- Family Travel
- Newcastle
- Scotland
- Posted: 16/03/2026
Things To Do in Amsterdam With Kids
Lucy Starrs
Things To Do in Amsterdam With Kids
Amsterdam is such an easy city to visit, whether you’re travelling with kids or not. It’s compact, walkable and, with plenty of open space, surprisingly calm for a capital city. There are enough activities to keep children of all ages entertained, while the rich history ensures adults stay just as captivated.
Whether you’re planning your first city break or you’re seasoned pros, below you’ll find brilliant things to do in Amsterdam with kids – and you may well wish you had even longer to explore this wonderful city and beyond.
Canal Cruise
A canal cruise is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids. There are plenty of well-priced options available, and it’s an easy way to see the city without walking for miles.
Having taken several cruises here, I’d recommend a daytime experience, especially if you’re travelling with children. The tours are scenic and give you a real feel for Amsterdam’s unique layout, all while keeping tired legs happy.
Visit the NEMO Science Museum
If you’re booking one indoor attraction in Amsterdam with kids, make it the NEMO Science Museum. It’s designed with children in mind, featuring experiments, interactive exhibits and plenty of opportunities to press buttons and test things out.
In warmer months, the rooftop water play area is a fantastic bonus. Even better, you can visit the rooftop terrace free of charge if you don’t want to purchase full entry tickets. Definitely one to add to your list of things to do in Amsterdam with kids!
Anne Frank House
This is best suited to families with older children. I’d reserve it for those who are old enough to understand the history behind visiting Anne Frank’s house.
Tickets are released six weeks in advance and sell out quickly, so if you’re planning a visit, set a reminder. It’s an important and meaningful experience, but preparation is key when thinking about things to do in Amsterdam with kids.
Johan Cruijff Arena Stadium Tour
If you’re travelling with football fans, the Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium Tour is a great activity to add to your Amsterdam itinerary. Home to AFC Ajax, this experience takes you behind the scenes of one of Europe’s most famous football stadiums. During the tour you can visit the dressing rooms, walk through the players’ tunnel and sit in the dugout beside the pitch. It’s a fun and interactive experience that older kids and teens especially tend to love.
Barbie: The Dream Experience
If you’re travelling with younger kids or Barbie fans, the Barbie: The Dream Experience is a colourful and interactive attraction in Amsterdam. Visitors can explore over 12 themed rooms filled with life-size recreations of iconic Barbie playsets and moments from more than six decades of Barbie history. The experience is highly interactive, with plenty of photo opportunities and creative displays that kids love. One of my favourite things to do in Amsterdam with kids!
Free things to do in Amsterdam with kids
Vondelpark
A city break isn’t complete without knowing where the nearest park is for some much-needed downtime, and Vondelpark is the perfect spot. With playgrounds and wide paths for scooters and bikes, it’s ideal for slowing the pace.
Grab a snack, let the kids run freely, and enjoy a little breathing space before heading back out to explore more of Amsterdam.
Visit the LEGO Store
If you’re travelling with LEGO fans, a stop at the LEGO Store is a must. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s well worth popping in.
There are interactive displays, impressive LEGO builds and hands-on areas where children can get creative. We easily spent an hour here, and my son absolutely loved it. It’s also a great option if the weather turns.
Take the Free Ferry to A’DAM Lookout
Hop on the free ferry that crosses the River IJ behind Central Station. This mini adventure takes you across the water in just a few minutes and feels exciting for kids before you’ve even reached your destination.
The ferry drops you near A’DAM Lookout, where you can explore street art and enjoy waterfront views. If you’d like to go higher, you can pay to head up the tower for a completely different perspective of the city. For the brave, there’s even a swing at the top offering unforgettable views with a hint of adrenaline.
Things To Do in Amsterdam With Kids – Is it Worth it?
Amsterdam is such a fun place to visit. It’s compact but varied, and you can easily tailor your itinerary to suit your family’s interests.
If you find accommodation in the city centre expensive, consider staying slightly outside. Options like a Eurocamp at Duinrell allow you to visit Amsterdam for the day, while also exploring other nearby cities by train. It’s a great way to keep costs down while still enjoying everything this diverse European city has to offer.
If you’re searching for things to do in Amsterdam with kids, you’ll find that this city makes family travel feel easy, relaxed and genuinely enjoyable.
Why not check out or guide to things to do in Barcelona with kids?
This post contains affiliate links.
Written by: Lucy Starrs
Hi, I am Lucy – mum to a 6-year old boy based in Scotland with a passion for travelling and saving money. Check out my blogs and Scotland page for hand-picked recommendations.
RELATED ARTICLES
Keep up to date...
If you haven’t tried our discount code yet, you should! It often saves our followers a lot of money.
The link in our linktree is an affiliate link, which means we get a small commission for bookings we generate. We genuinely always want you to get the best price, so do always compare prices. We always book through this site and it’s always fab for us at Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham. We’ve just used it for Gatwick too 👌🏻
#airportparking #thetravelmum #traveldeals
Jul 16
If you haven’t tried our discount code yet, you should! It often saves our followers a lot of money.
The link in our linktree is an affiliate link, which means we get a small commission for bookings we generate. We genuinely always want you to get the best price, so do always compare prices. We always book through this site and it’s always fab for us at Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham. We’ve just used it for Gatwick too 👌🏻
#airportparking #thetravelmum #traveldeals
What do you think of the new hair?! Should I stick to being a scraggy mess? 🙃😅
If my mum could see this she’d laugh, and be glad I’ve sorted my hair out ❤️
#thetravelmum #directcremation #grief
Jul 16
What do you think of the new hair?! Should I stick to being a scraggy mess? 🙃😅
If my mum could see this she’d laugh, and be glad I’ve sorted my hair out ❤️
#thetravelmum #directcremation #grief
ad Don’t miss out on compensation in these situations! Chloe was entitled to a refund PLUS compensation. Most people will just settle for the refund 😮
You can check what you’re owed, even for previous cancellations and flight delays. I’ve put a link in my linktree if you want to check an old delay or comment DELAY and I’ll send you the website! It’s free to check 🫶🏻
If you’re busy like me and know you’ll never get round to chasing it, @airhelp is ideal! They’ve won me two lots of compensation now, both times I’d forgotten all about it 😅
#thetravelmum #flightdelay #travelnightmare #airhelp
Jul 15
ad Don’t miss out on compensation in these situations! Chloe was entitled to a refund PLUS compensation. Most people will just settle for the refund 😮
You can check what you’re owed, even for previous cancellations and flight delays. I’ve put a link in my linktree if you want to check an old delay or comment DELAY and I’ll send you the website! It’s free to check 🫶🏻
If you’re busy like me and know you’ll never get round to chasing it, @airhelp is ideal! They’ve won me two lots of compensation now, both times I’d forgotten all about it 😅
#thetravelmum #flightdelay #travelnightmare #airhelp
Unlock the perfect
Cheap holiday
Build a custom DIY trip in 30 seconds!
