Creative Adventures: Art, Games, and Circus in Nature

BiotoopVakantie in Haren (July 14 - 18, 2025)

An unforgettable five-day holiday week for children aged 8 to 12 in the workshops of the Biotoop in Haren. Under professional guidance, children enjoy art, circus, games, cooking on a fireplace, and nature. A week full of creativity and fun! Be quick, because full is full. More information and registration: www.biotoopvakantie.nl.

Into Nature this Summer in Groningen: Activities for the Whole Family

Free Children's Activities at Het Groninger Landschap

Het Groninger Landschap organizes fantastic and often free activities for children throughout the summer. Think of ditch jumping, climbing, and discovering water creatures. Visitor center Reitdiep (Wolddijk 103, Groningen) is the starting point for many adventures:

• Searching for Soil and Creepy Crawlies: Armed with a search card and magnifying glass, children from 4 years old go on a discovery tour. Free participation on Sunday, July 13, and Sunday, August 9, between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. More information.
• What lives in the ditch?: Searching for water animals with a net. Perfect for children from 6 years old. Make sure to wear boots! On Saturday, July 26 (from 2:00 PM) and Sunday, August 24. A refreshing and free event. More information.
• Seven-ditches-at-once-path: An adventurous experience path in the Reitdiep with exciting bridges, rope swings, and a pull ferry. Wet feet guaranteed, so boots or bare feet are recommended! More information.

Lauwerslab Kids' Afternoon and Junior Ranger Course

Discover the Lauwersmeer nature reserve. It's wonderful! At the Lauwersnest Activity Center in Lauwersoog, Staatsbosbeheer organizes fun and educational afternoons:

• The world of Insects: Go on a discovery tour through the forest and the insect garden, look at insects under the microscope, and make a fun craft. On Tuesday, August 5, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Registration and info.
• Junior Ranger Course (Theme Summer): Learn all about the work of a ranger! For children aged 6 to 12 on Wednesday, August 13. More information.

For more inspiration, check the Lauwersmeer National Park activity calendar.

Cultural and Creative Outings for Children in Groningen this Summer

Spruit Cinema in Forum Groningen

Is it a rainy day? Forum Groningen organizes Spruit Cinema every Sunday at 10:30 AM, especially for toddlers and preschoolers (2-6 years). The films last about 30 minutes. Enjoy films like "Draak Dries en de vliegende Dokters" and "Shoom's Adventure."

Tickets are €7. More information and dates.

Participate in the National Garden Butterfly Count (July 11-13)

Help butterflies, bees, and other insects by participating in the National Garden Butterfly Count. It's a fun way to learn to recognize butterflies with the special identification card. Also, download the Butterfly Activity Book!

More information and registration: www.vlinderstichting.nl/tuinvlindertelling.

Create your own butterfly paradise! Read the article Sustainably Grown in and around Groningen for tips on organic growers. For a responsible bouquet, you can go to Bloemkweker Florentien Biobloemen or De Nieuwe Kijk in Groningen.

Timmerdorp Groningen 2025: The Adventure Village

In the last three weeks of the summer vacation, children from 8 to 12 years old can have fun in the Adventure Village. Not just building, but also flying, climbing, claying, making a mess, and cooking on a campfire! A popular activity, so be quick with tickets.

More information and tickets: www.timmerdorpgroningen.nl.

Prefer to climb indoors? Check out the best climbing halls in Groningen here.
 

Nomad Open Air Summer Cinema

A truly unique event to go to with your children, for when they can stay up a little later. During Nomad Summer Cinema, you watch the most beautiful films with a silent-disco headphone, while the sun sets, the stars light up, and the moon watches along. Check out the events now at DOT City Beach (note the age recommendation), De Menkemaborg and Borg Verhildersum.

Water Fun and Sporty Summer Activities

Active with BSlim and Sport050

The municipality of Groningen promotes an active lifestyle with the BSlim project. The agenda is full of sporty summer activities for youth (4-15 years). A selection from the offer:

• Waterskiing at Grunopark (12-17 years): For the adventurous teenager! Try it on Monday, July 14, at 3:00 PM in Harkstede. More information.
• Water Safari at Teuntje de Slak (8-16 years): An adventurous safari full of water fun and games. Swimming diploma required. More information and registration.
• Bubble Football in Haren (8-12 years): Hilarity guaranteed when you try to play football in a big bubble! More information.
• Skateboard Clinic in Haren: Improve your skills at the new skate park on Thursday, July 17. More information.

Sport050 Summer City on the Grote Markt (July 26 - August 17)

Young people staying at home don't have to be bored! Sport050 organizes free activities all summer on the Grote Markt and in the surrounding neighborhoods, in collaboration with many partners. In addition to water sports, there are day trips to climbing parks, Walibi, and Nienoord.

More information: Sport050 Events.

Free Play Festivals in the City

Throughout the summer, free play festivals are organized in the many playgrounds of Groningen for children aged 6 to 12, with workshops and meals.

View the overview: Speeltuincentrale Play Festivals.
 

Neighborhood Initiatives and District Activities in Groningen for children this summer

Summer Program in the Korrewegwijk and De Hoogte

The Mooie Wijken platform organizes various summer activities for children in these neighborhoods. Think of music theater workshops, swimming together in De Papiermolen, and paddleboarding. Locations include Het Pand, Speeltuin Dib, Het Floreshuis, and BSV De Hoogte.

View the weekly summer program here (note: view on a computer for the best display).

The aftermovie of the Summer Program 2024 in Groningen

Creative Workshops and Museums for kids this summer in Groningen
 

University Museum for Young Researchers

A must for curious children! From July 12 to August 24, there are sticker routes, puzzle treasure hunts, and a craft and experiment room. Make your own bath salts or do experiments with a plasma ball. More information and registration. Read more about the University Museum.

Creative Workshops in Forum Groningen

The Forum is the place for fun children's workshops:

• Make your own LED photo lamp: On Wednesday, August 13. Bring your own photo and make a unique lamp for your bedside table. More information and registration.
• Make your own short film: Learn the basics of filmmaking on Friday, July 25. For children from 8 years old. More information.

Discover all events at the Forum Groningen.

Museumplein Grootegast: Lego, Liberation, and Printing

Get three museums for the price of one! Build with thousands of bricks in the Legio Museum, learn about the liberation in the Victory Museum, and discover the old craft of newspaper printing in the MuseumDrukkerij.

Montmartre Sellingen Festival: Art and Entertainment

Visit this bustling art festival on the Brink in Sellingen. With 100 stalls, music, entertainment, and children's activities such as face painting and balloon artist Jos Tipker, this is an outing for the whole family. More about Montmartre Sellingen.

Festival Veenhuizen: Music and More

A small-scale and atmospheric festival with jazz, folk, pop-up performances, and walking routes. Combine it with a visit to the prison museum for a varied day out. More information.

VRIJDAG Children's Workshop at Noorderzon

VRIJDAG will be at Noorderzon in the Noorderplantsoen this summer (August 14-24). Children from 4 to 12 years old can participate in all kinds of creative making activities daily between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. More information. Also, check out other children's workshops at VRIJDAG.

Spotting Seals and Dinos with the kids in Pieterburen and Wedde

Seal Spotting at WEC Pieterburen

The former Seal Center Pieterburen is now called WEC (Wadden ecology and nature center) and is well worth a visit. Go on a seal watching tour, a boat trip, or witness the release of seals. In the ecolab, scientists conduct research on the mudflats. A fun and educational outing!

Check the agenda and book your tickets: ontdekwec.nl.

Dinopark and Landgoed Tenaxx in Wedde

Open daily throughout the summer! Admire dinos in the chalk forest, conquer the inflatable obstacle course, go archery, and visit the dino museum. In good weather, you can swim in the swimming pond, so don't forget your swimwear! Check the summer season here: www.dinoparklandgoedtenaxx.nl.

Make your Family Friendly Summer Holiday in Groningen Unforgettable

With so many fun activities for families in and around Groningen, the summer break is the perfect time to experience new adventures. From exciting nature walks and water fun to creative workshops and sporty challenges, Groningen has something for everyone. Whether you are looking for peace in nature or action on the water, the city and its surroundings offer endless possibilities to spend the summer in a special way. So put on your walking shoes, take a dip in the new Stadspark swimming pond, go on an adventure with your family in nature, or experience a sporty day in the city. The summer in Groningen is a time to make memories together, so grab this chance and discover everything this city has to offer! Don't forget to share your favorite activities from this article with friends and family. Who knows, you might inspire others to discover