Discover Amsterdam's Family-Friendly Attractions

Embark on Memorable Adventures for Kids and Parents Alike

You will find plenty of interesting things to do in Amsterdam with kids. Although it is well known for its NOT child friendly red light district, Heineken, and pot cafes, there are many reasons to bring the family to this fascinating city.

There are excellent art and historical museums and several fun quirky ones that the kids will love. It is a beautiful city with the famous canals, historic homes and lovely parks. Other things to do in Amsterdam with kids include bike rides, a tour of Anne Frank's house and a visit to the market.

If you are traveling with a baby you will find it easy to navigate the streets of Amsterdam with a stroller. Sidewalks are generally flat. You can easily board the trams and buses (some have hydraulics that lower the bus for easy boarding) with a baby pram (stroller).

20 Fun Amsterdam Activities for Children

A visit to the Anne Frank House is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids. This is an important part of history and a great education for your kids. Have your older children and teenagers read her diary before you go if they haven't already done so. It will bring to life the real life horrors that this girl faced during World War 2. You can see her original diary on display. This place gets crowded (not a good place to bring strollers) so try to avoid weekends. It is best to book your tickets online beforehand as there is usually a long queue to get in.

Take a stroll around the picturesque Jordaan neighborhood. Kids love seeing the boats on the canal, crossing the bridges and looking at the beautiful old homes that lean forward. Stop for a drink at one of the many cafes and watch the world go by.

One of the best Amsterdam sights to visit is the Van Goghs Museum. Children will enjoy seeing the works of one of the most famous artists in the world. Pick up a copy of the treasure hunt (for ages 6-12) at the information desk and the kids will have a great time exploring the museum in search of the answers! They also have an audio tour especially written for kids and workshops where they can create their own masterpieces. Children 17 & under are free.

Your future fashionistas will enjoy a tour of the quirky Museum of Bags & Purses. This museum is housed in a historic canal home and showcases an interesting collection. Kids will love Hilary Clinton's Socks purse (shaped like a cat), boat shaped purses and the telephone purse!

The Resistance Museum is an interesting museum explaining the Dutch resistance to the occupation during World War 2. It provides personal accounts of what life was like during that period. A children's museum is in the works and will tell the stories of some of the children who experienced the resistance. Very interesting and educational for older kids and teenagers.

Cultural Activities + Word Searches + Colouring Pages + Fun Travel Quizzes & More!

Children will be want to join in the fun and go for a bike ride after seeing the thousands of locals cycling everywhere!

Amsterdam is a biker's paradise with lots of bike lanes, bike racks and easy flat roads to traverse, however the streets are quite congested. Head to Vondelpark with the kids.

There are many companies offering children's bike rentals. Great way to explore the city. Be sure to get a good lock as bicycle thefts are rampant! One of the fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids!

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Pack a picnic and head to Vondelpark with the kids. There is lots of green open space for the kids to run around in. Bring some bread to feed the ducks. You can also rent 3 wheeled bikes there!

There is a playground here for the kids. Enjoy an ice cream with the kids! Great place for a bike ride.


Kinder Kook Kafe is a restaurant where the kids join the chef and cook up your meal. There is pizza, salad, cakes to decorate, sandwiches and more on the menu.

There is also a small playground here. It is located inside Vondelpark. A great activity for your Amsterdam family holiday!

One of the best museums in Amsterdam for children is the Tropenmusuem. It showcases the colorful art and interesting cultures from around the world. The kids will enjoy the interactive World of Music exhibit.

There are children's routes to follow through the museum with special activities for toddlers and small children on the weekends. Tropenmuseum Junior is a special area designed for ages 6-13.

Nemo Science Museum is a fun interactive museum with one rule-you must touch everything along the way! Code Name DNA is a fun exhibit that will explain heredity and why you look like your mom and dad.

It also shows how you will look when you are 80! There is a interesting section for teens with information on hormones, sex and risk taking. Head to the roof for a bite to eat and great views of the city.

Make your way to the Bloemenmarkt- Floating Flower Market soon after you arrive. Get the kids to pick out a gorgeous bouquet of fresh tulips or other flowers to decorate your hotel room for your stay!

There are lots of bulbs, seeds and plants available for sale (check your countries import rules if you plan to bring any home). There are lots of great souvenirs found here including decorative wooden tulips.

Wander around the Albert-Cuyp-Markt for a bite to eat and to pick up some souvenirs.

There are vendors selling everything from smoked fish to fresh waffles. You can also pick up some delicious cheeses and fresh baked goods. There are also lots of trinkets and clothing stalls.

After head to nearby Sarphati Park where the kids can play on the playground.

Your teenagers will love the lively atmosphere on Kalverstraat. This street is filled with affordable shops with the latest fashions, cafes and souvenir shops.

The Cat Cabinet is a must see Amsterdam family attraction for your animal lovers. This converted canal house showcases cat art, sculptures and of course several real life cats that you can pet! This is one of the unique things to do in Amsterdam with kids!

Babies, toddlers and children will enjoy a visit to the Artis Zoo. Here they can see the lions, zebras, hippos and lemurs. There is an enclosed butterfly exhibit where the colorful butterflies will land on you! Don't miss the aquarium and planetarium. This zoo is child friendly with viewing platforms designed for the little ones. You can rent a wagon to pull the kids in and there is a playground here too.

Walabi Holland is a fun amusement park located about an hour from Amsterdam. There is something for everyone here including mini rides for the little ones and thrilling roller coasters for your older kids and teenagers.

Rent a canal bike for the family and explore the canals of Amsterdam. These pedal powered boats are lots of fun. You can rent 2 or 4 passenger boats. One of the unique things to do in Amsterdam with kids.

TunFun is a huge playground for babies, toddlers and children up to 12. It is located in a converted tunnel and has ball pits, climbing structures, indoor soccer, trampolines, slides and more. There is a cafe for the parents to relax in as the kids play.

Check out some of the tasty Dutch food for kids to sample on your Amsterdam family holidays. The kids will love the poffertjes which is a thin warm pancake topped with powdered sugar. Sausages are also tasty here. Don't miss a bowl of pea soup filled with vegetables, bacon and sausage!

More info to help you plan:

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