Planning a trip to Amsterdam with kids? We believe that traveling with children should be comfortable, exciting, and enjoyable. The city offers a variety of fantastic family-friendly attractions and activities. Here are the top 13 local’s favorite things to do with kids in Amsterdam.
Tip! Starting from June 2026, you can order the I amsterdam City Card (from € 40) or I amsterdam City Card Explorer: Special Edition (from € 29) for children.
If you visit NEMO Museum, Artis Royal Zoo and A’DAM Lookout (entrance tickets for children cost € 21,50 + € 27,50 + € 12,50), with the I amsterdam City Card Explorer you pay € 29 instead of € 61,50. In this guide you can read more about the I amsterdam City Card.
Amsterdam with kids: fun things to do in 2026
With its mix of culture, outdoor activities, and educational attractions, Amsterdam is a wonderful city for families and children to explore. There’s something for everyone, whether your kids are into nature, science, art, or history!
My kids’ favourites are the NEMO Museum (especially the room with building blocks where you can experiment with chain reactions), the LEGO Store (always inspiring and fun), and Zuiderzee open air museum in Enkhuizen – they even love the ferry ride that takes you to the museum!
Photo: playground De Waag in Amsterdam
The Netherlands: more things to do with kids in 2026
1. Artis Royal Zoo
Tickets from €32,50 · Children under 3 free · All ages · Free with I amsterdam City Card · Open 365 days a year · Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, Amsterdam
Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. Next to the zoo itself, Artis has an aquarium, a planetarium, Micropia, the world’s only museum of microbes and bacteria, and numerous playgrounds. Here you will see 750 animal species including elephants, lions, zebras, and giraffes.
ARTIS is open daily, all year round. You can visit it also during holidays and weekends, and always discover something new.
2. NEMO Science museum
Tickets from €21,50 · Children under 4 free · All ages · Free with I amsterdam City Card · Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam
NEMO Science Museum educates children about the fascinating world of science. Its collection contains 17.000 technology objects. You can touch, play games and experiment with everything you see here.
On the roof of the NEMO museum there is an open-air exhibition Energetica and a beautiful terrace with a panoramic view.
3. Treasure hunt at the Van Gogh museum
Adults from €27 · Children under 18 free · Treasure hunt free at information desk · Timed entry required · Books out weeks in advance · Museumplein 6, Amsterdam
At the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam children can do the Treasure hunt with fun tasks that help to explore Van Gogh’s paintings. The treasure hunt is free, you can pick it up from the Information desk inside the museum.
⚠ A timed entry ticket is always required – also for children. Tickets sell out weeks in advance, so book as early as possible.
4. LEGO Store Amsterdam
Free to visit · All ages · Kalverstraat 57, Amsterdam
The LEGO flagship store in Amsterdam is a paradise for kids (and some parents too)! Here you will find LEGO sculptures inspired by the Dutch history and culture, such as an Escher staircase, the Mint tower, Van Gogh portrait, a Dutch windmill and many others.
- Check it out: Amsterdam with kids: Immersive art museum experiences
There is also a play area, pick-a-brick displays, a Minifigure Factory, a Mosaic Maker that creates personalized portraits from LEGO blocks.
5. OBA Amsterdam public library
Free entry · All ages · Oosterdokskade 143, Amsterdam · Open daily
The OBA Amsterdam Library is a popular spot for locals with kids. You can visit the library and enjoy its facilities free of charge.
The ground floor of the OBA Library is specially designed for children, featuring play areas, educational resources, and thousands of children’s books in various languages.
Tip: enjoy a great panoramic view over Amsterdam from the library top floor!
6. Pancake Boat Amsterdam
Tickets from €30,20 · All ages · NDSM Wharf, Amsterdam Noord
A unique cruise on the IJ river with unlimited Dutch pancakes served on board. Kids love both the boat ride and the endless pancakes! The cruise departs from the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam Noord – reachable by free ferry from Amsterdam Centraal.
7. WONDR Experience
Tickets from €24 · Ages 6+ · Asterweg 20, Amsterdam Noord
WONDR is an immersive experience venue filled with colourful, interactive installations. Kids can climb, explore and create in a series of imaginative rooms. Great for children who love hands-on activities and creative play.
8. The Upside Down Museum
Tickets from €24,95 · Ages 6+ · Overhoeksplein 1, Amsterdam
Everything in this museum is literally flipped upside down – rooms, furniture, even the floors. A fun and photogenic experience that kids absolutely love. Perfect for families who want something a little different from a traditional museum.
9. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Tickets from €23 · Children under 4 free · All ages · Dam 18-20, Amsterdam
Ripley’s is packed with bizarre, extraordinary and record-breaking exhibits from around the world – shrunken heads, optical illusions, wax figures of world records holders and much more. Kids are fascinated and slightly grossed out in equal measure, which means they love it.
10. Johan Cruijff ArenA Tour
Tickets from €28 · All ages · Arena Boulevard 1, Amsterdam
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of AFC Ajax’s iconic stadium – walk through the players’ tunnel, sit in the dugout, visit the dressing rooms and see the pitch up close. A dream experience for young football fans.
11. Barbie – The Dream Experience
Tickets from €25 · Ages 4+ · Asterweg 20, Amsterdam Noord
An immersive Barbie-themed experience inside the WONDR venue, with beautifully designed pink rooms, interactive zones and photo opportunities. A magical outing for Barbie fans of all ages.
12. The Hollandsche Manege Stables
Tickets from €16 · All ages · Vondelstraat 140, Amsterdam
A 142-year-old monumental riding school near Vondelpark, beautiful both inside and out. Children who love horses will be captivated by the grand interior, the smell of hay and the sight of horses being trained. You can watch riding lessons from the gallery above the arena.
13. Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
Tickets from €27 online · All ages · 25% discount with I amsterdam City Card · Dam 20, Amsterdam
The world-famous wax museum right on Dam Square, with life-size figures of celebrities, royals, athletes and historical figures. Interactive zones let kids step into famous scenes and take photos with their idols. Book online for the best price.
? Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it? Try the free savings calculator →
* Ticket prices last verified on 26 June 2026. Prices may vary by date and availability – check the booking links for current rates.
FAQ about visiting Amsterdam with kids
Yes, Amsterdam is a great destination for family trips. Dutch children are frequently ranked among the happiest in the world in major UNICEF reports. There is excellent play infrastructure: most museums have special interacitive zones or audio guides for kids. There are a lot of free outdoor playgrounds. And in general Amsterdam is an impressive city to explore for young and old.
Actually, quite a lot!
– Visit the rooftop ot the NEMO museum.
– Check out the LEGO flagship store in Kalverstraat.
– Ride the free ferries between Amsterdam Centraal station across IJ river.
– Visit the OBA Library.
– Explore Vondelpark.
And, by the way, many museums in Amsterdam, like the Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum offer free entrance for children.
If you need an accommodation for a family with 2 – 3 bedrooms in Amsterdam, check aparthotels:
> Eric Vökel Apartments
> ID Aparthotel
> Amsterdam Farm Lodge
If you prefer a more affordable family accomodation, check the family rooms (up to 6 people) at StayOkay hostels. They have great themed rooms. Children stay at Stayokay at a discount.
Yes! Starting from June 2026, you can order the I amsterdam City Card for children. There are two options: the I amsterdam City Card Explorer: Special Edition from €29, and the full I amsterdam City Card from €40. To figure out which option is worth it for your child, plan your trip and check the included attractions. For example, if you visit NEMO Museum, Artis Royal Zoo and A’DAM Lookout (children’s tickets cost €21,50 + €27,50 + €12,50 = €61,50 in total), with the Explorer card you pay just €29. Here you can find an Amsterdam family itinerary with the I amsterdam City Card.
Yes, it’s safe. Just be mindful of pickpockets in crowded areas and cyclists everywhere.
Enjoy your family stay in Amsterdam!
Related articles:
- 15 best things to do in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam public transport tickets
- Things to do at Keukenhof with kids
- Top-rated museums in Amsterdam in 2026
- Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days
- Best canal cruises in Amsterdam
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