Family things to do in Amsterdam — best activities for all ages

How Amsterdam scores for families

Amsterdam surprises many visitors by being more family-friendly than expected. The Dutch cycle with children everywhere. Most cafés and restaurants welcome children without hesitation. The city’s compact scale means walking distances are manageable even with tired young legs.

The range of attractions — from world-class science museums to outdoor parks, historic canals and open-air markets — suits families with a wide age range. Here is the full breakdown by activity type and age group.

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Top paid family attractions

NEMO Science Museum

The undisputed best children’s attraction in Amsterdam. Five floors of hands-on science covering energy, technology, biology, the human brain and digital life. Children 5–14 are in their element. The roof terrace in summer adds water play and panoramic views.

Book in advance for summer visits. NEMO Science Museum entry ticket — adults €17.50, children (4–17) €17.50, under 3 free.

ARTIS Royal Zoo

The oldest zoo in the Netherlands (1838), with zoo, aquarium, planetarium and the unique Micropia microbiome museum. Excellent for all ages from toddlers (sea lions, petting zoo) to teenagers (Micropia, planetarium). Allow a full day.

ARTIS Royal Zoo entry covers the main zoo, aquarium and planetarium. The ARTIS and Micropia combo adds the microbiome museum for children with a science interest.

Canal cruises

Most children love the canal cruise perspective — low on the water, close to bridges, excellent views of houseboats. A 75-minute canal cruise keeps most children engaged. Bring snacks for young children whose attention span may waver toward the end.

This is Holland (5D flight experience)

A 5D virtual flight over the Netherlands giving aerial views of tulip fields, windmills and Amsterdam’s canal ring. Good for children 6+ who can handle the sensory intensity. Shorter sessions (20 minutes) keep it accessible. This is Holland flight experience and canal cruise combo .

A’DAM Lookout

The rooftop observation tower in Amsterdam Noord (free ferry from Centraal). Excellent city views. The “Over the Edge” swing (Europe’s highest, cantilevered over the building edge) is for brave children and teenagers only — there is a minimum age/height requirement.

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Free and cheap family activities

Vondelpark

Amsterdam’s most loved public park: 47 hectares of lawns, cycling paths, playgrounds, a rose garden and an open-air theatre with free performances from June to August. Bring a picnic from Albert Heijn. Let children run. Spend as long as you like — it is completely free.

Free Noord ferry

The free GVB ferry from behind Centraal to Amsterdam Noord runs every 7–10 minutes and takes 5 minutes. Children love the short water crossing. Once in Noord, the EYE Film Institute (striking architecture, good café) and the waterfront area are free to explore.

Albert Cuyp Market

The Netherlands’ largest outdoor market, in De Pijp neighbourhood. Open Monday–Saturday, no entry fee. Dutch street food (herring, frites, stroopwafels), fresh produce, flowers and market stalls. Excellent for a busy, colourful hour with children. Try the fresh herring, Dutch frites with mayonnaise (always with the correct condiment, never ketchup according to the Dutch) and warm stroopwafels.

Cycling in Vondelpark and the Amsterdamse Bos

The Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest, south of the city, about 20 minutes by bike) has excellent cycling and walking paths through forest and meadows. Bike rental shops near the park entrance hire out children’s bikes and tag-alongs. Pack a picnic and spend a half-day here.

Canal ring walk with children

Walking the Jordaan canals — particularly the stretch along the Prinsengracht from Anne Frank House south to Leidseplein — is free, beautiful and manageable with a pushchair. The Amsterdam canal ring has over 1,200 bridges to photograph.

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Activities by age group

Best for toddlers (0–4)

• Vondelpark (playgrounds, open space)
• ARTIS zoo (animals at close range, petting area)
• Canal cruise (motion and views)
• Albert Cuyp Market (sensory experience)
• Nord ferry (short crossing, exciting for small children)

Best for primary age (5–11)

All of the above, plus:

• NEMO Science Museum (interactive, engaging)
• ARTIS aquarium and Micropia
• A’DAM Lookout (views, swing for older ones)
• Guided city bike tour suitable for competent cyclists
• Hortus Botanicus (botanical garden next to ARTIS)
• Dutch pancake restaurant (pannenkoekenrestaurant) — very popular with this age group

Best for teenagers (12+)

• NEMO still works well at this age
• Micropia (genuinely interesting for curious teenagers)
• A’DAM Lookout “Over the Edge” swing
• Rijksmuseum (art history context works better at this age)
• City cycling independently
• Amsterdam Noord (STRAAT Museum street art, creative food scene)
• Zaanse Schans day trip (windmills, cheese, clogs — better received by teenagers than expected)

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Eating with children in Amsterdam

Dutch food culture is child-friendly. A few recommendations:

Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken): Thicker than French crêpes, can be sweet (with stroop/syrup, fruit, Nutella) or savoury (with bacon, cheese, mushrooms). Children almost universally love them. Look for pannenkoekenrestaurant — the Pancake Bakery in the Jordaan is popular (but busy; go on a weekday).

Bitterballen: Crispy fried Dutch snack balls with a molten beef or cheese interior. Good for sharing. Order them at any brown café.

Albert Heijn supermarkets: The Dutch supermarket chain is a reliable food source — good deli sections with sandwiches, salads, soup and prepared meals at normal prices. Far better value than tourist restaurants.

Markets: Albert Cuyp Market for cheap, fresh street food. Noordermarkt in the Jordaan on Saturday mornings for higher-quality artisan food.

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Practical family tips

Canal safety: Keep children close to canal edges — most canals in the tourist centre are unfenced. The risk of an accidental fall is real with very young children.

Pushchairs: Amsterdam’s cobblestones are challenging but manageable with robust wheels. Most canal cruise boats are pushchair-accessible. Confirm when booking.

Cycling with children: Cargo bikes (bakfiets) carrying 2–3 children in a front box can be rented for €25–40 per day. This is a Dutch cultural experience in itself.

Rainy days: NEMO, ARTIS, and any indoor market are good rainy day options. See our rainy day Amsterdam with kids guide for a dedicated wet-weather plan.

See also our Amsterdam with kids guide for a full 3-day family itinerary and Amsterdam travel budget for family cost estimates.

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Frequently asked questions about family activities in Amsterdam

What is the best thing to do in Amsterdam with a 5-year-old?

NEMO Science Museum has interactive exhibits that work brilliantly for 5-year-olds — hands-on everything, manageable scale. After that, a canal cruise and a Vondelpark afternoon makes an excellent first Amsterdam day for young children.

Is Amsterdam suitable for a family holiday?

Yes, very much so. The city’s compact scale, cycling culture, world-class children’s attractions and café culture that includes children make it one of Western Europe’s better family city-trip destinations. The main challenges are the cobblestones (pushchair navigation) and canal edges with very young children.

Are Amsterdam museums free for children?

Most major Amsterdam museums charge for children over 3–4 years. NEMO and ARTIS both charge child entry (currently €17.50 and €13 respectively for children). Children under 3 usually enter free. The I amsterdam City Card covers some attractions but not ARTIS.

Can we do a day trip with children from Amsterdam?

Yes. Zaanse Schans (windmills, 20 minutes by train) works very well for families — short journey, outdoor area with windmills and clogs, wooden houses. Haarlem (15 minutes) is also accessible and pleasant. Keukenhof in spring is spectacular for children old enough to appreciate flowers.

Is there a beach near Amsterdam for families?

Zandvoort beach is 30 minutes by train from Centraal (via Haarlem). It is a proper North Sea beach — broad sand, cold water, beach cafés and watersports facilities. Not a warm Mediterranean beach but perfectly functional for a summer beach day.