juffrouw van Zanten in Rotterdam. It’s often described as a family-friendly café where parents can relax while children play safely: coffee for you, play space for your child, and a much bigger chance of naturally meeting other parents.

And if you’d like to look at a place many international families are already familiar with, then Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam is an interesting example. They offer a broad after-school programme with all kinds of activities, from sports to music and clubs like yoga, ballet, Lego and eco clubs. Even if your child doesn’t go there, it’s a lovely example of the kind of after-school opportunities international families often appreciate.

Praktische plekken voor expatgezinnen in Amsterdam en Amstelveen

Practical places for expat families in Amsterdam and Amstelveen

For many expat families, Amsterdam and Amstelveen really go together. Many international families live in Amstelveen, while going into Amsterdam regularly for activities, schools or outings.

A beautiful place to start is OBA Oosterdok in Amsterdam. This is the largest library in the Netherlands and a truly inspiring place for families. Not just because of the huge book collection, but because it’s a place where you can browse calmly, choose books together and turn a library visit into a fun outing. For expat children, having a regular “library afternoon” like this can make such a difference in giving Dutch a natural place in the week.

Living more towards Amstelveen? Then Bibliotheek Amstelland is a very logical place to begin. For many international families in Amstelveen, this is simply the most practical and accessible way to make Dutch children’s books easily available close to home. Especially if your child goes to an international school, a consistent library routine can really make a difference.

The best concrete tip here is without a doubt Coffee and Kids in Amsterdam: a place where you as a parent can enjoy good coffee, where children can play or join workshops, and where the whole concept is built around families. They offer a family café, toddler workshops, playgroups, a playroom, coworking mornings with nanny service and even after-school care.

Another very strong tip is Amsterdam Mamas. This isn’t just one café, but perhaps even more valuable: it’s a large volunteer-run community for international parents in Amsterdam and the surrounding area. They describe themselves as the biggest and fastest-growing English-speaking parenting community in the city and share events, activities and partner locations where international parents can connect. For you as an expat parent, this is absolute gold, because through them you often discover exactly those lovely child-friendly cafés, events and social opportunities.

Dignita Hoftuin is another lovely one to mention. It’s not an official expat community, but it’s definitely a very child-friendly place where parents enjoy meeting. Perfect for coffee or brunch in a relaxed setting.

And finally, The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) is worth mentioning too. Many expat families already know this school, and what’s helpful is that ISA also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, plus after-school and vacation care. That makes it a great example of a place where international families can find not only education, but also structure, social connection and extra activities for children.

AICS (Amsterdam International Community School) is also very interesting. On their primary school pages, they explicitly mention after-school clubs and after-school care (BSO). This can be really useful if you want your child to join in more with routines, activities and social opportunities where language and belonging come together.

Living somewhere else in the Netherlands? These tips still work

Don’t live in The Hague, Rotterdam or Amsterdam/Amstelveen?

No problem at all.

Even in other cities and towns, you can often do much more than you might think.

Start by looking in these places

Check out:

• your local library
• sports clubs
• music schools
• community centres
• scouting groups
• petting farms
• playground associations
• municipal holiday programmes
• local Facebook groups for parents
• websites like Kidsproof for your region

Search smart on Google

Try search terms like:

• children’s activities + your town/city
• sports camp for children + your town/city
• library for children + your town/city
• after-school care international child + your town/city
• story time for children + your town/city

Think small

You don’t need a perfect network right away.

Start with:

• 1 library visit per week
• 1 Dutch activity per week
• 1 playdate every two weeks

That is often already enough to make a big difference.

Living abroad as a Dutch expat family? There are beautiful opportunities there too

Since 2013, we’ve been teaching Dutch to children all over the world at Dutch for Kids.

And it started very cozy and small.

My very first students actually lived in Nigeria. Two children learning Dutch there, while there was hardly anything Dutch around them. No library with Dutch books. No Dutch community to casually drop into. No King’s Day celebration. No Sinterklaas arriving by boat somewhere nearby.

Back then, we really had to rely on the lessons, on what parents could offer at home, and on the books they had once brought from the Netherlands.

And because of that, I used to think quite often: if you’re a Dutch family living far away, then when it comes to language, you’re mostly on your own.

But the more children I started teaching, the more I discovered that this is not always true at all.

Over the years, I’ve had students from the most extraordinary places in the world. And from all those families, I heard the most beautiful stories.

One family once told me that in New York, there was actually a Dutch King’s Day celebration. How special is that? Children living far away from the Netherlands, yet suddenly standing there among all kinds of other Dutch families, playing games, hearing Dutch and realising: hey, there are other children here just like me.

Other parents told me about Sinterklaas celebrations in Bonaire, where the boat still arrives and children experience that familiar Dutch tradition together, in the sunshine, but still with a very Dutch atmosphere.

And even in Sydney, Dutch families find each other to keep traditions alive together. I find that so beautiful. On the other side of the world, and still singing the same songs, eating pepernoten and helping children feel that Dutch language and culture still have a place in their lives.

I also hear beautiful examples closer to home. In Spain, for example around Fuengirola, or in places where more Dutch families happen to gather, small connections often begin too. Sometimes very spontaneously. A Dutch get-together. A seasonal activity. Celebrating something together just once. And from those moments, such valuable things can grow: children meeting other Dutch-speaking children, parents swapping books, families sharing tips, and suddenly Dutch starts to feel much more alive again.

Sometimes, it’s exactly those small moments that make all the difference.

That you suddenly talk to other parents at a Dutch event abroad.
That your child gets to play with another Dutch-speaking child.
That books get exchanged.
That you discover a different Dutch picture book than the ones you’ve had at home for months.
That your child realises: I’m not the only one who speaks Dutch.

And that is so valuable.

Because keeping Dutch alive abroad isn’t just about workbooks or lesson materials. It’s also about feeling. About recognition. About traditions. About friendships. About singing a song together that only Dutch children know. About putting out a shoe for Sinterklaas and realising other children do that too.

So if you are a Dutch expat family living abroad, take a look and see whether in your region there might be:

• a Dutch association
• a King’s Day or Sinterklaas event
• a Facebook group or WhatsApp group for Dutch families
• playdate opportunities with other Dutch-speaking children
• or perhaps very informal contact through school, sports or other expat parents

Because sometimes, one single connection is enough to set something in motion.

And if there really is nothing? Then you can still keep it small.

Organise a Dutch play afternoon. Swap a few books. Bake something together. Sing a Dutch song. Or simply make sure your child keeps that language and connection alive through Dutch for Kids lessons, even if there is very little Dutch around you.

Because whether you live in Nigeria, New York, Sydney, Bonaire or Spain…
that Dutch language and identity can stay surprisingly strong, when you make space for it in a playful and loving way.

Practical ideas for Dutch families living abroad

Even if there isn’t a big Dutch community nearby, there is still so much you can do:

• organise a Dutch playdate at a coffee place
• swap Dutch children’s books with other families
• meet up around Sinterklaas, King’s Day or Easter
• visit Dutch events if they exist
• look for Facebook groups or expat groups with Dutch families in your region
• create a mini “Dutch afternoon” together with games, songs and books

Sometimes, one connection is enough to build new relationships again.

And that is exactly what makes such a big difference:
not just practising the language, but helping your child feel that Dutch still belongs to them. gevoel geven dat Nederlands nog steeds bij jouw kind hoort.

You don’t have to do it perfectly

As an expat parent, you really do not have to sit down with workbooks every single day.

In fact, it often works much better when Dutch becomes a living part of everyday life.

A library book.
A sports club in Dutch.
A playdate at a family-friendly coffee place.
A sports camp.
A Dutch tradition.
A friend who also speaks Dutch.

Those are the moments when language truly sticks.

And if you combine that with focused, personal guidance?

You don’t have to do it perfectly

As an expat parent, you really do not have to sit down with workbooks every single day.

In fact, it often works much better when Dutch becomes a living part of everyday life.

A library book.
A sports club in Dutch.
A playdate at a family-friendly coffee place.
A sports camp.
A Dutch tradition.
A friend who also speaks Dutch.

Those are the moments when language truly sticks.

And if you combine that with focused, personal guidance?

Then your child often grows much faster in both confidence and language. Would you like your child to learn Dutch in a playful, natural way?

At Dutch for Kids, we have been teaching Dutch online to children of Dutch expat families all over the world since 2013.

Our lessons are:

and specially designed for children who want to keep speaking, understanding, reading and writing Dutch, wherever in the world you live.