We’d like to cordially invite you to Family Day 2026 on Saturday, September 26. This festive and educational day has been organized especially for children with an ocular prosthesis or who are monocular—and, of course, their brothers, sisters, parents, and grandparents. Together, we’ll make it an unforgettable day!
This year, we are welcome at Archeon Museum Park in Alphen aan den Rijn.
At Archeon, you can experience the living history of the Netherlands. From prehistory around 8800 BC, through the Roman era, the Viking Age, and the Middle Ages up to 1350 AD. All 45 farms, houses, and huts were once located in the Netherlands and are inhabited by the Archeon guides.
We have put together a varied program for both children and parents and grandparents. Young and old alike can enjoy fun activities, an informative lecture, and inspiring interactions with one another.
What are we going to do?
10:30 a.m. – Welcome remarks and the children set off
We’ll start the day together at the Roman Inn. Afterward, the children will set off on an adventure with our volunteers and the Archeotolken. This 1.5-hour guided tour takes them on a journey through prehistory, the Roman era, and the Middle Ages, and is packed with activities.
10:45 a.m. – Presentation on Volunteering at the OOG in OOG Association: Saskia Spinhoven (
, volunteer coordinator and communications officer) will give a brief presentation on volunteering at the OOG in OOG Association. What does this involve? Can you help us?
11:00 a.m. – Lecture: Coping with Loss Throughout the Different Stages of Life (lecture is for adults)
During Family Day, Roos Smink, a parent counselor and case manager for Children & Youth at Bartiméus, will discuss the different stages of life: from infants and toddlers to children, adolescents, and young adults. Each stage of life brings new challenges and requires a different approach from parents. At the same time, each stage has its own form of living with loss.
Loss is a part of life. This isn’t just about the death of a loved one, but also about the loss of opportunities, being unable to participate with others—or doing so to a lesser extent—and having to adjust expectations for the future. Every parent can relate to the different stages of life, but how does the world react to your child if they wear an ocular prosthesis or have significantly reduced vision? How do you, as a parent, deal with that? And how does this affect you?
“Letting go” and finding your place in a new class can also be nerve-wracking, both for parents and for the young people themselves. Perhaps your son or daughter is in the midst of puberty. It’s precisely during this stage of life that young people want to fit in and, above all, not be different from others. How can you, as a parent, handle this while at the same time giving your child the space to develop?
During the lecture, you’ll receive practical tips and guidance to help you cope with the challenges of different stages of life. We’ll explore what these changes mean for your child and for you as a parent.
12:30 p.m. – Group lunch
We’ll all enjoy a delicious lunch at the Romeinse Herberg or the Atrium.
2:00 p.m. – Free time to explore Archeon and the playground
Time to explore, play, and enjoy all the wonderful things Archeon has to offer together! The Archeon guides will be happy to tell you about prehistory, the Roman era, or the Middle Ages and let you experience what it was like to live and work back then—and of course, archery and sword fighting are a must. Don’t forget to visit the Zwammerdam ships in the Solarium next to the bathhouse. These Roman ships were discovered in the 1970s in Zwammerdam (a small village not far from Alphen aan den Rijn) and are being restored at Archeon.
3:30 p.m. – Gladiator Show
If you love a good show, head to the gladiator show at the Arena.
4:00 p.m. – Closing drinks at *
* We’ll wrap up the day in a relaxed atmosphere with drinks on the terrace of * * (weather permitting); otherwise, we’ll gather inside.
5:00 p.m. – End of Family Day
Costs?
Please register by September 20, 2026. Members of the OOG in OOG Association pay a participation fee of €15 per family. For non-members, we ask for a participation fee of €30 per family. But of course, you can also become a member of our association!
After registering, you will automatically receive a confirmation (this may end up in your spam folder). In the week leading up to Family Day, you will receive the final details by email, along with a Mollie payment link to pay your share of the cost.
Let’s all make it a fantastic day together!
Familiedag 2026
