St. Nicholas’ Castle

Sinterklaas is on the road, but his castle is open to your class! During the Sinterklaas season, students in grades 1 through 4 get a special peek behind the castle doors. They discover where Sinterklaas sleeps, where the presents are kept, and what happens in the days leading up to Present Night.

But before the students leave the castle, they must, of course, first prove that they can become real Pieten themselves. The castle is full of packages, and Sinterklaas has lost some of his belongings. During a scavenger hunt, the children search for the missing items and explore the castle along the way.

Next comes some real Piet training. The students hopped along tricky paths, balanced on narrow rooftops, and tried to toss a package down the chimney from the roof ridge as quickly and quietly as possible. Because, of course, a good Piet doesn’t want to wake anyone up!

After all that climbing, balancing, and throwing, it’s time to visit the kruidnoten bakery. In the Kasteelatelier, the children roll their own kruidnoten and discover which spices give them that typical Sinterklaas flavor. Of course, there’s also a tasting session.

To wrap things up, the music starts during the Piet Disco—a festive moment when the students can show off all their Piet-related talents.

Afterward, every child receives a real Piet diploma. This way, the class goes home with a good dose of Piet experience and a special memory of Sinterklaas’s Castle.

Be sure to book your visit in advance, as space is limited. We hope to welcome you soon at St. Nicholas Castle!