Dutch summer learning: Keep your expat child’s Dutch alive this summer! From summer camps to reading games and podcasts, discover fun, proven ways to keep Dutch thriving while your child enjoys the summer holidays!
The summer holidays are a wonderful time for rest, relaxation, and family. But if your child is learning Dutch as a second or third language, the long break can also bring challenges. Research shows that children can lose up to a month’s progress in reading and maths during the summer break. This so-called “summer learning loss” is especially significant for children learning a new language, such as Dutch.
For expat families, this learning loss can be particularly noticeable. “She’s just starting to like Dutch, and now the vacation falls exactly before our move, and she only hears Spanish around her,” one parent shared. Another noted, “He’s really just starting to speak Dutch, and now there’s a gap of 11 weeks where he’s mostly with his English-speaking parents.”
But don’t worry! Plenty of fun, practical ways to keep your child’s Dutch skills active and growing during the holidays.
The good news is that keeping your child’s Dutch alive over the summer doesn’t have to feel like school.
Some of the most valuable language learning happens in small, everyday moments. Reading one page together before bedtime. Listening to a Dutch podcast during a long car journey. Playing a simple word game while waiting at the airport. Or talking about the day’s adventures over dinner.
These moments may seem small, but together they help children stay connected to the language and return to school with greater confidence.
If you’d like to learn more about why these everyday moments are so powerful, and how you can support your child’s Dutch throughout the year, we invite you to read our guide: How to help your child learn Dutch every day.
Now, let’s explore nine fun and practical ways to keep Dutch alive this summer.
Dutch summer learning: 9 tips to prevent loss in the Dutch language
Learn Dutch from real-life holiday activities as expat children
Vacations offer natural learning opportunities. Involve your child in holiday planning: reading maps, calculating costs, and researching the country’s culture and history. At your destination, explore local nature and learn about the climate, landmarks, and traditions all in Dutch. This way, learning blends seamlessly into the holiday fun. If your Dutch is not up to the level that you can help your child, you can always ask a sibling with sufficient Dutch, or let your child’s teacher at school or at Dutch for Children provide sources and vocabulary. It is also a great opportunity to discover and learn these topics together as a family.
Write Dutch: Let your child keep a holiday diary or blog
Writing keeps your child’s Dutch skills sharp. Writing is active and, therefore, a great way to learn Dutch and speed up the level of expression. A holiday blog or diary is a great way to capture memories and a fun family activity. Everyone can contribute in their own way, and it’s a great project to share with friends and school after the holidays.
Practice Dutch with your expat child online
Online platforms like Junior Einstein – free for Dutch for Children students – make it easy to keep learning in a playful, low-pressure way. Your child can practise reading, maths, and language skills whenever they have a quiet moment. Tailor it to their level and interests, from group 3 reading to group 8 comprehension. For more variety, check out issuu.com, a website full of reading books and workbooks, where you can preview a large part of the book. Their summer reading books are especially fun and inspiring!
Dutch summer learning with Dutch language and maths games
Dutch language and maths games for summer fun! Games like Scrabble, Yahtzee, or letter bingo are perfect for family fun and keep Dutch skills active. Even simple word games or guessing games in the car or at the beach can make a big difference.
Reading for pleasure: Summer reading is key
The best way to stay ahead? Keep reading! Show your child that reading is fun, not just schoolwork. Choose books, comics, and magazines that match their interests—or try a summer reading bingo. Let them see you reading, too: ” Seeing reading” is a powerful motivator.
In addition to books, children can also read comic books, online books, or read together with you, such as theatre readings. Summer reading bingo is great fun for younger children. Email us if you’d like an example of a summer reading bingo.
Remember to check out the online library. Children in the Netherlands can have a complimentary subscription to the Bibliotheek, which allows them to borrow paper books and ebooks.
For some extra fun, discover De Regels van Floor. It’s a hilarious youth series based on the book series by Marjon Hoffman. In Floor’s world, children invent their own rules, leading to surprising insights. The books are great for reading practice, and the episodes will have everyone laughing! Try writing a short story about your summer vacation using Floor. Have fun reading and watching: De Regels van Floor.
Dutch summer learning can be fun: Make use of playful tools
Looking for extra resources? These can make reading and language practice fun:
- Summer Reading Bingo: Read in silly spots – on the beach, in a tent, on a picnic blanket.
- Letter Bingo: Spot letters around you – great for car trips.
- Theatre Reading Cards: Let your child read a text in a funny or dramatic voice.
- Thinking Cards: Invent new stories together.
- For younger children, clips of ‘juf Roos’ on YouTube are a fun way to watch and sing along in Dutch – perfect for building vocabulary and confidence.
Dutch for expat children is everywhere!
In the Netherlands, language is everywhere, even on holiday. Read menus, street signs, leaflets, and local newspapers or magazines in Dutch. These small daily moments add up! An extra tip for children is the daily news, especially made for children. You can watch it on TV or on their website.
Invent stories in Dutch together
Storytelling is a fantastic way to practise language skills. Create stories starring your child or use story cards to get everyone’s imagination going. We use this method regularly in our online Dutch lessons. You can use cards with pictures. Cards can serve as a source of inspiration for stories. They can contain images, words, questions, or symbols that spark your imagination. Once Upon a Time has excellent ideas.
Are you an international expat family or an international Dutch family on the move? Keep Playing!
Long journeys can be prime learning moments:
- “I spy with my little eye” in Dutch, with letters or words.
- Number plate games: Make new words with letters from passing cars.
- Guess the distances: How long will it be until we get there? Great for learning about numbers and time.
- Scoring games: Spotting vehicles of different colours is fun and competitive!
For relaxing moments, why not listen to a Dutch podcast? Lying on a sunbed and staring at the sea are terrific, and listening to podcasts is a great way to expand vocabulary and get used to spoken Dutch. Explore ‘Kinderpodcast’ for podcasts for all ages!
Dutch summer learning extra: Dutch language summer camps
Summer camps in the Netherlands can be a fantastic option for children who crave more Dutch exposure. Camps can be sport-focused (like sailing, biking, or creative camps) and are filled with social interaction, Dutch practice, and fun. They help your child feel more comfortable speaking Dutch outside of school.
There are also thematic camps that let you practise vocabulary in advance – a great way to boost confidence. Expat camps, such as those by Access and Club Adventure, are specially designed for children learning Dutch in an international setting.
Dutch summer learning different: Temporary childcare or an Au Pair
Visiting the Netherlands this summer? Many childcare centres offer vacation contracts or short-term care to help your child hear and speak Dutch in a natural environment:
The Little Gym: Active, playful programs.
Kinderopvang Mirakel, Kinderopvang Schiphol, and UniKidz: Flexible childcare for expat families.
Summer au pairs or host parents: Provide language-rich care and fun social moments in Dutch.
Ready to keep Dutch alive and thriving for your expat child this Summer?
Summer is a chance to rest, recharge, and grow. Don’t let the “summer learning dip” slow your child’s Dutch progress – weave Dutch into your summer adventure! Want more ideas, or would you like to hear how Dutch for Children can support your child’s Dutch journey? Contact us for a free consultation, and let’s make this summer a Dutch success story!
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