Best Family Activities in Amsterdam

The NEMO Science Museum at Oosterdok 2 engages children with hands-on science exhibits, making it a practical choice for families. Tickets cost €19.50 for adults and €16 for children aged 4 to 17, with free entry for kids under 4.

This five-floor museum is designed to make science accessible and fun. Kids can touch, push, and experiment with interactive displays covering topics from physics to biology. The rooftop terrace provides sweeping views of Amsterdam’s skyline, a good spot to catch a breeze and enjoy the waterfront. The museum opens daily from 10:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 16:30.

Arriving early in the day on weekdays helps avoid long lines, especially during school holidays. The museum café features light snacks and drinks, where the smell of fresh coffee blends with the buzz of excited chatter. The location is five minutes’ walk from Amsterdam Central Station, making it easy to reach via trains or trams.

For more on family-friendly museums in Amsterdam, see our guide on Amsterdam with Kids.

Artis Royal Zoo on Plantage Kerklaan 38-40 houses over 900 animals and includes the Micropia microbe museum. Admission is €27 for adults and €19 for children aged 3 to 9.

This historic zoo covers about 14 hectares and combines animal enclosures with botanical gardens. Walking through shaded paths, you hear birdsong and the occasional roar from the big cats. The aquarium and planetarium are additional draws. The Micropia museum next door is especially engaging for older children curious about microscopic life.

The zoo opens daily from 9:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:00. Early morning visits are best to see animals feeding or active before the afternoon heat. Food stands serve Dutch snacks like stroopwafels and poffertjes, filling the air with sweet aromas.

Learn more about nearby green spaces in our article on Vondelpark.

Family-friendly canal cruises run from €18 to €25 per person, offering narrated tours with child-focused activity guides and audio options.

Canal cruises depart from several docks near Central Station and run throughout the day until early evening. Boats are enclosed or open-air, depending on the season. The late afternoon trips provide softer light and calmer water, ideal for photos and relaxing rides.

During the cruise, you pass under low bridges and past narrow canal houses, hearing the splash of oars from passing small boats and the murmur of city life. The commentary typically includes stories about Amsterdam’s 17th-century Golden Age and explanations of the canal ring’s UNESCO status.

See more on canal tours at canal cruises.

Vondelpark, near the Rijksmuseum and accessible via Van Baerlestraat or Vondelstraat, is a 47-hectare park with playgrounds, open lawns, and cafés. Entry is free.

The park is ideal for cycling, with rental shops nearby offering child-sized bikes and trailers. Multiple playgrounds include climbing frames and sandpits, while the open-air theatre hosts regular performances from May to September. The scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers fills the air on warm days.

Families can stop at the Blauwe Theehuis café for refreshments, which has outdoor seating shaded by trees. The park is lively but spacious enough to find quiet spots for picnics. It takes about 10 minutes on foot from Museumplein.

For more green spaces, check out the Amsterdamse Bos.

The Amsterdam Dungeon at Rokin 78 features theatrical shows and interactive storytelling focused on Amsterdam’s darker history, suitable for children aged 10 and up. Tickets cost €26 for adults and €21 for children.

Visitors move through a series of rooms with live actors, special effects, and historical tales about plagues, fires, and pirates. The atmosphere is designed to be spooky but entertaining rather than frightening. Guests hear creaking sounds, sudden bangs, and chilling voices that recreate Amsterdam’s past.

The attraction is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 16:00. Some scenes may be intense for younger children, so check age recommendations carefully. The central location near Dam Square makes it easy to combine with other city centre visits.

See our detailed review at Amsterdam Dungeon.

The Anne Frank House at Prinsengracht 263-267 is a moving museum devoted to Anne Frank’s life and diary. Tickets are €18.50 for adults and €10 for youth aged 10 to 17. Advance online booking is mandatory.

Visitors enter the preserved secret annex where Anne Frank hid during World War II. The rooms are modest and silent, filled with historical photographs and excerpts from Anne’s diary. The museum encourages reflection about human rights and tolerance.

It is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00 in peak season, with visits lasting about an hour. The queue can be long without a timed ticket, so book weeks ahead. The museum is a short 10-minute walk from Central Station, along the canal-lined Prinsengracht.

Learn more about this site through the Anne Frank House guide.

Zaanse Schans, 20 km northwest of Amsterdam, features working windmills, traditional crafts, and wooden houses. Entry to the outdoor area is free; individual museums charge €5 to €12.

The site is accessible by bus 391 from Amsterdam Central Station in about 40 minutes. Walking around, you smell fresh wood from the workshops and hear the rhythmic turning of giant windmill blades. Children can watch cheese-making and clog carving demonstrations.

It is best to allow 3 to 4 hours to see the main windmills, visit small museums, and enjoy a meal at one of the local cafés. The outdoor paths are stroller-friendly and well maintained.

Official details are available on the Zaanse Schans website.

The EYE Film Museum at IJpromenade 1 features film exhibitions, family screenings, and interactive events. Entry to permanent exhibitions is free; special screenings cost €9 to €12 per ticket.

The striking modern building sits on the north bank of the IJ River, reachable by a free ferry from behind Central Station. Inside, you find hands-on exhibits explaining filmmaking techniques and film history. The café overlooks the water, with the scent of fresh popcorn and brewing coffee filling the air.

Screenings suitable for children run on weekends and school holidays. The museum opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00. For a relaxed afternoon, combine the visit with a walk around the nearby NDSM Wharf.

See more about the NDSM Wharf nearby.

Foodhallen, located at Bellamyplein 51 in Oud-West, is an indoor food market with over 20 vendors offering Dutch and international dishes priced from €5 to €15.

This former tram depot has a lively atmosphere with wooden tables and exposed brick walls. The aroma of grilled meats, fresh herbs, and spices mixes with the buzz of casual conversations. Children can find kid-friendly options like mini burgers or sweet waffles.

Open daily from 11:00 to 23:00, Foodhallen provides a relaxed setting for families to try different tastes without committing to a single restaurant. Strollers are welcome, and the space is wheelchair accessible.

For more places to eat with children, visit our guide to kid-friendly restaurants in Amsterdam.