Bike rides, boat rides, and theme park rides. If you thought Amsterdam was only for adults, then you’ve missed out on a great family-friendly European city.
You can get from Schiphol Airport to the city center in minutes via the train, which means no cranky kids going from a cramped airplane seat to a cramped backseat in a taxi. The museums, zoos, playgrounds, parks, and more can fill a week-long schedule.
You can even use Amsterdam as a homebase for taking quick jaunts to Paris, Brussels, and more.
How to have a PG-rated trip to Amsterdam with the whole fam
Are kids allowed in Amsterdam?
Of course! Amsterdam welcomes families with children of all ages. Despite its overblown reputation for relaxed cannabis rules and sex work laws, Amsterdam is no more sinful a city than Sin City itself. Like Las Vegas, there’s more to Amsterdam than its adults-only attractions, including a wealth of educational and entertaining things for kids to do.
Is Amsterdam worth visiting with kids?
Absolutely. The art galleries and history museums alone rival the best museums in Europe. Cozy canal rides, picnics in the city’s greenspaces, and sugarific pancake houses make Amsterdam with kids a win for the whole family.
Can kids go into the Red Light District and coffeehouses?
The Red Light District is a residential neighborhood, so there is technically no age limit to visit. Coffeehouses, however, only allow people 18 and older inside. Although both of these places in Amsterdam promote adult-focused activities, parents shouldn’t worry about much riffraff spilling into the streets. Locals, and most tourists, are discrete and respectful in showing their support of these extracurriculars.
Where to stay in Amsterdam with kids?
From floating B&Bs to amazing hotels in Amsterdam, you’ll find a pillow at every price point. The duplex studio at the Quentin Hotel is perfect: the kids get to sleep in the loft and wake up with the ARTIS Zoo right outside their room. If your kin are pedaling on bikes for your trip, consider staying at the Leonardo beside the cycling trails and playgrounds of sprawling Rembrandtpark.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Lechatnoir. Image Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Things to do in Amsterdam with kids
12-hour layover in Amsterdam with kids
A 12-hour layover is a lot shorter than that with kids in tow. Leave Amsterdam Centraal and hit the main museum on your wish list: usually, that’s NEMO Science Museum for kids under 12, and either the Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum for older kids.
A canal cruise is fun, but little ones may tire after a few minutes, so consider the ARTIS Zoo, instead. Finally, end the day with loaded Dutch pancakes before heading back to the airport via train at Amsterdam Centraal.
1 day in Amsterdam with kids
Assuming you’re staying overnight, a Museumkaart pass is helpful: it offers admission to 39 museums around Amsterdam, so you try to get the kids as much cultural exposure as possible. Should anyone be celebrating an 18th birthday, the Heineken Experience is something they’ll brag to their friends about.
Younger teens will be equally thrilled by the A’DAM Tower swing hanging 328-feet in the air. If you want to get out of the city, a quick trip to Zaanse Schans has windmills and tulips as great family photo backdrops.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Darrell Gulin. Image Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Best day trips from Amsterdam with kids
Keeping toddlers away from the canals and asking tweens to see yet another European art museum might make everyone feel a bit frustrated. Escape the city center and take the kids on these fun day trips from Amsterdam.
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens
Amsterdam Centraal to Hillegom: ~ 37 minutes
Absolutely one of the most popular sites near Amsterdam and a place where you’ll want to bring your camera, a visit to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens during bloom will sprout some of your favorite family vacation photos.
Almere Jungle & Klimbos Fun Forest
Amsterdam Centraal to Almere Parkwijk: ~ 35 minutes
A two-for-one bit of family fun, Almere is ready for toddlers, teens, and all in between. The Almere Jungle is a zoo and botanical garden complete with a playground. Next door, Klimbos Fun Forest challenges your daredevil kids to scale a ropes course and zipline between the trees.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrey Danilovich. Image Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Efteling Theme Park
Amsterdam Centraal to De Efteling (Kaatsheuvel): ~ 2 hours
Since Trainline also sells tickets for awesome bus trips through Europe, take advantage of maximum flexibility and discounts by taking the bus to Efteling Theme Park, the largest in the Netherlands. Who needs Disneyland in France when you can see The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Pinocchio, and more fairytale creatures roaming around Efteling?
Since you’re already loading up the kids’ iPad with Paw Patrol and Baby Shark, go ahead and download the Trainline app where you can purchase and store your etickets. And if it’s your first family vacation abroad, we’ve got tips and tricks for traveling Europe by train with kids.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.