Zaanse Schans Clog Workshop (Kooijman): Free Clog-Making Demonstration, Museum and Shop

At the Kooijman clog workshop (Kraaienest 4) a craftsman turns a block of poplar into a klomp in under five minutes on two hand-operated machines, with commentary in English, while the smell of fresh wood fills an 18th-century warehouse of 1750. Entry is free, demonstrations run throughout the day, and the same building holds a small museum of unusual clogs — bridal clogs, painted Hindeloopen clogs, roller-skate and Swarovski clogs — and the largest clog shop in the Netherlands. Open daily, 08:00–18:00 from March to October and 08:00–17:00 in winter.

Giant yellow clog at the Zaanse Schans
The giant clog outside the Kooijman workshop is the most photographed spot in the village.
  • Entryfree
  • Demonstrationunder 5 minutes, all day
  • LocationKraaienest 4, warehouse of 1750
  • Opendaily 08:00–18:00 (Mar–Oct) / 08:00–17:00 (winter)
  • Also hereclog museum and the largest clog shop in the Netherlands

What you see

Dutch clogs were never carved by hand for the masses: since the 1920s two machines have done the work, and they are what you watch. The first, a copying lathe, shapes the outside of the shoe from a wet block of poplar or willow following a model clog, the way a key is copied. The second bores out the inside. What took a clog-maker three hours by hand takes five minutes, and the craftsman explains it with jokes he has polished over the years. The shoes then dry for weeks before they are painted — yellow with a hand-painted design for the tourists, plain for the farmers and gardeners who still wear them. Around the workshop hang hundreds of clogs from every province and a few from other countries, and the shop sells every size from doll’s clogs to real working shoes. Try a pair on: with thick socks they are more comfortable than they look.

Hand-painted wooden clogs
Hand-painted clogs in the shop — from €20 for a wearable pair.
Craftsman demonstration in the Zaanse Schans
A craftsman finishes a clog on the hand-operated copying lathe.

Practical

  • Address: Kraaienest 4, 1509 AZ Zaandam, in the centre of the village beside the cheese farm.
  • Hours: daily 08:00–18:00 (March–October), 08:00–17:00 (November–February).
  • Price: free.
  • Time needed: 15–20 minutes.
  • Buying clogs: painted souvenir clogs from about €20, wearable clogs sized like shoes; the shop ships worldwide if you don’t want them in your luggage.
  • Combine with: the Catharina Hoeve cheese farm next door, the pewter caster and the distillery across the path.

Tip: wearable clogs need to be half a size larger than your shoes; the staff will size you. Painted souvenir clogs fit in hand luggage.

Book this experience

Zaanse Schans Card: museums & 2 windmills (Tiqets)

Half-day Zaanse Schans tour from Amsterdam with clog and cheese demonstrations (Tiqets)

Zaanse Schans walking tour with AI guide (Tiqets)

Stay nearby

Hotels: near Zaanse Schans

Frequently asked questions

Is the clog workshop at the Zaanse Schans free?

Yes, the demonstration, the museum and the shop are free to enter.

How often are the clog-making demonstrations?

Throughout the day whenever visitors are present; each demonstration takes about five minutes.

Can I buy clogs that I can actually wear?

Yes, in shoe sizes; wear them with thick socks and expect a week to get used to them.

How long does a visit take?

About 15–20 minutes.

What wood are clogs made of?

Poplar or willow: light, soft enough to carve wet and hard enough when dry.

Plan the rest of your day