Whereas Amsterdam is generally often known as a metropolis for younger adults to exit and play, there’s lots to do in Amsterdam with youngsters. Actually, the Netherlands is residence to a few of the happiest youngsters within the Dutch so don’t fear – your infant could be completely high-quality visiting with you.
I used to stay within the Netherlands for just a few years and once I visited with my youngsters and confirmed them round, they immediately proclaimed that they needed to maneuver there 😉
Is Amsterdam a Good Place for Children?
Whereas Amsterdam could be a enjoyable spot for teenagers, if you wish to expertise the true Dutch tradition, it’s essential to depart Amsterdam and uncover the countryside and different cities within the Netherlands.
Actually, whereas there are clearly many issues to do with youngsters in Amsterdam, I actually consider that the perfect sights with youngsters are outdoors of Amsterdam.
I’ve an entire submit on issues to do within the Netherlands with youngsters, so you’ll be able to see for your self why I like to recommend getting out of Amsterdam. I believe 2 days in Amsterdam is sufficient earlier than venturing out additional. You’ll be able to nonetheless base your self in Amsterdam, however almost definitely it will likely be extra budget-friendly to remain in one other metropolis.
Greatest Time to Go to Amsterdam with Children
There’s no good or unhealthy time to go to Amsterdam, because the climate can change shortly whether or not it’s summer season or winter. Proper earlier than Christmas, it’s magical, however it’s additionally stunning within the autumn when leaves change colours.
Typically, most vacationers can anticipate to spend anyplace from 2 to 4 days in Amsterdam. When you have greater than 2 days, I extremely advocate getting out of town to discover extra of the Netherlands.
The place to Keep in Amsterdam with Toddler, Child, or Younger Children
Whereas I like to recommend staying outdoors of Amsterdam with youngsters, there are just a few locations that I’d advocate with little ones.
Pulitzer Amsterdam – If you happen to can afford it, there’s no higher place to remain. They’ll deal with all of the facilities you may want, have a little bit play space inside and it’s a pleasant oasis within the busy Jordaan space near all the pieces.
The Dylan can also be an ideal decide for everybody, with or with out youngsters, and it feels extra native than the Pulitzer
Resort Not Resort is a unusual spot that youngsters may love because the rooms as totally different.. you’ll be able to sleep on a bus or tram. Plus, you’re proper by Foodhallen which turns out to be useful for meals.
Ought to You Hire a Bike in Amsterdam with Children?
Biking in Amsterdam is extra intense than biking anyplace else within the Netherlands. It’s busy, you need to sign and be conscious of pedestrians and site visitors.
If you happen to’re not a snug biker, then I’d say don’t strive biking within the metropolis as a result of it’s busy and it’s essential to take note of a lot of issues.
Whereas trams and buses work in Amsterdam and surrounding areas, you’ll have extra freedom on a motorcycle – so when you’re a snug biker, lease a motorcycle.
With youngsters, there are two choices: a daily bike with a baby seat (up till 3 years previous) or a bakfiets – cargo bike with a bucket on entrance.
When you assume it’s nice to lease a clog bike for photogenic functions, these bakfiets aren’t electrical and weigh about 90 lbs earlier than any youngsters. It’s a lot better to lease an electrical bakfiets, particularly when you’re venturing outdoors of Amsterdam.
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is a big park within the metropolis with cafes, playgrounds, spots for picnics. There are two nice playgrounds proper by eating places, so dad and mom can seize a wine and loosen up whereas the children play:
- Grote Melkhuis
- Vondeltuin
NEMO Science Middle
The NEMO Science Museum is a enjoyable place with varied experiments. It’s very hands-on so even the smallest guests received’t be bored, however I wouldn’t name it a spot for adults. It’s a child-oriented spot.
NOTE: NEMO works with Museumkaart (Museum Cross). It prices 39 EUR a yr for kids as much as 12, and 75 EUR per grownup and it’s legitimate for an entire yr and virtually all museums within the Netherlands. It’s well worth the worth and can save you numerous.
Hire personal Boat
Many vacationers take a ship tour from one of many huge stands between Central Station and Dam Sq.. Whereas they’re high-quality, it’s way more enjoyable to lease your personal boat and go wherever you please in Amsterdam at your personal tempo.
There are lots to selected from, some with a driver and a few with out, via this web site.
Goat farm at Amsterdamse Bos
Amsterdamse Bos is one other inexperienced spot to take the children because it’s thrice larger than Central Park and has many various actions like boat leases, inexperienced paths, playgrouns. There’s even a free public pool.
The group’s favourite although is a goat farm the place you’ll be able to feed child goats and play inside their play pens. It’s completely free and there’s a really inexpensive cafe close by when you get hungry.
Eat Dutch Pancakes
Carousel Pancake Home which because the identify suggests has tables in an previous carousel and serves Dutch pancakes. Whereas the carousel isn’t working, youngsters can faux by sitting on horses within the center.
It’s may seem to be not a lot, it’s not as touristy as some say and saved my youngsters extraordinarily pleased and the meals was wonderful as properly.
Amstelpark
Amstelpark is a superb place to go to with youngsters and that is the place most organized strolling excursions will take you to. There’s an enormous playground and a maze to maintain little ones occupied.
If that’s not sufficient to fulfill the children, there’s a goat and sheep farm close by as properly. Throughout the summer season, for just a few Euros the children (and adults) can trip a miniature practice.
De Pijp Market
While you go to Amsterdam with youngsters, it’s essential to introduce them to stroopwafels and poffertjes. The most effective ones are served at market stalls, so enterprise to De Pijp and purchase from a road vendor.
De Pijp market is a really native space, but not extraordinarily crowded. You may get the texture of residing like an area in Amsterdam whereas munching some scrumptious snacks.
NOTE: Many weblog posts and suggestions on Instagram will level you to Van Wonderen Stroopwafels. Whereas they appear cute with random decorations, it’s an entire vacationer entice the place no native would even step a foot. To not point out pay virtually 10 EUR for a single stroopwafel.
What to Do in Amsterdam with Children When It Rains
Let’s be actual: the prospect of not less than some rain throughout your keep is near 90%, whatever the season. Don’t fear although, whereas Dutchies may appear much less phased by the rain than most and life will go on, there are many indoor actions for these wanting to remain dry.
Play Cafes
On prime of the talked about earlier than Nemo Science Middle and different museums, there are quite a few play cafes. Play cafes are principally providing a youngsters nook to play whereas dad and mom can loosen up.
They’re barely laborious to seek out within the Netherlands as you’ll be able to’t actually see them from the skin. Most are positioned behind the children retailer, or separate from a daily cafe. You might want to know the place to go.
Two greatest suggestions are: De Kleine Parade, and Membership Abbey.
There’s additionally The Kinderkook Cafe on the sting of the Vondelpark the place even the smallest youngsters get to arrange their meal in addition to yours. It’s a enjoyable exercise for teenagers 3 and up.
Tender play areas
Monkey Cities are enjoyable indoor playgrounds, very talked-about when it rains. There are few in Amsterdam that may turn out to be useful when youngsters have an excessive amount of power.
- Sweet Fortress Speelparadijs
- Monkey City Amsterdam
- Enjoyable Middle Amstelveen
- Jimmy’s Speelparadijs
SEASONAL:
Ice skating
Proper earlier than Christmas there are many cute markets all around the metropolis. In varied areas, together with Museumplein (the place Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museums are) there’s an ice skating rink.
In case your youngster isn’t proficient on skates simply but, they provide the pushers accessible.
Pageant of Lights
Yearly from the top of November to January 30, Amsterdam’s Gentle Pageant is happening on many canals across the metropolis. There are twinkling lights reveals and installations.
Whereas fully free
Journey to tulip fields
You’ll be able to’t see the tulips straight round Amsterdam, however when visiting within the spring you’ll be able to take a day or half-day journey to the fields. Alternatively, there’s Keukenhof Gardens which are simply accessible and don’t require to lease a motorcycle.
I included all the information on visiting the tulips in one other submit.