Visiting Amsterdam with Children: Guaranteed Fun

At a glance

Setting off to discover Amsterdam with your children? We give you a few ideas for unforgettable activities.

Amsterdam is a city full of surprises, even for the youngest visitors! In this article, we reveal the best places and activities to do with children. You're spoiled for choice, especially since some of the city's must-see spots also hold lovely surprises for the little ones! The writers of Bonjour Amsterdam give us a few tips.

Boarding an 18th-century ship

Let's start this selection with a lesser-known attraction that children always love! It involves boarding an impressive 18th-century ship, from the upper deck down to the hold, and experiencing the life of a sailor of the time!

The ship is a faithful replica of a vessel of the Dutch East India Company. Every detail has been recreated: the captain's cabin, food stores (lots of cheese!), barrels, cannons and even the sailors' hammocks.

A fun, immersive adventure to discover at the National Maritime Museum, open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. Take advantage of it, as admission is free up to age 12, and costs only €8.50 up to age 17. For adults, admission costs €18.50.

Taking a boat trip on the canals: a must-do

As a family, discovering Amsterdam from its canals is an excellent alternative to walking! A one-hour cruise lets you admire the city's elegant gabled houses, usually with an audio commentary to help you better understand its history. A boat trip is also a great way to get acquainted with Amsterdam on the first day of your visit. Prices vary, but expect to pay around fifteen euros per person.

On nice days, you can opt for a more engaging activity by renting a multi-seat pedal boat to explore the canals at your own pace. Several companies offer these trips, which usually last between an hour and an hour and a half. Expect to pay only around twenty euros per pedal boat!

The Royal Palace: a visit perfectly suited to younger children

Contrary to what you might imagine, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam is a fascinating visit to make as a family. Still used as a residence by the royal family for official ceremonies, this palace was originally built as a town hall in the 17th century, during the Dutch Golden Age.

Children are often fascinated by the many details to spot: world maps engraved in the floor, drawings of mythological creatures, statues of heroes, and the former courtroom where death sentences were once pronounced...

The real bonus for families? An audio guide specially designed for children: you follow the adventure of a 17th-century boy launched into a mysterious investigation involving a theft in the palace! Fun and educational, this trail brings the visit truly to life for younger children.

The Palace is open almost every day, from 10 am to 5 pm, and is located right in the heart of Amsterdam, on Dam Square. Good news: admission is free for under-18s, and costs only €13.50 for an adult. Allow an hour and a half to visit.

Jordaan and Vondelpark: two neighborhoods to see with children

You don't need to visit museums or monuments to keep your children entertained... The Jordaan neighborhood and Vondelpark are two perfect spots for a family outing in Amsterdam!

Jordaan, with its picturesque streets, canals and small shops, offers a pleasant, calm atmosphere, ideal for strolling. The little alleyways are perfect for wandering and discovering cafes and art galleries, all while admiring Amsterdam's typical houses. Children enjoy the playgrounds and toy and candy shops you can come across in this lively neighborhood.

As for Vondelpark, it's a real paradise for families. This vast, leafy park is an ideal place to relax, picnic and cycle safely. It has several playgrounds suited to children, and even small lakes where you can rent pedal boats. Vondelpark also hosts outdoor shows during the summer!

Other activities perfect for children

Your children will no doubt enjoy joining you for all the visits we've mentioned... But of course, there are also several activities more focused on children's own interests:

The NEMO Science Museum is another must-see, particularly suited to children. This thorough and serious museum offers fun activities suited to all ages. For only around twenty euros per person, your children will learn why and how things work, all while having fun. Admission is free for under-threes, and the visit lasts between 2 and 3 hours.
The Upside Down museum lets you walk through 5 typical Dutch settings... turned upside down! With all the extra optical illusions, it's a top spot to share on social media. The visit lasts about an hour and a half. Expect to pay around twenty euros per person.
La Fabrique des Lumières regularly offers a chance to literally immerse yourself in works of art. In Amsterdam, works by great masters such as Vermeer, Van Gogh or Rembrandt are of course featured. The themes and details vary depending on the dates, so be sure to check the official website.
The immersive playground WONDR is another great activity to offer your children. The organizers invite you to touch, jump and play in wonderful settings (confetti showers, a marshmallow pool, glow-in-the-dark karaoke, giant plush toys...). It has everything you need for an amazing day out from age 3! Expect €25 per person for a one-and-a-half-hour visit, and note that the team regularly offers new experiences based on themes such as Moana.
The Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum bills itself as Amsterdam's strangest museum... and we're happy to believe it! This museum, unlike any other, invites you to discover incredible curiosities and works of art from all over the world. A visit that's both fun and intriguing for all ages, starting at €22.50 for adults and €13.50 for children over 4.
Finally, for older children and teenagers, a visit to the STRAAT Street Art Museum will certainly be a good idea. It's simply the largest museum in the world dedicated to street art. The collection of more than 150 works, some of them enormous, is truly impressive. Admission costs €19.50 for adults, €9.50 for teenagers aged 13 to 18, and it's free for under-12s! The visit lasts between one and two hours.

More ideas to discover

You now know our favorite spots for a visit to Amsterdam with children... But there are still many other options to consider! To best prepare your family trip, you can trust the good ideas offered by the Bonjour Amsterdam website.

Article written in collaboration with "Bonjour Amsterdam".
"Bonjour Amsterdam" is a travel blog that shares good tips for Amsterdam and gives practical advice.