Moving to the Netherlands with kids: setting up a home that feels like home
Moving abroad with children is a big step. New school, new language, new friends, and often a new home they've never seen. One of the best things you can do for them is to make sure home feels safe and familiar from the very first day. Here's how to set up a family home in the Netherlands.
Before you move: involve the kids
- Show them the new home. Share photos or a video tour, and let them pick their own room if possible.
- Let them choose something. A duvet cover colour, a lamp, a rug. Small choices give children a sense of control.
- Pack a "first night" bag for each child with pyjamas, a favourite toy, a book and a night light.
Make the kids' rooms the first priority
Adults can live out of a suitcase for a while. Children settle in much faster when their room is ready on day one. Make sure each child has:
- a bed, with bedding they know or have chosen
- a place for clothes and toys
- a desk or small table for drawing and, later, homework
- curtains or blinds that block the light. Dutch summer evenings stay light until late!
Furnishing the family home
Families need more of everything: more beds, more plates, more towels. A few tips:
- Our household pack is for 4 persons. Add extra items for bigger families.
- Choose a bedding size per bed. We deliver bedding from 90 × 200 cm (1-person) up to 180 × 200 cm.
- Add a spare bed linen set per child. With kids, you'll need it.
- A dining table that seats everyone is worth it. Family dinners at 6 pm are a very Dutch habit.
- With our assembly service, everything is assembled and installed before you arrive, so you can spend your first days with the kids, not with an Allen key.
Practical things to arrange for children
- School: choose between local Dutch schools, which are free and have extra support for newcomers in many cities, and international schools, which often have waiting lists. Start early.
- Child benefit (kinderbijslag): families who live or work in the Netherlands can usually apply via the SVB.
- GP and dentist: register the whole family with a local huisarts and dentist soon after arriving.
- Childcare: daycare (kinderdagverblijf) and after-school care (BSO) often have waiting lists too.
Help them feel at home outside, too
- Teach them to cycle safely. Dutch kids cycle to school from a young age.
- Find a sports club. It's the fastest way to make Dutch friends.
- Explore playgrounds and parks in your neighbourhood. The Netherlands has plenty.
Arriving with a home that's ready
The first days in a new country are tiring for everyone. Walking into a home with made beds, a working kitchen and a sofa to collapse on makes a big difference, especially for kids. Welcome2Holland can have your whole family home furnished and installed before you land.
Ready to furnish your family home?
See how our assembly service works, or tell us about your move through our contact form.
