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- 20 Oct-3 Nov: Spooky season & spooky emotions (#24)
20 Oct-3 Nov: Spooky season & spooky emotions (#24)
Alex Siega
October 20, 2025 • Read time: 8 minutes
Happy Monday, APP-land!
Whether you’re planning on collecting candy or places to go these next few weeks, I hope everyone has a lovely spooky season. We’ve got big, screamy 😱 emotions and (less-screamy) kid-friendly events in this issue — whether your celebrating Halloween or not. That said, no one can resist a baby in costume.
🎙️ Dam Parenting: “I’m having trouble staying calm when my toddler is screaming at me. What do I do when she’s completely out of control? Should I stop trying to connect and just walk away?”
Full disclosure: I have this question, too 😂 I hate the term “Terrible Twos,” but it’s rough out there for parents of toddlers who have Opinions™️ but can’t fully express themselves. This Dam Parenting Podcast episode with Dr. Faye Poole from Kerr Educational Psychology gets into these tricky moments: what’s happening in their brains (science!) and ways to shift your perspective from “my child is being difficult” to "they’re having a hard time."
When our children are experiencing big emotions, you are the best tool: providing co-regulation and attunement. Sitting with them in those messy situations, in those uncomfortable feelings, is one of the most important things that we can do.
The main takeaway: Consistent, connected presence helps build a child's brain and supports them to manage emotions independently. Listen to the full episode for multiple strategies to spot and handle big emotions with (relative) calm 👇🏻
If you want in-person help on navigating tantrums and meltdowns, Faye is hosting a workshop this week:
Understanding & Managing Big Emotions (0-5y)
Sat 25 Oct @ 10:30 – De Pijp
Wondering how to deal with your toddler’s tantrums? Psychologist Dr. Faye Poole is leading a practical session on why young children (0-5 years old) have big feelings and how we can respond with calm and connection. Learn simple strategies to validate emotions, create safety, and support healthy coping in everyday moments.
Browse and/or add yourself to the Trick or Treat map! The more the merrier 🎃
🗓️ 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
Burnout Support Meetup in the Park
Sat 25 Oct @ 10:30-12:30 — Vondelpark
4 parents already signed up to chat about overwhelm and burnout in parenting. Join us at Groot Melkhuis — and feel free to bring your babes in costume! 🦖
Until 31 Oct — Online
Community member Selina put together this interactive map for local families who want to trick or treat in Amsterdam this year! Add your house (in a privacy-conscious way) with two options: “Door knock/bell” or “Pick up from basket.” You can also access the map to see the homes participating in your neighborhood. Share it with your friends, too — the more the merrier. Happy Halloween 🎃👻
West
Dirk Scheele Pop Concert (2+y)
Tue 21 Oct @ 15:00-16:00 – Osdorp
Dirk Scheele is bringing his electric guitar to create musical magic for audiences 2+. He’ll play classic Dutch hits and then you’ll all make a new song to sing together! Finish off with a dance party when ‘Japie het Apie’ comes to visit.
Petite Retreat: Mother & Child (3-6y)
Wed 22 Oct @ 10:00-12.30 – Oud West
A cosy, mindful morning retreat at Studio DaMoves for mums and children (ages 3–6). Includes a Contakids parent–child class, a relaxing yoga session just for mums while children play and craft under supervision, letter writing, a shared guided meditation, and a warm closing with snacks and drinks.
Sharing with Kids: Winter clothes donation drive
Wed 22 Oct @ 14:00 - 16:00 – Slotermeer
Winter is just around the corner, which means that Sharing with Kids is coming again. Pick up or donate winter clothing for families in need ❤️
Mozart's Music Box Babyconcert (4-18mo)
Sat 25 Oct @ 10:00-10:30 — Vondelpark
This baby concert is filled with lullabies, playful classical pieces, and floating bubbles. Babies can listen, clap or crawl while parents relax on cosy blankets and cushions. I’ve been before when my babe was younger, and she really loved it! (Kudos to community member Kristina for the discovery & invite all those months ago 😀)
Play, Share, Swap Children’s Toys and Clothing
Fri-Sat 31 Oct-1 Nov @ 12:00-17:00 — Oud West
Motherhood’s signature swap event is back! You bring a maximum of 5 items to swap, and go home with 5 new things for your little one. This edition is Halloween themed, meaning that you should dress up your little ones and head to the kids disco once you’re done picking out new clothes, toys, and books. I go every time — it’s one of my favorite ways to get new toys and clothes and let some older ones go.
South
Halloween Special @ WOW Family Center (0-4y)
26-31 Oct – De Pijp
WOW is pulling out the stops for Halloween, with themed Baby Sensory, Toddler Sense, and Art Club for the 0-4 crowd. Expect costumes, art, discovery and plenty of surprises — and you can even enter this giveaway for a chance at a free class!
Wed 22 Oct @ 13:30-15:00 – Amsterdamse Bos
Local families and Home-Start are organizing a fun puzzle afternoon in the Amsterdam Forest. You can start anytime and the hunt lasts approximately 1.5-2 hours. Register here so they know how many participants to expect.
East
Sat 25 Oct @ 10:00-16:00 – IJburg
The Flowery is hosting a spooktacular pumpkin-decorating workshop for kids 🎃 The whole shopping center will transform into a creative Halloween space for all your carving needs: pumpkin included. Register in advance at The Flowery to reserve your spot; spaces will fill up quickly.
Classitter Coffee Playdate (1-2y)
Sat 25 Oct @ 13:00-14:00 – IJburg
Something for the young ones: a cosy playdate for mums and little ones at Coffee & Kids. If you’d like to join, just send a DM to @classitter_app on Instagram, drinks are on the host!
Life in your neighborhood: IJburg
Sat 25 Oct @ 15:30-17:30 — IJburg
SET Wereldhuiskamer invites neighbours to an open afternoon filled with live music, dance performances and a free BBQ. Meet new families and enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings the community together. Open to all ages, no registration needed, just drop by and join in.
North
Sat-Fri 18-24 Oct @ 10:15-11:30 — Buikslotermeer
Time to build a giant marble run! Toddlers can roll, spin, drop and swing marbles while experimenting with gravity, working together and building the biggest and most fantastic marble track of the Cinekid Festival.
Center
Wed 29 Oct @ 10:30 — Grachtengordel
Each month, Toverknol presents a 40-minute children’s show in an intimate, living room style theatre where little ones can dress up, sit close to the stage, and sing, dance and interact with the characters. This month’s performance follows Marjan as she meets Allesman, the man who can supposedly do everything; but is being perfect really that fun? Runs every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday until December.
Until next time,
Alex from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)