ARTIS organises special children’s programme during WorldPride

News ARTIS

21 July 2026

From Saturday 25 July to Saturday 8 August, ARTIS will celebrate WorldPride Kids with a colourful programme for children and their families. Through play, they will discover that diversity can be found everywhere in nature.

With WorldPride Kids, ARTIS wants to show that diversity is not the exception. It is part of nature everywhere.

Natural Heroes Expedition

At the heart of the programme is the NATURAL Hero Expedition, developed together with the Natural Hero Foundation. ARTIS will also host the international Teach with Pride conference for teachers. There will also be several activities for adults.

Children start discovering who they are from an early age. They also learn that they can be themselves. That is why ARTIS is organising a wide-ranging programme for children and their families during WorldPride.

Diversity in nature

Noa Hudepol, ARTIS biologist: “Nature is full of diversity, and that diversity makes a species strong. By looking closely at other species, children soon discover that there is no such thing as ‘normal’. During WorldPride Kids at ARTIS, differences are celebrated. They make everyone unique and can be a source of strength. Along the route, children experience from an early age that differences are natural and that they are free to be themselves.”

An expedition about natural heroes

During the Natural Heroes Expedition, children travel through ARTIS and meet special animals with surprising stories. They also complete exciting challenges. Along the way, they collect seven hero powers. These show that everyone can be a hero in their own way. The heroes are based on characters from the children’s books by Edward van de Vendel and Floris Dorgelo.

There are also creative activities every day. Children can dance like Japanese cranes at a silent disco, make a colourful self-portrait or work together to create their own Earthly Paradise.

Teach with Pride

COC and ARTIS are joining forces for the Teach with Pride inspiration event on Wednesday 29 July. The event is for education professionals working in primary schools, secondary schools, vocational education and special education. Participants will share knowledge and explore new perspectives on more inclusive education.

Activities for adults

In addition to the children’s programme, ARTIS is also organising activities for adults during WorldPride. During the themed tour Sexual Diversity in Nature, visitors discover the many forms of love, relationships and reproduction found in nature.

On Thursday 4 August, there will also be an interactive theatre lecture with retired ARTIS biologist Charlotte Vermeulen and comedian Maya van As. Science, humour and storytelling come together in a programme about sexual diversity in nature.

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