Start with a scenic canal cruise to get your bearings, then visit the NEMO Science Museum, packed with hands-on exhibits. Explore the Van Gogh Museum, which offers family guides for kids. Have a picnic at Vondelpark, and end the day with a treat at Pancake Bakery, a favorite for Dutch-style pancakes.
Rent bikes and explore the city like locals, with kid-safe routes through Vondelpark and Amsterdamse Bos, a massive park with a petting zoo and climbing park. Visit the Artis Zoo, home to animals, an aquarium, and a planetarium. Wrap up with a family stroll along the canal belt, watching boats glide by.
Introduce kids to Dutch culture at the Zaanse Schans, just outside the city, where you can visit working windmills and see cheese-making demos. Back in Amsterdam, tour the Anne Frank House (suitable for older kids), then visit the Rijksmuseum with their excellent kid-focused audio tours. Finish with a tram ride through the city for fun sightseeing.
Start indoors at the Tropenmuseum, where kids can learn about global cultures through interactive exhibits. Head to the NEMO Science Museum, then warm up with snacks at Foodhallen, an indoor food market with global bites. Spend the afternoon at TunFun Indoor Playground, built in a former underpass, for some energetic playtime.
Start with a cozy breakfast at a neighborhood café, then visit Micropia, a museum about microbes that’s surprisingly fun for kids. Take a canal-side walk to De 9 Straatjes (The Nine Streets) for unique shops and bakeries. In the afternoon, explore Westerpark, which often hosts outdoor markets and festivals the whole family can enjoy.
