Netherlands · With kids · 2 days · 8 stops
Amsterdam with kids: 2 easy days
For children, Amsterdam is a city to touch and try: experiments at NEMO, on deck at the maritime museum, animals at Artis – all in the east and close together. Day two starts with running around the Vondelpark, followed by a family round of the Rijksmuseum, which is free for under-18s.
In short
- Length
- 2 days, 8 stops
- Highlights
- NEMO Science Museum, Vondelpark, National Maritime Museum, Artis Zoo, Rijksmuseum
- Where to stay
- Canal ring and Jordaan, De Pijp
- Getting around
- You can get everywhere on foot and by tram.
- Best time to go
- April and May with the tulips, and September, are lovely but popular.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
NEMO, a ship and the zoo
NEMO Science Museum
Five floors of hands-on fun: chain reactions, water, light and electricity. Book timed tickets online.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): NEMO Science Museumright next door
NEMO roof terrace
Picnic or a snack on the roof overlooking the water. In summer there are water features to splash in.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): NEMO roof terraceabout 5 min on foot
National Maritime Museum
Outside lies a big sailing ship to explore: gun deck, cabins and hold. Inside there are activities for kids.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Maritime Museumabout 10 min on foot
Artis Zoo
A zoo in the middle of the city: elephants, lions and a butterfly house. Small enough for an afternoon.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Artis Zoo
Day 2
Vondelpark and the Rijksmuseum
Vondelpark
Several playgrounds and lots of space to run. Ducks and herons by the ponds come up close.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Vondelparkright next door
Het Melkhuis
The park café has a playground right next to the terrace. Pancakes and toasties for little ones.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Het MelkhuisAbout 5 min to the park exit on Willemsparkweg, then tram 2 to Rijksmuseum, about 5 min – or about 20 min on foot through the park.
Rijksmuseum
For families: The Night Watch, a huge dolls' house and ship models. Under-18s go free, but still book a ticket.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Rijksmuseumabout 15 min on foot
Sarphatipark
A small park in De Pijp with a playground and a pond. A good place to wind down, with cafés all around.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sarphatipark
Good to know
Strollers in the city
The city is flat, but bridges and pavements are narrow and often bumpy. A nimble buggy beats a big pram.
Toilets on the way
Public toilets are scarce. Plan breaks in museums and cafés – they usually have baby-changing tables too.
Rainy-day plan
In the rain, spend day one almost entirely indoors at NEMO and the maritime museum. On day two, swap the Vondelpark for more time at the Rijksmuseum.
Bike lanes and kids
Hold children's hands where bike lanes cross. Bikes come fast and quietly.
For the best time to go, public transport and where to stay, see the 3-day plan for Amsterdam.
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Amsterdam with kids: frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam good with kids?
Yes. Walks are flat and short, and NEMO, Artis and the maritime museum are three kids' highlights close together in the east.
What age is NEMO good for?
Roughly from primary-school age. Younger kids enjoy the water and building areas; teenagers find tougher experiments on the upper floors.
More plans for Amsterdam
- One dayOne day in Amsterdam – walking routeFrom the Rijksmuseum through the old centre to the Jordaan – with the Anne Frank House in the afternoon and dinner by a canal.
- WeekendA weekend in Amsterdam: Friday to SundayFriday the canals in the evening light, Saturday the Jordaan and Rijksmuseum, Sunday the ferry across the IJ.
- 3 days3 days in Amsterdam – a ready-made itineraryThe canal ring and the Jordaan, the big museums and a day taking the ferries to Noord.
- 5 days5 days in Amsterdam with Haarlem and Zaanse SchansThree city days with the old town, museums and eastern docks – plus Haarlem and the Zaanse Schans windmills by train.
- On a budgetAmsterdam on a budget: 2 days, mostly freeCourtyards, bridges, parks and ferries that cost nothing – plus a street market, a library view and a rooftop.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Kaz Alting, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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