.The Netherlands is famous for its historical windmills, which were used to drain water from the lowlands.

• The Craft: Use two paper plates. One serves as the base (the body of the mill), and the other is cut into four blades.
• The Secret: Use a brass fastener (split pin) in the center so the blades can actually spin! This is a great way to introduce basic engineering concepts to kids.

2. Origami Tulip Bouquet

While tulips originally came from Turkey, they became a Dutch icon during the “Tulip Mania” of the 17th century.

• The Craft: Use square pieces of bright red, yellow, and pink paper. A few simple folds create the flower head, which can then be glued onto a green pipe cleaner or popsicle stick.

3. “Delft Blue” Paper Plates

Delftware is the famous blue and white pottery from the city of Delft.

• The Craft: Give children white paper plates and blue markers or watercolor paint. Encourage them to draw traditional scenes like windmills, sailboats, or floral patterns. This “monochromatic” art style helps kids focus on intricate patterns rather than color variety.

4. Cardboard “Klompen” (Wooden Shoes)

Dutch clogs, or klompen, were traditionally worn by farmers and laborers.

• The Craft: You can use a cereal box to cut out a shoe silhouette. Have the kids decorate them with traditional Dutch motifs—tulips, the Dutch flag, or even their own names. For a 3D version, you can use the bottom of an egg carton as the “toe” of the shoe.

5. Koningsdag Orange Crowns

Since King’s Day is all about the monarchy, a crown is a must-have accessory!

• The Craft: Cut a zigzag pattern out of a long strip of orange cardstock. Let the kids decorate their crowns with “jewels” (sequins) and stickers. In the Netherlands, kids wear these while selling toys at the vrijmarkt (flea market).

6. Sinterklaas Steamboat (Egg Carton Craft)

In December, the Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas, who arrives from Spain on a steamboat.

• The Craft: Use a 12-count egg carton as the hull of the ship. Add a cardboard tube for the smokestack and cotton balls for the steam. It’s a wonderful way to talk about Dutch folklore and the tradition of leaving shoes out for treats.

7. Canal House Diorama

Amsterdam is famous for its tall, narrow “Canal Houses” with unique gabled roofs.

• The Craft: Use small milk cartons or juice boxes. Wrap them in brown or grey paper and draw large windows and fancy rooflines. Line them up to create your own mini Amsterdam street.

8. Coffee Filter Tulips

For a softer, more artistic look, use coffee filters.

• The Craft: Have kids color white coffee filters with markers, then spray them with a little water. Watch the colors bleed together like a watercolor painting! Once dry, fold them into flower shapes and attach them to green stalks.

9. Miffy (Nijntje) Papercraft

Did you know the famous bunny Miffy is actually Dutch? Her creator, Dick Bruna, is a national treasure.

• The Craft: Miffy is known for her simple lines and primary colors. Use white paper to cut out her iconic ears and a yellow or blue triangle for her dress. This is a perfect craft for toddlers.

10. Dutch Flag Windsock

The Dutch flag is a horizontal tricolor of red, white, and blue.

• The Craft: Roll a piece of blue cardstock into a cylinder. Attach long streamers of red and white crepe paper to the bottom. Hang it outside to see which way the “Dutch wind” is blowing!

11. Pointillism Windmill Art

The Netherlands has a rich history of famous painters like Van Gogh and Mondrian.

• The Craft: Draw a simple windmill outline. Instead of coloring it in, have kids use cotton swabs (Q-tips) dipped in paint to fill the scene with tiny dots.

12. Paper Heart Flag for King’s Day

A sweet variation of the flag for younger children.

• The Craft: Cut out three hearts of equal size in red, white, and blue. Glue them overlapping on a piece of orange paper to celebrate the “House of Orange-Nassau.”

13. “Koekhappen” Practice Game

While not a physical craft, this is a traditional game kids can “make” the setup for.

• The Craft: Tie pieces of gingerbread or spice cake (ontbijtkoek) to strings. Kids must try to eat the cake with their hands behind their backs! Setting up the “game station” is half the fun.

14. 3D Paper Windmill Model

For older children, a 3D model offers a bit more challenge.

• The Craft: Use a template to cut out a cone shape for the body and a cross shape for the sails. This craft works best with heavy cardstock to ensure the mill stands upright.

15. Bicycle Spoke Decorations

Since there are more bikes than people in the Netherlands, decorating your “wheels” is a true Dutch pastime.

• The Craft: Cut out small orange stars or flowers from craft foam. Slit them halfway and slide them onto the spokes of a bicycle or scooter. It’s a great way to bring the Oranjegekte to the neighborhood!

Comparison of Key Dutch Symbols

Tips for Teaching Dutch Culture Through Craft

1. Embrace the Orange: If you are doing these in April, make sure you have plenty of orange supplies! It’s the easiest way to make any craft feel “Dutch.”
2. Talk about the Geography: Explain that much of the Netherlands is below sea level. This helps kids understand why they built so many windmills (to pump water away!).
3. Learn the Language: While crafting, teach simple words like Hallo (Hello), Dank je (Thank you), and Oranje (Orange).

Exploring the Netherlands through these 15 crafts is a fantastic way to celebrate King’s Day or simply learn about a culture that values creativity, engineering, and a bit of “Orange Madness