Are you planning to visit Amsterdam with kids? This guide will help you plan where to go with children in Amsterdam + other useful information (transport with children, accommodation for families with children in Amsterdam and a map with tips).
16 Best Things to do in Amsterdam with kids
Amsterdam is one of the best cities to visit in Europe with kids. The whole family with young children and teenagers will enjoy their holidays here. Lots of beautiful places, fun attractions and lush Dutch nature just a short drive from the city.
Below you will find 16 tips for excursions and activities if you are planning to visit Amsterdam with children.
Walks along the canals
Have you also heard that Amsterdam is the Venice of the North? In Amsterdam there are 165 canals with a length of 71 km and a total of 1700 bridges. That’s 4 times more bridges than Venice. Shouldn’t Venice be the Amsterdam of the south?
Walking around the canals is fun and a great way to get to know Amsterdam with the kids. Seeing buildings “rise” right out of the water is something that keeps many a child awake.
Walking along the canals is also a great option for parents with small children in strollers, as the canal routes are easy.
Don’t miss the Jordaan quarter or the streets of Negen Straatjes, where older children in particular will be delighted by the many different shops.
Boat cruise
From the boat you can admire Amsterdam from a different angle. And it’s fun. You can choose between different cruises.
How about evening cruise with pizza that especially older kids will appreciate? Or cruise in a closed boat which is perfect for the misfits like us. There is also a popular cruise in an open boat .
ARTIS Royal Zoo
The Royal Zoo ARTIS has been based in Amsterdam since 19. century. It is a beautiful place full of greenery, colourful flowers and beautiful spaces around large enough enclosures for animals. The diversity of animal species here is enormous. You can have a picnic in the grass, visit the Butterfly House or the planetarium.
Next to the Zoo you will find the Microbia Museum, which will introduce you to the world of microbes in a fun and interactive way. A great and unique activity for children and adults.
The entrance fee is higher, but it’s worth it. The whole area is complex, detailed and full of lots of activities.
- Admission: 25 € (including Micropia 30 €), children 3-12 years 21 €; BUY TICKETS
- Opening hours: 9:00-18:00
- Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40
Amsterdam with children by bike
Amsterdam is one of the friendliest cities for cyclists. Not when there are over 800,000 people living here and even over 900,000 bicycles. There are lanes everywhere and cyclists have their own sign at the traffic lights.
On the other hand, locals can be a bit inconsiderate when driving if you get in their way and don’t know which way to go.
Still, the bicycle is one of the best ways to explore the city and get to the more remote neighbourhoods, for example. And it’s even more fun with kids.
There are bike rental shops at every turn or you can rent bikes at the hotel. If you don’t want to take the kids to the streets, you can cycle across Vondelpark.
NEMO Science Museum
The NEMO Science Museum is 5 floors of experiments and fun. Everything is divided into sections – human body, universe, energy, gravity, water and other parts. There is a snack bar or restaurant on each floor.
The roof terrace is the perfect end to a visit to the museum. There are refreshments, seating, a view of the city and an exhibition of Energetics. You’ll see windmills or special seats covered in foil with solar cells that absorb energy. Children can tell how much energy the solar cells have produced by the LED lights in the seat.
When the weather is nice, water troughs are lowered on the roof where children can play with the water and you can wet your feet. The roof terrace is open 10:00-17:30 (closed in bad weather).
- Admission: over 4 years 17,50 €, students with student card 8,75 €; reservation required; BUY TICKETS
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:30, open on Mondays only on holidays and public holidays
- Address: oosterdok 2
Wax Museum
The Madame Tussauds Museum is a popular family attraction in many cities. And it’s no different in Amsterdam, where there’s plenty to see. Boys will be attracted by Hulk and other Marvel characters and girls by singer Beyonce or Prince Harry and Meghan. Madame Tussauds Museum is located right on Dam Square. What makes this square special? Amsterdam was founded here in 1270. Today it is the seat of the Royal Palace.
- Admission: over 16 years 23 €, children 3-15 years 19 €; if you book on the day of the visit, tickets are 3 € more expensive; time slot reservation required; Click here for tickets
- Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 (some days up to 20:00 – please specify when booking)
- Address: Dam 20
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) is a short walk from the NEMO Science Museum. Here you can have fun with your children for 3-4 hours. There is so much to do and discover.
You will learn how sailors used to prepare for their voyages, see manuscripts and historical maps and other interactive exhibitions. Some are directly adapted for children. For example, the exhibition The Story of the Whale tells more about the history of whaling and how it became an endangered species.
Or in the replica of the VOC Amsterdam, you can try to control the rudder, lie in a hammock, shoot a cannon and use virtual reality to return to 17. century.
- Admission: 17,50 €; children 4-17 years 8,50 €; BUY TICKETS
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00
- Address: Kattenburgerplein 1
Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s largest green oasis. This is how one could describe Vondelpark, where locals like to spend their free time. You can have a picnic in the grass, go for a bike ride, smell the roses in the garden, watch an outdoor show or have a bite to eat in one of the restaurants and cafes.
- Address.
Westerpark
Westerpark is a great family park in the south of Amsterdam. There is a large lake, playgrounds, cafes, restaurants and ice cream parlours.
- Address: Haarlemmerweg 4
This is Holland
How to bring the Netherlands closer to children? Simply by experiencing Holland for themselves through a simulation in the This is Holland attraction. Take a 5D flight to fly over the canals and the most beautiful places in Amsterdam, enjoy the tulip fields or see the iconic windmills from a bird’s eye view. You will feel like you are actually flying in a helicopter.
Before your flight, learn more about the history of the Netherlands in an interesting and entertaining way.
- Admission: €23.01, children 4-12 years €19.47; reservation required; Click here for tickets
- Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
- Address: Overhoeksplein 51
A´DAM viewpoint
A´DAM Lookout is the tallest building in the city and has a revolving floor at the top with lots of fun activities.
You can eat in the restaurant, relax with something good on the large cushions, enjoy a panoramic view of the city, take a VR roller coaster ride over Amsterdam or swing on the highest swing in Europe (swing and VR for children over 1.20 m).
Even the ride up the elevator is worth it thanks to the light and sound effects.
- Admission: from €14.50, children 4-12 years from €8.50 (prices when booking online, €2 more at the venue); prices vary according to the package you choose; discounted family admission is also available; BUY TICKETS
- Opening hours: 10:00-22:00
- Address: Overhoeksplein 5
House of Anne Frank
The Anne Frank House is one of the most sought-after places in Amsterdam. However, I would recommend a visit for older children who already have an understanding of the events associated with the war.
The Anne Frank Museum tells the story of a young girl, Anne, and her family who hid for 2 years in the back of the building during the occupation in 1942. During this time Anne kept a diary where she wrote down all her thoughts. In 1944 they were found and taken to a concentration camp.
Only her father survived, and in 1947 he published the diary to show the world one of the truest images of the Holocaust. It’s an emotionally powerful and enlightening place for children.
- Admission: 16 €, children 10-17 years 7 €, children under 10 years 1 €; reservation required; BUY TICKETS
- Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9:00-18:00, Fri-Sat 9:00-20:00
- Address: 20 Westermarkt
Exhibition Body Worlds
In the Body Worlds exhibition, you and your children will learn all about the workings of the human body and the effects of happiness. The exhibition consists of 200 real human bodies that remain perfect thanks to plastination. Plastination is a technique that replaces bodily fluids with silicone rubber, making the bodies odourless, dry and last longer than Egyptian mummies.
You see all the bones, muscles, veins, nerves and organs and how the body reacts when you play the saxophone, jump, what smoking does to your body or why happy people live longer. Great and informative exhibition.
- Admission: 22,50 €, children 6-17 years 13,50 €; BUY TICKETS
- Opening hours: 10:00-22:00
- Address.
Tulip fields Keukenhof
Tulips are the national flower of the Netherlands. Every spring, from March to mid-May, the tulip fields open to visitors, where you can see the long meadows full of colour and fragrance.
You can dine on hay bales and pick up a booklet about tulips at the beginning, which the children fill out one by one and receive a gift at the end. There is also a small zoo with goats, rabbits and peacocks, a playground and a maze.
The Keukenhof Tulip Fields are located an hour southwest of Amsterdam near the town of Lisse, close to Schiphol Airport.
- Admission: 19 €, children 4-17 years 9 €; online booking required; BUY TICKETS (on sale in spring)
- Admission including transport: €39 (buses depart from This is Holland, where you also exchange your booking for tickets); BUY TICKETS (on sale in spring)
- Opening hours: 8:00-19:30
- Address: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse
Windmills Zaanse Schans
Windmills are a symbol of the Netherlands. The windmill museum in Zaanse Schans is located north of Amterdam and is an ideal excursion for families with children.
The area is freely accessible, so you can just come and enjoy the surroundings. Or take a peek at the museums and attractions located here. I think not only children will be excited about the biscuit and chocolate museum, the cheese factory, the clog factory and more.
There is already an admission fee for the museums – you can pay on the spot for individual museums or buy Zaanse Schans Card which gets you in everywhere. You can also visit the mills from Amsterdam as part of the trip with transport .
- Admission to attractions and museums with the Zaanse Schans Card: €23.50, children 3-17 years €16; BUY TICKETS
- Opening hours: area is free to enter, museums open 10:00-17:00
- Address: Kalverringdijk Schansend, Kraaienest, Zaandam,
Children’s Zoo
Children’s zoos with pets are typical of Amsterdam. Children can look at the animals and cuddle with them. From rabbits to peacocks. From the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll be transported to the countryside that morning.
Tips for children’s zoos:
- Kinderboerderij De Pijp
- Kinderboerderij Amstelpark (Amstelpark also has a great playground with a train and water boats)
Amsterdam with children: TRANSPORTATION
Schiphol Airport is family-friendly. Children will be entertained by several elements of the NEMO Science Museum, a fun playground and the Airport Park, where you can watch the planes with your children.
The easiest way to get to Amsterdam from the airport is by train. The station is directly below the airport. Tickets can be bought from the yellow and blue machines for €5.90 or online at for 4,90 €. Prices are valid for everyone over 12 years of age.
For children aged 4-11, the train fare is €2.50 (the price is valid for the whole day if you are going somewhere else with your children on the train that day). Children up to 3 years old travel free of charge if sitting on your lap.
Amsterdam with children: PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Children up to 3 years of age are free on public transport in Amsterdam. For children 4-11 years old, there are discounted day passes for €4, with which they travel unlimited for 24 hours on buses, trams and metro (not valid for trains from the airport). You just scan the card in and out.
From the age of 12, children are charged the same admission as adults. They can be purchased discounted multi-day tickets . Valid in hours, not days, i.e. If you have a 24-hour ticket and you take your first ride at 10am, your ticket will be valid until 10am the next day.
If you only plan to use public transport infrequently, you can buy a single ticket for 1 hour for €3.40 (there is no reduced rate for children).
Tickets can be purchased at the airport (at AKO newsagents or the I am Amsterdam visitor centre) or at any of the stations in Amsterdam (GVB outlets).
This is Holland and the A´DAM Lookout are located in Amsterdam-Noord. It’s easy to get here by the free ferry across the IJ River, which leaves every few minutes from Amsterdam Centraal Station (it also takes a few minutes).
For all information about the airport, how to get to and from the airport and public transport in Amsterdam see my guide to Amsterdam .
Amsterdam with children: ACCOMMODATION
MIDDLE CLASS: Hotel Holiday Inn: A modern hotel with excellent connections – located a short walk from Sloterdijk Station, a 10-minute train ride to the airport and the city centre’s main train station. The rooms (even the family rooms) are clean, cosy with private bathrooms and kettles. Rich breakfast, bicycle rental, luggage storage, 24 h reception, bar.
LEFT: Hotel Levell A: This hotel is located in the southeast of Amsterdam, making it a good choice for those arriving by car. The city centre is a 20-minute metro ride away (the stop is 200 metres from the hotel). The hotel offers modern, 2-4 bedded rooms with private bathrooms and a coffee machine. Rich breakfast.
LEFT: XO Hotels Blue Square: clean, elegant hotel with good accessibility and at an excellent price. Accommodation in 2-4 bedded rooms with private bathroom, fridge and kettle. The hotel has everything you need nearby – a bus stop to the city centre and airport, restaurants and shops. Parking garage.
How to save in Amsterdam with children: the I am Amsterdam Card
Amsterdam is one of those cities where you don’t have to pay a penny for entry and you can soak up the local atmosphere. On the other hand, it has wonderful museums and great attractions that take a visit to Amsterdam up a few more notches.
While it provides discounted admission for children, it also offers a way for adults and older children to save if you plan to visit multiple locations – I am Amsterdam card .
Benefits of the I am Amsterdam card
- Unlimited travel around Amsterdam (metro, buses, trams, ferries)
- Free entry to more than 70 museums and attractions in the city, including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Nemo Science Museum, ARTIS Royal Zoo, Zaanse Schans Windmills, Moco Museum, A´DAM Lookout and Rembrandt House.
- Discount to a number of other places in Amsterdam, such as the Heineken Experience.
- Free one-hour canal cruise
- Free bike rental for 24 hours
Price
I Amsterdam City Card can be purchased easily online . After purchase, all the necessary information will be sent to your email immediately.
Another option to save in Amsterdam is a tourist card Amsterdam Pass which offers other benefits. The necessary information and card comparison can be found in my separate article .
Amsterdam with children: MAP
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of Amsterdam with children. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in my guide to Amsterdam with kids . If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
More information about Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM ITINERARY: Plan your trip with our 3-day itinerary for Amsterdam. In the next article you will find the best things to do in Amsterdam (detailed overview of entrance fees, opening times, photos and maps, transport, accommodation, prices and other tips).
HOW TO SAVE IN AMSTERDAM: Amsterdam Pass is one of the ways to save money on sightseeing in Amsterdam.
MORE INSPIRATION: London is another great place for families with kids – we’ve put together a detailed guide to London with kids. Or visit Barcelona with the kids.
