Amsterdam things to do
Kinderkookcafe
One of the most unique activities for kids in Amsterdam (especially on a rainy day) is a trip to the Kinderkookkafé (Children’s Cook Café), where your children suit up in aprons and chef hats to whip up all sorts of creations, from pizzas and sandwiches to chocolate croissants and cookies. Located near the Vondelpark, the café is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call +31 (0)20 625 3257 to inquire about special programs and availability.
(Vondelpark 6b (Overtoom 325)
At the Kattenlaantje
Tel: 020 6253257
Web: http://www.kinderkookkafe.nl/kinderkookkafe.nl/english-pages
Take a Canal Cruise
I don’t know many children who wouldn’t enjoy a boat ride through the winding waterways of Amsterdam. Seeing all the “crooked” buildings, old bridges and surprisingly modern harbor from this perspective is sure to entertain little ones.
During warmer, fair-weather days, try an open-top cruise operator like the St. Nicolaas Boat Club (they welcome families, but be aware that the carefree group attracts a hip crowd who bring their own beer, wine, etc. to enjoy).
In colder weather, go for the bigger, glass-top variety — of these, the Canal Company offers a Pizza Cruise that might entice kids even more.
If your child is big enough to pull (or pedal) their weight, go for the four-seater, self-propelled Canal Bike, also from Canal Company.
Visit Amsterdam Museums with Fun Activities for Children
Some of Amsterdam’s best museums have unique programs for kids:
Rijksmuseum: Located at the heart of Amsterdam’s Museum Square, the Rijksmuseum is one of the world’s most renowned art museums and a true must-see. Even if you have only little time to spare, a walk through the Gallery of Honour will offer you a glimpse of Dutch’s finest art.
Must-sees
- Night Watch, Rembrandt van Rijn’s most famous painting.
- Gallery of Honour with paintings of Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Vermeer and Rembrandt.
- A gorgeous collection of Delft Blue pottery ranging from tea sets to vases.
- Cuypers Library, the biggest and oldest art history library in the Netherlands.
- Unique dolls’ houses that provide a detailed view of everyday life in the 17th century.
- Complete collections of miniature silverwork, musical instruments, glass, porcelain, an impressive armoury and a large number of ship models.
Van Gogh Museum: Find an audio tour, weekend workshops, treasure hunts and coloring pages to help your kids enjoy the Dutch painter.
NEMO: The science and technology museum’s target audience is aged 6-16. The interactive displays encourage visitors to use all their senses (touch everything!).
Maritime Museum:
The National Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum) in Amsterdam shows how the sea has defined Dutch culture. The museum has a special collection devoted to Holland’s maritime history. Children can learn more about shipping interactively and explore a real VOC ship themselves! A visit to the National Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum) is a lot of fun and very special.
Jewish Historical Museum & Tropenmuseum: Both are great children’s museums.
Play in Parks and on Playgrounds in Amsterdam
The Amsterdam parks are great places to let your kids expend some of that energy they never seem to lack. The Vondelpark offers a wading pool that’s wildly popular with children in summer, as well as Het Groot Melkhuis (The Big Milkhouse), a café geared toward families with a huge playground. This is a really nice playground were I spent last year almost every day with my kids. Also the Vondelpark is great for a picnic. They are many area’s to sit and relax, just bring a blanket and food and you are all set.
On rainy days you might consider the TunFun indoor playground where children from ages 1-12 can crawl, climb, slide and bounce to their hearts’ content. They can even dance at a children’s disco and jump on an inflatable Amsterdam street block!
TunFun is situated under the Mr. Visserplein in the heart of Amsterdam near the Waterlooplein. To be reached via:
Metro: lines 51, 53 and 54, station Waterlooplein
Tram: lines 9 and 14, stop Mr. Visserplein.
Artis (def. my favorite !)
The Artis Zoo is a great place to take children and is easy enough to find. Many different parts of the zoo offer everything from animal enclosures of many different species. To the Zoological museum, Geological museum and many more. Explore the 14 Hectares of space that the Artis Zoo has to offer.
Cycling
Cycling is also a great way to see Amsterdam. There a many places to rent a bike in Amsterdam. Consider going for a ride around Amsterdam Oud Zuid or go a visit the Vondelpark. You can also rent a “bakfiets” but it is a little hard to bike on at first but as soon as you can it’s a lot of fun and you can also carry a lot of stuff on it.
Def must see is “De Keukenhof”
Keukenhof, the best day out among the flowers! There are more than 7 million bulbs in bloom this spring, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips. An unique and unforgettable experience!
Besides the spacious 32 hectares of flowers you can enjoy the spectacular flower shows, surprising inspirational gardens, unique artwork and wonderful events. Do not miss the Tulpomania exhibition in the Juliana Pavilion.
Keukenhof is also one big party for children. They will have a blast with the treasure hunt, petting farm, maze and the playground.
Go to Walibi World
Just a short train trip outside of Amsterdam City will take you to Walibi World, a fun amusement park, perfect for the youngsters. There are water rides, kiddie rides, coasters and more. Plus, the real young ones will have a blast getting to meet Walibi and the other costumed characters at the park. Walibi World Spijkweg 30 8256 RJ Biddinghuizen, Netherlands 31(0)321 32 99 99 www.walibi.com.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House Prinsengracht 267 1016 Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Noord-Holland), Netherlands +31 20 5567100. You have to reserve tickets in advance.
Restaurants
It might be a little hard to find a nice restaurant that is also childfriendly.
Whether you are looking to spend a fun afternoon with your children or just need some time for yourself where the kids can entertain themselves, we’ve got the best kid-friendly spots in Amsterdam for you.
Blender Amsterdam
You’ll find Blender where the neighbourhoods De Pijp and Oud-Zuid meet. This kids’ concept store and café offers plenty of room to explore, socialise and shop. In this kid-friendly café, children can play to their heart’s content every day of the week — and with an expansive children’s menu with healthy and delicious food to nibble on, both big and small appetites will be satisfied. Take a look around the shop for trendy kids’ furniture, toys, gifts and clothing from unique, local brands. Children can even hold their birthday parties at Blender, get their hair cut and participate in all sorts of fun activities such as dance classes, arts and crafts, and cooking lessons.
Blender Amsterdam, Ruysdaelstraat 9- 11- 13
Mook Pancakes
All you have to say is ‘pancake’ and the little ones are already outside with their coats on…and then it’s off to Mook in Amsterdam’s Oud-West neighbourhood. At Mook, the pancakes (prepared the American way; you won’t find traditional Dutch pancakes here) are not only finger-licking good, the atmosphere and décor are also a delight for people of all ages. From the Mancake to Blue Magic Deluxe, savoury and sweet are both represented on the menu and you can even customise a pancake for the kids. Mook is open seven days a week from 09:00 to 21:00!
Mook Pancakes, De Clercqstraat 34
miniChiChi Café
The miniChiChi Café is open to guests of all ages, Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00. This great location in the Westerpark neighbourhood offers more than you’ll be able to pack into a single day, from kids’ yoga, storytime readings and toddler dance sessions to maternity yoga and baby massage classes for brand new parents. Parents can relax in the café, check their email, chat with other parents or enjoy a cup of fair trade coffee with apple pie while the kids romp in the play area. Don’t forget to feast your eyes on the wares in the shop, which offers authentic and sustainably produced clothing for babies and kids, toys and adorable trinkets.
miniChiChi Café, Spaarndammerstraat 43H
MiniMarkt Amsterdam
As a concept store, café, kids’ hair salon, play and meeting place in one, MiniMarkt Amsterdam is a great spot to spend a few hours any day of the week. The shop sells original gifts for baby showers and other occasions, clothing, toys and home décor with a Scandinavian touch. You’ll work up an appetite from all that shopping and playing, but luckily MiniMarkt offers a menu for children of all ages as well as a breakfast and lunch for adults with homemade cakes, quiches, organic juices or fresh sandwiches.
MiniMarkt Amsterdam, Beethovenstraat 5A
Wijs West
At Wijs West (in Oud-West), you can buy your child a tasty treat, get them a new hairdo, allow them to pick out a little gift for themselves, and let them play undisturbed with other children. The café serves delicious sandwiches, tasty cappuccino, healthy snacks, juices and cakes, with or without sugar, gluten or lactose. While you take a breather, the kids can do their own thing in the play area full of toys and craft supplies. A different workshop is held every day of the week, such as reading aloud in English, yoga for kids and mothers-to-be, baby massage and crafts.
Wijs West, Bilderdijkstraat 62
Lunchroom Lastig
Don’t let the name confuse you; even the youngest lastpakken (troublemakers) will be kept out of mischief for hours in this friendly neighbourhood lunchroom. For older kids (six and up) there’s a thrilling 40m2game room, and for the adults, a cosy sitting area, free Wi-Fi and Indonesian hospitality. The menu features treats such as French toast with banana and cinnamon sugar, panini fresh from the grill, and many Indonesian specialities such as Nasi Kuning or spekkoek (an Indonesian layer cake). Kids of all ages can participate in one of the monthly workshops, such as learning how to draw cartoons, various crafts and ‘Cooking for Kids’. Something to celebrate? Lunchroom Lastig is happy to help you plan a great event thanks to their special package for parties.
Lunchroom Lastig, Christiaan Huygensplein 33
Pllek
Every Sunday afternoon is a celebration at Pllek. The Ruige Rakkers, the creative children’s programme at this hotspot, offers a series of free activities from 13:00 to 17:00. Kids aged four and older can perform in plays, do yoga, paint or get creative with crafts. A glass of lemonade is included to quench their thirst, and bread rolls with schuddebuikjes (tiny spiced biscuits) and other tasty toppings will satisfy their appetites. Mum and dad can relax in the meantime with a drink and admire the beautiful view over the IJ River.
Pllek, TT Neveritaweg 59
The Pool
You might not expect it, but this restaurant on Wibautstraat in the east of Amsterdam is actually very kid-friendly! With its spacious layout and colourful décor, The Pool offers a special kids’ menu in addition to its deliciously expansive menu for adults. Add to this the children’s chairs, coloured pencils and colouring books, and a play area with ping-pong tables, table football and the photo booth at the on-site Student Hotel, then this location will make it straight onto your list of favourite eateries for the entire family. There is even a space under the restaurant with pinball machines and games for older kids. Another feature is the special family dinner: on Saturdays from 17:30 to 18:30, you can enjoy a meal of chicken, chips, salad and ice cream for only €10 per person. Be sure to book in advance!
The Pool, Wibautstraat 131-A
Sissy-Boy Daily
At the Sissy-Boy store on KNSM-Laan, not only can you spend hours browsing through the trendy gadgets, furniture, gifts and clothing for children and adults, but you’ll also find a great lunch spot right in the shop called Daily. You can order a tasty sandwich with peanut butter, jam, hazelnut spread or cheese just for the kids, and a fruit ice lolly for dessert. And while the kids make drawings, you can recharge in the café.
Sissy-Boy, KNSM-Laan 19
Café-restaurant Amsterdam
Café-restaurant Amsterdam is located in the former engine room of a pumping station dating back to the late 19th century. Such a historic building may not immediately make a child-friendly impression, but appearances can be deceiving. The kitchen is open seven days a week to make dining out with children a lot easier and more fun. A separate menu is available for kids, offering a wide range of choices such as pasta with tomato sauce, burgers, fish nuggets, spring rolls with chips and applesauce, and more. To keep parents’ taste buds happy, the menu offers divine treats such as shrimp croquettes from Holtkamp, Black Angus steak, a special selection of Fruits de Mer, sticky toffee cake and excellent wines. And once the kids have cleaned their plates, they can go make mischief in the football cage outside.
Café-restaurant Amsterdam, Watertorenplein 6
Enjoy !!