Discover Dutch Music and Instruments

Traditional Dutch music is a rich and vibrant part of the Netherlands’ cultural heritage. One of the most iconic genres is the “levenslied”, meaning “life song.” These songs are often emotional and relatable, touching on everyday themes such as love, happiness, loneliness, and nostalgia. They usually follow a simple melody with rhyming couplets and repeating refrains, making them easy for children to follow and sing along with.

Popular Instruments in Dutch Folk Music:

• Accordion: Central to many Dutch folk songs, the accordion adds a joyful and lively rhythm that children love.
• Violin, Recorder, and Harmonica: These instruments are often used in traditional melodies passed down through generations.
• Draaiorgel (Mechanical Street Organ): A fascinating Dutch invention, the draaiorgel plays music automatically using a crank and perforated strips of paper or cardboard. These street organs are beautifully decorated and often seen at Dutch festivals or markets.
• Barrel Organ: Similar to a pipe organ, the barrel organ produces music through bellows and wooden barrels. In the past, organ grinders would turn the crank by hand; today, many are battery operated.

These instruments are not only unique in their design but also fun to explore visually and audibly. Watching videos of draaiorgels or listening to accordion-led folk songs can spark children’s curiosity and deepen their interest in the Dutch language.

How to Use Dutch Music in Learning:

• Play traditional Dutch music in the background during playtime or meals.
• Create a playlist of Dutch children’s songs, including both folk and modern tunes.
• Watch YouTube clips of draaiorgels in action or virtual performances from the Netherlands.
• Encourage your child to clap, dance, or play along with simple rhythm instruments like tambourines or homemade shakers.
• Sing along to levenslied songs and explain the meaning of the lyrics using simple Dutch phrases.

Try These At-Home Activities:

• Make a mini draaiorgel craft: Use cardboard, markers, and paper rolls to make a pretend draaiorgel and let your child “perform” with it.
• DIY music time: Turn pots, pans, or toy instruments into a musical show while singing Dutch songs.
• Music and drawing: Play a Dutch folk song and ask your child to draw how it makes them feel, or what story the music might tell.
• Create a “Dutch Song Night”: Once a week, have a short music night where the family sings a new Dutch song together.

Including Dutch music in your child’s language routine can boost vocabulary, pronunciation, listening skills, and cultural appreciation—all while having fun.

You can explore more traditional songs, music-themed games, and animated musical videos on Dinolingo, which offers a full Dutch learning program for kids. Songs are age-appropriate, catchy, and designed to support both language learning and memory retention.