My Little Van Gogh — Local services in Amsterdam

We have attended an Halloween event organized by the company. It was our first time and we have brought our 18 month old. The good is that there is effort put into activities to make it engaging and interesting for the children. There was a room where the Halloween attractions and plays were located and there is a room for playground with ball pool, etc. and there is a kitchen/cafe. The location is quite small and the number of people invited made the location quite overcrowded. Additionally there is limited space to store the strollers so best to bring something foldable. The event was advertised for children starting from 1 year old but I think the small children need close supervision by their parents otherwise they can hurt themselves with some of the stuff. It is best to bring older children that can verbally communicate and follow orders. One weird experience was about the Halloween attractions that they try to keep them in separate tables. We had to bring some playdough to the painting table and we have been warned about getting the playdough painted which is quite awkward given that our child does not understand instructions so she would paint anything around if we didn't closely supervise her no matter which table thinks are located at. This experience also supports my advice to bring children who can understand and execute verbal commands. Overall, our toddler enjoyed playing with different stuff so we have been satisfied. If it was close to our home, we would be...

We came for the workshop with my 2.4 yo son. We've been only 3-4 minutes late but the instruction has been started without waiting for us, we were barely told where to undress and leave our things. I must say the space is tiny-tiny, an old apartment transformed into the workshop space, so be aware about bringing strollers. We were asked to take off the shoes, some kids took even their socks at some point and the floor was freezing cold, maybe take sleepers or warm socks with you? My son was mainly observing without participating at any activity because it was too crowded and loud and he needs time to adjust to the unfamiliar space and that's fine, but would be nice if the host would try to be more welcoming or engaging.

At the end the activity finished abruptly 10 min before the hour, we were asked to clean after ourselves and invited to play at the gym area and this was great, kids loved the ball pool and the toys and the books and we hanged out nearly an hour there.

All in all it's an interesting experience and your kid might enjoy it, depending on the temper and the age, however I found it pretty overpriced for the...

This place used to be Kid Oh, an open space where you could simply walk in, let your child enjoy the slide, and meet other parents from the neighbourhood. Now it has a new name and a completely different spirit. Creativity here is no longer about imagination, but about the size of your bank account.

It is clearly designed for wealthy expats who seem to have no sense of creativity or community, only the skill of opening and closing their wallets. There is now an entry fee, yet no actual facilities to justify it. Why would anyone pay to be in a space that offers nothing?

At least in Oost there is still a ball pit, here, there is nothing left. And let us not even start on the ridiculous after-school care or the €27.50 price tag for a Halloween event, seriously! This is insane!

If the mayor of Amsterdam ever saw what this place has become, she would probably be appalled. This city does not need yet another heartless business making money off children in the name...