Visit Nemo Science Center, Amsterdam
It’s fascinating to see my daughter discovering the world. And so I’ve rediscovered a love of science museums, where the exhibits and displays help her do exactly that.
From Glasgow, where we spent a whole day playing in toddler heaven to the Science Museum in London, I’ve found that today’s interactive museums are a long way from dusty fusty cases straight from an uninspired lesson plan.
So Nemo Science Center in Amsterdam was high on our list when we visited the city. And it actually exceeded our expectations – this place was huge fun, while managing to simultaneously entertain three different generations.
Spread over three floors, during our visit they were busy renovating the top to create a new restaurant, along with an incredible rooftop cafe and viewpoint (closed for high winds unfortunately so we couldn’t check it out) and a summer family space plus cafe, lockers and gift shop on the ground.
Even the sculptures outside the striking building, designed by Renzo Piano, get you in the mood to think and observe before you step through the door.
Then there are different displays and exhibits, themed by different branches of science, around the building, including sensory exhibits and lots of chances to get hands on.
What really stood out for me was the way it was enjoyable for even the youngest visitors – there seemed to have been a lot of thought put in to ensure the different options worked on a lot of different levels, from toddlers up.
So, for example, a machine teaching about DNA and hereditary traits let you choose different facial aspects throughout a family tree – an older child could see how picking blue or brown eyes in a grandparent might affect how the eventual offspring would look.
An even older one might start to understand the difference between recessive and dominant genes.
A two-year-old, meanwhile, can enjoy pushing different buttons and seeing the eventual face change. Superficial, yes, but a lot of fun – and who knows what sparks the imagination and interest.
Equally, Minnie had huge amounts of fun doing ‘puzzles’ – including slotting organs neatly into a body.
Whether she registered anything about what they were, I don’t know, but it was a great way to test her co-ordination and awareness of shapes. She was pretty fast actually.
At the start, on floor 1, there’s also a succession of small displays which seem perfectly designed for a short attention span – making huge soap bubbles…
Or watching air blow a ball high in the air… even if the scientific principles probably weren’t at the forefront of her mind.
Even seeing sparks. Frankly, I’m always a bit enthralled by these myself.
Each fascinated her, then as her attention flitted away, there was another just next door. With older kids, you could get engrossed in something and dig deeper to understand more, but if you’ve got an easily distracted toddler, it’s just as much fun to try and then scamper on.
Some did take a bit more effort, harnessing the power of water to make a doll spin, for example, or choosing a precise succession of balls to make levers open – frankly that one stumped me a bit.
There’s also a ‘teen facts’ section, plus a lab where you could get more hands on – although I skipped that particular opportunity with a two-year-old.
Sometimes, you just have to leave it to the experts. As any parent knows, one thing toddlers need to learn about is consequences – here, they were transformed into a chain reaction which reminded me of a gigantic game of Mouse Trap.
One volunteer from the audience pushed over the first domino, and set the chain reaction going. I can’t imagine how long it took to set the whole display up, as a succession of impacts, unexpected results and a small amount of help from one member of staff watched cause trigger effect – and a rocket took off.
The demo was done in both Dutch and English, although at fairly excitable speed it wasn’t always apparent which was which – frankly we were just trying to follow everything as it moved around the space.
In reality, that’s just a few of my own edited highlights – I couldn’t possibly list everything, with something new to discover around every corner.
There’s no doubt that Amsterdam’s science museum is somewhere you could happily spend a day experimenting and playing – or return again and again to find something new.
Need to know: Nemo Science Museum, Amsterdam
Entry costs 17.50 Euros for adults and children aged over four, under fours are free. You must buy tickets for a specific time slot – there may be some available on the day but prebooking is recommended. Or I Amsterdam card holders go free.
Nemo is open from 10am to 5.30pm on Tuesday to Sunday, and on Mondays during school holidays as well as from April to August. Unsurprisingly it’s busiest at weekends and school holidays, so you’re best arriving earlier or later in the afternoon during peak times.
There are lockers for big bags, and buggies can be left nearby (although not locked away).
To get to Nemo science centre, it’s around a 15 minute walk along the waterfront from Centraal Station or take bus 22 or 48 to Kadijksplein. You’re also next door to the Maritime Museum so it’s easy to combine visits to both.
For ideas of more things to do in Amsterdam with a toddler, check out this list, as well as more ideas of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids
PIN FOR LATER: NEMO SCIENCE MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM
Disclosure: My I Amsterdam card was courtesy of the Amsterdam tourist board. The decision to visit Nemo, all opinions and inquisitive toddlers are my own.
Images copyright MummyTravels
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We love Science museums, one of our favourites is in London and we have been to a few more in different parts of the world with the kids. This one looks fantastic, both our kids would have so much fun here! Thanks for sharing 🙂 #MondayEscapes
The London one is great too, isn’t it – think they’d love the Amsterdam one too.
Funnily, I was just discussing Amsterdam with someone today!! So much to see & do!
Coincidence! It’s a great place to visit – loads to do.
Wow this museum looks like so much fun – definitely reminds me of the science museum in London which is my All time favourite museum (well…..so far!). Love the idea of the Amsterdam card which lets you into a few attractions.
This looks great, we went to a similar one in OC, California and although much younger than the intended audience our then 15 month old loved it too. It’s so great to see them enjoying learning so much. #mondayescapes
It’s fascinating, isn’t it – like little sponges, you can almost see the neurons firing!
Looks like a lot of fun, will have to make note of this place for next time we are in Amsterdam!
It’s so much fun for kids – definitely worth a visit.
A great place to visit – Amsterdam really is very family friendly.
It really is – was so much to do with my daughter, we ran out of time.
Our family loves visiting science museums. We are members of the one in our home city of Perth which gives us access to others around the world I’ll have to check if Amsterdam is on the list.
I think they’ve definitely improved since I was a child. That’s a lovely idea being able to access others too with your membership.
I’ve enjoyed this summer holiday so much more because we’ve been rediscovering the world through Tin Box Tot’s eyes. I think she (and I) would have a ball at Nemo #MondayEscapes
I’m sure – it is fun watching them discover and learn, or just to see something new for the first time.
I’d seen the Nemo from outside when I visited Amsterdam but had no idea what was inside! From the looks of it, your daughter would enjoy Camera Obscura in Edinburgh, have you been there?
I haven’t been for ages myself and not to Edinburgh with her at all yet – had forgotten all about it but I think she’d be fascinated. Great suggestion!
Looks like a great place to visit. My sister in law lives in Amsterdam so I’ve been reading your posts for some tips! #MondayEscapes
It’s so much fun – Amsterdam is great though, lovely to have family to visit there as an excuse to keep visiting 🙂 Hope the posts are helpful!
The interactive museums are great aren’t they – I love them as much as the kids I think! Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes 🙂
They really are – I’m sure they weren’t as much fun when I was younger!
This looks amazing -and brilliantly illustrated with your photos. This is how science lessons should be taught! Forget the children – I need to go! I especially like the idea of the genealogy exhibit. Thanks for guest hosting #mondayescapes
Thanks! And absolutely – so much more interesting this way. I’m sure I learned about as much 🙂
Nemo looks like a great museum – it’s always good if it can be fun for all ages. We’ve been to The Think Tank in Birmingham a couple of times which both children enjoy although admitted the older one more than the youngest! #MondayEscapes
I was so impressed with the way it seemed to work on so many levels – I’m sure older kids would take more from it but to start getting younger ones interested at the same time is such a great thing. I haven’t been to the Birmingham one yet so maybe that should be on the list.
Wow, it’s nice how museums are getting more and more interactive…that makes visiting and learning more fun, both for children and adults 🙂 This definetely seems an interesting museum to visit, thanks for sharing!
Definitely – so much more interesting than just looking in glass boxes (however old you are!)
Looks like a great museum. I love checking out places in other parts of the world as we are spoilt for choice in London. #MondayEscapes
It’s interesting to compare – although I do find we often explore more on our travels than what’s on the doorstep.
This looks fantastic! Do you think it rivals the science museums we have in the UK? I haven’t been to the London one since I was a kid, so I don’t remember.
The DNA section looks particularly awesome, and I bet school age children would really learn a lot (and maybe even me!)
Kat x
I definitely do – I was impressed at the London science museum when we visited in Spring, so much more to do and try than I remember. The London one is bigger too but for sheer interactive fun, I think Amsterdam had the edge.
This looks fabulous! One of our favourites places in Boston is the Museum of Science, brilliant for kids and adults 🙂 #mondayescapes
I think they’re fantastic with kids especially – more so sometimes than the main attractions of a city!
Science museums are awesome! I always used to love these as a kid, they were just brilliant. Even had my first kiss in one 😀 Amsterdam is definitely one place I would love to visit with my family – will have to keep this place in mind! #mondayescapes
That’s some great memories! I just remember being a bit bored, so either I didn’t appreciate them or they’ve improved a lot. This was really fun though.
I can’t wait for arj to be a little older to explore at amazing places like these though we may end up sticking to the science museum in London unfortunately! #mondayescapes
The Science museum in London is fantastic – there are some lovely sections for under fives as well, which we explored when we visited.
There is nothing like a science museum to appeal to literally all ages! I loved how many photos you have of the specific exhibits. So much fun!
Thanks! It really did manage to entertain our whole family from two to sixty-something 🙂
What a cool place! And, designed by Renzo Piano? That adds extra points to the coolness factor. It looks like you daughter had a blast. She looks so into the exhibitions.
The building is incredible, really unusual – and yes, she had a fantastic time, just fascinated by everything and flitting from exhibit to exhibit.
Neat! The last time I went to a science museum, I was a kid – I remember it being so much fun. Hmm…need to go find me a kid so I can go back…
They’re a good excuse!
Good on you for taking a toddler to the science museum. I think getting the brain to be interactive right from the start is the best way to be with kids. They are learning far more than we realise they are.
We just took Big tantrum to the museum in Melbourne to look at ‘dinosaur bones’ and he has been talking about it ever since. Museums have improved so much and are really aimed at all different learning types. They are so interactive and fun to explore.
Thanks – and definitely, they’re like little sponges soaking everything up even in day-to-day life, so this sort of place is incredible to get them thinking and learning. My daughter’s the same about dinosaurs too, we went to a couple of museums earlier this year with dinosaur bones and she still talks about those.
This museum looks amazing, I would love to take Monkey here when he’s a bit older – maybe I can convince hubby to go on a city break soon…. 🙂 thank you for sharing and hosting this week. #MondayEscapes xx
Definitely a good place for a city break (with or without kids!) – sure Monkey would love it at Nemo too.
Great post Cathy, I love your images. Science museums with little ones are so much fun. I love watching my boys learning through doing! Nemo will go on my future place to visit list!
Thanks Lisa! It is fascinating for me to watch her, can practically see the little wheels turning 🙂
This looks a wonderful interactive museum for kids of all ages Cathy! My little granddaughter is 2 and a half and so curious about things – alas we live in Perth Western Australia so I can’t take her to visit any time soon but sounds like they have really thought of ways to engage even the youngest children in exploring and learning!
I was so impressed – they really have set it up so there’s something for all ages.