Expat children guide for Amsterdam
As of 2021, Dutch children are still considered to be some of the happiest kids in the world. This is apparent in Amsterdam, and this is largely because the city is so accommodating to children.
Since most households in Amsterdam contain full-time working parents, children are often raised with the help of an au pair or will start going to daycare at an early age. Many children also begin pre-school before they start to attend primary school.
Many parents also choose for their children to go to some type of after-school program when they are younger, and there are various activities that children enjoy when they are older. In some cases, these activities or clubs are organized through the child’s school, and there are also external opportunities for children to explore their interests. For example, there is a cooking school in Vondel Park that offers courses on cooking, serving, and bartending that is designed for children. There are also various theatre and dance companies, sports clubs and public parks that provide children with unlimited options for entertainment.
One of the main reasons that Amsterdam is so accessible to children is because most of them start learning to ride bikes almost before they can walk. Furthermore, this keeps children active and independent, which is good for their general outlook on life and for their environment. Amsterdam is a very safe city, and children can enjoy its benefits without encountering problems if they know how to identify and avoid any potentially threatening situations.
