How to Make Amsterdam Fun for Young Kids

Amsterdam’s picturesque canals lined with gabled brick houses may not be as interesting to kids as they are to parents. But the city also has a lot of attractions and activities for every type of family traveler.

One obvious choice is the zoo and its accompanying science museum. ARTIS is not just a zoo filled with animals from all over the world, but also a planetarium and ARTIS-Groote Museum. The latter’s interactive exhibits draw kids into exploring the connections between humans, nature and science. Stroller-friendly walkways and carts for toddlers make exploring its many enclosures easier with young children. Kid favorites are the lions and red pandas.

Another science museum is more diverse in its scope, with multiple floors of interactive exhibits and activities for kids of varying ages. At NEMO, kids can get hands on in labs; watch action shows and demonstrations; and become familiar with light, sound, water, energy, plants, humans and outer space, among other subjects.

Encourage your kids’ worldview at Wereldmuseum, where they are introduced to various cultures and ways of life in various different cultures, past and present. These are brought to life through interactive programs and activities exploring how people dress, what they eat, how they celebrate, how they travel and what their homes are like. Exhibits in Wereldmuseum Amsterdam Junior are especially designed to engage children ages 6–13. The Party Shop is a favorite with kids, where they learn how the cultures celebrate and have fun.

Amsterdam has several parks with playgrounds, including Oosterpark, adjacent to Wereldmuseum, and Amstelpark, which also has a petting zoo. For an only-in-Amsterdam experience, immerse your kids in local culture with a river tour on Pannenkoekenboot, or Pancake Boat. As you tour, kids can eat all the delicious pancakes they want (or that you let them).