You might ask yourself wondering if your family will have a good time in Amsterdam or not. Don’t ask because you already have an answer: It is going to be fascinating! Amsterdam is a populated city both with working or studying young adults and also with families. Unlike what you know, the city is great to spend time with the kids! The street foods like stroopwafels, canals everywhere filled with boats, green parks in each neighborhood would let you spend a great time with them. In addition to all, many museums and main attractions offer workshops or special activities for children too, so they will not get bored while they are visiting as well. In order to spend the best time possible with your family, here are the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids!
Discover the beauty of this city with your family and enjoy the activities here, you will see how easy it is to have fun in Amsterdam with your kids! They might even do not want to go back!
1.HAVE FUN AT VONDELPARK
Vondelpark is one of the oldest parks in Amsterdam and founded by the residents back in old days. The city park is right in the heart of Amsterdam where you enjoy the green scenery and nice fresh air. There are also six different playgrounds for children and come cafes around the corners. The park is quite big and there are many activities to get involved. You can also cycle inside or have a picnic as a family. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy some nice outdoor activities in Vondelpark as aย family.
2. TRY STROOPWAFELS
Many people sayย theyย don’t know something about Dutch cuisine. Well, here is something you should enjoy from Dutch cuisine along with your family: Stroopwafels. This sweet snack is a type of waffle, which basically composed of two very thin layers of waffles stuck together and filled with caramel syrup. Nowadays, it is possible to find a variety of different fillings as well. The children will like both the taste and the shape of this special sweet snack. Grab your home-made style stroopwafels from the famous place at Banketbakkerij Lanskroon and eat them near the canal way enjoying both the view and the stroopwafels.
3. RENT A FAMILY BICYCLE
Cycling is one of the most popular activities in Amsterdam both for the sake of spending a good time and also in term of transportation. Here, you can experience the greatest bicycle culture. The best part is you can actually rent family cycles here which means all can cycle at the same time. The most famous optionย is to hire a rickshaw which is a bicycle that comes with a little carrier in front of the bicycle for the children. You can make a nice tour and wander around the canal with children with this way in ease which is a win-win situation for both you and for the kids.
4. VISIT NEMO MUSEUM
Nemo is the biggest science center in Amsterdam and a science museum which attracts many people from all ages. The museum is known to be a big attraction for kids but it is a favorite of adults who have visited as well. There is something for everybody to learn, enjoy and spend time with. There are so many exhibits, which are interactive, interesting and very informative. The kids will not want to leave here – neither will you! You can do hands-on chemistryย experiments in the lab, discover the potential and kinetic energy, join workshops and demonstrations! The tickets are only 16.50โฌ, same price for everyone above 3-years-old. Make sure you leave more than couple hours here as it will take time to see all the museum.
5. BOOK A CRUISE TOUR
Amsterdam is a city of canals which means lots of cruises, little boats or yachts along the canal. There are cruises available for each occasion in Amsterdam. After a museum such as Anne Frank’s or Rijksmuseum, a pizza boat, semi-open boats; any kind you are looking for! To spend a few hours in the canal and maybe have some nibbles with your family while doing that could be a really nice idea. You can go for a family dinner cruise or pizza cruise too if you want to enjoy dinner. We are pretty sure the kids would love the boat and the tour around the canals with some yummy food.
6.ย HAVE A MEAL AT KINDERKOOKKAFE
Do you want your kids to have a more hands-on experience while in Amsterdam? Kinderkookkafe is a great place to get their hands dirty – because they will be doing the cooking here. While they are preparing their food, the parents can enjoy some drinks, a nice coffee with a dessert or some sandwiches too. The kids can also serve you what they prepare like pizza or cupcakes. Don’t worry the staff takes care of the oven and the cutting of the ingredients before and after. The place is right next to Vondelpark which you can visit after here for the playgrounds.
7.WANDER AROUND THE CANALS
The canals of Amsterdam has great views to offer along with cute shops and cozy restaurants. There are also many stalls around and street food vendors as well. One of the best ways to explore a city is to walk and Amsterdam is a great place to do so too. You can stop by to try some street food or rest in a park or maybe grab a coffee for you and a hot chocolate for your kids next to the canal. You can book a private boat tour or a rowing boat if you want to as well. However, you can also find a spot next to the canal and eat some sandwiches and have a light lunch with your family as well.
8. CATCH THE ARRIVAL OF SINTERKLAAS
Sinterklaas is the hero of Dutch children and has the greatest events for children in the whole Netherlands when it’s his season. Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas who visits Amsterdam in middle of November and comes to the city with his boat filled with gifts. The arrival of him is cherished quite well in the city where he makes his march all the way from the boat to the city center. The atmosphere is great during this time, lots of children are waiting along the canal to see Sinterklaas and his helpers. There are many activities and special treats for children all over the city. The festival starts at the middle of November and continues until the 5th of December. If you can’t catch his arrival, you can still join some activities around town.
9. JOIN TO AN ACTIVITY AT VAN GOGH MUSEUM
Van Gogh Museum is one of the must-see places in Amsterdam. Fortunately, the museum is not only liked by adults but also by children. It has many different activities available for families or exclusively to children. First of all, the museum offers family tours which can be also done with a guide. In addition to those, children can enjoy two interactive tours in the museum: Treasure hunt and traveling case of Vincent Van Gogh. Both are free and can be done with families together. If you are visiting on the weekend, there would be a special workshop which your children can join for 7,50โฌ along with a free entrance to the museum, don’t forget that English workshops are available on request.