What's On May 2010

Mother's Day
Sunday 9 May
A day where mum's can sleep late and have breakfast in bed. Fathers, don't forget to buy lavish gifts and take on as many domestic and kiddie duties as possible (don't ask "what's for dinner?"). Mother's Day privileges last the whole day until she falls asleep...

Wednesday, May 26th
Workshop: Do you really know & understand your child?
7:30pm, €35, van Hogenhoucklaan 89 (behind Bronovo Hospital)
Hosted at the American Women's Club, The Hague:  As parents, we should be more aware of how our own personality affects the interactions we have with our children. Angel Buster from The "Kingdom of Colors" will present an easy-to-understand method for identifying your and your child's personality type.  During this inspiring and experiential program she will help you understand yourself and your children better, to recognize potential strengths and development areas, and learn how to adapt your style for better communication and interaction leading to a more harmonious relationship. This original workshop will be appropriate for parents with children from 5 years old. If you would like to register, please use our online booking form. There is 15 minutes of homework that should be done before this workshop.

International Sand Sculpture Festival, 29 April - 28 June
Scheveningen Beach in The Hague will again be dominated by metres high sand sculptures along the theme of 'sport' during the 19th
annual International Sand Sculpture Festival. Walk along the boulevard and beach pavilions of Scheveningen to marvel at the inspiring
works by international sculptors depicting The Hague as a city for professional sports. Big gates will keep your kids off the sculptures... and make photography difficult.

Japanese Garden in Clingendael Park, 30 April - 13 June
The magnificent Japanese Garden in Clingendael Park reopens to the public on 30 April. The garden is open daily from 9.00 to 20.00 hrs. Admission is free.
Location: Landgoed Clingendael. They are strict about prams: NO PRAMS, no running, no stepping off the path. Do go, its small and lovely and great for photographs!

Keukenhof Gardens in Spring, open until 16 May, 8:00 - 19:30
Established in 1949 as a showcase for Dutch bulb-growers, every spring more than seven million buds reach to the sky. Dramatic competitive flower arrangements are featured in conservatories which also display large collections of orchids and more beds of flowers (useful retreats if the weather is cool or wet). There are a number of cafes and fast food outlets. The park also has a dune landscape, a 350-metre beech avenue, an exhibition pavilion and a series of majestic fountains. Bulbs can be ordered for delivery worldwide from the growers' stands. Price: € 14 ( adults), Children aged 4 - 11 yrs € 7.
Venue: 166a Stationsweg 2160 AM, Lisse.
www.keukenhof.nl A spectacular garden. Saturdays & Sundays will be very crowded... you have been warned.

The Hague Royal Ten, 30 May
The annual Hague Royal Ten features several races around the city's beautiful streets, including a 1.5km Kids' Run, a 5km run and the main event, the 10km run. All races start and finish at the Zandvlietcollege on Bezuidenhoutseweg. For more information email at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.royalten.nl (Info in dutch). That's right, start stretching, start training. My 2009 time was about 48 minutes... (not for the 1.5km but the 10km). Now I am so unfit I will just do the 1.5km run with the girls....

Summer Fair at St John & St Philip's, 5 June
Enjoy this year's summer fair with children's games, a bouncy castle, book stall, teas, cakes, BBQ and lots of fun. Mark the date in your diary. More information to be available shortly on: www.stjohn-stphilip.org Great to pick up 2nd hand english books for 25c a piece. Get there early for best pickings (advice from bargain box hunter - Soul).

Disney XD BMX Arena on Spuiplein, 13 May, 11:00 - 16:00
Disney XD will bring the BMX Arena to The Hague. Between 11:00 and 16:00 hrs. the Spuiplein will be magically transformed into a 100-metre long obstacle course. Kids between the ages of 8 and 15 years can try out their speed and dexterity on their bikes. The fastest BMX racer in the Netherlands will win great prizes at the end of the season. During the event participants will be split up into three age
categories: 8-10 years, 11-13 years and 14-15 years. The goal is to get through the course as quickly as possible and stand a chance of winning a cool BMX bike and of course the title 'Fastest BMX racer of the Netherlands'. 
Venue: Disney XD BMX Arena on Spuiplein, The Hague. For more info: www.disneyxd.nl (Info in dutch)