MummyTravels’ guide to Amsterdam with kids
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.
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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
Contents - click to jump to a section
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, Bounce (get 10% off through my link using code MUMMY10) 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.
Check out my full review of Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum with kids, as well as my tips for visiting the Rijksmuseum with kids
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 can even join a stroopwafel workshop to make your own…
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
Wondr/Spongebob/Barbie Dream Experience images courtesy of the attraction, all other 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.
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Definitely – so much for them to do, we didn’t fit it all in. Always love visiting Amsterdam.
Looks lovely.
I love your photos, I really want to go to. Amsterdam one day.
Thanks! It’s a great city.
Thanks for this awesome post, though I will not be traveling with kids I actually am going to use your suggestions of places to visit, eat and getting around.
My pleasure – hope it’s useful! Amsterdam is obviously fantastic without kids as well, and hopefully quite a few useful tips for anyone who wants to visit.
Oh I want to go back to Amsterdam, I went for four hours. What I really want to do is go see Anne Frank’s house. I never even considered it with children but when you put it like that then YES!
Four hours! I’m assuming that was a stopover rather than a decision to spend half a day? 😉 I have seen Anne Frank’s house and I think it’s something everyone should experience, it was incredibly moving. Having said that, I won’t take my daughter (or visit with her) until she’s old enough to begin to understand and to realise why giggling and running around wouldn’t be appropriate. There is so much else to do there until that point though…
I would never have thought about taking Monkey to Amsterdam after several weekends away in my younger years! But the canal cruise sounds great, we love a zoo and the science centre! Maybe we will wait and try the Eurostar as we will have a 4.5yr old and a 6 months old by then. Loads of info and great photos as always xx
Thanks! 🙂 And definitely, I find it so interesting revisiting cities with my daughter, it’s like going somewhere completely new sometimes.
Ive yet to try AirBNB but think it is a great idea especially as I have three children.
I hadn’t tried it before my daughter came along, but it’s brilliant with little ones as you have more space than hotels and often things like high chairs. I can imagine it might work out a lot cheaper with three as well.
A great post. I wouldn’t have considered Amsterdam before with kiddies, but reading this has made me think again. Looks like you had a fab time.
Thanks! We did have a great trip – a lot of people seem to suggest city breaks aren’t doable with kids but actually they can work really well (although a few more zoos, a bit less nightlife and museums perhaps)
Such a comprehensive travel guide to Amsterdam, I would love to go there for a weekend with Emma! I am very tempted by the idea of renting a boat house, how fun!xx
Thanks! Me too – in another few years, when I’m less wary of her falling overboard, I’d love to go back and stay on one.
We usually fly to Amsterdam, but it would be much easier for us to be able to do the Eurostar, so next time we go, I am hoping this will be a good option x
I think I’d be tempted to try Eurostar too – we’re quite close to Heathrow so our flight was very quick, but once you count up checkin and security etc, the train can often be a bit more fun.
Our children loved Amsterdam – it was so easy to navigate around and there were lots of child-friendly attractions too. We only visited on a whistle-stop tour, I’d definitely like to stay for longer next time – maybe explore the xmas markets? #citytripping
It is lovely for families, isn’t it. I’d never thought of Amsterdam for Christmas markets but that would actually be a great time for a trip.
Amsterdam is one of my favourite cities but I’ve never taken my kids. Not because I thought it wasn’t suitable, just because somehow it hasn’t happened. However my 16 year old has been without me and loved it, now to take the 10 year old. You’ve made some really good tips.
So much world, so little time… 🙂 But thanks, and I can imagine 10 or tweens would be a great age to visit too.
We have been to Amsterdam twice in 2003 and 2006. Hoping to go back one day soon. I loved Amsterdam. We had one child when we visited in 2006 and she was only 10 months old. #citytrippin
cheers
Mark
It’s a great city isn’t it, one you can easily go back to – and lots to entertain now they’re older too.
Really informative post, thank you. I’m very keen to take my children to Amsterdam so this is perfect timing and I didn’t know about the new Eurostar routes so that’s really helpful.
#citytripping
Thanks! It’s such a great city – I think the direct route is end of next year although you can buy tickets now as long as you change.
I have never been and would really love to. The pictures look brilliant #citytripping
Thanks! I’ve been a few times, both with and without my daughter, and I love it there.
Snap, we both chose Amsterdam for #citytripping! I wish I had discovered the city years ago. We had a great flight from nearby Humberside Airport so the journey was swift to get there. I hadn’t thought of it as a city for children so we never took our son – and yet it has so much for families.
Great minds! I think it seems to be accepted wisdom that cities aren’t great for kids but actually they’ve usually got loads to do.
What a fab round-up of your stay. I loved your posts about the zoo and science centre. You’ve definitely helped to reveal a different side of Amsterdam! Sadly the only side I’ve seen is the business district when I was there for less than 24 hours for a work meeting. I saw the airport and the inside of a taxi 🙁 #citytripping
This post makes me want to go back to Amsterdam. There is so much stuff to do! I loved the canal cruise. I am seriously considering staying on a boat house.
There is, isn’t there! I could easily have spent another couple of days doing some of the other family-friendly things on my list – the canal cruise is always a really fun introduction.
we have never taken the kids, but know Jess really wants to go. It sounds to me like a fab place with families, but especially now they’re a bit earlier so we can enjoy the art stuff too…
Absolutely, it works so well for different ages – the galleries and Anne Frank house once they’re older, but also wandering the Negen Straatjes for the quirky shops, enjoying a few of the more unusual museusm as well. It’s one of those cities, I think you can go back to again and again and rediscover it each time.
You’re right it’s not the first place that springs to mind when considering the kids, but there is so much to do! And I love the idea of staying on a canal boat – I think we’d all be excited. Thanks for hosting #citytripping
So much – we could easily have filled a week, and that’s just with what’s suitable for preschoolers. The boat idea is tempting a lot of people! 😉
Our friends in Holland have pancakes for dinner – yes, pancakes have their special place in Dutch menu 🙂 Great tips, thank you!
My pleasure – and I think that’s a great idea!
I was in Amsterdam pre-children but it does look like somewhere you could enjoy with youngsters. Mine never fail to enjoy a river trip. #citytripping
There is something about going on the water isn’t there – I’ve done a few boat trips with my daughter and they always seem to go down well.
A very comprehensive guide Cathy! We were only in Amsterdam very briefly with our daughter so be good to go back with her. Anne Franks house is a must-see. Very emotional. #citytripping
Thanks! I’d love to go back when my daughter is older too.