CLASSES AND SPORT

Intro Classes for babies/toddlers and their parents/carers Sports and Dance for Children Creative Classes for children Swimming Parenting and other classes for adults

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Intro

Classes and sports are a great way to get your children in contact with other children, get them moving, or help them develop skills. They also offer you the chance to meet other parents. Most of the classes etc for children below are in Dutch, but it is usually easy to follow and if necessary teachers are almost always prepared to try at least to explain it in English if need be. It is a great help to your Dutch to immerse yourself in a bit of language!

Costs: The costs vary from very little indeed (activities at buurthuizen and in playgrounds: a couple of euros per session) to a fair bit (for an eleven-year-old: eur 250-275/year or more for basketball, hockey, football), but do be aware that if your household income is extremely low (approximately at the level of state benefits), you may be eligible for state support via the Jeugdsportfonds, to help your child join a sports club.

There is also a system in Leiden whereby children aged 5+ can try out sports to see which they like, at different local sports clubs. Two great advantages: no waiting list (can be an issue with popular clubs) and the child attends 6-10 sessions over a short period, rather than being signed up for a full and expensive year to a sport it may end up loathing. Your child should receive information about this ('schoolsport') at the beginning of Group 3 if they go to a Dutch school in Leiden. In Oegstgeest this does not apply but sports clubs often spread information themselves (trial sessions etc.) via primary schools.

There are also lots of activities going on in the neighbourhood centres (buurthuizen) dotted around the city. To find out what's on at your nearest buurthuis go to www.libertasleiden.nl, click on 'Activiteiten en ontmoeten'; then click on the closest 'buurtcentrum'. There's usually a link to an "overzicht van de activiteiten" - and then you will get a PDF with the activities that are going on "Activiteiten voor kinderen" is for kids. For example (and there are many, many more!):

• Buurthuis de Pancrat on Middelstegracht (near Albert Heijn in the city centre) has a homework club on a Wednesday afternoon.
  
• Buurtcentrum Morschwijk has a creativity club (4-8) on monday aa sportsclub on tuesday (4-12) and a cooking class on wednesday (4-12).

These activities are all in Dutch (of course), but very low cost and are a great way to meet people in your area from all backgrounds. There are also frequently parties and special events (especially in the school holidays): we will often mention these on the homepage but if you know of something that isn't posted, please get in touch!

There are literally hundreds of classes, sports and activities going on in Leiden, and this section is certainly not exhaustive. If you have something you would like to add, or a review you'd like to see included, please also let us know!