What do you want to be when you grow up? For many children and young people, the answer to that question begins with curiosity – discovering where your interests lie and what you’re talented at. It is precisely this curiosity that will take centre stage at the Mariënburg Kids & Youth Square during the 2026 Four Days Marches Festival. From Saturday 18 to Thursday 23 July, the Mariënburgplein in Nijmegen will be transformed into a place where discovery, learning and experience go hand in hand.
The Kids & Youth Square is much more than just a collection of activities. It is a collaboration between healthcare and educational institutions, businesses, cultural organisations and knowledge partners from the Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region, who together demonstrate just how inspiring the worlds of education, research, culture, health, history, sport, technology, science and innovation can be.
“It’s not just about celebrating, but also about learning and experiencing things,” says project leader Miriam Heijmerink from Radboud University. “We want to show children and young people what’s going on in our region and inspire them to discover their talents.”
Miriam Heijmerink
From dentist to astronaut
From Saturday to Tuesday, the square will be dedicated to children aged approximately 3 to 12. On the Kids Podium, organisations including Gelderland Zuid Library, LUX, the House of Nijmegen History and the Nijmegen Regional Archives will provide a programme packed with stories, music, theatre and meet-and-greets. Children can listen to stories being read aloud, sing along and dance, watch performances and even have their photo taken with Dikkie Dik.
At the same time, they can get hands-on with science and technology in the Kids Lab. There, they’ll discover how gravity works through play, build a rocket, make a fruit battery or step into the role of a dentist at the Radboudumc Dental Workshop. Here, children can imagine themselves as real dentists and learn all about their teeth.
A particular highlight will be the visit by astronaut André Kuipers on Tuesday 21 July. He will talk about his experiences in space and answer questions from curious children. Afterwards, the young visitors can get stuck in themselves by building rockets. On Tuesday, during the programme featuring astronaut André Kuipers and the opportunity to build their own rocket, this added value comes together perfectly. The stage and the lab will then deliberately reinforce each other: children will listen to the story on stage and, either before or afterwards, get to work in the lab building their own rocket. This example clearly illustrates what can be achieved by working together on the programme.
Working together to promote what Mariënburgplein has to offer is also proving to be a wise move. Daphne van den Bogaard, who is involved in communications about the square, explains: “Through a joint press release, we approach the local media as a collective and inform relevant organisations, such as schools in Nijmegen, about the educational nature of the activities on the square. It’s great to see that the media and other parties are taking notice, such as ‘4Daagse Nieuws’ from De Brug Nijmegen. In this way, an even wider audience is introduced to the programme.”
Marienburgplein Kids Lab
A space for young people
This year, the programme places a stronger emphasis on young people. That is why the name is no longer just ‘Kidsplein’, but ‘Kids and Young People’s Square’. On Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 July, there will be various activities for young people aged 12 and over. During ‘Pink Wednesday: Young!’, the focus will be on socialising, creativity and inclusivity. On Thursday, young people can visit the HAN University of Applied Sciences tent to try out exergaming (exercising and gaming), virtual reality, technology workshops, sports activities and the ADHD Escape organised by the Donders Institute and Radboudumc.
Innovation in the square
Another new development this year is that more partners, particularly businesses, have joined the square. This further strengthens collaboration in the region: within the triple helix – in which businesses, knowledge institutions, foundations and government work together – more businesses are now getting involved. On Tuesday, for example, Haskoning, Innovate, Modderkolk and GreenKarting, amongst others, will be organising an exciting programme by letting children build a tower out of spaghetti and marshmallows and create their own mini go-kart. On Thursday, companies such as NXP, Nexperia and other innovative organisations from the region will give you the chance to experience how technology is applied in practice.
A square brimming with regional collaboration
Behind the Kids & Youth Square lies a broad collaboration between healthcare and educational institutions, knowledge partners, businesses, cultural partners and public authorities. They pool their knowledge, creativity and expertise to inspire children and young people and to invest together in talent development, innovation and the future of the region.
In this way, the Kids & Youth Square showcases what the Lifeport region stands for: working together in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region on innovation that makes a difference. The programme is not only entertaining, but also enables children and young people to discover the talents, training programmes and career opportunities the region has to offer. In this way, the region’s strengths are brought to life for the generation that will help shape its future.
Talent development in the Lifeport region
The Kids & Youth Square aligns with the ambition of the Lifeport Human Capital Agreement to develop, attract and retain talent for the region. By introducing children and young people to culture, history, science, health and technology from an early age, they discover the opportunities the region has to offer. This not only fosters enthusiasm for innovation but also creates a connection with the study programmes, businesses and career opportunities in the Lifeport region.
Heijmerink recalls a boy who once took part in a science-based magnet escape room at the Mariënburg Kids’ Square. When he later came to collect his prize at the Faculty of Science at Radboud University, he looked around in amazement and said: “Now I know for sure: I want to be a professor when I grow up.”
According to her, moments like these make it clear why the square exists.
“If children discover something here that inspires them for the future, then we have achieved our goal.”
Come along to have a look, discover and get involved
During the Four Days Marches Festival, the Mariënburg Kids & Youth Square is the place where children and young people can discover education, research, culture, history, sport, technology and innovation through play. There is something new to discover every day: from workshops and experiments to inspiring stories and meetings with researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Fancy finding out about the full programme? Visit vierdaagsefeesten.nl/marienburgplein for all the activities and times.
Bring your children along, let young people explore for themselves and experience together what the Lifeport region has to offer. Who knows – your child might go home with new ideas, a special experience or a passion that shapes their future.
