Geke Versprille explains how the KoningsspelenPakket came about: “The aim of the Koningsspelen organisation is to organise a nationwide sports day to show children how important and fun exercise is. Like me, they believe it is very important for children to enjoy or learn to enjoy exercise and a healthy lifestyle. That is why, in 2013, Linda Thuijs and I responded to the call to help schools fill in the programme for the sports day. Linda and I put together a detailed plan, came up with a number of games, developed a certificate, a placemat and other fun materials, and offered these to schools in the Netherlands and Dutch schools abroad.”

Website
In 2014, the KoningsspelenPakket was expanded with a website: www.koningsspelenpakket.nl. "We also increased the number of downloads then, and at a certain point we started developing additional materials and other themed packages." The royal package is downloaded not only by schools; daycare centres, out-of-school care centres, hospitals and care institutions also make grateful use of the downloadable materials. In recent years, requests have come from no fewer than 160 different countries.

The basis of the KoningsspelenPakket is the same every year, says Versprille: "We simply make sure that the package contains new games every year and that the design of the materials is updated. We receive positive responses to the package from all over the world. While one school mainly uses the placemat and certificate, another school is enthusiastic about the games that change every year. Some schools use the package to organise the entire Koningsspelen sports and games day, while other schools use parts of the package for a group of pupils who do not participate in activities organised by sports clubs or locally organised sports workshops and clinics."

Special target groups
When compiling the KoningsspelenPakket, efforts are made to take the wishes of the various target groups into account. Every year, the basic package is expanded with a number of additional materials that can be downloaded or purchased for a small fee. These include crowns, a game board for a specific game, additional game cards, the Wilhelmus in pictographic script and a real Royal Quartet.

The games are selected so that there is a suitable offering for every group. In 2016, Leraar24 made recordings at a Mytyl school. They use the KoningsspelenPakket there as well, but use the special game cards. These game cards have been adapted so that children who use a wheelchair can also take part. Seeing the enthusiasm with which this group of children participated in the Koningsspelen is a great incentive to put together a suitable specials package every year.

Additional materials

If you become a ‘Friend of KoningsspelenPakket’, you will receive extra special treatment. ‘Friends’ are treated as VIPs and receive not only the free KoningsspelenPakket, but also an upgrade with additional downloads, another eight extra games, the Olympic Games package if the Games take place that year, and a great discount in the webshop.

Contents of the KoningsspelenPakket:

  • Detailed plan
  • Planner
  • Game cards with 12 fully developed games and 8 sports games
  • Scorecards
  • Organisation charts, including a sports tournament
  • Certificate
  • Medal/name badge
  • A3 placemat in colour and as a colouring sheet
  • Flags/garlands in colour and as colouring sheets
  • Countdown calendar
  • Notes list

Download the free KoningsspelenPakket here.

The KoningsspelenPakket can be requested throughout the year and downloaded in March and April.