Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a full family holiday, Amsterdam offers a great mix of interactive museums, outdoor adventures, sweet treats, and unforgettable experiences. We recently took the Eurostar from London to spend a long weekend in the city and loved it.
Here’s our curated list of the Top family-friendly activities in Amsterdam 2025.
Take a Canal Boat Tour – See Amsterdam From the Water
A visit to Amsterdam isn’t complete without cruising its famous canals. Families will love the relaxing boat rides that offer a unique view of the city’s historic bridges, colorful houseboats, and charming 17th-century buildings. It means kids won’t complain about walking too much and you can cover a lot of ground and see a lot of the sights.
🧒 Kid-friendly tip: We booked this tour with audio guide for £10.69 per person and it was great fun. You can also book other tours with snacks on board and an open deck for the best views.
🔎 Search tip: Head to GetYourGuide and search for “Best family canal boat tour Amsterdam 2025” for the best options.
🧪 Explore the NEMO Science Museum
This was my son’s favourite activity whilst in Amsterdam – think of it as less of a museum and more of a kids playground. Most things are hands-on with the added magic of science in the mix. NEMO is Amsterdam’s most exciting museum for kids (and adults!). From electricity experiments to bubble blowing and rooftop water play, every floor is interactive. Check out the reel we made of the experience.
🎟 Family tickets available. We booked here via GetYourGuide for £18 per person but they also have this option for £25 which includes a boat trip. Allow at least 2–3 hours to explore the museum. We spent 3.5 hours and only left because the museum closed – it was a rainy day so perfect to spend it indoors.
🔎 Search tip: “NEMO Museum Amsterdam family tickets”
🚲 Go on a Guided Family Bike Tour
Amsterdam is made for cycling. Lots of different companies offer guided family-friendly bike tour where you can explore hidden parks, peaceful streets, and canal-side paths safely with a local guide.
🛑 Most tours offer kids’ bikes, seats, and helmets. We booked via GetYourGuide for only £19.19 but we also liked this slightly longer option from WeBikeAmsterdam.
🔎 Search tip: “Family bike tour Amsterdam with kids”
🌿 Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve (Goat Farm in Amsterdamse Bos)
Located in the heart of Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest), this working organic goat farm is a hit with young kids. They can feed baby goats, try goat milk ice cream, and learn about sustainable farming. There’s also a playground, café, and picnic space.
🗺 Location: 20 mins from city centre by bike
🔎 Search tip: “Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm Amsterdam with kids”
🎭 Check out a show at Jeugdtheatre De Krakeling
De Krakeling is a beloved children’s theatre offering live performances, puppet shows, and musicals aimed at ages 2 and up. Some shows are visual or language-light—perfect for international families.
🎟 Some English options available.
🔎 Search tip: “De Krakeling children’s theatre Amsterdam”
🐘 Visit ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
We didn’t get to do this activity as there simply wasn’t enough time – but it is on our list and we think it should be on yours too. Located near the city centre, ARTIS Zoo is home to elephants, lions, and flamingos—all in beautifully landscaped surroundings. For £15 per person you also get free entry to the on-site planetarium and aquarium too!
🔎 Search tip: “ARTIS Zoo Amsterdam family tickets”
🚂Trammuseum Amsterdam – Historic Tram Ride
If your kids are into transport then you have to check out the Trammuseum in Amsterdam. Step into the past with a ride on a beautifully restored historic tram from the early 1900s. On Sundays from April to October, vintage trams run a scenic route from Haarlemmermeerstation to Amstelveen.
🧒 Great for train-loving kids and parents alike.
🔎 Search tip: “Electric Tram Museum Amsterdam family-friendly”
🎨 Dive Into Wondr Experience – Amsterdam’s Immersive Playground
Wondr is a colourful, interactive play space for all ages—with ball pits, glitter walls, rainbow rooms, and more. It’s perfect for Instagram-worthy photos and playful moments.
🎟 Kids aged 8+ will love it most. Parental supervision required.
🔎 Search tip: “Wondr Amsterdam immersive kids experience”
🧀 Enjoy a Family Cheese Tasting Experience
Try Amsterdam’s world-famous cheese—Gouda, Edam, and more—with a family-friendly cheese tasting tour from £14 per person. Some even include dress-up photo ops and kid-friendly tastings.
🧒 Many shops offer mild, kid-approved cheeses to sample.
🔎 Search tip: “Cheese tasting Amsterdam for families”
🎨 Het Kleine Weeshuis – Interactive kids museum at the Amsterdam Museum
Tucked inside the Amsterdam Museum, this immersive exhibit is designed specifically for kids. It walks them through the life of orphans in the 17th century using costumes, games, and hands-on storytelling. We didn’t get to visit but it was high on our list.
📍 Just off Kalverstraat – often overlooked by tourists.
🔎 Search tip: “Het Kleine Weeshuis Amsterdam Museum for kids”
🧇 Make Your Own Dutch Waffles
Get hands-on in a Dutch waffle-making workshop! Kids can design their own toppings while learning how these delicious traditional treats are made.
📍 Look for family sessions in central Amsterdam bakeries or check out this child-friendly workshop from GetYourGuide for £20 per person.
🔎 Search tip: “Waffle making class Amsterdam with kids”
Discover Playhood – Amsterdam’s Modern Indoor Playground
Playhood is a stylish, modern indoor play space where design meets fun. Ideal for toddlers and younger kids, it offers a safe and creative environment with café facilities for parents.
📍 Located in Amsterdam-West. Tickets cost as little as £7 per person. Book here via GetYourGuide.
🔎 Search tip: “Playhood Amsterdam kids indoor play”
🌳 Run Free in Vondelpark’s Playgrounds
Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s largest and most-loved park—and it’s packed with fantastic playgrounds and open spaces. Perfect for letting off steam or enjoying a sunny family picnic.
🧺 Bring snacks or rent a family cargo bike and explore the whole park.
🔎 Search tip: “Vondelpark kids playgrounds Amsterdam”
🔬 Explore the Invisible World at Micropia
Right next to ARTIS Zoo, Micropia is the world’s first museum dedicated to microbes. It’s surprisingly fascinating for older kids and teens—with interactive displays and a real-time microbe scanner.
🧫 It’s science—but in a fun, slightly gross, can’t-look-away kind of way.
🔎 Search tip: “Micropia museum Amsterdam family science”
Bonus Tips for Families Visiting Amsterdam:
- 🎫 Get the I Amsterdam City Card for free entry to museums, public transport, and canal tours or book via GetYourGuide.
- 🎨Check out museum.nl for exhibitions from over 500 museums and art galleries in the Netherlands.
- 🛌 Book family-friendly hotels in neighbourhoods like De Pijp, Jordaan, or Museumplein.
- ☕ Many community cafés in Amsterdam have play corners or family-friendly brunch menus. Here are a few to note:
Situated in the middle of Vondelpark, Groot Melkhuis boasts one of the city’s top-notch playgrounds. With various swings, a zip wire, slides, and sandpits, there’s plenty of space for children to run about. The café serves snacks and refreshments, including stone-oven pizzas on weekends.
Kinderkookkafé offers a unique experience where children can cook and serve their own meals. Everything is set to child-friendly heights, and there’s even a slide for children to use to get in!
Podium Mozaïek is a lovely brunch spot located about a block from the Wachterliedplantsoen playground and kinderboerderij (petting zoo) in Bos en Lommer. They offer a Turkish breakfast with various components served in small dishes, suitable for picky eaters.
De Gibraltar is a pleasant hangout with a play area, located on Haarlemmerweg. It’s a no-nonsense spot where everyone is welcome, and there’s a playground nearby for children to enjoy. - 📚 Visit Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA) – the central library has a stunning kids’ floor, reading area, and rooftop café.
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam is more than canals and coffee shops—it’s a dynamic, safe, and fun city for families with kids of all ages. From science museums to immersive art, bike tours to waffle-making and incredibly creative playgrounds and cafes, there’s no shortage of amazing things to do with children in Amsterdam in 2025.
Keep up to date with more family-friendly fun by following us on Instagram. For more ideas of things to do with the kids in London, visit our events and activities area which provides details of free and ticketed events and special offers from London’s finest venues.