Summer Abroad Camp List: The Netherlands + Belgium
12 camps for ages 2 to 17 for an active, urban summer
If you’re looking for a summer that balances urban efficiency with fairytale charm, the Netherlands and Belgium are your winners.
I of course visited Amsterdam during my study abroad semester, but I also had the opportunity to go back in my mid-twenties for work… and let me tell you I had one of the craziest nights of my life that involved a rave in a warehouse on an island and returning home on the train at 6am 😆 I imagine going back as a family though would feel different in all the right ways.
And I grouped Belgium here, not because the cultures are similar (they are not), but purely because geographically they are very close to each other with major cities less than 2 hours apart by train. This could be a very fun, very easy 2-part urban summer adventure. And fun fact: my grandmother was from Antwerp and I’ve always wanted to visit.
Logistics: Getting There & Staying There
Ease of Getting There:
Amsterdam: Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Belgium: Fly into Brussels Airport (BRU)
Flights: Both are massive international hubs with direct flights from most major U.S. cities.
Getting Around: Stroller vs. Scooter Realism
The Stroller: The Netherlands is extremely flat, making strollers a dream. In Brussels, you’ll hit more hills and cobblestones.
The Cargo Bike: If you are in Amsterdam, rent a cargo bike. You can throw two kids, their camp bags, and your groceries in the front bucket and zip across the city in 10 minutes.
Is a Car Necessary? Absolutely not. Between the trains, trams, and bikes, a car is actually a liability (especially with €7/hour parking in Amsterdam).
Housing:
Amsterdam Rent: A family-friendly 2-bedroom in areas like Oud-Zuid or De Pijp ranges from $7,400–$12,000/month.
Brussels/Waterloo Rent: More affordable than Amsterdam. You can find high-end 2-3 bedroom apartments in Ixelles or Waterloo for $4,300–$8,000/month.
The “American Reality” Check:
Air Conditioning: Like most of Northern Europe, A/C is rare in homes. July temperatures are usually a comfortable 70°F–75°F, but if a heatwave hits, you’ll be relying on open windows and fans.
Stairs: Historic Dutch and Belgian townhomes are notorious for “staircases from hell.” They are steep, narrow, and winding. If you have a toddler, triple-check the floor level of your rental.
Typical Eating Schedule:
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Early compared to most European countries!
Dinner: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. These countries follow a more “Northern” schedule, making it easy to keep the kids’ bedtime on track.
The Weather: What to Expect in July
The Temperature: Perfectly mild. Expect daily highs around 70°F–75°F in Amsterdam and 74°F–78°F in Brussels.
The Evening Vibe: You’ll want a light jacket for dinner on the canal. The sun doesn’t fully set until nearly 10:00 p.m., so the “Golden Hour” lasts all evening.
Things to Do With Kids
Canal Boat (Amsterdam): Skip the big tour boats. Rent a small electric boat in Amsterdam, and navigate the quiet back canals yourself.
NEMO Science Museum (Amsterdam): A giant green boat-shaped building where every single thing is meant to be touched.
Vondelpark (Amsterdam): Massive playgrounds, a paddling pool, and outdoor theater. It’s the city’s backyard.
Artis Royal Zoo (Amsterdam): One of the oldest zoos in Europe, located right in the city center with a planetarium and aquarium.
Efteling (Netherlands): An hour from Amsterdam, this is a “fairytale” theme park.
The Atomium (Brussels): A giant iron crystal structure you can go inside. It feels like a retro-futuristic spaceship.
Mini-Europe (Brussels): A park with 1:25 scale models of Europe’s famous monuments. Kids feel like giants.
The Chocolate Museum (Bruges): Watch demonstrations and participate in tastings in one of Belgium’s most beautiful “Venice of the North” cities.
Plopsaland (Belgium): A massive, toddler-friendly theme park perfect for younger children
Pairi Daiza (Belgium): Voted the best zoo in Europe several years running; it’s a massive animal sanctuary and botanical garden
Things to Do Without Kids
The Heineken Experience (Amsterdam): Tour the brand’s historic original brewery, finishing with cold pints at the rooftop bar.
The Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam): Go for “The Night Watch,” stay for the incredible library.
Westerkerk Tower Climb (Amsterdam): Book a private tour to climb the tower for the highest and best views over the Jordaan district.
Beer Tasting in Brussels: Visit Delirium Café or a local brewery like Brussels Beer Project to taste the world’s best Trappist ales.
Antwerp Day Trip: Only 45 minutes from Brussels, Antwerp is the diamond and fashion capital perfect for high-end shopping and dining.
Local Support
Sitly: The most popular app in the Netherlands for finding local sitters.
Charly Cares: A vetted “Babysitting Angel” service in the Netherlands.
Bsit: The primary app used in Belgium (especially Brussels and Antwerp) to find local, community-reviewed sitters.
Average Rates: Expect to pay €12–€18/hour. Rates in Amsterdam and Brussels are at the higher end of that range.
The Netherlands and Belgium Summer Camp List
12 unique summer camps in The Netherlands and Belgium for kids 2-17!