Happy Monday, everyone!
We’ve been joined by almost 100 new families this month — welcome to everyone who’s new around these parts 👋🏻
As summer winds down, someone asked me how my "club" was going — and I realized I've spent so much time spotlighting Amsterdam's incredible experts, leaders, and activities that I forgot to share my own story and why APP exists.
APP was born from my own parental burnout: triple feeding a perfectly healthy baby on conflicting Consultatiebureau (CB) & expert advice, going back to work a changed person, and the isolation of becoming a parent in a totally new culture. What started as a part-time passion project has — with deep community backing — grown into a cohesive support system for new parents in Amsterdam.
APP is not a club or class. We're the infrastructure BEHIND them — one entry point, not scattered offerings stressing families' wellbeing and wallets. I use my 10+ years in tech and nonprofits to build the systems that make that happen. (And yes, it's all self-funded.)
You’re welcome to read my post on why I recently left tech to run APP full-time — spoiler: as a dedicated nonprofit social enterprise, it makes negative money 🤣 — or hit reply and we can meet up for a coffee.
First Year Program: Even the babies get to make new friends ❤️
🌱 First Year Program for new families, starting in September
Speaking of “cohesive support system” — if you’ve been with us for a while, you’re familiar with our Fourth Trimester Program, offering postpartum support to English-speaking families here in Amsterdam.
Some lovely news: We’ve grown the program! Now called the First Year Program, our postpartum support is open to all families with babies under 1 year old ❤️ The need for support comes at different times in a family’s journey, and (as you requested!) we’re honored to be there for you when you need us most.
The monthly program is built alongside 8+ local experts with:
Expert-led chats: Topics like feeding, sleep, cross-cultural parenting & multilingualism, and working parenthood.
Social family outings: Music, museums, and more — drawing from 2 years of experience finding all of the best stuff to do in the city for this very newsletter 😎
1:1 & group connections: Build your village with a 1:1 match with a new parent in the neighborhood each month, plus tap into wisdom from the whole crew (parents & experts) in our program chat.
The rolling curriculum starts twice per year. Join us anytime for just a month, for the full 6 months, or the year — we’re all here to hold your whole family (moms, dads, and babies all included!) as you navigate newborn parenthood, at your own pace.
Let us take some of the load from you 🤲🏽 Or if your baby is older, please share this with a new family who needs it 🙏🏻
The beloved Amsterdam Drama & Dance classes for 2+ start again in September!
🗓️ What’s happening around town
Looking for something fun to do with your little one? Here's a selection of upcoming activities and events for babies, toddlers, and their parents.
Upcoming weekly autumn term classes (Sharing now, as spots go quickly)
Starting 24 Aug— Buitenveldert
The Little Gym has classes from 4 months old supporting physical, cognitive, and social development through movement, music, and play. They have a bunch of classes — which m friends have always recommended — for each age group throughout the week.
Starting 25 Aug — Weteringschans
Hosted by the lovely Bibi at the Mallow Garden, Pikler Baby Sessions offer a nurturing space for parents & pre-walking babies to deepen the bond in a peaceful, unhurried environment. The next term starts 25 August. Also at the Mallow Garden are the Toddler Sessions (only 1 spot left in the Thursday class & Friday is full!) or the Shantala Baby Massage classes for babies up to 6 months old.
Starting 2 Sep — Jordaan
There's a new music class for the little ones: Mini Maestro 🎶 Professional musician and local mom Juf Marie is taking signups for classes for babies (3-11 months), young toddlers (1-2 years), and older toddlers (2-3 years), all held at her Jordaan location. The classes are taught in Dutch, but designed so that English-speaking parents and children can easily join.
Starting 9 Sep — Oud West
One of the longest running — and most beloved — English-language theater classes for toddlers in the city! Each week's class (Wednesdays & Saturdays) is centered around a different theme and uses dance, mime, songs, costumes, and props to bring that theme to life. I brought my 2.5 year old to a class centered around the human body and she was singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" incessantly for a week after 🤣 Really recommend!
Center
Sat 15 Aug @ 11:00-11:40 — Grachtengordel
Hop aboard the train with Mimy and her friends, Piano and Clarinet. As the train pushes on, the instruments turn into people and their music comes to life! Stories, live music, and playboxes all intertwine in this lovely performance at the Junior Grachtenfestival.
Wed 19 Aug @ 10:30-11:30 — Grachtengordel
De Kinderboekwinkel is hosting a special bilingual storytime of 'Goodnight Little Bear' with the author herself! The book itself is in both English and Dutch — perfect for bridging the gap for international families 🐻 It's a free reading, plus a bear mask-making craft activity in-between.
South
Wed 12 Aug @ 13:00-13:45 — Bijlmer
Grab your maraca or shaker and join this free open percussion jam for children and parents, part of the Grachtenfestival. Together with professional percussionists, you'll be building rhythms you can play along to. Musical experience is not necessary; just curiosity ❤️🥁
Wed 12 Aug @ 16:00-19:00 — Rivierenbuurt
Join Dynamo Amsterdam and meet local families at this fun, free buurtfestival featuring fresh pizza, bracelet making, and good village vibes.
Sun 23 Aug @ 15:30-17:30 — Rivierenbuurt
Munduna is a live musical sound experience for babies and toddlers, first in Utrecht and now in Amsterdam! Rooted in the natural elements, each session introduces early ears to sound in a gentle and intuitive way. Their ethos is minimal, playful, and accessible; you can learn more here.
West
15-16 Aug — Bos en Lommer
Come for the kids show and stay for the delicious food at this free food festival in Erasmuspark. From 11:00-13:00 on Sunday, there are family-friendly activities like an acrobatics show and a kid's cooking class. Plus, it's hosted by Terrasmus — one of the best family spots in the neighborhood.
Mon 17 Aug @ 11:45-12:45 (Weekly) — Kinkerbuurt
Baby + Me classes at Cosmos West are a great opportunity to enjoy a full postnatal practice with your baby alongside. They're designed to strengthen, tone and rehabilitate the postpartum body in a safe, fluid and fun way — for both you and your little one.
North
Fri 14 Aug @ 09:30-12:30 — Overhoeks
Midwife practice AmsterMAM is hosting Niels van Veen Photography for a mini photoshoot to capture pregnancy or moments with your baby. At the session, you'll come away with one high-resolution image as a keepsake.
Wed 19 Aug @ 10:00-12:00 — NDSM
If you're looking for a super casual, low-stakes mama meetup you don't have to plan yourself — the MamaSocial Mingle is it. There's an upcoming mingle in Noord for 5 moms to gather for cozy coffees and conversation.
Sun 23 Aug @ 13:00-16:00 — NDSM
Amsterdam's best parent-and-kid disco is back 🕺🏼Tiny Grooves brings the club experience to families via techno DJs, soft play, crafts, and a glitter bar. Hosted at Noorderlicht Café for the summer edition.
East
Wed 12 Aug @ 20:00-22:00 — Weesperbuurt
For the kids enjoying later summer evenings out there, Amsterdam’s largest open-air cinema has returned to the lovely courtyard of the H’ART Museum for the eighth year running. They have all sorts of family-friendly films — Howl's Moving Castle is Wednesday, but you can check out the full lineup at the link.
Online
Are you in the thick of toddler tantrums and wish you knew more about the science behind them? The University of Amsterdam is looking for parents of kids between 9 months and 5 years old to help researchers understand how young children experience and express emotions. You'll be in a focus group with 4-5 other multicultural families (native English, Dutch, and Chinese speakers) to compare observations and strategies for handling toddler emotions across cultures. Compensation is €20.
A new community initiative that helps parents exchange gently used toys, keeping them out of the trash and into the hands of other community kids that will be way more excited about them. I don't know the creator personally — but if you do sign up, let me know how it goes!
Did you find an event today? Consider donating to support our work and keep this newsletter free for the community.
Until next time,
Alex from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)
