1. Winter cosiness

You start the Christmas holidays on Lange Voorhout with the Royal Christmas Fair (until 23 December). Between the illuminated chalets and fire pits, there is plenty for children to enjoy, such as short performances, Christmas choirs and a photo with Santa Claus.
On Sunday 19 December, it's time for SnowFest Kids' Day (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Near The Hague Central Station, you can take the children skiing, snowboarding, sledging, or try biathlon.

Photo by Julia de Keijzer

2. Getting creative in museums

Do you have creative children? Then there are plenty of options this holiday season. In Amare On 27 and 28 December, there will be a two-day musical event for children aged 6 to 12. Two days of singing, dancing and acting, and no experience is necessary. De Dutch Don’t Dance Division’s The Nutcracker will also be performed there one last time, with large projections and colourful costumes.

The Nutcracker (6+) The Dutch Don’t Dance Division in collaboration with Amare

In the Mauritshuis the children can get creative themselves. The youngest (aged 4–6) follow Maurits Muis and the clockmaker and then do some crafts in the Art Workshop. Older children (aged 7–12) can paint a bag during Carry your dreams. On 26 December, you can make a Christmas meal still life together with your children.

Maurtis Muis searches for the clockmaker (4-6 years old)

3. Circus or family film

During the Christmas holidays, the Malieveld will host the Grand Christmas Circus, with spectacular circus acts, dance and acrobatics in a big top. Would you rather watch a film together? Filmhuis Den Haag and Theater aan het Spui are showing classic family films such as Mary Poppins, Ponyo and E.T. on Spuiplein.

Christmas Circus The Hague

4. Out to sea

There is also plenty to do on the coast. In Kijkduin, there is a tube slide on Deltaplein until 21 December, with winter lighting and stalls selling hot drinks. In Scheveningen, everything revolves around Cool Event Scheveningen. You can skate on the boulevard and on the square in front of the Kurhaus. In the evening, there are light projections on the Kurhaus. After skating, it's nice to relax at, for example, The Gallery for a hot chocolate with whipped cream. On 27 and 28 December and 2 and 3 January, there will be an extra programme, with short dance performances, TukTuk rides along the boulevard and the family show Dream Journey through Scheveningen.

Cool Event Scheveningen

5. A boat trip with a story

Would you like to escape the hustle and bustle for a while? Then step aboard at Willems Canal On 22 and 23 December for De Winterkoning, a narrative boat trip for children aged 3 and above and their parents. You will listen to a radio play full of winter stories and The Hague history while sailing across the water.

Willems Canal