JULIE MARABELLE, FOUNDER FAMILLE SUMMERBELLE, IN AMSTERDAM

By Charlotte Burgoyne,

On the tables, glasses are filled up with bright colorful fresh juices and plates with massive avocado toasts. Around us, an ocean of neutral colors, surf boards, rattan lampshades... It is in this boho chic ambiance of CT Coconut in the heart of Amsterdam's hip neighborhood, De Pijp à Amsterdam that we meet up with Julie Marabelle, the founder of Famille Summerbelle. This coffee shop is one of her favorite place in town to get some work done amidst other creatives. 

The design savvy mama trained in Paris' at the "Ecole des Arts Appliqués" and in The Saint Martins School in London; has created her brand of accessories for kids room after the birth of her first daughter. "I could not find anything I liked so I decided to create the decor of her room. My friends liked it and when we went travelling around the world, my husband and I presented my little collection. It worked and people started ordering me stuff!" explains Julie.

This was ten years ago. Today the French mumpreneur is running her family business from Amsterdam with her three kids and agreed to be our City Insider. She takes us around her favorite kid-friendly spots in town.

  • Amsterdam in few words... 

Amsterdam is a small city easy and pleasant to live in. We move around by bike only and our daily commutes usually don't exceed 20 minutes. De Pijp neighborhood is very cosmopolitan and welcoming to expats who like coming here in the weekends. We've been very well welcomed here, everybody speaks english here and there are lots of entrepreneurs friendly places.

  • Amsterdam + kids

The Dutch people are very laid-back with kids. When the weather allows, they put some toys outside and they let them play on the sidewalk. Kids are a priority for parents and they don't hesitate to leave work early to pick them up from school and organise their schedule around them.

  • On a sunny day, what do you do with the kids?

The Botanical Garden and the Zoo are great. The latest has a lovely restaurant (de plantage) with large bay windows, communale tables, and delicious sandwiches.Amsterdam also offers several gigantic parks with playgrounds and lots of space. I like the Vonderlpark, the Amstelpark which has a little train and petting farm; and the Beatrix Park close to us and filled with locals.The Sarphaty Park in Pijp has a little playground and is near the animated outdoor Albert Cuypstraat market. I recommend grabbing a coffee at the nearby Scandinavian Embassy's cafe.To see animals, you can also go to the little farm of the Okura Hotel.We love heading out of Amsterdam. We often take a little ferry from Central Station with our bikes. It drops us off on the other side of the bay and we bike around. Twice per month there is a flea market there not to miss.In the summer, you can also go to the beach, rent a boat or try one of the city's pool.

  • What if it's raining?

Whether it snows or rains, we are always outside in Amsterdam. We put on the right gears and go out. It is very enjoyable. If it is really too cold, we like the pretty indoor pool in Zuiderbad and the library next to Central Station. There are lots of kid-friendly books and a pasta bar inside the building!

  • Your favorite restaurants to eat out with the family.

For a relaxed lunch, I like CT coconut, the all-day brunch at Dignita and Strand Zuid by the water.The Foodhallen, a food court located in an old train hangar offers tens of food stalls with varied food. It s a very stroller friendly place, not to miss. Avoid the week ends as it gets very crowded.The WagaMama is an restaurant chain from Londons serving Asian food on large communal tables. My kids love it. For kids aged +8  try the burger and fries of The Butcher's Daughters.Cafe De Ceuvel with its hammocks and outdoor terrace by the water is a spot to meet up with other families in the summer.

  • Where do you shop for the kids?

Kinderfestwindkell is a magical place for toys of all kinds and party decor. For clothes I like the simple colors and cut of Imps and elf. Big and belg is a convenient concept store if you just want to browse.

  • Any kid-friendly cultural activities you'd recommend?

Three places: the  Maritime Museum and its gigantic pirate ship kids can play in; the Tropenmuseum,a museum open on the world with a nice coffee shop and the kids workshops at the Stedelijk museum.

  • Where to grab a delicious snack?

There are a couple of pretty coffee shops with indoor playgrounds around that are very convenient to get a little break. I like  Mini Markt both a shop and a coffee shop, Deklein Parade who has workshops once in a while and Petit Gateau who serves the most amazing election of cakes.

  • A city escape for the week end?

The Blooming Bergen hotel in the dunes, on the coast near Amsterdam. We love the an indoor pool, the bike paths around, the incredible breakfast and the pizza making class for kids at the hotel's restaurant. 

IN AMSTERDAM WITH---, IN THE CITY WITH---The Netherlands