The summer holiday is starting soon: schools close and time for fun summer activities

For school holidays, the government divides the Netherlands into three regions: North, Central and South. The summer holidays do not start on the same day everywhere.

Not sure which region you live in? Ask your child's school. You can also check the Dutch government website.

These are the dates for the summer holidays in 2026:

• North Region: From Saturday 4 July to Sunday 16 August 2026. The last day of school is usually Friday 3 July. The first day of school is usually Monday 17 August.

• South Region: From Saturday 11 July to Sunday 23 August 2026. The last day of school is usually Friday 10 July. The first day of school is usually Monday 24 August.

• Central Region: From Saturday 18 July to Sunday 30 August 2026. The last day of school is usually Friday 17 July. The first day of school is usually Monday 31 August.

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 are unable to look after your children, there are various ways to arrange childcare:

Your child can go to after-school care (BSO)

An

It is often possible to send your child there several days a week. Even if your child does not normally attend after-school care. Ask at your children’s school about the different types of after-school care available. After-school care costs money, but you can sometimes apply for

You can hire a childminder for your children

Of course, you could also ask friends or acquaintances if your child could spend a day with them now and then. If that is not possible, you could hire a childminder. Perhaps there are other parents in the neighbourhood who know a good childminder.

A babysitter costs money. How much depends on the babysitter's age, the time the babysitter has to come and the work they are expected to do. It is reasonable to pay more if the babysitter is expected to vacuum, do laundry or cook. And if the babysitter has travel costs.

If you choose a school pupil as a childminder, the fee varies depending on the individual. This depends on how many children you have, the childminder’s age, and whether the childminder is required to help with meals and putting the children to bed. You can pay by the hour or agree on a fixed fee.

You can take holiday yourself

Everyone who works in the Netherlands is legally entitled to leave days. You must request these leave days from your employer in advance. You can choose to take your leave in the summer.

During the summer holidays, daily life carries on as normal. However, it is often a bit quieter on the roads and on the motorway. Except in the major cities, which attract large numbers of tourists 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.

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.

Most working parents in the Netherlands take a few weeks’ holiday during the summer holidays. Some families go on holiday within the Netherlands or abroad. Other families stay at home.

Even if you are not going on holiday, there are plenty of fun things you can do with your children. Many activities are free or cost very little.

For example, you could do this:

• Go for a cycle or a walk when the weather is nice. Take some food and drink with you and have a picnic in a park.

• Go to a playground, park or petting farm. This is often free.

• You can go for a swim somewhere. In a swimming pool or in natural waters. Swimming in natural waters is often free. Please do bear in mind: only swim in places where swimming is permitted and where the water is monitored. You can also read our article on safe swimming in natural waters.

• Go to the library. Many libraries organise free activities for children during the summer, such as story times, craft sessions or language games.

• Check your municipality’s website. Municipalities often organise free summer activities for children and young people. Search your municipality’s website for terms such as "summer activities", "holiday activities" or "activities for children" (or in Dutch: “zomeractiviteiten”, “vakantieactiviteiten” of “activiteiten kinderen”).

• Ask at a community centre, neighbourhood centre or youth club in your area to see if there are any summer activities on offer. Sometimes there are sports days, games afternoons or creative workshops.

• Go to a museum. Through the "Welkom in het Museum"

  campaign, refugees can visit many museums in the Netherlands for free.

• Get together with other parents. You could go to a park together, cook together or organise a playdate for the children.

• Is the weather bad? If so, you can cook, draw, play games or watch a film together at home. You could also go to the library, a community centre or a museum.