The Netherlands is a country of vibrant colors, ingenious engineering, and unique traditions. From being home to the world’s tallest people to having more bicycles than citizens, the “Low Countries” offer a wealth of inspiration for young learners. As April 26th approaches, the Dutch prepare for their biggest celebration of the year: Koningsdag, or King’s Day.
This festive national holiday marks the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. The streets of Amsterdam and beyond transform into a sea of orange—a phenomenon known as oranjegekte or “Orange Madness.” It is a day filled with nationwide flea markets, traditional games like koekhappen, and a deep sense of community.
To bring a touch of Dutch magic to your home or classroom, we have compiled 15 notable Netherlands crafts for kids. These projects are designed to teach children about windmills, tulips, and the rich heritage of the Dutch people through hands-on creativity.
Fascinating Facts About the Netherlands
Before diving into the crafts, share these “Did You Know?” facts with the kids to set the stage for their cultural journey:
- The Power of Orange: While the Dutch flag is red, white, and blue, orange is the national color because the Royal Family belongs to the House of Orange-Nassau.
- Tulip Central: The Netherlands exports nearly 2 billion tulips every year! Interestingly, tulips were originally imported from Türkiye in the 16th century.
- Land of Windmills: There are over 1,000 historic windmills still standing in the Netherlands. They were originally used to grind grain and pump water to keep the low-lying land dry.
- Cycling Capital: There are roughly 23 million bicycles in the Netherlands, which is significantly more than the human population of about 17 million!
15 Creative Netherlands-Themed Crafts
1. Origami Tulip Garden
Since the tulip is the unofficial symbol of the Dutch landscape, it’s the perfect place to start.
- The Craft: Use square pieces of vibrant red, yellow, and orange origami paper. Fold them into simple tulip heads and attach them to green pipe cleaner stems.
- Educational Tip: Discuss how the Netherlands became the world’s flower shop.
2. DIY Moving Windmill
Windmills are a marvel of Dutch engineering. You can create a miniature version using recycled materials.
- The Craft: Use a sturdy cardboard tube (like a Pringles can) for the tower. Cut four blades from cardstock and attach them to the top using a brass fastener (brad) so they can actually spin in the wind.
- Design Idea: Paint the tower white with a red “tile” roof to mimic the structures in the village of Kinderdijk.
3. Royal Orange Crowns for Koningsdag
Join the “Orange Madness” by making your own royal headwear.
- The Craft: Cut a crown shape out of orange cardstock. Let the kids decorate it with “jewels” made of glitter, sequins, or even orange buttons.
- Culture Connection: Explain that on April 26th, everyone in the Netherlands becomes “royalty” for the day!
4. Delft Blue Paper Plate Art
Delftware is the famous blue and white pottery from the city of Delft.
- The Craft: Provide white paper plates and blue markers or paint. Encourage kids to draw intricate floral patterns, windmills, or sailboats in a circular design around the plate.
5. Cardboard Clog (Klompen) Decorating
Traditional Dutch wooden shoes, or klompen, have been worn for centuries by farmers and gardeners.
- The Craft: Trace a shoe shape onto thick cardboard or use a small tissue box. Have the kids paint them bright yellow and add traditional floral motifs. These make great “baskets” for holding treats.
6. Tissue Paper “Flower Fields”
From an airplane, the Dutch tulip fields look like giant stripes of color.
- The Craft: On a large sheet of blue paper, glue long, straight rows of scrunched-up tissue paper in different colors (red, pink, purple). This creates a 3D aerial view of a Dutch flower farm.
7. Bicycle Spoke Decorations
Since the Dutch love their bikes, why not decorate yours?
- The Craft: Use colorful beads, ribbons, or “spoke snappers” to decorate bicycle wheels. This is a fun way to celebrate the primary mode of transport in the Netherlands.
8. Salt Dough Stroopwafels
The Stroopwafel is a delicious Dutch treat consisting of two thin waffles with caramel syrup in the middle.
- The Craft: Create “pretend” stroopwafels using salt dough. Use a ruler to press a waffle grid pattern into the dough before baking. Paint them light brown once dry.
9. Flag of the Netherlands Handprint
A simple way for younger children to recognize the national flag.
- The Craft: Paint the top of the palm red, the middle white, and the bottom blue. Press it onto paper to create a “handy” version of the Dutch tricolor.
10. Milk Carton “Canal Houses”
Amsterdam is famous for its narrow, tall houses with decorated gables.
- The Craft: Rinse out small milk or juice cartons. Paint them dark colors (black, brown, or navy) and add white “windows” and fancy roof shapes (gables) using cardstock.
11. Sinterklaas “Zwarte Piet” Hat
While Koningsdag is in April, Sinterklaas is a huge December tradition.
- The Craft: Make a “Piet” hat using a paper plate and a large feather. Decorate with bright “jewel” colors.
12. Paper Weaving “Orange” Baskets
In honor of the King’s Day flea markets, make a basket to hold your “goods.”
- The Craft: Use two shades of orange paper to weave a simple square basket. This is great for practicing fine motor skills.
13. Dutch Lion Mask
The Lion is the national animal of the Netherlands and appears on the national coat of arms.
- The Craft: Use a paper plate and orange yarn to create a fierce lion’s mane. Add a crown on top to make it the “Royal Dutch Lion.”
14. “Koekhappen” Game Prep
This isn’t just a craft; it’s a traditional game played on King’s Day.
- The Activity: Tie a string to a spice cake or a soft cookie. The “craft” is decorating the strings and setting up the game where kids must eat the hanging cake without using their hands!
15. Map of the Seven Provinces Puzzle
The Netherlands has a unique shape with a lot of reclaimed land from the sea.
- The Craft: Print out a map of the Netherlands, have the kids color each province, and then cut it into puzzle pieces to learn the geography.
Why Cultural Crafting Matters
| Developmental Area | How These Crafts Help |
| Geography | Learning where the Netherlands is and how they manage water with windmills. |
| Fine Motor Skills | Origami folding and Delftware drawing require precision and control. |
| Global Citizenship | Understanding that different countries have different “National Colors” and traditions. |
| History | Discovering the origin of tulips and the history of the Dutch monarchy. |
Hosting Your Own “Mini Koningsdag”
To get the full experience, why not host a small celebration while you craft?
- Dress Code: Everyone must wear at least one item of orange clothing.
- The Music: Play some Dutch folk music or modern pop to set the festive mood.
- The Snacks: Try some authentic Dutch snacks like gouda cheese cubes or apple slices.
- The Market: Let the kids “trade” their finished crafts with each other, just like the flea markets in Amsterdam!
Conclusion
The Netherlands is a country that celebrates life with gusto, whether through flowers, engineering, or “Orange Madness.” These 15 Netherlands crafts for kids offer a wonderful window into a culture that is as sturdy as a wooden clog and as beautiful as a field of tulips. By engaging in these activities, children don’t just make art—they connect with a world of history and tradition.