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- 18 Aug-1 Sep: Last Summer days (#20)
18 Aug-1 Sep: Last Summer days (#20)
Alex Siega
August 18, 2025 • Read time: 6 minutes
Hi everyone! Welcome to messy Summer vibes, where I’m completing a personal best by starting and finishing the newsletter all on this lovely Monday 😇
Good news from APP: Signups are coming in for our Burnout Support Program cohort starting in September ❤️🔥 If you’re overwhelmed, unsettled, don’t feel like you’re on top of things like you used to be, emotionally just hanging in there — you’re not alone. And speaking from personal experience, things do get better with peer and professional support. Sign up for our tiny, safe cohort here, and message me if you need help (more info, reassurance, financially, etc).
Oh, so THIS is what an event actually designed for toddlers looks like. (Family Fest this Saturday!)
🗓️ 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.
APP & friends
Sat 23 Aug @ 09:30-13:00 — Slotermeer
It’s finally here! 🎨 Join Art Connects New West at their free family festival this Saturday. It’s specifically designed for 1–5 year olds, with arts & crafts, music & movement, and a toy & clothes swap: everything to keep your toddler happy. Plus, there’s a special parent connection space to meet other families in the community.
Everywhere
The Offline Club’s 24-Hour Challenge
30-31 Aug @ 21:00-21:00 — Everywhere
If you want solidarity to minimize screen time as a family, Amsterdam’s Offline Club is hosting their second annual digital detox day. Pledge to live completely free of “digital noise” from 9pm Saturday to 9pm Sunday. Whether it’s to stop yourself from scrolling through parenting social media or to convince your YouTube-loving toddler that people all around the world are refraining from screens for the day, it seems like a fun challenge we can all get behind.
👀 Let me know: If enough people are interested, maybe we can even coordinate a park hang to pass the screen-free time!
Center
Wed 20 Aug @ 14:00-16:00 — Jordaan
Make a summery, crafty octopus at the Children’s Bookstore. Weather permitting, the craft table will be outside, with something delicious to eat and drink on hand.
Children's Prinsengracht Concert
Sat 23 Aug @ 15:00-17:00 — Grachtengordel
This part of the free classical music festival is made by and for young audiences. Cello, saxophone, violin, and a children’s orchestra will serenade you along the banks of the Prinsengracht.
West
Kids activities at Erasmus Culinair
Sun 24 Aug @ 11:00-18:00 — Erasmuspark
Sunday is kids day at Erasmus Culinair, a chill food truck + live music gathering at Terrasmus. Young kids can make pasta, get their faces painted, attend a “super kids jam,” and more — all while you get to eat delicious food. Seems like a fun, local day out to me ☺️
South
Wed 20 Aug @ 10:30-11:30 — Beatrixpark
OBA is hosting their last outdoor reading picnic in Beatrixpark. Head outside to listen to a book reading about ice cream and adventure — and of course, free ice cream afterwards. There’s also coloring and games to keep everyone entertained.
Mon-Sun (daily) @ 11:00-17:00 — Amstelpark
Did you know that there’s an amazing children’s train that travels in a loop around Amsterdam’s backyard? Ride the train with your little one, then stop at the petting zoo or one of the toddler-friendly amusement rides elsewhere in the park for a full morning or afternoon out.
East
Every Wed & Fri starting 1 Sept @ 10:15 - 10:45, 11:00 - 11:45 — Kattenburg
Signups are open for Parent & Child Yoga at Mukha Kids! This popular class runs toddler classes for young (1.5-2.5) and old (2.5-4) in Oost and Noord. They fill up fast, so I recommend checking it out now if you want to attend in September.
Noord
Wed-Sun 20-24 Aug — Harbor
Toddler pirates, this event is for you. See hundreds of tall ships, heritage vessels, and boats from all over the world sail into Amsterdam at this triple celebration: 750 years of Amsterdam, 50 years of SAIL, and the 10th edition of this incredible festival. The link above has a breakdown of the schedule that actually made sense to me; it’s going to be a special event, for sure.New Parent + Baby Hang at AmsterMAM
Fri 22 Aug @ 09:30-11:30 — Overhoeks
New to parenting? Bring yourself and/or your baby to this new parent hang at AmsterMAM. They cover coffee, tea, and cappuccinos — all you do is show up to meet your new village. They promise “no awkward vibes,” so you can fully embrace the mess of early parenthood at this cozy hang.
Until next time,
Alex from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)