Itinerary Family Program
From 18:00
During an informal get together, we will meet all the participants of Worldschooling Netherlands, and the IQ Teens. We will meet the team and be introduced to the program. We will share our first meal together, and get to know each other better.
Approx 9:30 – 18:30
We will discover the history of the Netherlands as if we were there. We will experience this day loaded with workshops and activities, that make us relive history while being in the center of the action, while knowledgeable experts teach us all about the Dutch history and answer all our questions.
Approx 9:30 – 18:00
Windmills are a remarkable staple of the Netherlands. Today we will get to experience windmills from the inside and out. We will go to a famous location in the Netherlands that is known for it’s beautiful windmills. Through multiple excbitions we will learn about the windmills and other traditional Dutch features.
From 18:30
Although not a Dutch holiday, it is more and more common for Dutch communities to organise Halloween activities and something that is without a doubt appreciated by our young participants. All the kids are welcome to have a (scary?) face painting after which they will go by all the families’ cottages to trick or treat, and are invited to a small Halloween party after. With the kids enjoying their evening, meanwhile all the parents are invited for a traditional Dutch “dropping”. While not a typical Halloween activity, a dropping is a know social activity where the participants are (safely) taken to a secret location from where they have to find their way home.
Enjoy a day at the park, take a swim, play at the indoor playground, enjoy the company of other families, or explore the surroundings.
![Home - Muiderslot [EN]](https://muiderslot.nl/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/MDS-vooraanzicht.jpg)
Approx 11:00 – 19:00
We will visit one of the oldest and best preserved castles of the Netherlands. The history of this castle goes all the way back to the middle ages and lets us experience what live was like at a castle in these days. While learning all about the castle, we will have to find our way in it through an exciting scavenger hunt.
During the candle making workshop we will learn to make our own candles from bee wax and give them our favorite colors. Of course we get to take our self made candles home.
Approx 9:00 – 19:00
The Netherlands is known for it’s flat landscape. In the whole country, no location can officially be labelled as a “mountain”. However, in the most southern province, called Limburg, close to the Belgium and German border, the landscape changes significantly. Here we will visit the small town Valkenburg, known for it’s beauty, it’s landscape, and it’s history. We will see the highlights of Valkenburg in a fun way for the whole family, and enjoy one of it’s attractions. After Valkenburg, we will move to the city of Maastricht. Here we will start with an Underground Experience in the hilly landscape around Maastricht. In a guided family tour, we will discover a part of the miles long tunnel system and learn how the locals used the tunnels for their protection throughout history. After, we will spend some free time in the center of Maastricht before heading get back to the park.
From 20:00
We will invite you all for a social evening with a Dutch twist. You can try some typical Dutch treats and do a fun creative Dutch activity while spending some hours enjoying the company of the other families and IQ teens.
Approx 9:00 – 19:00
How does the Netherlands keep the water out? Does the country really needs Dutch boys to put their fingers in dikes, or is there a more sophisticated system behind it? We will have a fun and entertaining day filled with all kinds of exhibitions and activities right on the Storm Surge Barrier, the eight wonder of the world. We will learn all the ins and outs about the construction that keeps the water out of the country, all at our own level of understanding, and all with a lot of fun.
Enjoy a day at the park, take a swim, play at the indoor playground, enjoy the company of other families, or explore the surroundings.
Approx 9:00 – 18:45
We will visit the traditional fishers town Volendam where we will enjoy some traditional Dutch experiences. In a number of exhibitions we will learn how Dutch cheese is made, about the traditional Dutch costumes and even try them on ourselves, we will learn about traditional trades in Volendam, and we will taste a Haring Dutch style. All this while enjoying the beauty of this cute fishers town that makes you feel like you have gone back in time.
Approx 17:00 – 20:45
Pancakes for breakfast? For the Dutch pancakes are a diner dish. Filled with all kind of ingredients, you will not recognise the pancake anymore. We will visit a traditional pancake restaurant and enjoy the typical Dutch pancakes, while the kids enjoy the entertainment and the nice setting of the restaurant.
Approx 9:00 – 19:00
Den Haag / The Hague is the political capital of the Netherlands. Here, the Dutch government is located and the king has its palace. But also, Den Haag is the city of international peace and justice. In this day we will get a tour by the national and international highlights of democracy, peace and justice. In the afternoon it is time for fun. We will pay a visit to the Dutch miniature park that shows all the highlights of the Netherlands in scale in a fun and engaging way.
Approx 16:00 – 19:00
We will go back in time ourselves, to a time when kids did not have iPhones and Nintendo’s to enjoy themselves. What did they do? Which traditional games did the Dutch play. While the kids are competing, the parents get to watch and prepare themselves, because also the parents turn will come.
Enjoy a day at the park, take a swim, play at the indoor playground, enjoy the company of other families, or explore the surroundings.
The Sinterklaas celebrations start mid November when Sinterklaas arrives in the country. This day is looked forward to by all Dutch children who will all gather to see Sinterklaas arrive in their home town, and we will get to experience this celebration first hand in the city of Harderwijk. The Sinterklaas arrival introduces us to the Dutch Sinterklaas celebrations that last until the 5th of December and include daily rituals that we will introduce into the program from today.
When the celebrations end we get to spend some free time to explore the city of Harderwijk. You can visit the historical inner city with it’s many historical sights, or decide to enjoy a lunch in the large variety of bars and restaurants that Harderwijk has to offer.
Approx 8:00 – 19:00
Rotterdam, one of the major cities of the Netherlands, famous for its ports, completely bombed in the WWII and rebuilt after, using the most creative architecture of its time. We will get a tour through the city and see the remarkable designs that this city has to offer. We will try the unique Rotterdam transportation: The water taxi. And we will learn all about the importance of the harbours of Rotterdam to the Dutch country.
Approx 10:00 – 15:00
We will visit a historical 17th century VOC ship. We will learn more about the VOC that meant so much for the country in the exhibitions, while enjoying all the fun and educational activities that teaches us how to be VOC sailors.
Approx 9:30 – 13:30
In the Netherlands bikes are the most common way of transportation used by the Dutch. Today we will become real Dutch and explore the surroundings of the park by bike. We will enjoy the landscape and visit a small nearby town where we will wonder around for a bit and enjoy a picknick, before we will head back to the park.
Enjoy a day at the park, take a swim, play at the indoor playground, enjoy the company of other families, or explore the surroundings.
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. The best thing to do here is just walk around and breath in the energy of the city, or better yet, float around, on the countless canals that the city has to offer. We will start the day with a tour on the water, learning about the canals and the impact of them on the city. After, the kids can choose to join one of our team members to the Amsterdam Science museum, an amazing museum with hours of fun experiments. Meanwhile the parents and teens will visit the most famous museum The Rijksmuseum, that exhibits world famous Dutch masterpieces, like the Night Watch of Rembrandt. For the families interested we will arrange a visit to the Anne Frank house* where we experience the story of Anne Frank with our own eyes. Of course there will also be time to explore Amsterdam on your own.
* The visit to the Anne Frank house we can not guarantee, as it is challenging to get tickets at the right moment. Early booking is necessary.
Approx 10:00 – 17:30
Unfortunately the Netherlands also has this dark side of history to share. During the Holocaust over 100.000 Jews, among them Anne Frank, were gathered in the transition camp Westerbork to from there be transported to other camps, like Auschwitz. We will visit the camp with its memorial museum and show our respect at a Jewish cemetery nearby. Every family should consider for themselves if your children are ready for the topic or if they prefer to stay and have a fun time at the park.
Enjoy a day at the park, take a swim, play at the indoor playground, enjoy the company of other families, or explore the surroundings.
Approx 10:00 – 19:30
Today we will visit the Northern provinces Friesland and Groningen. These provinces, mostly forgotten during trips to the Netherlands, show a whole different side of the country. Friesland, the only province in the Netherlands that has its own official language, with its own history and surrounded by water. We will visit the town of Dokkum in which we have some free time to get an impression of a small Fries town. Groningen, where in contrary to the rest of the country, there is a low population density which results in stretches of flat landscape. In Groningen we will pay a visit to a seal rescue center, after which we will pay a short visit to the city of Groningen.
Approx 11:00 – 13:00
In this workshop for the whole family, we will teach you how to prepare the typical Dutch dish “poffertjes”. You will then of course get to try your new learned dish and understand why they are so popular in the Netherlands.
Approx 16:45 – 18:15
Sinterklaas will visit us with his helpers. They will bring traditional Sinterklaas candy. We will sing a Sinterklaas song and have a little personal chat. Maybe he will even bring us a small gift.
Enjoy a day at the park, take a swim, play at the indoor playground, enjoy the company of other families, or explore the surroundings.
Approx 9:00 – 18:30
Efteling is one of the largest theme parks in Europe, with tons of rides, shows, rollercoasters, and so much more fun for all ages. However, Efteling is so much more than just a theme park. Since 1952 the theme parks fairytales, presented in astonishing artworks in the rides and shows, have touched the hearts of nearly every Dutch person, young and old, and so became part of their culture.
Enjoy a day at the park, take a swim, play at the indoor playground, enjoy the company of other families, or explore the surroundings.
*The program and all its activities are subject to change.
3 Celebrations
17 Cultural
16 Museums
10 City Trips
5 History
12 Workshops
4 Amusement Parks
28 Educational Activities
Simultaneously with Worldschooling Netherlands we will run a IQ teen camp. This camp is specifically aimed at teens who are open minded and motivated, who seek challenges on intellectual and philosophical level. The teens will become part of the Worldschooling community and participate in the same activities, while gaining a higher understanding of the topics through special assignments. The program will also include a good amount of games and social interaction.
For teens joining the Worldschooling Netherlands who are interested in the IQ teens program, we can make a special offer. At the reduced rate of an additional €599, the Worldschooling teens can join the full IQ teen program, but are under the supervision of the parents. The teens interested in this offer will go through the same registration process as the IQ teens. More info
Housing
All the families will stay at a touristic park centrally located in the Netherlands. The stay at the park is included in the price.
Every family will have its own cottage at the park. The cottages are all designed different and might not be the same as the pictures. There are 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom cottages available. All cottages have a separate equipped kitchen/living room area. The utilities are included and there is WIFI in the cottages. Please note that this is not an Airbnb rental. Certain necessities that are usually included in an Airbnb will not be included, for example towels, toilet paper, shampoo, detergent etc. There will be 1 set of bedding per person. More sets of bedding or towels will be available at extra charge. There is a washing machine on site at extra charge. A €500 deposit will be charged at the first invoice. This will be returned after the stay (minus banking fees), if all is left in good condition.
The park has many facilities to enjoy one of the free days at the park.
Indoor swimming pool
– Waterslide
– Waterfun
– Sauna
Outdoor and indoor playgrounds
Mini golf (at extra charge)
Arcade (at extra charge)
Supermarket
Multiple restaurants