Kids Club
Happy faces, especially for kids
Do you love animals and want to discover everything about them? Then you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to the Happy Faces Kids Club at the Haags Dierencentrum. This is the place to be for kids who are crazy about dogs and cats. Here, you’ll learn through play how to help, care for, and make animals happy. Plus, you’ll experience the best adventures together with other animal lovers during our Kids Club afternoons.
Our animal center is home to curious sniffers, soft cuddlers, and champion loungers. Behind the scenes, staff and volunteers provide food, attention, and love every single day. But did you know that you can become a real animal hero too? You can make toys, bring a beautiful drawing, or start a fundraiser. Every little bit of help counts, and together we make a difference for the animals.
Meet Pinky & Blue
Hi! We are Pinky & Blue, your cheerful animal friends from the Haags Dierencentrum. We love it when children come to help us. For example, bring a blanket, make a card, or surprise us with a beautiful drawing. That makes us super happy!
You can also give a presentation about the animal center at school or save up empty bottles at home for donation money. This way, we work together to ensure a safe and nice place for animals still looking for a boss.
Welcome to the HDC Kids Club (ages 6 to 12)
The HDC Kids Club is especially for children aged 6 to 12 who want to learn more about animals. Four times a year, we organize a fun and educational kids club afternoon. During these afternoons, you’ll discover what happens in an animal shelter and how we prepare animals for a new home. At the same time, fun is always the main focus.
On Thursday, March 19, we kicked off with the very first kids club afternoon. For just €5, you get a stamp card, a coloring page, and an afternoon full of fun activities.
What did we do?
🐶 A tour of the animal center
🎨 Arts, crafts, and getting creative
🍪 Lemonade with a treat
🏆 A chance to win a prize with your coloring page
The next Kids Club is already being planned:
Fun facts about our animals
🐰 Did you know...
Rabbits love cuddles and soft spots? They can spend hours happily nibbling and snuggling with their favorite blanket!
🦜 Handy to know
Birds like parakeets and parrots love playing games and mimicking sounds. They get really happy from attention and challenges!
🐹 Pro tip!
Guinea pigs talk to each other with little squeaks and grunts. The more attention you give them, the more cheerful they become!
🐶 Fun fact!
Some dogs have a favorite stuffed animal or toy that they take everywhere. A toy like that really makes them feel safe!
Make a drawing for our shelter animals
Do you enjoy drawing? Then grab your pencils or markers and create a work of art for the animals. We hang all the drawings up near the enclosures or in our canteen. By doing this, you don’t just put a smile on the faces of the caretakers, but also on the animals.
Want to start right away? Download a coloring page and get coloring!
Story corner
Just over a year ago, Gluey was found on the streets of The Hague in a distressing state. His fur was covered in glue, and no one knew how long he had been wandering or what he had been through. At the HDC, he found the loving care he so desperately needed. He recovered and was given a name that would stay with him forever: Gluey.
A new beginning
On March 6, 2025, Gluey came to live with us. At first, he was still cautious and withdrawn, but he soon blossomed. Gluey turned out to be a bold and curious adventurer. He believes everything in the house is his business: from folding the laundry to ‘supervising’ during phone calls. And that spider in the corner of the ceiling? It doesn’t stand a chance anymore!
Friendship for life
The greatest gift is his bond with Milo, our big black Labrador. What started as a cautious introduction grew into an inseparable friendship. They are always sunbathing next to each other on the carpet; Milo is incredibly gentle with his little brother, and Gluey is clearly fond of his big canine friend.
A perfect match
We can no longer imagine life without Gluey. He has filled our home with laughter and warmth.
