AMSTERDAM WITH CHILDREN
STAYING CONNECTED AND TRANSPORTATION
Amsterdam is a great destination for families. From vibrant street life to peaceful pond-filled parks, engaging and interactive museums to sit-back-and-relax canal cruises, Amsterdam (and the Netherlands in general) has something fun for every age.
Trip Tips
PLAN AHEAD
Involve your kids in trip planning. Have them read about the places you may include in your itinerary (even the hotels you’re considering) and let them help with your decisions.
Where to Stay
• Choose hotels in a kid-friendly area near a park. The neighborhoods near Vondelpark and Museumplein are both good.
• Minimize hotel changes by planning three-day stays or consider renting an apartment (for more on short-term rentals, see the Practicalities chapter).
What to Bring
• If traveling with infants, plan on bringing a light stroller for neighborhood walks and a child backpack for tram rides.
• Bring drawing supplies and English-language books, as these can be harder to find and pricey in the Netherlands.
• For a touch of home at the hotel, download some favorite television shows or movies onto your electronic devices.
Paying for Public Transport
• If you’ll be taking transportation with your kids, plan ahead to make sure each family member has a contactless way to pay: The Netherlands-wide OVpay system—allowing you to tap in and out with a credit card for any ride on local or domestic transportation—is slick and easy (explained on here). Each member of your family age 4 and up must have their own payment method: a contactless credit card, a smartphone, or a smartwatch equipped with a payment app (such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet). Children ages 4 to 11 may be eligible for some discounted fares (kids under age 4 are free to ride with their parents.) For details, see www.ov-chipkaart.nl [URL inactive].
• If contactless pay isn’t feasible for your entire family, plan ahead for other options. You can buy individual tickets or multi-day passes, but be aware that vending machines and ticket offices are scarce (you’ll most likely find them inside Metro stations; for other locations near Centraal station, see here). Another option is to download the 9292 app and set it up before your trip with a credit card: This allows you to buy individual tickets as you travel. You can then scan these tickets with your phone as you use public transport.
EATING
Try these tips to keep your kids content throughout the day.
• Be sure to start with a good breakfast (at hotels and B&Bs, breakfast is nearly always included).
• Picnic lunches or dinners work well. Try large grocery stores, like the popular Albert Heijn supermarket chain. Having snacks on hand can prevent meltdowns.
• As a treat, stop for friets (fries), pannenkoeken (pancakes), or stroopwafels (a delicious cookie-waffle hybrid). You can typically find any of these Dutch specialties at street stands around the city.
• Kids will have fun choosing their meal from a Febo. This wall of coin-op windows features row upon row of warmed-up (though not necessarily healthy) food, such as burgers and fried chicken sticks (see here). Also, department-store cafeterias are centrally located and a safe bet for kid-friendly food.
• For older kids, be aware that the legal drinking age is 18.
SIGHTSEEING
The key to a successful Dutch family vacation is to slow down.
Planning Your Time
• Involve your children in the trip. Let them help choose daily activities, lead you on the tram, and so on.
• Older kids and teens can help plan the details of a museum visit, such as what to see, how to get there, and ticketing details.
• Balance your museum-going with fun and energetic activities, like biking or playing in a park. Tackle one or two key sights each day, mix in a healthy dose of pure fun, and take extended breaks when needed.
Successful Sightseeing
• Follow this book’s crowd-beating tips. Kids despise long lines even more than you do.
• Seek out museums with kid appeal and interactive exhibits, such as the NEMO science museum or Tropical Museum Junior. Ask at TIs about kid-friendly activities. For other museums, limit visits to 45 minutes—period! Kids will tolerate a little culture if it’s short and focused, with plenty of breaks.
• Deputize your child to lead you on my self-guided walks and museum tours.
• Museum audioguides are great for older children. For younger children, hit the gift shop first so you can buy postcards; then hold a scavenger hunt to find the pictured artwork (or give them this book with its photos). If boredom sets in, try “I spy” games or have them count how many babies or dogs they can spot in all the paintings in the room.
• Bring a sketchbook to a museum and encourage kids to select a painting to draw. It’s a great way for them to slow down and observe.
• Public WCs are hard to find: Try museums, bars, and fast-food restaurants.
• Take a bike tour with the family.
Making or Finding Quality Souvenirs
• Buy your kids a trip journal and encourage them to write down their observations, thoughts, and favorite memories. It could end up being their favorite souvenir.
• For a group project, keep a family journal. Pack a small diary and a glue stick. While relaxing at a café, take turns writing or drawing about the day’s events and include mementos such as museum brochures and postcards.
• Teens might love shopping (or even window-shopping). See the Shopping in Amsterdam chapter for fun areas.
• The picture-book bunny called Nijntje (known as Miffy in English) shows up all over town, especially in stuffed-animal form. There’s even a whole shop devoted to the character (see here).
MONEY AND SAFETY
Before your trip gets under way, talk to your kids about safety and money.
• Give your child a money belt and an expanded allowance; you are on vacation, after all. Let your children budget their funds by comparing and contrasting the dollar and euro.
• If you allow kids to explore a museum or neighborhood on their own, be sure to establish a clear meeting time and place.
• It’s good to have a “what if” procedure in place in case something goes wrong. If your child has a mobile phone, enable the “Find My Phone” feature in case you get separated. Give your kids your hotel’s business card, your phone number, and emergency taxi fare. Show them how to make calls in the Netherlands, or tell them to ask to use the phone at a hotel if they are lost.
STAYING CONNECTED AND TRANSPORTATION
• Wi-Fi is readily—and conveniently—available at hotels, some cafés, and all Starbucks and McDonald’s.
• Most parents find it worth the peace of mind to buy a supplemental messaging plan for the whole family: Adults can stay connected to teenagers while allowing them maximum independence, and teens can keep in touch with friends both old and new via apps such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Google Chat, or Skype.
• Children under age 4 ride for free and kids 4-11 get a discounted rate on public transportation. Light strollers usually work fine on the tram (enter through the large central doors near the conductor; there are designated stroller areas, look for a stroller icon on the floor), but backpacks are easier.
• If you’re taking the train to another city, check for family and youth discounts; see the Practicalities chapter for details.
Sights and Activities
NEMO (National Center for Science and Technology)
This waterfront science museum for children offers a world of hands-on explorations, from building a bridge to conducting scientific experiments. See listing on here.
Netherlands Maritime Museum (Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum)
This comprehensive collection of model ships and instruments includes several exhibitions geared toward children. At the museum’s dock is the Amsterdam, a replica of an 18th-century sailing ship, and a royal barge. See here for details.
Dutch Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum)
Both educational and interactive, the excellent junior section of this WWII museum lets kids follow the stories of four children who lived through the war. Kids can wander through different homes, exploring hidden rooms and playing games where they make decisions based on wartime scenarios. This section makes a great introduction to some of the heavier content in the museum. See listing on here.
Jewish Museum (Joods Museum)
Amsterdam’s Jewish Museum has a fine “junior” section designed to teach kids about Jewish culture and customs. In addition to displays exploring topics of Judaism, the “junior” area is decorated like the home of a Jewish family. Several hands-on rooms often host activities, such as baking challah bread and writing in Hebrew, and, by touching the “talking wall,” visitors can learn about the history of Amsterdam’s Jews. See listing on here.
World Museum Junior (Wereldmuseum Junior)
Part of the Wereldmuseum, this interactive section for children has exhibits with changing themes. The kid focus means displays are lively and engaging, but all signage is in Dutch. On weekends there are participatory dance, music, and arts and crafts programs, all conducted in Dutch (booking office +31 88 004 2840, https://amsterdam.wereldmuseum.nl). See listing on here.
Van Gogh Museum
The artist’s swirling, colorful, emotional work can be easier for kids to appreciate than dark Rembrandts. Van Gogh’s relatively simple subjects (self-portraits, bedroom furniture, sunflowers, sowers in fields) can be taken in at a glance. His work is childlike in a way—his broad, vibrant strokes resemble children’s drawings with color crayons. For older, more discerning children, it’s a good experience to be able to focus on one artist’s work, seeing an evolution in style over time. The museum offers various hands-on activities for children, including a treasure hunt and painting workshops (available with instruction in English on request; contact reservations@vangoghmuseum.nl).
See the Van Gogh Museum Tour chapter.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is a must-see destination, but it can be challenging to keep kids’ interest here. To make things a little more interactive, the museum offers a one-hour Family Quest tour for kids 7-12. For kids 13-18 with smartphones and earbuds, there’s a Snapguide, a free tour with challenges incorporating the phone’s camera. The museum’s outdoor gallery features a kids’ area with playground equipment and a playful water fountain.
See the Rijksmuseum Tour chapter.
Anne Frank House
A visit to the place where Anne Frank and her family hid for two years can be a powerful experience, especially for children who have read her journal or watched the movie. The museum recommends the visit for children ages 10 and up, and its website supplies supplementary in-depth information about Anne and World War II.
See the Anne Frank House Tour chapter.
Mouse Mansion (Het Muizenhuis)
Kids are fascinated by this enchanting shop, crammed with dioramas of mouse dolls at work and play in intricately detailed displays. This family-run shop features the creations of artist Kaarina Schaapman. Using recycled materials, she started building the original mouse house in 2008 to photograph for a children’s book and has been expanding the mouse world ever since. Be prepared to come away with books (available in English) or toys featuring the mouse citizens (daily, Muntplein 8, www.themousemansion.com).
A’DAM Tower and This Is Holland
Take the free ferry over to North Amsterdam and enjoy some poffertjes and soft drinks while you admire 360-degree views of the city at A’DAM Tower, then take a thrill ride on the Tower’s sky-high swing over the IJ or virtual rollercoaster, or “fly” over the Netherlands at the This Is Holland attraction next door (both described on here).
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Amsterdam is filled with great parks that are fun for kids, especially Vondelpark, Amstelpark, and Woeste Westen. Other good outdoor spaces include:
• Museumplein, with a playground adjacent to the Cobra Café and a big grassy area for running and picnicking.
• Oosterpark, south of the zoo, with a pond, wading pool, and free Wi-Fi.
• Outdoor markets, for kids who enjoy browsing: Check out the Waterlooplein flea market (see here), or explore the Albert Cuyp street market (see here) and head to Sarphatipark for a picnic afterward.
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is the largest and most famous park in Amsterdam. It’s great for people-watching and has plenty of space for kids to run free, including several fun playground areas (such as the delightful treehouse structure nearly hidden in the woods, about mid-park). Cycling through Vondelpark on one of its many bike paths is great for a family outing (see here).
Amstelpark
Located at the southern edge of the city, Amstelpark has plenty of gardens and green space, along with extra entertainment for kids, including a train ride, small amusement park, petting zoo, playground, and miniature golf.
Cost and Hours: Free to enter but fee for some of the activities; open days and hours vary by month and attraction—check the website for details; take tram #4 or the Metro to RAI station, then walk 10 minutes; +31 20 644 1744, www.speeltuin-amstelpark.nl.
Woeste Westen
At this “adventurous nature playground,” located in the northwest corner of Westerpark, kids 13 and under are welcome to climb logs, wade across streams, paddle rafts, play with sand, and tread through the tall grass and trees. Just make sure to bring a change of clothes, as this place can get messy.
Cost and Hours: Free; always open but playground supervisor and main building are accessible during certain hours, starting daily between 11:00 and 13:00 and closing at 18:00; Overbrakerpad 3, www.woestewesten.nl.
OTHER KID-CENTRIC ATTRACTIONS
Canal Cruises
A canal boat ride is a great way to view the city from a new perspective, especially after a long day of walking on little feet. Cruises last about an hour and leave from various docks around the city. For a longer outing, join Wetlands Safari for a canoe trip through the beautiful Dutch countryside (see “Tours in Amsterdam” on here).
Artis Royal Zoo (Natura Artis Magistra)
The Artis is a convenient escape from the bustle of Amsterdam. Besides legions of plants and animals, these historical grounds also feature a planetarium, aquarium, insectarium, and butterfly pavilion. Kids can wander through the petting zoo or learn about animal training and care in one of the daily programs.
Cost and Hours: €21 for kids 3-12, €25 for 13 and older, free for kids under 3; daily 9:00-18:00, Nov-Feb until 17:00; Plantage Kerklaan 38—take tram #14 (from Centraal station or from Dam Square) and get off at Artis stop; +31 20 523 3670, www.artis.nl.
Nearby: The botanical gardens (Hortus Botanicus) are a couple of blocks away, offering a lovely butterfly greenhouse (see here). Oosterpark, with a pond and wading pool, is south of the zoo. Take tram #14 to Alexanderplein and transfer to tram #19 (direction: Diemen Sniep) for the short ride to the park.
Amsterdam Marionette Theatre
Beautiful wooden marionettes come to life in shows based on classics from opera and musical theater. Though performances are in Dutch, kids should still find the visuals and music entertaining regardless of the language barrier. Bonus: A playground is just outside the theater.
Cost and Hours: Typically €9 for kids 7-14 and €18.50 for 14 and older, performances generally Sun at 14:30, may be more frequent outside of summer—see latest schedule on website, Nieuwe Jonkerstraat 8, +31 20 620 8027, www.marionettentheater.nl.
Wind n’ Wheels
Try land sailing on a go-cart. Each person sits in his or her own “land yacht” (like a sailboat on wheels), but two-seaters are also available for parents with younger kids or those who prefer to ride with an instructor (must be at least 11 years old to drive). The location, along the water east of the central city, is famously breezy, but if there’s not enough wind to keep the vehicles sailing you can try other activities, such as bouldering, boules, and disc golf.
Cost and Hours: €37.50 for 1.5-hour sailing clinic; Mon-Tue by appointment, Wed-Fri from 12:00, Sat-Sun from 10:00; IJdijk 10—take tram #26 from Centraal station (direction: Ijburg) to the Bob Haarmslaan stop; +31 20 752 1790, www.windnwheels.nl.
SIGHTS OUTSIDE AMSTERDAM
Railway Museum (Spoorwegmuseum)
Just 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam, Utrecht’s Railway Museum is a fun mix of exhibits, historic locomotives, and rides, including a roller coaster and miniature train. See listing on here.
Scheveningen
What kid doesn’t like a beach? This popular spot, near The Hague and Delft, is great on a sunny day. Expect cafés, shops, a boardwalk, bungee-jumping fun, a wide beach, and sun worshippers. See listing on here.
Madurodam
With replicas of ships, canals, windmills, and the airport, this miniature theme park in The Hague makes even the smallest kids feel like giants. See here.
Cost and Hours: €22.50, free for kids 2 and under, family tickets and discounts available online; open daily 10:00-17:00 but check website for possible longer hours, last entry one hour before closing; George Maduroplein 1, +31 70 416 2400, www.madurodam.nl.
Open-Air Museums
With old structures to explore (farmhouses, schools, windmills), fun interactive activities, and workers dressed up in period costumes, open-air museums are great for kids of all ages. The excellent Enkhuizen Zuiderzee, an hour north of Amsterdam, is a re-creation of an early-1900s fishing village, where kids can try out chores that Zuiderzee children used to do and craft a ship out of old wooden shoes (see here); if you have extra time, spend it in the pleasant town of Enkhuizen. Holland’s first folk museum (and one of its finest) is found in Arnhem, an hour southwest from Amsterdam (see here); although the museum is great, the town has little to offer tourists. If you prefer a museum closer to Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is handy, though also more touristy and commercial (charging separate prices for most exhibits rather than one overall admission fee). Its main attractions include a clock museum, a cookie factory, and an abundance of windmills (about 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, plus a 15-minute walk; see here).
De Adriaan Windmill
For kids, a trip to the Netherlands would not be complete without visiting a windmill. Haarlem’s town windmill offers nice views from the top, along with exhibits, videos, and demonstrations on how it all works. See listing on here.
Zandvoort
The coastal town of Zandvoort is a fun family outing, with its large sandy beach, pedestrian promenade, and abundance of ice-cream shops. It’s easy to reach by train (about 10 minutes from Haarlem and 30 minutes from Amsterdam), and the beach is only 150 yards from the station. If you’re staying in Haarlem, consider renting bikes and cycling to the shore—it’s a flat ride that takes less than an hour (but consider the wind factor). See listing on here.
