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Home / Type of trip / Attractions / Things to do in Amsterdam with kids

Things to do in Amsterdam with kids

November 4, 2013 by Gretta Schifano 20 Comments

Prinsengracht Amsterdam. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Prinsengracht Amsterdam. Copyright Gretta Schifano

I visited Amsterdam recently with my ten year-old son. We had a great time and it’s definitely somewhere I’d recommend for families. Here are some ideas for things to do with kids in the Dutch capital.

Make a splash

Just in front of the famous Rijksmuseum is an attractive, formal garden with manicured hedges and grassy areas displaying sculptures. The garden is free to enter and at its centre is an intriguing modern water sculpture called Hide and See(k) by Danish artist Jeppe Hein. Water shoots up every so often in different formations from ground level. If you’re brave enough, you can stand in between the water jets and not get very wet. Or you can just go for it and get wet. There are chairs and benches to sit on in the garden and a stylish kiosk selling drinks and snacks.

Play on some letters

There are some solid, giant red and white letters spelling I Amsterdam which sit on Museumplein in front of the Rijksmuseum. The letters are part of a city marketing campaign and are just waiting to be climbed and sat on. This is a great place for a photo stop.

Explore the canals

Amsterdam is famous for its network of canals and is home to around 2500 houseboats. The 17th century canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage site and you can wander along its bridges and streets for free. Houseboat dwellers may have families, pets, gardens and hobbies and children find it fascinating to see everyday life on the boats. For a different view of the canals take one of the many boat tours on offer in the city. It’s easy to find one with commentary in English although tours can also be good with no commentary at all as there’s so much to see.

Eat pancakes

Pancakes are a traditional Dutch dish and both savoury and sweet versions are on offer at pancake restaurants in the city. The friendly Pancake Bakery sits in a wonky old warehouse building on the Prinsengracht, the city’s longest 17th century canal. Its chefs make delicious pancakes to order in an open kitchen which are somehow light and filling at the same time. Look out for street sellers in places like the Albert Cuypmarkt making delicious, tiny pancakes called poffertjes.

Be experimental

From trying to fit inside a giant, soapy bubble to using real laboratory equipment to thinking about alien life forms the NEMO science centre encourages visitors of all ages to learn about science and technology by getting involved with a range of activities. From theatre shows to workshops to demonstrations to interactive exhibitions, the activities on offer are constantly changing and range over five floors. The centre is housed in a beautiful, modern, ship-like building which offers fantastic views of the port and city from its popular roof terrace.

Visit Amsterdam Arena

Amsterdam Arena is home to the famous Ajax football club as well as being the venue for other sports, concerts, and Dutch national events such as a celebration of Prince (now King) Willem-Alexander’s wedding. The biggest in Holland, the stadium seats 53,600 and has a roof which can open and close. The fascinating one hour stadium tour takes you behind the scenes to places such as the press room, dressing rooms and control room as well as to sit in the stadium itself. The guides speak excellent English and are skilled at engaging with kids.

Outside the Rijksmuseum. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Outside the Rijksmuseum. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Family travel lowdown: For more information about Amsterdam go to iamsterdam.com. Thanks to holland.com for arranging our trip to the city and to KLM for providing our flights from Kent’s Manston airport.

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Categories: Attractions, City, Netherlands, Things to do in...
Tags: Amsterdam with kids, Netherlands

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Bethaney - Flashpacker Family says

    October 26, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    I haven’t made it to Amsterdam yet. Sounds like there is plenty to do with kids so I’m glad I waited now. We’re hoping to head to Europe next year.
    Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted…How to Book Cheap Five-Star Hotels in Las Vegas with This Amazing Priceline HackMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      October 30, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Amsterdam’s great, my son enjoyed it so much there that he’d like to go again.

      Reply
  2. Sonia Zubri says

    December 20, 2013 at 8:52 am

    We’ve been to Amsterdam with the kids and our favourite things were the canal cruise, the botanical gardens and the unforgettable SAIL festival of tall ships.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      December 20, 2013 at 10:51 pm

      We didn’t see the botanical gardens or the Sail festival – thanks for the tips.

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    November 11, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    Thanks for the tips! We braved our first city break recently over half term (to Berlin) and we are planning our next now. I’ve heard that Amsterdam is good for kids, looks like there is plenty for them to do!
    Jennifer recently posted…The Labyrinth Kindermusem, BerlinMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 11, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      It was great, I’d definitely recommend it. I’ve never been to Berlin, so will pop over to your blog and read all about it.

      Reply
  4. Emma says

    November 9, 2013 at 11:06 am

    That sounds great Gretta! My Grandmother is Dutch, and we used to go to Holland quite a lot when I was small. I haven’t been to Amsterdam for years though, must rectify that! 🙂
    Emma recently posted…Oh Vienna…My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 9, 2013 at 12:16 pm

      It was a fab trip and I’d love to go back.

      Reply
  5. Susanna says

    November 8, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    I think I’ll go for the eating pancakes option. After I read that, all I could think of was Dutch pancakes. Mmnnn

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 9, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      Those pancakes were fab.

      Reply
  6. Sarah Ebner says

    November 8, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    This is great – and really useful information too. I am definitely tempted!
    Sarah Ebner recently posted…We’ve been to Paris (and made a video!)My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 8, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Sarah, I’m sure you’d all love it there.

      Reply
  7. littlemissmum says

    November 7, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    Really good ideas. I have family in Holland, but we don’t really ‘do’ Amsterdam. Maybe we will next time!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 7, 2013 at 9:22 pm

      Great! I’d love to hear how it goes.

      Reply
  8. Jane @ northernmum says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    I love Amsterdam and have not taken the kids yet – maybe this will be the year. x
    Jane @ northernmum recently posted…The day I discovered the affair…My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 6, 2013 at 7:54 am

      Yay, go for it!

      Reply
  9. Daniel Ruiz (@viajares) says

    November 5, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    Good tips to discover Amsterdam (I hope soon) with my 3 boys 🙂

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 6, 2013 at 7:58 am

      Thanks, I’m sure you’ll all have a great time there.

      Reply
  10. Trish - Mum's Gone to says

    November 4, 2013 at 10:06 am

    Great selection of kid-friendly attractions. I’ve mentioned Amsterdam to husband recently so I think it might be on the agenda next year.

    Love that top photo.
    Trish – Mum’s Gone to recently posted…Chilling out in Birmingham with Staying CoolMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 6, 2013 at 8:03 am

      Thanks Trish. I’m sure you’ll all enjoy going there. There’s so much to see and do that I’ll have to go again.

      Reply

Trackbacks

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    May 19, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    […] always loved trips to amazing cities like London,  Amsterdam, Venice and New York but since having children the way I visit these cities has changed. […]

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    February 24, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    […] Mexican tortilla to the tiny Dutch poffertje, which my youngest loved eating on our recent trip to Amsterdam.  Our family favourite is Scotch pancakes, also known as drop […]

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    […] have launched a useful new website called Mini Cruise Max to help you make the most of trips to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges and Ostend. The site has hundreds of recommendations for things to do and places […]

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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