If you don’t instantly think of Amsterdam for a child-friendly city break, think again. Because – and it hardly needs saying – there’s far more to the city than red lights and those coffee shops, with so many things to do in Amsterdam with children, as my guide to Amsterdam with kids goes to show.
ad – contains paid content/affiliate links*
You’ve got all the attractions of a major city, linked by picturesque canals overlooked by gabled houses, plus plenty of green space in between. And along with the famous art museums, zoo and science centre, the friendly Dutch are very welcoming to families. Just don’t step out in front of the bikes.
With flights, ferries and Eurostar to get you there, it’s easy to discover for a weekend break as well – and check out my photos if you need any more tempting. Here are my top tips for Amsterdam with kids
Amsterdam: Getting there/around
Eurostar has a direct train service from the UK, taking around four hours from London to Amsterdam, without having to change for customs at Brussels.
If you’re in the north of England, DFDS ferries cross daily from Newcastle – it’s an overnight crossing which is ideal if you’re visiting Amsterdam with kids: curl up in a cabin at night and wake up raring to explore. Alternatively, you can get a ferry with P&O from Hull to Rotterdam, which is then only a short train journey from Amsterdam.
There are a string of low-cost and national airlines flying to Schipol Airport every day, around a one-hour flight from London.
Trains run 24 hours a day from Schipol to Centraal station with single use tickets available from machines. Look for the ones with the blue top – those with a yellow top are only for travellers with passes, one of the lessons I learned along the way!
These tickets aren’t covered by the I Amsterdam card but trams and buses in the centre are, so it’s very straightforward to get around, plus you can also use contactless for adult tickets and kids aged 12+ who pay adult fares. The train network also makes it very easy to explore further afield, if you’re planning any day trips from Amsterdam with kids.
There is currently no visa needed for UK or EU citizens.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
On our last visit, we stayed in AirBNB, which I love when you’re travelling with younger kids in particular – space to spread out after their bedtime and we were an easy distance from the city centre.
But Amsterdam specialises in all kinds of quirky hotels, from five-star glamour to converted canal houses as well as canal houseboats to rent if you’re looking for alternatives to self-catering.
I’m a big fan of Plum Guide, which has a range of accommodation that’s been individually vetted, and which you can filter if you’re travelling with babies or kids, including some great places to stay in Amsterdam with kids.
If you prefer the idea of hotels in Amsterdam, check out the options from Booking.com.
If you’re looking for somewhere to store your bags before checking in or after you leave your accommodation, Stasher and Luggage Hero have a string of secure baggage storage points around the city
What to do in Amsterdam with children
There’s plenty to entertain children of every age – including a toddler, as I discovered. If you’re not sure where to start, here are my top things to do in Amsterdam with kids to give you some more ideas.
Canal cruise
I recommend starting with a canal cruise to get your bearings and see some of the architecture.
There are several child-friendly options including the main 75-minute City Canal cruise or the kids cruise with its wannabe pirate commentary, or hop on and off as you please with the Amsterdam Canal Bus.
Get outdoors
Amsterdam also has some lovely green space to break up the museums or to escape the summer heat – the Vondelpark is worth a wander at any time though.
Or head to the Westerpark in Amsterdam West which also has a splash pool for sunny days, as well as plenty of green space. The Hortus Botanicus, or Botanical Gardens, are also included in the I Amsterdam card for a slightly different way to get outdoors.
Family attractions
Another favourite with younger kids – although there’s plenty for a variety of ages – is NEMO Science Center. Lots of chance to get hands on with the interactive exhibits, there are some live shows and the roof garden also has one of the best views of the city
You can easily spend a day at Artis Zoo too – as well as the animals, there’s a planetarium, aquarium and even a section on some of the microorganisms which share our world. Perfect for kids of all ages.
Or there’s a huge amount of fun for everyone in the family at two of Amsterdam’s newest attractions, which are (handily) right next to each other. The Wondr Experience is home to Europe’s largest ball pit, as well as a sea of teddy bears, a pool full of marshmallows, confetti showers, a magical kaleidoscope and more, including a SpongeBob themed zone.
Or the 12 interactive themed zones of the Barbie: The Dream Experience are fantastic for Barbie fans of all ages – and it’s only in Amsterdam. Relive a few childhood dreams and some iconic Barbie moments from across six decades, including the chance to head down the Dream House Slide.
Both attractions are one metro stop from the city’s Central Station, or a ride on the free ferry, and you can come away with professional quality photos at both attractions – not to mention some exclusive merchandise at Barbie: The Dream Experience, which also has a kids’ menu in its cafe.
There are some other big name family attractions in Amsterdam too, including Madame Tussauds and the Amsterdam Dungeon. Or if your kids love the weird and wonderful, how about Ripley’s Believe It or Not?
Get more ideas of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids here
Museums
Amsterdam is rightly famous for its art galleries , especially the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum and Stedelijk museum. All have some activities for younger children and sit almost next-door to each other
If you’re not sure which to choose, some are included in the I Amsterdam card, or here are my five top tips for visiting the Van Gogh museum with younger kids. Or STRAAT is dedicated to street art for an alternative experience to appeal to teens, along with modern art at Moco Museum.
The city also has an impressive number of very quirky museums – some more child-friendly than others. The Kattenkabinet is packed with cat-related art and more, while you could learn about canal life at the Houseboat Museum or discover more about the human body at the interactive Museum Vrolik. You can even board a ship at the National Maritime Museum.
Sadly, the quirky Tassenmuseum, which focused on bags and purses and was a fascinating mix of culture, history and style is sadly now closed.
And if you’re visiting with older children, you can’t miss the Anne Frank House – an incredibly moving experience. Make sure you book your tickets online well in advance.
What to eat in Amsterdam
Traditional Dutch food focuses on filling you up more than fine dining, although that’s no bad thing with kids.
Don’t leave without trying the pancakes – locals love Pancakes! in the Jordaan as much as as tourists, with weird and wonderful combinations like bacon, banana and chilli pepper along with less exotic ‘pannekoek’ toppings.
There’s plenty of street food for on the go: try chips with mayonnaise, or ‘vlaamse frites’, as well as herring (although pre-schoolers are unlikely to be lining up for the raw fish in a bun of ‘broodje haring’).
And stroopwafel are best eaten after balancing them above a hot drink to melt the caramel. Although I rarely say no to stroopwafel at any time!
You’ll also find plenty of Indonesian food, a legacy of Amsterdam’s colonial past, along with all the usual global cuisines, from pizza to hamburgers…
Amsterdam with kids: Plan your visit
The I Amsterdam card can be a great money saver, especially if you’ll be taking trams around the city – check out my review to decide if it’s worth it.
There are also several Amsterdam guide books for kids along with my own personal recommendation of Lonely Planet’s various guides to the city, including a Pocket guide and full-size guide book.
For more information, the city’s tourist information site is at iamsterdam.com/en and if you’re planning to venture further afield, there are more ideas for day trips from Amsterdam.
*First published 2015, last updated 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: GUIDE TO AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS
All images copyright MummyTravels
Disclosure: This post contains paid content and affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions remain my own.
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER