Amsterdam with Kids: Complete Guide

Heading to Amsterdam and looking for things to do with kids?

I recently visited Amsterdam with my two kids, who are 12 and 4 years old. We spent a few nights right in the city centre, and explored many of the family-friendly things to do.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city, and makes a great family visit.

I hope to share with you what things there are to do with kids in Amsterdam to allow for a memorable family trip!

Is Amsterdam Child-Friendly?

If you’re wondering how child-friendly Amsterdam is, then I can tell you that yes, Amsterdam is a child-friendly and family-friendly city.

There are a few things to keep in mind about Amsterdam with kids, but its overall a great family destination.

The main things that we found child-friendly about Amsterdam are:

✅ It’s very walkable and feels safe

✅ The foods you can find in Amsterdam will be popular with kids – Dutch pancakes, waffles, fries, mmm. Plus, there’s huge variety in the food scene.

✅ There tend not to be many minimum ages for things. Whether it’s an evening boat cruise, or pubs – children tend to be welcome everywhere in Amsterdam!

Things to Keep in Mind About Amsterdam

I’m not saying to not visit Amsterdam over these things, but they are good to know in advance!

✅ It’s a busy city. There aren’t many cars, but there are a lot of bikes and you need to watch out for them when walking around. Stay off bike lanes.

✅ While Amsterdam is popular for all ages (families, couples, and the elderly), this means it draws lots of people going there to party as well. Be sure to choose somewhere quiet to stay at night so kids get a good night’s rest.

✅ When shopping for Dutch souvenirs, be aware that there are some risqué souvenirs in the shops, related to its Red Light District culture

✅ Contrary to popular belief, we didn’t find that there were a ton of playgrounds in Amsterdam. If you’re determined to have your kids play at a playground in Amsterdam, then find a list of them here and plan in advance!

Now, with all that being said – there are some very family-friendly things to do in Amsterdam, which I’ll share below.

Best Things to Do in Amsterdam with Kids

1. Do a canal cruise

You definitely can’t leave Amsterdam without doing a canal cruise. Boat cruises through the canals are offered by many different companies, there are several to choose from.

We decided to go with Amsterdam Boat Trips because they specifically mentioned that their boat tours welcome children. (I’m sure others do as well, but we found that one first and everything about it seemed wonderful so we booked it.)

We booked their cheese and drinks tour, because my kids love to snack, and I knew it would be a hit.

Here are some of the other providers for Amsterdam boat cruises that welcome kids:

• Cheese and Drink Tour through Get Your Guide (1 hour long, $25 per person)
• Small Group Canal Tour with Dutch Snacks and Bar (2 hours long, $50 per person – likely because of all the food)

2. Spend time in Vondelpark

Vondel Park is a large, historic park in the centre of Amsterdam. It’s the largest park in the city, and full of trails, ponds, and even restaurants and cafes.

Vondel Park is such a nice place to stroll through, especially along the rivers and ponds.

We decided to meet friends of ours in Vondel Park, because it was a hot day and the park is well-shaded with lots of trees.

Be sure to be mindful of bike traffic in Vondel Park, as many bikes pass through it.

There are a few restaurants and public washrooms within the park. De Vondeltuin is a laid-back, self-described ‘family-friendly’ cafe right on the edge of the western side of the park, and they have a kids menu. You may need to make a reservation though.

3. Hang out in the Museumplein

The Museumplein in Amsterdam is a large, open space. It’s where the big museums (Van Gogh, Ritz Museum, etc) are located.

In addition to that, you’ll find:

• A large ankle-deep water feature. We saw many kids playing in the water, with eachother and their dogs
• Souvenir shops
• Some casual sit-down and grab-and-go restaurants
• There’s a small free art playground outside the MoCA Museum where kids can play for free
• Occasionally, there are buskers or people playing music
• LOTS of space. Our younger child enjoyed some time burning off energy and running wild in the Museumplein

Spending some time in the Museum plain is a must for families. It’s also located near Club Med which is known for being a family-friendly place to stay.

4. Find hidden gardens and courtyards in the Jordaan neighbourhood

The Jordaan neighbourhood has what you’re looking for in Amsterdam – narrow canals, narrow cobbled streets, blooming flowers, historic buildings, and cozy eateries and cafés.

Jordaan is likely the most beautiful area of Amsterdam, and some say that if you’re only going to see one part of the city – it should be this spot.

It’s a great walkable, safe and family-friendly area. It’s also where the Anne Frank House is located.

Here are some things to enjoy with kids in the Jordaan area:

• Enjoy the gartdens and time outdoors in Karthuizerhof, one of the nicest courtyard in Jordaan. It was built in 1650.
• See beautiful old buildings, such as the Dutch Renaissance church Westerkerk.
• Karthuizersstraat is one of the most beautiful streets in Amsterdam – has a hidden garden at # 61-71. There is a large playground called De Noorderspeeltuin right next to the hidden garden.
• There are plenty of eateries and cafes that everyone in the family would love

5. Visit museums

There are so many museums in Amsterdam, the options are almost endless. When putting together an Amsterdam itinerary, just be aware that many of the museums sell out in advance, so try to book tickets in advance.

You’ve probably heard of the more famous ones, but there are a couple of others worth considering (especially with kids), too:

• KattenKabinet (cat museum!) If your kids love cats, then this is a must. It’s a small art museum exclusively depicting works of cats
• Van Gogh Museum (must reserve in advance) see all of the works by Van Gogh. This museum is quite huge, and located in the large museum square I mentioned before
• Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum in Dutch) has a 1700s ship that kids can play on, and also has a play area
• Rijksmuseum, near the Van Gogh museum. Gorgeous garens and courtyards, and has a street going right through it
• Boat House Museum, located in the Jordaan neighbourhood. You can see what it would look like to live inside of a boat
• Cheese Museum – a small museum where you can learn about the history of cheese making, and get to try samples. Plus, there’s also a cheese store on-site
• Amsterdam Tulip Museum (ATM) a small museum located in a house on one of the canals in Jordaan area. It has a cute gift shop as well!
• NEMO Science Museum, has a great view of the city from the rooftop

6. Make your own chocolate bar at Tony’s

Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore is a chocolate factory and shop that has been running for about 20 years.

They believe in fair trade and sustainable cocoa. This also means of course that the chocolate is a bit pricier, but you’re supporting a great cause.

You can watch how the chocolate is made in the factory, make your own chocolate bar, or simply buy some chocolate to bring home.

7. Try Dutch pancakes!

Dutch pancakes (called pannenkoeken) are regular-sized pancakes, or there are poffertjes, which are mini-pancakes.

Both are worth trying. We went out for pancakes for dinner while in Amsterdam, and both our kids loved it!

You might notice some restaurants advertise ‘American pancakes’ on their menu. The main difference between the Dutch pannenkoeken and American pancakes is that pannenkoeken tend to be much thinner (just not as thin as crêpes.)

8. Visit the Anne Frank House

Kids of all ages are welcome at the Anne Frank House, but it is probably a visit best suited for older kids who are old enough to know a bit about Anne Frank.

I visited with my 12-year-old daughter. (We decided that our 4-year-old would stay home with Dad because she would be too young to understand.)

However, we saw some kids visiting with their parents that were a bit younger than my daughter – around 8 or 10 years old.

The gift shop at the Anne Frank House sells children’s books about Anne, if you’re looking for a book to explain her story in a young, child-friendly way.

9. Buy chocolate sprinkles for a traditional Dutch breakfast!

If you have access to butter and a toaster where you’re staying, then pick up some De Ruijter sprinkles and make a traditional Dutch dish called hagelslag.

We didn’t have a toaster in Amsterdam, so we brought a box of these sprinkles home.

10. Rent a bike

*warning: not for everyone, and definitely not suitable for young kids*

Some visitors choose to rent a bike in Amsterdam. As you’ve likely heard, there are bike racks everywhere and bike riding is very much the norm in the city.

However, be aware that biking in Amsterdam is not necessarily a ‘leisurely’ experience, and I’d only recommend it if you’re experienced at biking and feel comfortable, and educate yourself on the rules.

Locals in Amsterdam tend to bike faster than other places, and there are rules to be aware of.

You can rent family-friendly bikes (with child seats, as well as buckets that you can carry 2-3 kids in) at the following places:

• BICI Care – bike rentals only
• A-Bike Rental & Tours – they are located near Vondel Park, and they have regular as well as children’s bikes
• Black Bikes – not a rental company, but has a list of many other places where you can rent bikes in Amsterdam

We chose not to rent a bike in Amsterdam, as I didn’t feel comfortable. I own a bike, and know how to bike, but I’m not used to biking in a city like Amsterdam so – despite my 12 year old’s pleading, we didn’t rent a bike in Amsterdam.

Pro Tip: How much can you expect to spend on bike rentals in Amsterdam? It depends on the type of bike, but I find that it generally costs somewhere between €19 and €30 per day.

11. See animals at the ARTIS Zoo

ARTIS Zoo is located in the eastern part of the downtown core. You can get there by car, or by puclic transit from downtown Amsterdam.

If you have lots of time in Amsterdam, and if your kids love animals, then this would be a fun excurision for the family.

Visit the ARTIS Zoo website here to buy tickets, and find out which specific busses and metro to take to the zoo.

12. Get outside the city to some amazing family-friendly day trips

If you’re only in Amsterdam for a short time (2-3 days) then you may already have plenty of things to do in the city.

There are a number of worthwhile and very family-friendly places to visit that are outside the city bounds. Here are some places to consider:

• Haarlem a beautiful city that was recommended to us by some Dutch friends. It has a calmer feel than Amsterdam does. 30 minute drive, or public transit from downtown Amsterdam.
• Fruittuin van West, an organic farm just west of Amsterdam. There’s a farm shop, some chickens, and on-site cafe. Very family friend. See website here. Also around 30 min drive from Amsterdam
• Linnaeushof, the largest playground in Europe. It has over 300 play structures. It would be around 1 hour public transit
• Oostvaardersplassen, a nature reserve. You can do a day trip or even stay overnight. Info on their website here.
• Efteling Themepark, the world of wonders. About 110 km (68.5 miles) south of Amsterdam

13. Play indoors at Monkey Town

Monkey Town has a few locations around the Netherlands. This is a common place for locals to bring their children.

It might be a great idea if you’re in Amsterdam with a toddler and looking for a way for them to burn off some energy.

However, Monkey Town Amsterdam-Noord is located on the other side of the river, far from where tourists usually visit. It also doesn’t look very accessible by bike. It might be best for if you’re renting a car in Amsterdam, or staying longterm.

Where to Stay in Amsterdam with Kids

Looking for kid-friendly accommodations? I spent hours researching a good, central place to stay as a family in Amsterdam. Here are some suggestions.

There are different neighbourhoods/areas to stay in Amsterdam. If you want to be close to everything, then I’d recommend either:

• Oud West neighbourhood (near museums, and Museumplein. LOTS of shops and cafes) This is where we stayed.
• Central, which includes the Joordan neighbourhood.
• Houthaven – mostly just a residental area west of the city centre. So, you’d be further out and need to take public transit, but it may be a quieter more relaxed place.

We stayed at this apartment with an epic view just outside the Oud West area. It has steep stairs to the top, and 2 bedrooms. While it wasn’t perfect in every way, we were so glad we stayed here and wouldn’t hesitate to go back.

Sometimes Amsterdam felt so crowded (we were there in late May) that I didn’t want to walk around too much – but all 4 of us, including my two kids – could spend hours watching the boats go by with this view.

The host is a kind lady, who had kids herself and had a crib set up for us before we arrived. Check availability here.

Here are sone other places to stay in Amsterdam that I considered before settling on the place above:

• Budget: Olympic Hotel has family rooms, serves buffet breakfast, and you can reach the downtown area with public transit
• Mid-Range: Hotel Okura Amsterdam Indoor swimming pool and breakfast offered
• Luxury: Art Hotel Amsterdam Indoor swimming pool, walking distance to city centre, offers breakfast and room service!

Places to Eat in Amsterdam with Kids

Fabel Friet Runstraat – this is a place where you can try Amsterdam fries. They almost ressemble a Canadian poutine!

Box Sociaal – Australian-inspired restaurant in the Jooran neighbourhood, with a welcoming atmosphere. They have a decent (reasonably health) kids menu.

De Vondeltuin – a cafe right on the edge of the Vondel Park, they welcome children and advertise themselves as family friendly!

Dutch Pancakes – you’ll see a few of these locations around downtown Amsterdam. A great place to eat the small silver-dollar sized dutch pancakes in a relaxed environment

Foodhallen – a large food building with so many different types of cuisine. It can get crowded at peak times, like weekends. But you will see many families there.

Family Trip to Amsterdam FAQ

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about bringing kids to Amsterdam

Can kids go to the Amsterdam Red Light District?

Yes, kids can go to the Red Light District. There’s no minimum age. The Red Light District has become a famous tourist attraction, and it’s also a neighbourhood where thousands of people live full-time. I would probably avoid the area in the evening, as Amsterdam is a partying hotspot too, and there will be many drunk tourists.

Is Amsterdam worth visiting with kids?

Amsterdam is definitely worth visiting with kids. There are endless museums, many parks, a beautiful and walkable downtown core. It’s a lovely city.

What is there for kids to do in Amsterdam?

In Amsterdam, there are some parks and green space areas and museums where kids are welcome. Canal cruises, and walking around the beautiful city, and eating Dutch pancakes are fun things to do with kids. You can also expose older kids to lots of history while in Amsterdam.

What area to stay in Amsterdam with kids?

If you’re visiting Amsterdam with kids, then I recommend staying somewhere quiet. A tip I have if renting an apartment is somewhere high up. The street noise and night life in Amsterdam means that things can be loud,

Final Thoughts on Amsterdam Family Trip

I hope that you now have a pretty good idea of what you’ll do as a family in Amsterdam. Its a beautiful and child-friendly city, and our favourite thing to do was simply walk around, enjoying the canals and views.