Amsterdam with kidsThings to do in Amsterdam with kids

Maybe against all expectations, but Amsterdam is a real family-friendly city. No doubts to visit Amsterdam with kids. There are many in- and outdoor attractions for all ages throughout the city. All over the city, there are a lot of public playgrounds with slides, swings, sandboxes and jungle gyms to challenge our smallest kids.

Furthermore most of all the major attractions (for example the Rijksmuseum) have special activities/ tours for children. Some even have corners/ mini – museums dedicated for children. Most of the  museums in Amsterdam are free of charge for children under 13 years old. Therefore the city is great to visit with toddlers as well as with teenagers. Many places will be enjoyed by adults as well! And of course there are low budget (free) attractions, lovely places just outside the city. Amsterdam with kids - animal farmPlaces where kids always have fun like ‘Amsterdamse Bos’ (forest), ’de Zaanse Schans’, small animal farms and the beach. Throughout the city, basicly every restaurant and café is child-friendly. And in summer the number of places increases!
The best places to visit / major attractions in Amsterdam with kids:

  • Small children 0-6 years
  • Children 6-12 (16) years

Small children 0-6 years

Indoor
  • Tun Fun – huge indoor playground
    Mr. Visserplein 7, Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6894300
  • Puppet Theatre (> 2 years) – (dutch) shows on Wednesday and Sunday
    Iepenplein 40, Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6928532
  • Race planet for kids (2 – 12 years) – outside the city center of Amsterdam
    Herwijk 10 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6111120
Outdoor
  • Café Groot Melkhuis; a large playground (< 12 years) in the Vondelpark
    (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
    Vondelpark 2 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6129674
  • Amstelpark – large park with playground, animal farm, restaurant, mini-train, labyrinth and more
    Amstelpark 18 Amsterdam (south of Amsterdam)
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6441744
  • Pancake boat Amsterdam (all ages) – cruising and all-you-can-eat pancakes
    Ms. Van Riemsdijkweg (Amsterdam-North)
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 6368817
Animal farms:
  • De Ridammerhoeve Goat farm – Amsterdamse bos (in the forest)
    Nieuwe Meerlaan 4 Amstelveen
  • Kibo Westerpark – western part of Amsterdam
    Overbrakerpad 10 Amsterdam
  • Kinderboerderij de Pijp (south of Amsterdam – close to the Albert Cuyp market)
    Lizzy Ansinghstraat 82 Amsterdam
Summertime:

Around May more lovely open air places are open.

  • Vondeltuin – open air café with a playground
    Vondelpark 7 Amsterdam
  • Blijburg aan Zee – an artificial sandy beach and beach pavilion
    Muiderlaan 1001 Amsterdam

Amsterdam with kids - PlaygroundReal hotspots during summer are the swimming/ paddling pools throughout the city. Paddling pools can be found in the Vondelpark, Westerpark or Beatrixpark. And even in the forest, ‘het Amsterdamse bos’, a few lovely pools and places can be found where you can swim and relax with (smaller) children.

Children 6-12 (16) years

Indoor
  • Madame Tussauds (> 5 years) – waxmuseum
    Dam 20 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 5221010
  • Amsterdam Dungeon (> 10 years)
    Rokin 78 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 5308500
  • Nemo (> 6 years) – science center
    Oosterdok 2 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 5313233
  • Glowgolf Amsterdam (> 4 years) – glow in the dark midget golf
    Prins Hendrikkade 194 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 7371809
  • Lovers Powerzone – bowlen and lasergamen
    De Ruyterkade 153 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 7607600
  • Ajax Experience Rembrandtsquare (all ages) –interactive experience through the world of Ajax
    Utrechtsestraat 9 Amsterdam
  • Tun Fun – (< 13 years) huge indoor playground
    Mr. Visserplein 7 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6894300
  • Kinderkookkafé (Children’s cook café)
    Vondelpark 6 B Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6253257
  • Puppet Theatre (2 – 8 years) – (Dutch) shows on Wednesday and Sunday
    Iepenplein 40 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6928532
Outdoor
  • Fun Forest (> 8 years) – Amsterdam forest
    Bosbaanweg 3 Amstelveen
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6429683
  • Amstelpark – large park with playground, animal farm, restaurant, mini-train, labyrinth and more
    Amstelpark 18 Amsterdam (South of Amsterdam)
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 6441744
  • Pancake boat Amsterdam (all ages) – cruising and all-you-can-eat pancakes
    Ms. Van Riemsdijkweg (Amsterdam-North)
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 6368817
Indoor Swimming pool

Amsterdam has several indoor swimming pools throughout the city. A few examples in the city center:

  • Sportcomplex ‘Het Marnix
    Marnixplein 1 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0) 20 5246000
  • Zuiderbad
    Hobbemastraat 26 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 2521390
  • De Mirandabad
    De Mirandalaan 9 Amsterdam
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 2524444
Summertime:
  • Canoe & paddle boat rental Amsterdamse Bos (forest)
    Speelweide 5 Amstelveen
    Tel: 0031 (0)20 6457831

In summer, all the parks in the city have perfect spots to relax in Amsterdam with kids or play some football. A great way to explore Amsterdam with kids is rent a bike. Amsterdam with kids - CyclingDuring spring and summer season there are several spots where you can cool down and jump in the water. At the Amstel river for example, a mobile swimming pool (with bar) is placed in this river. Nevertheless, most teenagers would probably love to explore the city and go shopping, go to the movies or visit the Ajax Stadium for example.

There are of course numerous museums and attractions not mentioned above, but suitable for all ages like the Artis Zoo or the Anne Frank House.

 

3 Comments
  1. Hello,
    we want to visit Amsterdam in august. We have a baby (1 year) and an 14 year old child. We are coming by plane. Is it possible to rent a buggy or an Bike trail for the baby somewhere (for 3 days)? Thank you for your answer,
    best regards
    Julie

  2. I want to use Amsterdam Holland Pass with my family. I have ten year old kid. Please indicate what are the attractions/Museums included in the Kids Holland Pass. In case we want to cover more than 5 attractions/museums, then how to use kids Holland pass for that.

    Regards,

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