15 Best Things to Do in Amsterdam With Kids

Amsterdam offers endless family adventures, from exploring NEMO Science Museum‘s hands-on exhibits and rooftop terrace to cycling through canals on cargo bikes with your kids safely secured. You’ll discover art through interactive trails at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, let children burn energy at TunFun’s massive indoor playground, and taste authentic Dutch pancakes and stroopwafels. Don’t miss the Anne Frank House for older kids or day trips to Zaanse Schans windmills. Continue ahead to uncover the complete guide for maximizing your family’s Amsterdam experience.

Take a Family-Friendly Canal Cruise With Kid-Specific Features

Amsterdam’s canal cruises transform from potentially boring adult tours into engaging adventures when you choose operators with dedicated kid-specific features. Blue Boat Company’s “Kids Cruise” offers 75-minute tours with Harold & Johnny storytelling characters, activity booklets, games, and pirate binoculars that turn children into “certified Freshwater Pirates.”

Amsterdam Canal Cruises provides similar family experiences with kid-focused audio stories alongside adult commentary.

Look for covered boats that protect from weather year-round and offer wheelchair accessibility for strollers. The traffic-free water routes eliminate busy street concerns while showcasing UNESCO-listed canal houses. Many operators use eco-friendly electric boats that provide a quiet, peaceful experience without engine noise disrupting the tour commentary.

Onboard treasure hunts encourage kids to spot houseboats, bike-laden bridges, and swans. Premium options like Pulitzer Amsterdam include Discovery Maps and Family Picnic upgrades for upscale experiences targeting mixed-age groups.

Explore NEMO Science Museum’s Interactive Exhibits

Five floors of hands-on science await your family at NEMO Science Museum, where kids don’t just observe exhibits—they create lightning bolts, generate wind power, and explore the building blocks of the universe through interactive experiments.

Each floor targets different scientific domains. Fenomena lets children experiment with light, sound, and static electricity while discovering physics principles like gravity through optical illusions. Technium unravels modern technology’s mechanics, from flood barriers to bridge construction. Elementa investigates cosmic origins through Big Bang experiments and stellar formation studies.

Humania’s 44 interactive stations blend science with entertainment, exploring human evolution and anatomy through games and tests. Don’t miss specialized areas like the Energy Lab for renewable power generation, Water World for splash-filled learning, and the Maker Space for DIY tinkering projects. The museum’s rooftop terrace features Energetica, an exhibit that showcases energy experiments using wind, water, and sunlight.

Enjoy the Public Rooftop Terrace at NEMO

After exploring the museum’s interactive exhibits, head up to NEMO’s public rooftop terrace for breathtaking panoramic views of Amsterdam’s skyline. Located 22 meters above water level, this free attraction offers the Netherlands’ highest city square experience. You’ll reach it via steps on the building’s eastern edge or the museum lift.

Your kids will love the hands-on environmental exhibits, including the new 2024 weather station where they can measure wind speed and test solar panels. The biodiversity programs let them conduct soil quality tests with guided toolkits.

Recently renovated in 2025, the terrace features over 75 plant species creating a wildlife-friendly ecosystem. The rooftop serves as an ideal location for outdoor learning with exhibits that complement the museum’s environmental themes.

Grab refreshments at the rooftop café while children explore interactive installations. Information plaques help identify city landmarks, making this educational and entertaining for the whole family.

Discover Art Through Family Trails at Major Museums

Three world-class museums transform art appreciation into interactive adventures that’ll captivate your children while exposing them to masterpieces. The Rijksmuseum’s Family Quest uses illustrated booklets to guide you past Rembrandt’s Night Watch, while 11-card trails frame the museum as “a big castle” for treasure hunting.

At the Van Gogh Museum, grab Vincent’s Travelling Case for ages 6+ — it’s packed with assignments linking directly to specific paintings, plus touchable replica sunflowers for sensory engagement.

The Stedelijk Museum offers free entry under 19 and hands-on Family Labs where kids create art inspired by contemporary works. Each museum designs trails for mixed-age groups, ensuring 60-90 minute visits that prevent fatigue while encouraging close observation and storytelling. The Rijksmuseum also features a stroller-friendly environment with accessible pathways throughout the galleries.

Let Kids Burn Energy at TunFun Indoor Playground

When Amsterdam’s unpredictable weather threatens your outdoor plans, TunFun Indoor Playground offers 4,000 square meters of underground adventure that’ll exhaust even your most energetic kids. Located beneath Mr. Visserplein near the Portuguese Synagogue, this former traffic tunnel transforms into three age-specific play zones for children 1-11.

You’ll find toddler areas with soft mats and mini slides, while older kids tackle the two-story jungle gym maze, trampolines, and go-kart track. The scary freefall slide and bouncy castle are crowd favorites.

Entry costs €8.50 for children; adults enter free. Visit weekday mornings to avoid crowds and 45-minute weekend waits. The on-site café serves snacks, though prices run high. Bring extra socks—floors get wet from all the action. The industrial setting features traffic lights and roadwork signs that create an authentic tunnel atmosphere kids find mysteriously appealing.

Spend Time at Vondelpark’s Playgrounds and Open-Air Theater

Five distinct playgrounds scattered throughout Amsterdam’s beloved Vondelpark guarantee you’ll find the perfect spot for your children’s ages and energy levels.

The Groot Melkhuis Playground offers slides and climbing frames with an adjacent terrace serving child-friendly lunches, perfect for birthday parties.

For advanced climbers, head to Amstelveensweg Entrance’s giant climbing structure with ropes, nets, and a massive sand pit for younger kids.

The unique Treehouse Playground features elevated tree forts connected by walking paths, designed for ages 3 and up.

All playgrounds are completely fenced for safety and easy supervision. The playground areas are freely accessible to all park visitors throughout the day.

Don’t miss the wading pool—bring towels and extra clothes.

The park’s open-air theater hosts family-friendly performances throughout the year.

Adventure Through Amsterdam Bos Forest

Where else can your family explore 1,000 hectares of adventure-packed wilderness just minutes from Amsterdam’s city center? Amsterdam Bos offers three times Central Park’s space with car-free paths perfect for strollers and family cycling.

Head to Speel-eiland’s water playground where kids navigate rope ladders and balancing routes to reach the island adventure zone. Your children can operate rope-pulled rafts independently, building confidence while crossing channels safely.

Visit Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm for hands-on animal encounters, fresh goat cheese, and playground fun. The nearby hedge maze adds extra exploration with its central viewing tower.

For thrill-seekers, Fun Forest Amsterdam provides ten treetop climbing courses for ages 4-14, complete with safety harnesses and staff supervision. Don’t miss the free junior tightrope trail for younger adventurers. Plan your visit during spring to witness the stunning cherry blossom park in full bloom, creating a magical backdrop for family photos and nature walks.

Experience Free-Play at Het Woeste Westen Nature Playground

Your kids can experience authentic adventure play at Het Woeste Westen Nature Playground, where real physical challenges replace standardized plastic equipment in Amsterdam’s Westerpark. This free natural playground encourages “risky play” across multiple themed islands connected by waterways and reed beds.

Your children can dig, climb, balance, and wade through creeks while exploring Weilandeiland’s secret reed paths, Watereiland’s flowing streams, and Avontureneiland’s willow huts.

The Bosstrook woodland strip offers tree climbing courses and loose branches for fort building. Water play features rafts, rope bridges, and manual pumps for experimentation.

Bring waterproof clothing and expect muddy adventures. Playground managers provide daily supervision, and the on-site café serves refreshments. Children can also observe local wildlife including frogs, insects, and various bird species that inhabit the natural environment.

Best visited during warmer months when water activities offer maximum play value.

Ride the Miniature Train at Amstelpark

Since 1972, the charming Amsteltrain has delighted families with scenic 15-minute journeys through Amstelpark‘s most beautiful corners. You’ll circle past the Rosarium, Glass House, Rhododendron Valley, and historic Riekermolen windmill while enjoying open-air views perfect for photos.

The miniature train operates 11:00–17:00 with departures every 30 minutes, making it ideal for preschoolers and early primary-age children. You’ll need tickets purchased on-site, and service runs seasonally based on weather conditions.

Located in Amsterdam South near RAI station, Amstelpark offers a calmer alternative to busy city attractions. You can easily combine the train ride with mini-golf, playgrounds, or the petting zoo. The park features a unique water-surrounded maze with 2-meter high yew hedges that kids love exploring.

The park’s accessible via metro lines 50-52 and tram 4, just five minutes from RAI station.

Visit ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo and Aquarium

Founded in 1838, ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo combines nearly two centuries of history with world-class animal exhibits, making it one of Europe’s most distinctive family destinations. You’ll discover roughly 500-900 animal species including giraffes, zebras, penguins, and big cats across beautifully landscaped 19th-century grounds.

The historic Aquarium, built in 1882, houses 300 aquatic species in stunning displays. Don’t miss the tropical coral reef wall with sharks, the unique Amsterdam canal tank showing local fish like carp and pike, and the Amazonian mangrove exhibit.

Beyond animals, you’ll explore botanical gardens with 250 tree varieties, the Butterfly Pavilion with thousands of Blue Morpho butterflies, Planetarium shows, and interactive museums including Micropia. The zoo welcomes approximately 1.4 million visitors annually, testament to its enduring appeal as a family destination. This green oasis offers educational entertainment while keeping kids safely engaged throughout your visit.

Meet Farm Animals at Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm

Located in the peaceful Amsterdamse Bos forest just 15-30 minutes from central Amsterdam, Ridammerhoeve offers your family an authentic farm experience where kids can safely interact with over 100 dairy goats, lambs, chickens, and other friendly animals.

You’ll find free entrance to this working organic farm, with small fees for special activities like bottle-feeding baby goats. Your children can hand-feed goats, watch afternoon milking sessions, and collect fresh eggs from the chicken coop.

The farm features an on-site playground, outdoor labyrinth, and café serving farm-fresh products. The farm shop also sells small bottles of milk for visitors who want to feed the goats directly. Best accessed by bike or car, you’ll want to arrive early on weekends when parking fills quickly.

Plan half a day for the complete experience.

Learn History at Anne Frank House

Every year, over one million visitors walk through the narrow corridors of the Anne Frank House, where your family can experience one of history’s most powerful stories firsthand. Located at Prinsengracht 263, this preserved 17th-century canal house showcases the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and seven others hid from Nazi persecution from 1942 to 1944.

You’ll enter through the famous revolving bookcase that concealed their hiding place and explore the actual rooms where Anne wrote her diary. The museum provides age-appropriate context about World War II and persecution through permanent exhibitions.

Book tickets well in advance, as this is Amsterdam’s third most visited museum. The experience offers children a tangible connection to history while teaching important lessons about tolerance and human resilience. The museum also features a 3-D virtual reality tour that provides enhanced accessibility and allows visitors to explore areas of the annex that are otherwise off-limits.

Take a Half-Day Trip to Zaanse Schans Windmills

Just twenty minutes from Amsterdam’s city center, you can transport your family back to the golden age of Dutch industry at Zaanse Schans, where working windmills and traditional crafts create an immersive open-air museum experience.

Most half-day tours last 3-3.5 hours with round-trip transportation included. You’ll explore iconic green wooden houses, watch cheese-making demonstrations at local farms, and try on traditional clogs at authentic workshops.

Kids love climbing inside working windmills like De Kat paint mill and Het Jonge Schaap sawmill to see wind-powered machinery in action. Many tours also include a relaxing canal cruise through Amsterdam’s historic waterways as part of the package.

The compact, walkable village offers hands-on learning through cheese tastings and clog-making demonstrations. With multilingual guides and structured itineraries, you’ll return to Amsterdam by mid-afternoon with plenty of energy for additional city activities.

Rent a Cargo Bike for Family Cycling Adventures

Amsterdam’s flat terrain and 400+ kilometers of bike lanes make it one of the world’s best cities for family cycling. Renting a cargo bike transforms sightseeing into an unforgettable adventure your kids will love.

These family-friendly bikes carry two children plus a baby in secure front boxes with integrated benches and seat belts. You’ll move faster than cars or trams through Amsterdam’s canal belt and narrow streets, reaching destinations quickly while keeping kids entertained at eye level.

Rental shops like Black Bikes, MacBike, and Rent a Bike offer cargo bikes starting around €29-€35 daily, with helmets and rain covers included. Electric options provide pedal assist for longer trips. Many cargo bikes come equipped with 7 gears for versatile riding on Amsterdam’s varied terrain.

You’ll need a passport or EU ID plus a damage deposit. The spacious front box also carries groceries and day-trip gear.

Try Dutch Pancakes and Stroopwafels

Two beloved Dutch treats await your family’s taste buds in Amsterdam: pannenkoeken (traditional Dutch pancakes) and stroopwafels. These national dishes offer perfect kid-friendly dining experiences throughout the city.

Dutch pancakes are larger and thinner than American versions, spanning entire plates with customizable toppings like bacon, cheese, or apples baked directly into the batter. You’ll find specialized pancake houses near the Canal Belt that cater to families with high chairs and children’s menus.

For stroopwafels, visit street markets where vendors make them fresh to order. These crisp waffle cookies filled with caramel syrup create delightful contrasting textures kids love.

Don’t miss trying poffertjes, fluffy mini-pancakes that originated in 18th-century monasteries and are now served with powdered sugar and butter at food stalls throughout the city.

Both treats are widely available at bakeries, cafés, and dedicated pancake chains, making them easy additions to your sightseeing days.

The Sum Up

You’ll find Amsterdam perfectly balances education and entertainment for your family adventure. Don’t forget to book museum tickets ahead, especially for Anne Frank House, and always keep an eye on little ones near the canals. Pack comfortable walking shoes and rain gear—Amsterdam’s weather can change quickly. Most importantly, embrace the city’s bike culture safely with proper helmets and designated cycling paths. Your kids will leave with unforgettable memories of this unique European destination.