Amsterdam with kids may not always seem like a great idea at first but the city has plenty of things that can keep a young mind entertained. From museums to interactive exhibits, canal tours and tons of great places to eat, Amsterdam has it all. You just need to know where to look.
To tell you the truth, Amsterdam has never been my favorite city. It is always crowded and suffers perpetually from overtourism. While there is plenty of prettiness in the city, the crowds always made me feel a bit claustrophobic.
Recently, I spent 5 days in Amsterdam with kids. Toddlers to be more specific and I took it slow, did a ton of research and found plenty of cool things to do in Amsterdam with kids. Many that were geared towards the younger age group too.
I must say that I learnt to enjoy the city differently. I also learnt how to avoid the crowds to a certain extent. That definitely made the trip so much better.
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Table of Contents
Where To Stay In Amsterdam With Kids
When it comes to picking the right hotels in Amsterdam with kids, you will want to stay as central as you can but a bit away from all the partying. That’s the reason I recommend staying in the Museum quarter. That’s what we do. The museums are all walking distance away from the hotels. There are plenty of great restaurants close by.
The tram lines are nearby that gives you access to the rest of the city and the bus routes also pass through the same area. It is also a quieter place to stay in.
- Hotel Van Gogh (Mid-Range)
- Conservatorium Hotel (Luxury)
- Amsterdam Marriott Hotel (Luxury)
Things To Do In Amsterdam With Kids: Museums
My kids really enjoy museums but I know that not all children find them interesting. The thing about the museums in Amsterdam is that many of them are geared towards a younger audience which makes visiting them so much less intimidating.
1. NEMO Science Museum
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 (1598 Reviews) Price: $19 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day 📍Meeting Point: NEMO Science Museum Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
The NEMO science museum is truly a museum for the young and the old. Though I must say that it caters largely to the younger clientele. The museum has several floors with different exhibits that teach children about the different principles of science.
Now each section has different experiments. These are aimed at different ages so if your child is just three years old, the experiment will feel more like play even though it incorporates and exhibits a scientific principle.
The museum is huge so expect to spend a lot of time here. At the top of the NEMO Science museum, there is a cool café. You don’t need to visit the museum to have access to this café.
“My son and I really liked the museum, really fun and big. Super recommended. We spent two and a half hours seeing everything. My only criticism is that I find the part on sexuality unsuitable for an audience of children. The museum shop and the restaurant on the top floor are also nice. Absolutely recommended.”
Margherita (read more reviews now!)
In fact, this café is popular with many people who visit Amsterdam because it has a gorgeous view of the city and is obviously one of the most popular Instagram spots. If this piques your interest, make sure to pair it with some eye-catching captions before you post your pics.
2. Rijksmuseum
⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (18,261 Reviews) Price: $26.55 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day 📍Meeting Point: Rijksmuseum Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
The Rijksmuseum remains one of my kids favorite museums. I’m not talking about just Amsterdam though. Despite being to so many different museums throughout the year, they would pick the Rijksmuseum in a heartbeat. I think it is partially because they were introduced to the museum in school.
We visited the Rijksmuseum when we spent a week in the city. It was one of the many museums in Amsterdam that we covered during that visit. The museum is large and has a lot of paintings of Dutch masters that are displayed in it.
Vermeer, Rembrandt and even Van Gogh have paintings in promising places. If you truly want to see the Van Gogh paintings you would have to go to the Van Gogh Museum though.
“Very nice museum. I honestly decided to go due to the lack of a ticket for the Van Gogh museum, but I must say that the experience was surprising and of considerable impact. It contains a vast exhibition of works by Dutch artists, but also some works by foreign artists including Monet.”
Mario (read more reviews now!)
The museum has a kid trail and other activities that change periodically but help engage children of all ages. The museum cafe is another place that you can catch some down time if the children are overwhelmed by the size of the museum.
One thing that I need to mention is that the Rijksmuseum is wildly popular with both tourists and locals. That means that the limited entry slots get filled up quickly. Make sure that you book your tickets in advance. If you have a museumkaart, you can enter for free but you still have to book your slot otherwise you won’t be able to enter.
Things To Do In Amsterdam With Kids: Food
Food is a big part of travel and the Netherlands has some interesting items that have become quite popular. While walking through the city, your kids are bound to be hungry so stopping for a snack along the way is a good option. I’m going to list the most popular places to catch some dutch snacks because they are considered cool things to do by many but note that often the lines are super long.
Personally, I would not stand in line and with kids this would be a total no-no. There are other options where you can catch these same treats and obviously since this article is all about the things to do in Amsterdam with kids, I’m going to give you those options too!
3. Pannenkoeken Carrousel Restaurant
Remember I talked about pannenkoeken or the Dutch pancake a bit before? Well in the heart of the city is a place called the Pannenkoeken Carrousel restaurant. This restaurant was originally a carousel. It was later turned into a pancake restaurant but the original decor was left intact. This makes it a pretty cool place to visit with kids. It is also instagram gold.
I tried to take my kids in here during lunch hours and obviously did not get a seat. You can’t reserve a spot in advance and it was pouring outside in winter. The interior of the restaurant was nice and warm, the view was excellent but I wasn’t going to stick around with cranky kids so I moved on. I’ve heard that the pancakes are pretty average as far as pannenkoeken are concerned but the tourists love them.
My advice is that if you are visiting, make sure to head here before or after lunch hours. That’s when you are most likely to get a seat.
An alternative recommendation for great pancakes is the Boerderij Meerzicht. Here you are always guaranteed a seat, the pancakes are delicious and it is a great place to chill.
4. Van Wonderen Stroopwafels
Stroopwafels are what most tourists would call a cookie. It’s actually made in a waffle iron so the term waffle is pretty accurate. The reason why people call it a cookie is because it is super thin and looks a lot like a cookie or a biscuit. The stroopwafel is split after it is made and layered with stroop which in Dutch means syrup. The resultant sweet waffle is really delicious and is paired with coffee. The strong taste of the coffee offsets the sweetness of the stroopwafel perfectly.
Now the Van Wonderen Stroopwafels have become insanely popular because they look super cute. Half the stroopwafel is layered with different toppings including chocolate, biscoff, candy etc.You can have your pick. The resultant stroopwafel looks very pretty and took off on social media. They are however very very sweet so you will struggle to finish a single one.
Personally I feel that the original stroopwafel is the best and that standing for over an hour in line at Van Wonderen is totally not worth it. I’m not kidding. If you have kids this will be totally not your ideal way to spend the day. Plus the stroopwafels are very pricey.
Instead head to your nearest Albert Heijn and buy a pack for market price. These aren’t freshly made though. If you want the hot stroopwafels and don’t want insane prices you will find a stall at the Albert Cuyp market.
5. Manneken Pis Fries
Potatoes are pretty much a staple of Dutch cuisine. You’ll find them served up with almost every meal. Fries or frites as the Dutch call them are insanely popular all over the country. These get served up in these cute cones and are topped with frite sauce which is a special kind of mayonnaise.
Manneken Pis is the most popular place to catch fries in Amsterdam. This is legit the only place that I would stay in line and even then I’m pretty cautious because it depends on the length of the line. The reason why I say that I would stand in line is because the fries are delicious and the sauces are amazing.
The best time to try to catch a batch of fries is either in the evening or early morning. Generally these fries shops get busy around lunch time.
Fries make an excellent snack for kids of all ages. It’s easy to feed them on the go, they are delicious and a large portion of fries is pretty reasonable when it comes to price. This is why heading and getting some fries at Manneken Pis is one of the cool things to do in Amsterdam with kids. That is if the lines are not too insane.
6. FEBO
One of the fun places to visit in Amsterdam with kids is FEBO. It is one of the cheap places in the city to catch a bite to eat. The shop is pretty easy to spot. It has rows of small windows with lots of food items. All you have to do is pay for which item you want and get it out of the window.
You can try some of the iconic things to eat in the city including kroket, frikandel and burgers. Not only is it a great place to stop if you are hungry and in a hurry, the kids have fun checking out the little windows.
Things To Do In Amsterdam: Outdoor Activities
7. Canal Cruise
⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (840 Reviews) Price: $22 per person Duration: 1 hour 📍Meeting Point: Varies depending on option booked. Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Canal cruises are fun options for people of all ages and if you visit the capital of Amsterdam it would be sad to miss out on this activity. There are loads of different types of cruises. The covered ones are best suited for winter when the weather is chilly and you want to keep warm but still see the city. It is the perfect way to explore if your little one is grumpy because of the cold.
You also get to see the city from a different perspective. In summer opt for the open boats. The refreshing breeze and the scenic sights will keep the whole family entertained.
You can even book a cruise that serves dinner onboard. Just make sure to book whatever cruise you want well in advance because they sell out fast.
“Super relaxed and interesting tour for a good price! The guide (who grew up in Amsterdam) was great and carried out the tour very well and also gave us some good tips on what else you can do in Amsterdam. Would book the tour again at any time!”
Jess (read more reviews now!)
I also wondered how the numerous boats could fill up so quickly but the number of people visiting the city is just so high. Seeing the city from the canals also gets you away from the rush on the streets and is a much needed break. That’s one of the reasons it’s one of the top rated things to do in Amsterdam with kids.
8. Cycle Tours
⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (2846 Reviews) Price: $37 per person Duration: 3 hours 📍Meeting Point: AmsterBike Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
One of the unique ways to explore the city is via cycle. That’s what all the Dutch people do either way. Ever since I’ve lived in the Netherlands, I have a renewed appreciation for just how they manage to transport their kids.
You can opt for a bakfiets aka a cargo bike or a bike with a child seat. Older children can head out on cycles of their own. Just be vary of the cycle traffic in Amsterdam because it’s a whole new level of crazy.
Now with this you can easily navigate through the city. Generally speaking most people book cycle tours. You can also tour the city on your own.
The cool part about taking a tour however is that you have a tour guide who will take you through all the highlights of the city.
“Marc was very informative and it was a nice bike ride through the city. We covered many things and were excited to go back to discover them in more detail!”
Nicolas (read more reviews now!)
Since the guide is local, you will get all the local stories and information about the business hub of the Netherlands.
There are also a lot of unique places in Amsterdam that only the locals know about. The tours give you access to all this information. Plus, cycling is one of the top things to do in Amsterdam with kids and even without them.
9. Visit The Amsterdam Bos
One of the best places to enjoy the great outdoors is in the Amsterdam Bos. If the crowds have you overwhelmed in the city and the weather is good, I would consider heading out here. Especially if it’s a nice summer day.
If you are in the city in spring, you may also reach just in time for the flowering of the cherry blossoms. We visited with the kids and it was so much fun. In fact, there were loads of young children in the park and many were blowing bubbles and laughing while the adults had fun chilling.
Aside from this, there are loads of trails that you can head out on. Just make sure that you wear comfortable shoes so that you are comfortable on a walk.
It is important to note that this is not one of the things to do in Amsterdam with kids when the weather is rainy or cold. There isn’t much shelter except under the trees.
10. Vondelpark
If you want to head to a park that is closer to the city, head to Vondelpark. This is just a short walk from the Museumplein. We were staying in one of the hotels in the Museum Quarter and the walk here was super easy. The park is pretty large and is definitely one of the most visited parks in the city. Summer is when the activity in the park peaks because there are concerts and events that are held here.
Plus there are lots of activities for kids including playgrounds, a paddling pool and sandboxes. Just get a blanket and a picnic lunch, find a nice spot and spend the day here like many of the locals.
11. Artis Zoo
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (3042 Reviews) Price: $29 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day 📍Meeting Point: ARTIS Zoo Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
The ARTIS Zoo is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids on a nice sunny day because almost everything is outdoors. The zoo is super close to the center of the city and it is very accessible.
The zoo is huge and when you head in make sure that you get a map. This will help ensure that you don’t get lost. Remember to ask about the feeding timings so you can join in and learn about the different animals in the zoo.
The best part is that for most part, you will find that all the parts of the zoo are wheelchair accessible. This means that you can easily push a stroller around.
If you have a young child with you, I would recommend doing this or using a baby carrier because their feet are bound to get tired with all the walking involved. Plus, they can have a quick snooze on the go.
“We spent 3-4h there. The zoo is fantastic. One of the best I’ve visited in Europe. You can come extremely close to the animals and it’s a great feeling.
The animals are unlike in most zoo in larger groups and they have plenty of room to move around. It’s also very clean and all animals look very healthy. The environment is also a good “copy” of the natural they normally live in. Will go there again for sure the next time we’ll visit Amsterdam.”
Bostjan (read more reviews now!)
If you have time, you can combine the zoo with a visit to Micropia or/and the Grote museum next door. Just make sure to book your ticket in advance especially in summer when the weather is great. Since it is one of the best activities in Amsterdam with kids, it is very popular with visiting families and gets sold out quickly.
12. Boederij Meerzicht
Boederij Meerzicht is one of the best kept secrets. Now boederij means farm. This particular one is located on the outskirts of the Amsterdam Bos. It’s a quaint place with lots of things for both adults and kids. The farm is just a part of the place though. It is actually a pannenkoeken restaurant with self service. Pannenkoeken are Dutch pancakes. These are huge and are served open and are layered with either sweet or savory toppings.
On good days you can sit outdoors and enjoy the sun while the kids play in the playground or interact with the animals on the farm. You can also buy yourself a glass of wine, beer or cider to enjoy. There are sandwiches, pastries and cakes too. So there’s no shortage of options.
I generally recommend Boederij Meerzict to anyone who is searching for offbeat things to do in Amsterdam with kids. This is because you have to head out of the center of the city. It also helps you evade the biggest crowds which I love.
13. Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve
Another cool farm that is great to head to is the Geitenboererij Ridammerhoeve. Geiten in Dutch means goats and that pretty much explains this farm in a nutshell. There are loads of goats all over the farm and you are free to interact with them.
Goats aren’t the only animals on the farm though. There are chickens, pigs and horses. The farm is a fun place for children to play but it is a great educational experience for the kids too.
The farm also has a vegetable and herb garden. If you want some farm fresh vegetables and herbs, head to the farm shop where you can buy them.
ANother cool thing to do is to take part in some of the workshops that are organized for children and adults alike. This however requires a bit of planning and you have to know when they are going to be organized.
Things To Do In Amsterdam With Kids: Unique Experiences
There are a couple of unique experiences in Amsterdam with kids. Some of them are seasonal so do keep that in mind when you head out for them.
14. Upside Down Museum
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 (5,314 Reviews) Price: $28 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day 📍Meeting Point: The Upside Down Amsterdam Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
If you want to have a lot of chuckles with your kids then the Upside down museum is definitely something you should consider. It’s a total immersive experience with different optical illusions. You don’t really have to do any acrobatic stunts unless you want to.
The exhibits have clear instructions and you pose on the recommended spot. The illusions make the room look inverted.
There are a couple of really popular exhibits like the LED light ball pit, the private jet and more.
Every one of them gives you a chance to get some creative photographs which are Instagram gold. Don’t forget to head to the Freakshake. This is the inhouse Instagrammable café.
“The place is pretty tangy and friendly. No time to get bored, it’s fun. Nothing cultural, but we have a good time there. From 76 (grandma) to 12 years old. Everyone is amused. And we weren’t in a hurry like in some comments. In short, a good time. It takes around an hour and 15 minutes. Parking just below 12 euros for 2 hours. Right in front of the Expo Park. So the neighborhood is alive”
Sainte (read more reviews now!)
Just note that like all the Instagrammable sights in the city, the tickets and slots get booked out in advance. So make sure that you book it in advance so you don’t miss out.
15. Madame Tussauds
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 (5,996 Reviews) Price: $22 per person Duration: Valid for 1 day 📍Meeting Point: Dam square Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
A fun experience in Amsterdam with kids is to head to Madame Tussauds. If your kid loves posing for pics or just has a fascination with people of consequence then walking through this museum is sure to give them the thrills.
Madame Tussauds is located on Dam square so it is pretty easy to get to. In fact, some of the other iconic sights in Amsterdam are located on this square. This makes visiting this museum super easy.
The entire visit takes about an hour but you can definitely take longer. In my experience, heading to Madame Tussauds in a group is the best way to enjoy the museums.
“Madame Tussaud’s in Amsterdam is a truly incredible and magical experience! From the incredibly realistic wax figures to the unique interaction opportunities, it’s a worthwhile visit. It’s as if you enter a parallel world where you can meet celebrities and historical figures.”
Vania (read more reviews now!)
The part that I like about the Madame Tussauds museum is that you can interact with the exhibits. The photographs are only limited by your imagination.
Things To Do In Amsterdam With Kids: Day Trips
A lot of people get stuck in Amsterdam. While the city has its own allure there is so much that the Netherlands has to offer. I’ve been living here for over a year and I still find myself short on time because there is just so much to see.
So if you are looking for things to do in Amsterdam with kids, I would suggest booking beyond. Think of visiting the Dutch countryside. Visit the tulips if you come in the right season. Take a boat through Dutch Venice. There are loads of fun activities to check out.
16. Keukenhof
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (6900 Reviews) Price: $35 per person Duration: 1 Day 📍Meeting Point: Overhoeksplein 51 in Amsterdam Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Keukenhof is one of the most popular places in the Netherlands. It is a garden that is famous for its tulips. Since tulips flower only at a certain time of the year, Keukenhof is open only for eight weeks every year.
This usually starts in the last week of March and ends in the first or second week of May. The dates change every year so you need to check.
Getting from Amsterdam to Keukenhof is pretty straight forward.
You can easily do it on your own but if you are worried about how you will handle it with kids, I would recommend booking one of the tours. There are loads of options but know that this is very popular so book it in advance.
“Well-organized with the flow of buses that accommodated the crowds going to Keukenhof Gardens on the day of the tulip festival parade. We traded our vouchers for tickets, which was a packet containing our entrance into Keukenhof and return bus tickets, along with a map of the gardens and coupons.
No problems getting there or returning to the This Is Holland meeting point from Centraal Station.”
Kathy (read more reviews now!)
Keukenhof is pretty accessible. We visited with toddlers and easily pushed our stroller all over. We even parked it at the cycle rental shop and took them on a cycle ride through the surrounding area where we saw some amazing tulip fields.
17. Zaanse Schans
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 (3347 Reviews) Price: $34 per person Duration: 3.5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Grand Cafe 1884 at Ruijtergaard Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Zaanse Schans is another really popular day trip from the city. It is very easy to head to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam on your own because the public transport system is well connected. That however is true for most of the iconic places in the Netherlands.
Famous for its iconic windmills and green buildings, Zaanse Schans is just a short train journey away from the city. It has loads of things to do and you can easily spend about 2 to 4 hours here. Most people breeze through the place though.
My advice would be to head to the museum first. If you have a museumkaart, you can enter for free. Here you will learn about the history of the area and how the industries were set up. It will give you a different perspective when you wander around.
“The visit yo Zaanse Schans was lovely. The village is very picturesque and our guide, Ingrid, was friendly and knowledgeable about the area, particularly as she is a resident of the village.
We got to see a lot in a short tour, but never felt rushed. This is a great activity to do to get out of the city for half a day and see more of the Netherlands.”
Joshua (read more reviews now!)
Don’t forget to check out the very first Albert Heijn shop, drink some hot chocolate, catch a hot stroopwafel and take loads of photographs of the iconic windmills. If the weather is good, you can even take a cruise down the river.
While Zaanse Schans is close to Amsterdam and you can do it yourself, you can use a tour to combine it with other cool locations to maximize the use of your time.
18. Giethoorn
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (527 Reviews) Price: $11 per person Duration: 1 hour 📍Meeting Point: Botenverhuur- en rondvaartbedrijf Koppers Giethoorn Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Giethoorn is the Dutch Venice. It is filled with loads of canals and little islands that have cute thatched houses. Giethoorn was one of the best trips that I have taken. The only downside is that it is a bit far from Amsterdam so I would advise booking a tour rather than taking the local transport if you have kids. Just makes things easier.
There are loads of things to do in Giethoorn. The most appealing one for people with kids is the boat trips. You can rent a boat and cruise down the canal. If you aren’t confident about steering the boat, you can just take one of the guided cruises.
Make sure that you try the local cheese when wandering through the town. There are different types and flavors that are available. You can even taste the cheese before buying it. There are some interesting museums in the locality too.
“The boat trip is a great way to get to know Giethoorn and the nature reserve. The guide tells you some interesting things, for example about the way of life and the creation of the lake in the nature reserve.
The trip was super relaxed, interesting and funny. The tea included (or optionally coffee or lemonade) rounded off the experience. Highly Recommended.”
Maike (read more reviews now!)
This is by far one of the fun things to do with kids outside Amsterdam. Just book your tour in advance because this is a popular activity with people who don’t have kids too.
19. Efteling
Thinking about going to Disneyland but don’t have time? Consider heading to Efteling. This is one of the best entertainment parks in the Netherlands. It is huge with a variety of different rides, activities and things to do. The best part is that it has activities for kids of all ages.
You can get to Efteling with public transport but know that it is a bit of a distance away. So be prepared for this. I would suggest starting out early so that you reach just when the park opens. Carry a couple of snacks to keep the kids going.
Note that to truly enjoy Efteling, you need nice weather. Though the amusement park is open throughout the year with different activities. You can even book your tickets in advance so you avoid the queues when you reach.
Efteling is very popular with the locals. If you’ve already ticked off most of the things to do in Amsterdam with kids and don’t mind the journey, then it is definitely something that should be on your Amsterdam itinerary.
As you can see, there are loads of things to do in Amsterdam with kids. From indoor activities to the large parks, the city has loads to keep you going. Even the museums are all geared towards towards the kids. That’s probably the reason why we keep heading back to the city multiple times.
What are your favorite things to do in Amsterdam with kids? Let us know in the comments below.
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