Things To Do In Amsterdam With Kids- A 5 Day Itinerary For Families
We took a family spring break trip to Amsterdam in March and had a fantastic time. I honestly believe this is one of the best family trips that I’ve planned, and I share ALL the details in a day-by-day plan below!
Amsterdam, the Netherland’s capital, is a lovely and charming city full of colorful architecture, canals and bridges, street markets, and world-class museums.
For families visiting from the United States, it’s an easy introduction to visiting a European city as many residents speak English and most museums and restaurants include written English along with Dutch.
You’ll find plenty to do here between strolling alongside the canals, stopping at sidewalk cafes, eating Dutch delicacies, and exploring museums. It’s a great family destination with something for everyone. Family-friendly options include treasure hunts at the museums, an amazing science museum, sampling food at the markets, or riding on a canal boat which offers a distinctly unique perspective of the city.
It’s a great city to simply roam and meander. You would not be short-changed by this city if all you did during your entire trip was walk along the beautiful canals marveling at the narrow, sometimes tilting canal homes with their gabled facades.
Every stroll will take you by boat-lined canals, arched bridges, and at least one cheese shop on every other block where you can sample deliciously-aged gouda cheese. It’s also a photographer’s dream whether professional or amateur. The girls and I each enjoyed toting our camera with us each day, and I loved seeing the city from their viewpoint.
Our goal at Simply Awesome Trips is to help simplify your trip planning by sharing all the details you need for an enjoyable family vacation.
We’ve put in the hours to research a fantastic trip, our own families have loved them, and we provide all you need to experience the same. You can duplicate the trip in its entirety or gather ideas for your own itinerary. Have fun, be safe, and enjoy your time in Amsterdam!
Is March A Good Time To Go To Amsterdam?
If you find good airline fares to Amsterdam, consider taking the kids to this wonderful, family-friendly city during the month of March. March is shoulder season in most of Europe, so you can enjoy fewer crowds and queues as well as lower lodging rates. We stayed in a beautiful canal-side apartment, and one morning we practically had the entire Royal Palace to ourselves.
Better yet, we never stood in line anywhere, except the airport of course. On the flip side, however, it’s generally cooler, and it was indeed chilly (high 49F/low 36F) in Amsterdam the week we visited. So you might miss out on a picnic in the park, but in exchange you get to see Van Gogh's Sunflowers without peering over the heads of the crowds.
Compared to other European cities, Amsterdam seems to operate at a somewhat slower pace. Perhaps it’s the lazy canals meandering through the city or the fact that a bicycle is the most prominent form of transportation, but we found the pace to be slower and the streets less noisy than other European cities. It turned out to be a very relaxing and super fun vacation.
Our 5 Day Family Trip To Amsterdam
Itinerary Overview
Arrival Day- Check-in to your lodging, enjoy a canal side stroll to the Bloemenmarkt and grab some groceries.
Day 2- Eat traditional Dutch pancakes, visit Anne Frank’s house and Westerkerk (church), sample cheese at the Cheese Museum, stroll the nearby Jordaan neighborhood and finish off with Winkle 43’s famous apple pie. (**If it’s a Monday, include a visit to the Westerstraat Market and Noordermarkt held from 9am-1pm.)
Day 3 - Visit the Royal Palace, Dam Square, and stroll Kalverstraat to window shop and sample tasty goodies.
Day 4- Get your Holland fix of windmills, wooden clogs, and cheese on this day trip to Zaanse-Schans. (Best for a sunny day)
Day 5 - Go on a treasure hunt at the Van Gogh Museum, stroll one of the longest street markets in Europe, explore the playgrounds and cafes at the serene Vondelpark, and relax on a canal cruise. (Best for a weekday)
Day 6- Have fun at the Nemo Science Museum. If you still have the energy, stop at the nearby National Maritime Museum.
Day 7- Return home with great memories!
General Overview of Activities found in this Amsterdam With Kids Itinerary--Map courtesy of openstreetmaps.org
Getting From Schipohl Airport to Amsterdam City Center
You’ll arrive in Schipohl Airport, which is roughly a 20-30 minute drive from city center. After an overseas flight, make it easy and take a taxi or Uber to avoid the hassle of the train with luggage and family in tow. Taxis will pick you up curbside at the airport with a charge of approximately € 40. Uber is a bit less expensive (around € 28) depending on the time of day.
If so inclined, you can catch a train from the airport to Central Station and then walk at least 15 minutes or take a tram/taxi/Uber to your final destination. A one way train ticket is roughly € 7 each.
Getting Around Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a very walkable city. Just be sure to be super aware of bikers, scooters, trams, and the occasional car. You have a higher chance of getting hit by a bike, just because of the sheer number of them, so pay particular attention to bike lanes.
Tram lines run throughout the city, but all of the destinations in this itinerary are within a 30 minute walk of city central. We typically found it was faster to walk than take the trams.
Use the Ulmon City Maps2Go App to compare walking, tram, and Uber times to your destination. The free app offers one offline city map of your choice.
The bike park at Central Station
Where To Stay In Amsterdam
Amsterdam lodging is expensive. That being said, you can find beautiful canal-side apartments and hotels. If you can afford it, avoid the tourists and hustle and bustle found in city center near Dam Square and stay in the Western Canal Belt near the “Nine Streets” or Jordaan neighborhoods. See VRBO vacation rentals in the Amsterdam West area.
Generally speaking, it’s the area comprising these three canals: Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht, bordered on the north by Brouwersgracht and the south by Leidsegracht. Stay west of Damrak.
You’ll have a quiet, village-like experience and will remain close to restaurants, attractions, and within a 30 minute walk of most sites and attractions. If you’re within a 15 minute walk of Anne Frank House, it’s a quiet location.
The Vondelpark area would also be a nice place to stay. See VRBO vacation rentals in this area.
Note: If renting an apartment, note that the stairs in Amsterdam are STEEP! If you have young children, consider whether this will be an issue for you.
The Canal View Apartment - We stayed in this spacious 2 bedroom canal front apartment located at 337 Keizersgracht. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s no longer available but you can use its location as a reference for other lodging nearby. It had a terrific location, walkable to everything. See more VRBO vacation rentals in this same area.
You can even stay on a houseboat on one of the beautiful canals! Pantheos Houseboat in Prinsengracht with a view of the Westerkerk the Landmark. VRBO 1608551ha. Sleeps 4.
The Western Canal Belt Area is the best area to stay in Amsterdam
Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never received compensation at the behest of any organization or company. If you book one of our recommended properties from our website links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission which helps support this website. Thanks! Disclosure Statement.
Amsterdam Hotels With Family Rooms (Sleeps 4)
It’s surprisingly difficult to find hotels that sleep 4. Most sleep 2. Each of these hotels offer rooms that sleep 4 and are centrally located withing the canal ring near the quiet 9 Streets (De 9 Straatjes) area. All are walkable to museums, cafes, the beautiful canals, and most of the activities listed in this itinerary.
The Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel- Family Suite with canal view or a Quadruple Room. Located at Prinsengracht 328-332.
Ambassade Hotel- Located on the Herengracht Canal. Try to get a canal view room. The Quadruple sleeps 4.
NH City Center Amsterdam. Located adjacent to the Singel Canal. Excellent location. The Family Quadruple Room sleeps 4. This seems like a great price point hotel for its location.
Is The I Amsterdam City Card Worth It?
To purchase or not? We did not. If you follow the itinerary listed here, it’s not worth buying the I Amsterdam City Card mainly because children are admitted for free to many museums and several of the activities listed here are free as well.
Overall, the I Amsterdam City Card doesn’t provide a family with additional savings unless you plan on visiting a multitude of museums.
A 4-day City Card costs €115 (Euro). They do not offer a special price for cards for children.
Ticket prices for our family of four to attend the activities in this itinerary including Anne Frank House (not included on the City Card) costs less than the I Amsterdam City Card even when adding the optional Maritime Museum and Rijksmuseum tickets to our total.
If visiting more museums than what’s listed here in our itinerary, it could be worth it to purchase 2 adult I Amsterdam City Cards and purchase children’s admission separately if required.
The I Amsterdam City Card also offers free public transport and a free bicycle rental, but we ended up walking to most activities from our centrally located vacation rental. After seeing the bike traffic, I’m not sure I would want to tackle the bike with children in tow! You’ll see what I mean!
For more information, visit the I Amsterdam.com website to see a full list of sites and attractions covered by the I Amsterdam City Card.
Day 1- Welcome to Amsterdam!
Day 1 Overview
Welcome to Amsterdam! Arrive and hopefully have an early check-in to your apartment or hotel. Grab a bite to eat, take a brief nap if needed, and explore your neighborhood. If you’d like a destination for your walk, stroll along the canals to reach the Bloemenmarkt (flower market) or find the famous bench from the movie/book “The Fault in Our Stars.”
Day 1 Activity- Walk to Bloemenmarkt (The Flower Market)
The walk to the Bloemenmarkt will take you along the city’s canals to the world's only floating flower market. It’s a good destination stroll to the city's southern canal belt.
You’ll find flowers in bloom (in season: mid-March to mid-May) and tulip bulbs that you can purchase as souvenirs. Just make sure that they are “Certified” for travel to the U.S. If you’re pressed for time on your return flight to the U.S., skip the tulip bulb purchase as it requires an additional line through Customs Agriculture.
Backside of the Bloemenmarkt located on Singel Canal
Day 1 Activity- Find the Fault in Our Stars Bench
This is obviously an optional activity for many, but if you’re a fan of the movie or book by John Greene (and many kids and adults are!), you know that the later part of the book is set in Amsterdam and several scenes from the movie were filmed in Amsterdam. You can visit many of the sites from the movie if you’d like “direction” for your city strolling.
Seeing the infamous bench was on my daughter’s list, so we made a point of walking by it on our walk. For those not in the know, the bench looks like an ordinary green canal-side bench, but for fans of the book it apparently has meaning.
The bench is located near the intersection of two Amsterdam canals, the Herengracht and Leidsegracht. You’ll find it in front of the address Leidsegracht 2 and 4.
Day 1 Activity- Grab Some Snacks/Groceries For Your Stay
On your way home, stop by Albert Heijn Grocery to stock up on supplies. You’ll see these stores throughout Amsterdam and will be amazed by the quality and price of fine breads, cheese, delicious salads, chocolates, and wine. Stock up on whatever looks tasty and consider takeout for dinner at your apartment (you’re tired!). Purchase a package of stroopwafels for about €2 for a tasty Dutch dessert.
Tip: Bring a small reusable grocery bag (purchase from Amazon or bring from home) and take it with you each day so you can easily load up on goodies on the way back to your lodging. Unlike many places in the U.S., you must provide your own grocery bag at check-out.
Important: Please note that not all Albert Heijn grocery stores accept credit cards. We found that the one on Singel did accept cards while the one on Elandsgrach did not. Also, the wine selection was better at Albert Heijns on Wolvenstraat 32.
Day 2- Amsterdam With Kids
(Make this a Monday or Saturday if you can)
Day 2 Overview
Today, you’ll explore the Jordaan and Westerpark neighborhoods to visit the Anne Frank House and hopefully attend one of the Monday or Saturday street markets. After the somberness of Anne Frank, you’ll enjoy the emotional and gastronomical pick-me-up of the Amsterdam Cheese Museum.
Day 2 Morning-Breakfast at Pancakes!
If you didn’t eat at your lodging, grab breakfast at Pancakes! It is located at Berenstraat 38 and opens at 9am. They serve traditional Dutch pancakes as well as American-style pancakes in case you have picky eaters.
The Pancake Bakery also makes the cut for excellent food and is located near the Anne Frank House.
Map showing Day 2 Activities. Map courtesy of openstreetmaps.org and annotated.
Day 2 Activity- Westermarket and Noordermarket (Mondays and Saturdays)
If you’re fortunate enough to be here on a Monday or Saturday, you can walk through the Westermarket and Noordermarket held from 9am-1pm. A market stroll is one of the best ways to see the locals, sample foods, and buy souvenirs to bring home.
The Westermarket runs the length of Westerstraat, and Noordermarket is clustered around the church near Winkel 43, a cafe famous for their apple pie. You can easily visit both on your walk as they intersect each other at Prinsengracht.
The Monday market focuses more on fabrics, purses, hats, clothing, and more. You’ll find a larger selection of food on Saturdays. We found the Noordermarket to have a fun shopping selection of Amsterdam t-shirts and discounted fashion items like shoes, purses, etc. as well as some food options.
See IAmsterdam’s description of the best markets in Amsterdam for food and flowers.
Day 2 Activity- Jordaan Stroll
If you have time, the Jordaan neighborhood is a peaceful stroll. Some of the more quaint streets include Tweede Tuindwarsstraat, Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat, and Tweede Anjeliersdwarsstraat. All within a 5 minute walk from the Anne Frank House and Noordermarkt.
Some advice from the Just Go Places Blog: Go hunting for stone tablets that grace the buildings of the Jordaan. In the old days, these tablets would indicate the profession of the people inside. In the 16th century, these tablets were used as signs instead of wooden gables that blocked the little streets.
Day 2 Activity - Anne Frank House
One of Amsterdam's most popular and important museums is the Anne Frank House. The house is located on the Prinsengracht canal in the center of Amsterdam. It contains the secret annex where the young Anne Frank and seven others hid from German occupation during WW2. It was here that she wrote her now famous diary.
Before your visit to Amsterdam, consider reading part if not all of Anne Frank’s Diary. Or, read the children’s book, “Who Is Anne Frank? ” It will make the tour of the house more meaningful and provide a historical context. The house is located at 267 Prinsengracht.
Important: Make reservations online in advance. Tickets are available 6 weeks in advance. Free for children under 9 years of age but you must still purchase a ticket. Your visit includes a free audio tour.
Visiting With Children- The Museum recommends that children be 10 years and older, but I found it suitable for my 7 year-old. We did, however, skip the first film which contains images of concentration camps that might be shocking. You could prepare your child for this, or decide to skip the film.
We found it to be a very worthwhile visit, and my girls appreciated seeing the space and imagining what the Frank’s life must have been like during that time. It really made history come alive for them.
Day 2 Activity- Westerkerk
Tip: If you arrive early or wish to visit after your visit to Anne Frank House, you can enter the 17th century Westerkerk (church) next to the Anne Frank House. Anne points out the sound of its church bell in her diary, and Rembrandt’s body is presumed to be buried in it. It’s free to enter. Westerkerk is open to visitors all year round from 10am-3pm, except during Sunday services.
Westerkerk church in the distance. Photo taken from the outside of the Amsterdam Tulip Museum next door to the Cheese Museum.
Day 2 Activity- Amsterdam Cheese Museum
You will absolutely love this stop at the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. In this “museum”, you will be able to sample all types of cheese and purchase any that you like. Free admission, free cheese, score! It’s a great way to determine what you like and help you navigate the beautiful cheese selection at the cheese shops and markets.
In the downstairs, you’ll find the small “museum” which chronicles the history and art of cheese making, but most importantly offers a fun photo booth (for a small fee) complete with Dutch costumes and props such as bonnets, cheese heads, pitch forks, and more. We had a blast and the photo was a fun keepsake.
It’s a 2 minute walk from the Anne Frank House and is located at Prinsengracht 112. (9am-7pm)
The downstairs of the Amsterdam Cheese Museum
Restaurants Near the Anne Frank Museum and Jordaan Neighborhood
Winkel 43 - Try the apple pie at Winkel 43, a Dutch culinary fixture located at the corner of Prinsengracht and Westerstraat. It’s right next to the Noorderkerk (church) and about a 7 minute walk from the Anne Frank house. Although they have a variety of items on the menu, everyone orders the apple pie and coffee here!
Pancakes Amsterdam - Another pancake house near Anne Frank House--277 Prinsengracht
La Perla Pizzeria - Wood-fired pizzas, pasta and salads with outdoor seating. Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 53.
Cafe Thijssen - This attractive cafe with large outdoor dining looked affordable and fun. Brouwersgracht 107.
Neighborhood Playgrounds Near Anne Frank House
Noorderkerk Playground - When not hosting the Monday or Saturday Noordermarket, the plaza outside of the Noorderkerk church has a small playground. A good place to get the wiggles out before eating apple pie at the nearby Winkle 43.
Kip and Konintje (Chicken and Bunny) Playground - If you have young children, you might seek out the Kip and Konintje (Chicken and Bunny) playground at the end of Slootstraat off of Madelievenstraat.
As the name implies, you’ll find a small house with chickens and bunnies for the kids to admire along with swings, a small slide and a sandpit. It’s about a 7 minute walk from the Anne Frank House.
Noorderkerk Playground
Day 3 - Amsterdam With Kids
Overview of Day 3
Today is a built-in light day to visit the Royal Palace and explore Dam Square. You’ll also walk down the nearby touristy, pedestrian shopping street Kalverstraat for window shopping and some amazing food treats.
Day 3 Activity- Royal Palace Tour
Located in the heart of the city, the magnificent 17th century Royal Palace is not only one of the Netherlands' most famous historical buildings, it is the only palace in the country that is both in active use and available for the public to visit.
You’ll be in awe of its history, beauty, the artwork, sculptures, furniture, and extravagant chandeliers. Better yet, they offer a scavenger hunt for the kids, free audio guides, and a cloak room to store your bags and coats at no charge. Plan about an hour to explore. Kids admittance are free, and they have a free audio guide geared to family and children as well.
Fun Fact About the Princess - A fun note for your kiddos: Princess Catharina-Amalia, 20, the oldest child of King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima, is first in line to the throne. She is followed by her sisters Alexia and Ariane. Under a 1983 law, the eldest son or daughter becomes heir whereas historically it has been the eldest son.
Day 3 Activity- Dam Square Souvenirs
Stop by this souvenir store for yet another photo op in a giant, yellow Dutch shoe with Dam Square as a backdrop. It’s also a nice souvenir shop with reasonable prices. We purchased a windmill Christmas ornament and some fun clog pencil holders. Address: Dam 17-19.
Day 3- Stroll Kalverstraat and Window Shop
The pedestrian-only street Kalverstraat stretches from Dam Square to the Bloemenmarkt and is filled with mainstream fashion stores, department stores, souvenir shops, cafes, and more. Lots of people and lots of tourists. It can be crowded but is worth a stroll if you have brand obsessed pre-teens.
Fun Fact: Kalverstraat is the most expensive street in the Dutch version of the Monopoly game.
Experience the best fries in Amsterdam at Vleminckx.
After about a 10 minute stroll, it’s time to experience the best fries in Amsterdam at Vleminckx. Walking on Kalverstraat from the Dam, turn right on Heiligeweg and then take another right at the Le Creuset store to proceed on Voetboogstraat. You’ll see the small storefront (and the waiting line) on the right. Voetboogstraat 33.
Determine your serving size and sauce and enjoy. Mayonnaise is the traditional Dutch sauce. Or, try the herby ketchup, which does not taste quite like Heinz. The satay sauce was different and good too. The fries are served in paper cones with a small wooden fork to dig up the saucy remnants.
Tip: When we there, the restaurant across the street allowed you to bring in your fries if you order a drink.
Amsterdam Wonderland offers a great description and menu.
Hema Department Store - Back on Kalverstraat, you could continue your unhealthy food binge at HEMA Department Store’s street-front snack shop to get the best ice cream deal in the city: a soft-serve cone with your choice of sprinkles..
If you feel inclined, you can take the escalator down to the department store for a Target-like shopping experience. Department stores in other countries are always interesting, and we generally make a point to walk through them to see the different products they offer. This one offered a nice selection of affordable stationary, kitchen gadgets, clothing, and food products. Address: Kalvertoren Shopping Mall. Kalverstraat 212
American Book Center - If you enjoy a good bookstore, this one’s for you. Located in the Spui neighborhood, you can also find an outdoor book market nearby on Fridays. The books can be pricey considering the exchange rate, but you’ll find an amazing selection. The travel selection alone was incredible. Spui 12
Day 3- Restaurants Near Kalverstraat
Vleminckx - Best fries in Amsterdam.
DeMannen/Van Kaas - Our favorite food find. If we were anywhere in the vicinity of this fine food shop, we would stop in for cheese samples and sandwiches to go. Crazy good. Spuistraat 330.
Bierfabriek - Brewery and food near Spui. Opens at 3pm weekdays; 1pm weekends
Kantijil en de Tiger - This restaurant was recommended to us for its good rijsttafel. Rijsttafel (translation: "rice table"), pronounced RICE-taffle, is a medley of dishes from the Indonesian islands. You will see plenty of Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam as Indonesia was a Dutch colony for more than 350 years. It was a fun dinner and a nice place. We shared a rijsttafel (with a set selection of dishes) for 2 among the 4 of us. Spuistraat 291.
Le Pain Quotidien - Bakery, soups, sandwiches, baguettes. Same chain as found in the U.S. Spuistraat 266.
Stach Food - Sandwiches (brooj) and burgers to go, pastries, 8:30am-10pm. Singel 437.
Het Pakhuis - Cozy Dutch cafe on a hidden side street off Spui has a reasonable lunch-time menu.
Day 4 - Amsterdam With Kids
Overview- Day Trip to Zaanse Schans
If you’re traveling to Holland, you need to see windmills, and the village of Zaanse Schans is the place to do it. It’s a great way to spend a lazy day admiring the views while strolling the grounds filled with cheese shops, clog workshops, windmills and more. It’s especially beautiful when the weather is nice.
The grounds of Zaanse Schans Zaanse Schans Windmills
A visit to the village of Zaanse Schans is free, but some sites require an admission fee. For instance, each windmill has an admission of €3-4 to climb up to an observation deck.
The village is located 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train which includes a 10-15 minute walk from the Koog-Zaandijk station. Or, it’s a 40 minute bus ride from Central Station.
Plan on strolling the grounds, taking a zillion photos of the windmills, sampling cheese, touring the clog museum, and visiting the spice windmill, all for free. You can skip the Zaanse Schans card which offers discounted entry to certain windmills and the Zaans Museum which focuses on the food industry of Holland. You’ll have a great time just strolling through the village and walking by the windmills.
Make sure to visit these free attractions:
• The Clog Workshop with its live demonstrations and scenic photo op in yet another giant Dutch shoe.
• The Cheese Shop for free samples and a visit with the farm animals behind it.
• The Spice Windmill (Specerijenmagazijn) which has free admittance inside (though no viewing platform) and smells divine.
You can also rent bikes in season and bike an 8 km or 30 km ride on the bike paths surrounding the village or even take a boat tour. Check the website for more information.
Note: Zaanse Schans is highly recommended though keep in mind it is a very touristy spot. Visiting in March minimized the crowds significantly, but I imagine it is super, perhaps crazy busy in the summer.
Getting To Zaanse Schans By Bus
Take bus 391 from the back of Amsterdam Central Station Platform E which leaves every 15 minutes and takes about 40 minutes. Buy from the driver. Zaanse Schans is the last stop before the bus turns around and returns to Amsterdam. The bus saves walking time as the train station is a 15 min walk to Zaanse Schans.
Getting To Zaanse Schans By Train
The nearest railway station to Zaanse Schans is called either Zaandijk–Zaanse Schans or Koog Zaandijk. You can purchase a ticket to either destination, it’s the same. This station can be reached by local train from Amsterdam Central Station in 17 minutes with a total of 4 stops.
After departing the train, you will then need to walk an additional 15 minutes to reach Zaanse Schans.
It’s a beautiful walk from the station with the smell of chocolate in the air from the nearby cocoa factory. You will also pass a wonderful bakery if you’re hungry for a snack. Crossing the bridge over the Zaans River with an incredible view of the windmills further ahead was a highlight. The path is clearly marked with signs, and you’ll have no trouble finding it.
Our daughters really wanted to ride the train, and we avoided some apprehension about motion sickness by skipping the bus ride.
Tip: Call your credit card company to ask about acquiring a pin number to use your credit card at automated credit card kiosks like the train ticket machines in Central Station. Without a pin, you will have to wait in line to buy a ticket. Make sure there is no additional fees from your credit card company to do this.
Day 4- Nearby Restaurants
The Zaanse Schans village itself offers a Pancake House and cafe. You can also purchase cheese and other treats at the cheese shop.
If you depart the train already hungry, stop at the bakery De Wijn. This bakery is located on the walk from the station to Zaanse-Schans. It served one of the best sandwiches we had in Holland, and the girls really enjoyed their croissants. 8am-5pm Monday-Friday; 8-4pm Saturday; closed on Sundays. Stationsstraat 7.
Day 5 -Amsterdam With Kids
Day 5 Overview
Today, you’ll start with a morning visit to the Van Gogh Museum and its lovely surrounding plaza, Museumplein. Afterwards, walk to Albert Cuyp Market to eat and souvenir shop. Finally, wrap up the day at the playgrounds in Vondelpark and rest your feet on a Canal Cruise.
Day 5 Activity- Museumplein
The Museumplein is a lovely plaza where you’ll find the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. To access Museumplein, you’ll walk through the pedestrian and biking tunnels of the Rijksmuseum.
After touring the museums or before entering, soak in the beautiful views of Museumplein while the kiddos get their wiggles out at the playground.
Playground in Museumplein
Day 5 Activity- Van Gogh Museum
The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are two of the most famous art museums in Amsterdam. The larger Rijksmuseum focuses on Dutch art (Rembrandt and Vermeer are highlighted here) while the Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings under one roof, along with other Impressionist artists.
We found the Van Gogh Museum to be a perfect introduction for our kids. It takes about an hour to visit, and the museum provides a Treasure Hunt Worksheet (at no additional cost) for children aged 6 to 12. We recommend skipping the audio guide so you can go at your own pace.
Van Gogh Treasure Hunt - The kids Treasure Hunt information can be found at the information desk one level above the coat check. You can check your coat and bag upon entry on the ground floor at no cost.
The Treasure Hunt was fun and informative, and we all enjoyed it (kids and adults). At the end of the tour, the kids get a prize for completing the worksheet. Each child was treated to their choice of a postcard of a famous Van Gogh painting and a sticker.
Van Gogh Museum Tickets - Purchase tickets in advance online. Note that tickets are ONLY available online. There is no ticket office. You’ll need to specify your date and time. Early times are always better to avoid the crowds. You can enter the museum up to 30 minutes after your reserved starting time. Tickets are free for kids under age 18. Also free with I Amsterdam City Card.
Day 5 Activity- Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s grandest and most popular museums. Its vast collection showcases iconic art as well as Dutch and global history. You’ll find Rembrandt’s large-scale painting, The Night Watch, here along with other Dutch Masters. It’s a large museum, so we opted to visit the nearby smaller and more-manageable Van Gogh Museum. The Rijksmuseum anchors one end of Museumplein
Day 5 Activity- Albert Cuyp Market
With 260 stands, the Albert Cuyp Market is the largest day market in Europe. Stalls sell everything from fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and spices to clothes, cosmetics, art, shoes, and luggage. And much, much, more. It’s huge. It’s a great place to buy Poffertjes and Stroopwafels as well as other hot dishes both ethnic and Dutch.
Getting There - The market is a 15 minute walk (0.75 miles) from the Van Gogh Museum. Tip: Go on a weekday if possible to avoid the weekend crowds.
If you’re brave enough, you can also try raw herring from one of the herring stands. It’s apparently the best here at the market if you can summon yourself to partake of it. (which we regretfully did not! Be brave! Try it!)
Souvenirs - The souvenir prices are the best in town here. For instance, soccer jerseys were purchased for €9 and the souvenir knick-knacks were the least expensive compared to other shops in the city. 9am-5; closed Sundays.
Albert Cuyp Market
The Butcher -If you didn’t eat enough street food at the market, The Butcher offers one of the best flame broiled burgers in town. You’ll find it behind the market stalls at Albert Cuypstraat 129. Keep in mind that seating in The Butcher is limited and the place gets extremely busy on weekends.
Day 5 Activity- Vondelpark
After filling up at the market, walk back towards the Museum Area to visit Vondelpark. Vondelpark is Amsterdam's largest and most famous municipal park. Its tree-lined paths take you to numerous children's playgrounds, a wading pool, rose garden, and several cafés and restaurants. You can even see an original Picasso sculpture here.
Vondelpark
Fun Playground - Take a stroll to the wooden treehouse-like playground found near the center of the park. The kiddos enjoyed the enclosed bridges and forts. The entire walkway is enclosed with netting and ropes, so it’s safe for younger kids as well.
To find this particular playground, locate the splash pad (waterspeeltuin). With it on your right walking south, take the footpath on your left. You’ll eventually arrive at a white wooden bridge and it’s straight ahead.
Map of Vondelpark courtesy of openstreetmaps.org and annotated
Click here to view the Vondelpark Map (pdf). *When looking at the map, note that WC indicates toilets, yellow 7 circle is Cafe Groot Melkhuis and yellow circle 9 is the paddling pool (waterspeeltuin). Speeltuin (yellow 2 circle) means playground.
Vondelpark Restaurants
Vondelpark has several cafes within the park. The Groot Melkhuis has a beautiful outdoor terrace and the children can play in their proprietary playground while you enjoy a beverage. Open 10-5, closed Mon. and Tues.
Blauwe Theehuis is another cafe in the park, but its architecture and ambiance is not nearly as attractive as Groot Melkhuis. Open 9-5 weekdays and 10-5 weekends.
De Vondeltuin is located at the southern end of the park, furthest from Amsterdam center, and looks like a nice place to grab a coffee or eat lunch. Pretty outdoor seating. Kids menu too. A good playground is nearby.
Day 5 Activity- Canal Cruise
Now it’s time to sit and enjoy the ride. There are many canal cruise operators, but we chose the Blue Boat Company for their location (just outside Vondelpark) and their “Pirate Cruise” option (no up charge) for kids aged 5-12.
The kids get a pirate-themed audio guide, worksheet, and a pair of “binoculars.” My 7 year-old daughter really enjoyed it, but I think my 11 year-old would have preferred the adult audio with the worksheet.
Enjoy the Blue Boat Company Pirate Cruise
The boats have a restroom on board, and you can bring snacks and beverages either purchased at the ticket office or elsewhere.
During the summer, the boats leave daily every half hour between 10:00 and 7pm. Lasts 75 minutes.
Canal Boat Tips
Although the company does provide headphones for all, bring your child’s headphones or earbuds for a better fit.
The left side of the boat may have slightly better views but not significantly better if you can’t sit there. If it’s a nice day, you can sit in the open-air area at the rear of the boat but there’s no audio plug-in.
It is located near Vondelpark; across from Hard Rock Cafe; Look for a blue awning. Corner of Stadhouderskade 30 1071 and Hobbenmastraat.
Summer season (April-October): Leaves daily every half hour from 10:00-7pm. Winter season (November-March 31) leaves every hour from 10-6pm.
Day 6 - Amsterdam With Kids
Day 6 Activity- NEMO Museum
If you have a bad weather day, this would be the place to go. But even on a good weather day, it’s worth the visit. This science museum designed for kids resides in a large green building shaped like a ship and spans 4 floors.
Even better, its rooftop cafe and terrace offer a spectacular view of the city. From the terrace, you can also see “The Amsterdam,” a ship housed at the National Maritime Museum.
The NEMO is a fantastic, interactive science museum that mixes the science behind each station with fun. My kids both had a blast. We originally planned a 2 hour excursion here, and it quickly turned into 4. It’s super interactive and was fun for all ages, including adults.
Favorite stops included the gear pulleys, interactive mechanical arms, illusions, and the shadow capture. You can even touch a 1.2 billion year old rock or perform real laboratory experiments complete with white coat and safety glasses. All exhibits were in English and Dutch.
They provide lockers for your bags and coats. Deposit €0,50 cent in the coin slot of the locker to get the key and remember to get your coin back when you leave.
Note to Parents: Just an FYI that the 4th floor, “Humania”, contains a Teen Area with an interactive “puppet french kissing” exhibition and a sex room with various poses rated xxx. Only in Amsterdam! Don’t skip the 4th floor though. You can experience other activities like facial cue recognition, IQ tests, learning style, brain size, and more. If desired, the Teen Area is easily avoidable as it’s located in the rear area of the floor, and you don’t have to walk through it to see other exhibits.
Tip: Even if you don’t buy tickets to NEMO, you can go to the rooftop viewing area by climbing the steps on the eastern edge of the building or taking the elevator from the museum’s central hall at the front. A great way to get an awesome view of the city.
Open 10am-5:30pm; Allow 2 hours or more. Entry costs €16 for anyone over 4. You can also buy e-tickets online which are valid for one year after issue date.
Getting To NEMO- It’s a 15-minute walk from Central Station. Leave the main entrance of Central Station, turn left and follow the signs for ‘Route Oosterdok’, walk by the Double Tree Hotel, and walk straight ahead to the pedestrian bridge leading to NEMO.
From the eastern part of the City Centre/Waterlooplein, follow the Valkenburgerstraat to NEMO pier.
Day 6- Nearby Restaurants
NEMO - You’ll find a nice cafeteria-style restaurant on the top floor (5th) of NEMO for a snack or lunch. Offers pizza slices, hot dogs, salads, and sandwiches. Not terribly expensive for the convenience. Another cafe is located on the 2nd floor along with a coffee shop at the ticket entrance. Or, you can bring your own food and dine here as well.
Amsterdam’s Central Library - Located next door to NEMO, the public library has a well-reviewed, inexpensive 7th floor cafe. Dining with a view! The library is a beautiful example of what a children’s library should be. It’s open every day of the week from 10:00 to 22:00 hrs.
Day 6 Activities- Optional Nearby Sites
Two fun alternatives or additions to this day if you have endless energy would be the National Maritime Museum (Hetscheepvaartmuseum) or a side trip to a brewery, Brouwerij ‘t IJ, housed next to an old windmill.
National Maritime Museum - If I had another day, the National Maritime Museum would have been our next stop. A recently renovated, interactive museum geared to kids and adults. Open 9-5. Per their website:
The National Maritime Museum invites visitors to discover how the sea has shaped Dutch culture. In this freshly modernised museum, stimulating, interactive exhibitions let visitors explore 500 years of maritime history. There are a variety of exhibitions, including many especially for children. Notably, the famous replica of the Dutch East India Company ship ‘Amsterdam’ is moored at the museum, so visitors can climb on board and explore it.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ - This brewery combines two things we love in Holland: beer and windmills. The brewery is located right next to the largest wooden windmill in the Netherlands making it the ideal landmark. Although this place is mainly about the beer, it also offers wine, juice, and sodas along with a basic menu of beer snacks (cheeses, sausages, etc).
It’s a bit off city center and not on the way to anywhere, so it’s a destination that requires an additional 20 minute walk from NEMO or a 15 minute walk from the Maritime Museum. Uber might be the way to go here. Open 2pm-8pm every day. Address: Funenkade 7.
Best Resources
Best Amsterdam Website For Visiting Families: Amsterdam Wonderland
Best Travel Guide: Top 10 Amsterdam by Eye Witness
Before You Go (Fun)
Read The Fault In Our Stars and watch the movie
Watch Ocean’s 12 (filmed in Amsterdam)
Read the Diary of Anne Frank
Read Who Is Anne Frank? (appropriate for most children)
Check out a book about Van Gogh’s work from the library or read about him on Wikipedia
Purchase Mission Amsterdam from Amazon. It provides a fun city-wide scavenger hunt for kids. My daughter really enjoyed it and most of the sites we visited were in it.
Before You Go (Logistics)
Call your credit card company and bank to let them know you are traveling in Amsterdam.
Download Ulmon City Maps2Go App or download an offline Google Map.
Make sure your Passport is up to date and does not expire within 6 months of your trip.
Call your cell phone provider to get international coverage. With AT&T, it costs $10 for each day we used cellular. Some days we only used WiFi and didn’t pay a fee for that day.
Download the Uber app if you don’t already have it. We used it with no problem and found plenty of drivers for our trip back to the airport.
If We Had More Time
You would think 6 days would be ample time to visit Amsterdam, but we left wanting more. Here are the other activities on our list for next time.
National Maritime Museum (located near Nemo)
Rijksmuseum -The Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s grandest and most popular museums. Its vast collection showcases iconic art as well as Dutch and global history. You’ll find Rembrandt’s large-scale painting, The Night Watch, here along with other Dutch Masters.
Amsterdam Museum - A visit to Amsterdam Museum might be worthwhile if you’re interested in an historical overview. But if you’re short on time, you can also take a walk through their free gallery and marvel at the bizarre gable stones hanging on the wall close to the entrance. Kalverstraat 92. Monday Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Foodhallen - Think super-extravaganza food court for all foodies. Viet View for Vietnamese street food is recommended as well as Petit Gateau for dessert. Kanarie Club at the back for a drink.
Herring Stand at Albert Cuyp Market- we’re going to try it!
IJ Kantine at NDSM Wharf - The IJ-Kantine prides itself on being a family-friendly restaurant, providing a children’s menu and even a staff member leading craft activities on Sundays at 2pm. During the summer, a huge sandpit at the side of the terrace is supplied with toys. You will enjoy the nice outdoor terrace while the kiddos play. Everyone is happy.
Part of the fun is getting there. Take the free GVB ferry from behind Amsterdam Central Station to NDSM-werf. These run approximately every half hour to midnight- - last ferry back to central is at 1am Fridays and Saturdays.
Bike Along the Amstel River to Ouderkerk Aan de Amstel - Hire a bike in town and cycle the 10k along the Amstel River. Heading out past the Magere Brug or “Skinny Bridge” you’ll be in the ‘countryside’ within about 20 minutes, cycling past windmills and fabulous waterfront properties before riding out on the polder with the Amstel snaking alongside you. It’s not surprising that the easy 40 minute ride is one of the city’s most popular out-of-town day trips for saddle-bound explorers. ---excerpt from amsterdamwonderland.com
The Cat Boat - The Cat Boat is the only animal sanctuary that literally floats. A refuge for stray and abandoned cats which, thanks to its unique location on a houseboat in Amsterdam's picturesque canal belt, has also become a world-famous tourist attraction. I think my girls would have gotten a kick out of this. Singel 38. Open 1-3pm.
Free Lunchtime Concert at Het Concertgebouw - Per their website: For many years now, free Lunchtime Concerts have been held in the Main Hall and the Recital Hall. Usually, these Lunchtime Concerts take place on Wednesdays, but please check the concert schedule as this occasionally changes. The concerts range from public rehearsals by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, to chamber music performances by young up-and-coming artists.
The concerts last thirty minutes and are free of charge. For Lunchtime Concerts in the Recital Hall you will require a ticket, which is free of charge. These tickets are available from the Entrance Hall, from 11:30 a.m. onwards. As these concerts are very popular, please ensure you arrive in time to obtain your ticket. Doors to the concert hall open about 30 minutes before the Lunchtime Concert starts. Visitors are advised that these concerts are suitable for children from six years old.
Bos Amsterdam - Bos Amsterdam (“Amsterdam Forest”) is a fun excursion just outside the bustle of the city. Enjoy nature walking, taking a bicycle ride, making a picnic, rowing, swimming, or visiting the goats at the two cheese farms that reside there. For you transportation lovers, the Tram Museum in Amsterdam offers rides on their historic trams to Bos Amsterdam for minimal fare.
The Tulips at Keukenhof Garden - A bike tour to witness the tulips. The tulip season generally runs mid-March to mid-May.
A Day Trip to Edam - Wednesday is a great day to visit Edam’s traditional cheese market. It’s also a beautiful town. It’s a half-hour drive (bus) from Amsterdam. Farmers bring their cheese to market loaded on boats or horse. This trip could also be a biking tour.
A Day Trip to Kasteel de Haar in Utrecht - This castle and grounds near Utrecht look like a fun day.
A Day Trip to Alkmaar - Alkmaar is known for its Friday cheese market and takes 40 mins by train from Amsterdam. It could easily be combined with a trip to the windmills at Zaanse Schans. In Alkmaar, visit the Beatles Museum, Cheese Museum, Beer Museum, take a canal ride, and visit their historic church.
See A Soccer Game - Amsterdam's football (soccer) team is Ajax Amsterdam, one of the most successful European teams in history. Watching a match at the local pub or the arena would be a great way to live like a local!
Things To Know When Visiting Amsterdam
A Coffee Shop Is Not a “Coffee Shop”
An important note to understand about Amsterdam is that the term “Coffee Shop” refers to a business selling marijuana not coffee. Coffee shops are prevalent in all parts of the city, and you will smell their aroma when walking by. It does not contribute a “seedy” flair to the city, and it went largely unnoticed by our kiddos.
The Red Light District
As far as the Red Light District goes, you can easily avoid it. It’s located northeast of the the Dam Square area, and it’s a confined neighborhood. The De Oude Kerk is a famous landmark in the Red Light District and is easy to spot on most maps. For our walks, we never had to detour around it but it would be easy to do if needed.
The Food In Amsterdam
The Dutch aren't particularly known for their traditional cuisine, but you will have no problem finding delicious food here. They pride themselves on their Dutch pancakes (think sweet or savory crepes), waffles, cheese, chocolate, and french fries. You can also find all types of other worldly cuisines in the city as well.
Happy Trails! That’s all for this itinerary. Have a blast in Amsterdam and make sure to take plenty of photos of this amazing city!
More International Itineraries
Welcome to our series “A Simply Awesome Day in...” where we share a full day’s excerpt from one of our family vacation destinations. Today, we offer a fun day from our "5 Days in Sydney" Itinerary.
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