Planning a family trip to Amsterdam with kids? Excellent! The city is filled with fun activities for kids. From checking out a real pirate ship to sliding down in an underground playground. Explorers (great and small) can engage in hands-on learning at interactive museums, while adventurous kids can climb, swing, and even paddle around the canals in a pedal boat. When it’s time to relax, Amsterdam’s family-friendly cafés serve delicious snacks and have play areas to keep the little ones entertained. I’ve written up your ultimate guide for an unforgettable time in Amsterdam with kids.
How to visit Amsterdam with kids
- See which flights to Amsterdam are suitable for you and your family. From the airport, simply take the train to travel to Amsterdam central station within fifteen minutes.
- If you’re travelling by car, it’s advisable to opt for an hotel with a (free) parking space as this will save you a lot of money. Hotel Van der Valk Amstel is a great option for families, travelling to The Netherlands by car.
- Would you rather stay in a holiday park near Amsterdam? If you stay at Center Parcs Zandvoort you simply catch a direct train and travel to the heart of the city within half an hour.
- Kids up to three years have free entrance basically everywhere in The Netherlands and kids between the ages of four and twelve enjoy reduced rates.
- If you’re visiting various attractions in Amsterdam with kids, getting the I Amsterdam City Card is worth your while as many museums and attractions, as well as transport, is included.
Family-friendly hotels in Amsterdam
Van der Valk Amsterdam Amstel
Van der Valk Amsterdam Amstel is an abolute hit when you visit Amsterdam with kids. Whether you arrive by plane or car, the hotel is a great place to stay, just a 10-minute subway ride to the heart of Amsterdam, with also the options of trains and busses at your doorstep. As a travelling family you have the choice of suites and tripple rooms, but also special familiy rooms with bunk beds, which kids will definitely enjoy. Big bonus is the heated outdoor pool: absolutely perfect after a day of exploring the Dutch capital.
Volkshotel
Volkshotel is a great family-friendly hotel in Amsterdam, located in the hip Oost neighbourhood, het in an old newspaper building. With a subway-stop around the corner, the city is pretty much at your feet with most top attractions just one or two stops away. The hotel offers many rooms suitable for families, uncluding fun ones, with a bed hanging from the ceiling. The rooftop bar offers amazing views over Amsterdam.
The July – Boat & Co
If you;re traveling with older kids to Amsterdam, you may not want to be stuck in a hotelroom. The July – Boat & Co offers both family rooms, studios and apartments with fully equippes kitchens and one or two bedrooms. All spaces are colourfully and tastefully decorated, you will want for nothing. The location, overlooking the water, is absolutely lovely and several busses can take you to the heart of Amsterdam within fifteen minutes.
Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam
Take your own tent, caravan or camper to Amsterdam or stay at one of the colourful rooms, tiny houses or chalets at Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam. You will be surrounded by water and nature, while actually being really close to the heart of Amsterdam. With various tramstops nearby, the city centre can be reached within twenty minutes. If you don’t have your own tent or camper, staying in one of the colourful tiny houses or rooms can be quite fun. The camping offers a restaurant, pretty gardens an kayaks and SUP-boards for rent as you’ll be staying right by the water.
NEMO Science Museum
If you have curious kids, between the ages of four en twelve years old, a visit to NEMO Science Museum is the perfect place for them to explore and experiment. The museum is bursting with hands-on science exhibits where children can build structures, play with water currents, and even create giant soap bubbles. Older kids will have a blast discovering how electricity works, conducting fun chemistry experiments, and learning about sustainability in a way that really engages them. One of the nicest features of NEMO Science Museum is actually the rooftop terrace, where kids can splash around in water features and parents enjoy the lovely view of Amsterdam.
Dutch Resistance Museum Junior
Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam (the Dutch Resistance Museum, now has a junior section, aimed at childer from the age of nine, that has a captivating way of helping kids dive into the history of the Second World War and its effects on The Netherlands. Through the stories of four Dutch children, they’ll get to know what it was like under German occupation. The interactive displays make history come alive and allow kids to understand what difficult choices had to be made in a time of war. Frankly, the junior section of Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam is as enlightening for kids as it is to adults.
National Maritime Museum
Little adventurers and aspiring sailors will absolutely enjoy roaming the National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) with the life-size replica of the 18th-century Dutch ship Amsterdam as the absolute star. Children can climb aboard, check out the crew’s quarters and let their imaginations run wild. The interactive exhibits of the museum bring the Netherlands’ maritime history to life, covering everything from trade and naval battles to shipbuilding. But Het Scheepvaartmuseum is mostly about doing, whether it’s steering a virtual ship, dress up like a pirate or navigate the open sea.
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam
Formerly known as Tropenmuseum Junior, the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam provides an exciting opportunity for kids to get introduced to cultures from around the globe. The museum’s exhibitions highlight music, dance, food, and traditions, creating a sensory experience that children will absolutely adore. Through engaging activities, storytelling, and workshops, children can learn about life in various countries, try their hand at traditional crafts, or even join in on a dance session. It’s a wonderful place for kids to broaden their horizons while simply playing and having fun.
ARTIS Royal Zoo & Micropia
When visiting Amsterdam with kids there is simply no way that you can skip ARTIS Royal Zoo, the most famous zoo in The Netherlands. From majestic elephants and roaring lions to elegant giraffes and colourful butterflies. The zoo is also home to a planetarium taking kids on a journey though the cosmos and the aquarium takes them on a deep dive into the world beneath the waves. Just next door Micropia is an interesting visit for somewhat older children where kids can peek through microscopes and get a close-up look at bacteria and microbes, teaching them all about the tiny organisms all around us. Artis is really a true gem.
Joods Museum Junior
At the Joods Museum Junior, kids between the ages of six to twelve can dive into the world of Jewish culture in a playful and interactive setting. The museum is set up to resemble a typical Jewish family home, allowing children to wander through various rooms, try their hand at baking challah bread, discover Jewish traditions and even play some musical instruments. With plenty of hands-on activities and captivating stories, this museum offers a delightful and educational adventure for young explorers.
The Amsterdam Dungeon
Okay, maybe skip a visit to The Amsterdam Dungeon with younger children, but older kids will definitely be up for some spooky fun. The Amsterdam Dungeon features live actors, creepy sets and impressive special effects to tell visitors the haunting history of Amsterdam. Filled with stories about pirates, witches and the plague. Now, who doesn’t enjoy that? Kids are allowed to become part of the stories, which is great fun. I’d advise a visit for kids ages ten and up.
WONDR Experience
When visiting Amsterdam with kids, WONDR is absolutely one of the top things to do. This interactive playland is aimed at children between the ages of four and twelve, and is packed aith ball pits, confetti showers and fun light displays. Kids will absolutely love diving into the foam pools and wandering through the various themed areas.
Kinderboerderij De Pijp
If you think visiting Amsterdam with young children will be a bit of a challenge, don’t worry. An outing to Kinderboerderij De Pijp should be on your list as this cute petting zoo is nestled in the city centre and easy to visit. Children can play with friendly goats, fluffy rabbits and other farm animals. It’s perfect for toddlers and younger kids, as there is also a little play areau with picnic tables.
Take a canal tour or rent a pedal boat
Exploring Amsterdam from the water is fun for all ages. So if you visit Amsterdam with kids, be sure to see the city with a canal tour, as many companies offer family-friendly packages, inclucing aufio guides, activity booklets and even treasure hunts. If you’re travelling with older kids and feeling like a bit more action, renting a pedal boat is a really fun way of exploring the canals at your own speed. Kids from the age of six will be able to reach the pedals themselves and help with the paddling along.
A’DAM Lookout
A’DAM Lookout is not for the faint-hearted and definitely for somewhat older kids, but is is a fantastic experience. Take the elevator, with light show, to the top for an amazing view over the skyline of Amsterdam. The ‘Over the Edge’ swing is something for real thrill-seekers, and available for kids aged eight or up, as it lets visitors swing over the edge of the skyscraper, a hundred meters above the ground.
Bonus tip! Dutch tulip fields with kids
Are you planning to visit Amsterdam with kids btween mid April and mid May? The you’re really in luck as you can go and visit the famous tulip fields in The Netherlands. Now, a Keukenhof flower garden day trip from Amsterdam will be enjoyed by all ages, I do have an insider tip for you: The Tulip Barn in Hillegom is an amazing tulip garden to visit with children. There are play grounds near the fields, but inside the fields props and play equipment is scattered for playing ánd the perfect photo opportunity. Children can run around freely without having to worry to distroy a farmer’s propery. I have visited The Tulip Barn every year for the last three years with my son and it’s an absolute hoot!
Child-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam
Kanarie Club
Kanarie Club is a roomy café nestles in De Hallen area, a food market set in an old tram depot, making it both a hip and lowkey place to visit during the day with kids. Kanarie Club welcomes families with open arms and have a special play corner where kids will have an absolute blast. It’s a great place for lunch or afternoon drinks with snacks, as the menu is packed great options and kid-sized portions.
Groot Melkhuis
Located in the heart of Amsterdam, Groot Melkhuis stands out as one of Amsterdam’s most family-friendly cafés. The real highlight of the café in Vondelpark is the large playground right next to the terrace, complete with slides, swings, and climbing frames. Little ones can play to their heart’s content, while parents kick back and enjoy a coffee or some lunch. The menu is filled with simple choices for kids, featuring pancakes and sandwiches. Events speciallu aimed for families are regularly on the calendar, especially on weekends.
Lunchroom Lastig
If you’re staying in Amsterdam Oost, for example in family-friendly Volkshotel, a visit to Lunchroom Lastig should absolutely be on your list. It’s a charming, colourful place and especially welcoming for kids with toys, books, games and a small slide available. The Indonesian-inspired menu has tons of child-friendly options and this is defenitely a place to have a stressfree and laid-back meal as a family.
Café Jaap
Are you visiting Amsterdam in winter? Better head to Café Jaap, the café next to Amsterdam’s official iceskating rink Jaap Eden Baan. It’s such a cosy place where the whole family can go ice skating, or take ice skating lessons, and warm up afterwards with some hot chocolate, sweet treats and child-friendly meals. Café Jaap is very cosy, yet very unpretentious, which is an absolute bonus in Amsterdam.
Kaap
Kaap is Amsterdam’s city beach café and restaurant and, without a doubt, one of the best child-friendly spots in the city. When you visit Amsterdam with kids in summer, or when the weather is kind in general, make room in your itinerary to visit Kaap for a couple of hours. As they like to say themselves: ‘We have pancakes and lemonade that never ends.’ Kaap is a very open design with big spaces, so it’s easy to keep an eye on kids.
De VerbroederIJ
De VerbroederIJ, in Amsterdam-Noord, is such an hidden gem, but such a great place to visit with children. It’s a social hub where kids can freely roam, play outdoors or read a book in one of teh hammocks. The menu offers a lot of budget-friendly options, for both adults and children, and there are many events that the whole family will like, so check their calendar before you go.
Pof
Pof is located outside the busy city centre and a wonderful cosy place, nestled in the beautiful Tuinen van West. The café is surrounded by nature, which is the perfect excuse for families to spend some time outdoors. Pof whips up delicious organic dishes using locally grown and sourced ingredients, with plenty of options for children. There is an indoor play area for the wee ones, while older children enjoy the spacious gardens to roam and play. Pof also hosts many events, like scavenger hunts and plays aimed at young visitors. Check their calendar to see what’s on.
Bonus tip! Pluktuin Amstelveen
If you’re visiting Amsterdam with kids and you have a car available, it’s a very good idea to visit Pluktuin Amstelveen. Year round children can pick their own fruit, vegetables, flowers or take part in a craft workshop to cave pumpkins, make Easter decorations or paint their own flower pot to plant tulips in. The garden is the perfect place for kids to play, while parents enjoy some coffee, tea and a piece of home-made cake. I absolutely adore visiting this garden as it’s a nice break from busy Amsterdam city centre.
Amsterdam with kids: top things to do
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7 Comments
Lauren
July 12, 2019 at 1:29 amAmsterdam is such a beautiful city! And I had absolutely no idea that Rembrandt was completely financially broke by the time he died… very interesting!
Sarah
July 12, 2019 at 2:44 amVery interesting! I did go in the Rijksmuseum when I was in Amsterdam, but none of the other Rembrandt sites you mention. Personally I prefer Van Gogh’s style but Rembrandt is undeniably a true classic!
Sharon
July 13, 2019 at 12:52 amRembrandt is one of my favorites! I would love to follow in his footsteps in Amsterdam. How thrilling to visit the house where he lived and painted, especially!
Rob+Ann
July 13, 2019 at 7:22 pmRembrandt’s story has always fascinated us, and as art and history geeks, this is right up our alley! You’re right – it’s amazing to think of the classical giants who walked the same steps. I keep hoping something might rub off on me, but so far, no luck. 😉
Emese
July 14, 2019 at 12:22 amI wish I was there to see the restoration process! Thank you for sharing your knowledge about Rembrandt; great post and beautiful photos.
Ariana
July 16, 2019 at 8:07 amFascinating stuff!!! I love to learn about history when travelling.
Shona Grant
July 17, 2019 at 9:08 amFascinating stuff. I’m going to try to get to Amsterdam soon to see the restoration. What a brilliant idea for locals to visit often and see the progress.