Taking your kids to Amsterdam

The Dutch capital of Amsterdam might not be the first place in Europe you think of to travel with your kids, but did you know that Dutch children are some of the happiest kids in the world. In fact, Dutch children have ranked as the happiest kids in the world for over 10 years. UNICEF Report 2013.

There are many reasons why they are the happiest in the world but why not check it out first hand for yourself and your kids. There must be something as to why their kids are the happiest, but the parents are also some of the happiest people in the world.

Let’s talk about Amsterdam, traveling with kids, and why it’s one of my favorite cities in the world!

Where To Stay in Amsterdam

One of the things I love the most about Amsterdam is how unique it is. There are tons of boutique hotels that are one of a kind in Amsterdam. Check out this post from Pink Luggage Aboard about a truly one of a kind boutique hotel that you will love!

Take your kids for a bike ride

One of the first things that you will notice when you travel to Amsterdam or the Netherlands will be the vast amount of bicycles. The Netherlands has over 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) of dedicated bike paths, and over 22 million bikes. For a country that only has a population of 17 million, there are more than enough bikes to go around.

There are places all over the city to rent bikes for you and your kids. And plenty of dedicated bike paths for all of you to ride. Imagine yourself biking along the beautiful canals to take in the city.

Why not just use the bike as one of your modes of transportation to get around the city for the day. It truly is one of the easiest ways to get around Amsterdam and a great family adventure.

Is biking in Amsterdam safe?

Yes, Yes, Yes, it’s safe. In fact, you are safer riding a bike in the Netherlands than probably your home country. The Netherlands along with Denmark are the safest countries in the world to ride a bike.

Where to ride a bike for the first time in Amsterdam?

I would recommend that you start in a park, especially if you are traveling with kids. This way you are able to get a feel for the bike, the flow of the other bikes, and take is some of the beautiful scenery.

We started our bike ride in the Vondelpark and I have to say it was perfect. It is located on what I would consider on the edge of the downtown or city center area. This large park has over 120 acres. It is surrounded by trees and has a number of ponds with duck.

In the spring there are flowers and in the summer the grass is filled with people picnicking, relaxing, and playing different sports. If you travel to Amsterdam in the summer, plan lots of time to spend in this park.

Vondelpark is located a couple of blocks away from the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Making it an ideal place to start and then venture over to one of these museums. If you decide to go to the Van Gogh Museum make sure to book your tickets in advance and online here.

Renting a bike at Central Station

Most people arrive in Amsterdam through the beautiful central train station. This is one of my favorite train stations in the world for its beauty and architecture. But it is also an extremely busy train station.

If you are anxious to get on a bike right away, there is a bike rental in Amsterdam Central Train Station. Mac Bike is located inside the station. I have not rented bikes from Mac Bike. I am recommending it based on ease and convenience. They also have great reviews on Google. We have also used Klook for other rentals and tours, and they have bike rentals available for a great price.

The downside of renting from Central station or around the city center is that you will be thrown into one of the busiest areas in the city. And as you will quickly learn in Amsterdam, it’s not the cars or other bikes that you have to worry about, it’s the people stepping out in front of you into the bike path.

Most tourists have had the bike bell rung at them at least once during their stay in Amsterdam. This is the polite way of the bike riders telling you that you are about to get run over. I’ve had it rung on me multiple times, you really have to pay attention when you are wandering the streets of Amsterdam.

You could easily ride your bike from Central station to Vondelpark. It would be a quick ride to the park, but be careful since you will be starting your journey right in the center of the city. Once you hit the park, you can slow down and really enjoy the ride.

How to Get to Vondelpark?

The closest transit stop is Leidseplein. You can get there by taking the train lines 1, 2, 5, 11, & 12. From the central stations, we would take lines 2, 11, or 12. It is a short walk to the entrance of the park.

Where to rent bikes in Amsterdam that’s close to Vondelpark?

As I recommended, start at Vondelpark for the perfect ride. It has a great dedicated bike path and you can enjoy your ride around the park without worrying about cars.

We rented bikes right next to the park at A-Bike Rental & Tours. As you get off the Leidseplein train stop, and you walk towards the park, you will pass A-Bike Rentals on a side street.

This is where we rented 1 single bike, 1 child’s bike, and 1 cargo bike for the little kids to ride in. It was super fast and easy to rent bikes. After some quick instructions, we were off to the park.

The reason this is a top thing to do when traveling with kids in Amsterdam is that both you and your kids can enjoy this experience. It is also a good way to get their energy out, or if you are experiencing jet lag when traveling with kids, exercise is one of the best ways to get over jet lag.

How much do bike rentals cost in Amsterdam?

Overall renting a bike can be a very inexpensive way to get around the city, and it gives you a chance to explore more of it. The prices depend on the type of bike you decide to rent. Here are some rough costs at the time of this post.

Typical Bike rental cost in Amsterdam:
Per Hour Rental
– Kids Bike: €5,00 – €7,00
– Adult Bike: €7,00 – €10,00
– Tandem Bike: €10,00 – €15,00
– Cargo Bike: €10,00 – €15,00
For the day
– Kids Bike: €10,00 – €15,00
– Adult Bike: €12,00 – €18,00
– Tandem Bike: €25
– Cargo Bike: €25
– Electric Bike: €25- €30

Top things to do inside with kids in Amsterdam

Nemo Science Museum is for young and old

Traveling with kids to Amsterdam in December was by design. We wanted to see the Christmas markets, the streets decorated with lights, and experience the Christmas spirit that Europe provides.

But being outside in December all the time with a 10-year-old, 7-year-old, and 2-year-old is not exactly ideal. They can only handle so much of the cold.

So we made sure to plan some things inside. We had heard and read great things about the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. Especially for kids ages 5 to 15-years-old, and this held true. I would even add it was great for our 2-year-old. I would actually say this is for all ages, it was tons of fun.

Our 10-year-old and 7-year-old were the perfect ages for this museum. They loved every second of it. Our 2-year-old wasn’t able to do everything the museum had to offer, but that didn’t stop her from having fun. Also, it gave our backs as parents a break from carrying her around.

Why take your kids to the NEMO Museum in Amsterdam?

When you think of Amsterdam you think of tulips, picturesque canals, and beautiful architecture houses. Science is probably not at the top of your list of things to do or see, but if you are traveling with kids sometimes we need to do something that they will enjoy.

One of the reasons you should take your kids to the NEMO Museum isn’t just for the kids, but it is also for you as the parent. We enjoyed the time that we had with our kids at the museum. The museum is very hands-on and interactive. We were able to play and work with our kids on a number of activities and experiments.

It gave us a break from the whining about when are we going to be there, what are we doing next, etc. In fact, I didn’t hear a single complaint the entire time we spent at the museum.

Another reason to take your kids to the NEMO museum is for education and experience. Learning isn’t always fun, but the NEMO museum makes it exciting and fun.

It was a great way to keep our kids’ minds stimulated while on a family vacation. It allowed our kids to ask us questions and we got a glimpse into more of their personality, that maybe only their teachers get to see.

What does the museum have to offer?

The entire museum is hands-on. From the second you walk in, you will be immersed in science all around you. It offers 4 floors of hands-on activities.

Our 2-year-old loved the bubbles that are right at the beginning of the museum. She couldn’t get enough. She loved the giant bubble that completely surrounded her.

While she was busy there our 10-year-old go lost in the electricity area learning about currents and conductors. There are so many experiments set up throughout the museum, no one will be bored.

On the second floor, the kids spent tons of time learning about shipping and packing while playing with robots. The game is set up in 3 stations so kids can learn how products are packed, shipped, and received.

This was a little too old for the 2-year-old, but she didn’t care because she was busy playing in the water next door. The 2nd floor has tons to offer. The other side of the floors talks about bridges and pulley systems. Seriously this museum has it all!

The other 2 floors are just as fun! On the 3rd floor, you’ll find a real working science lab. You and your kids can go to the lab and do real experiments. We only did one experiment because we were all getting hungry but the kids were begging to go back to the lab.

The next floor is all about the human body. There are lots of different stations set up so you can learn more about how the body works and reacts to the world around us.

The top floor is the restaurant and it is well worth a visit as well!

I’m not traveling with kids, is it worth my time to visit the Museum?

As I mentioned, the museum is great for kids ages 2 to 15 years of age. I think that if you are not there with a child you will find yourself frustrated with all the kids.

However, you can still visit the NEMO museum without having to pay for a ticket or go through all the activities and exhibits.

The NEMO museum building has a great view of the skyline. It is one of the newest and modern looking buildings in the city. The NEMO building is not far from Central Station. One reason that you should visit the NEMO Museum, even if you’re not traveling with kids, is for the rooftop terrace, the food, and drinks.

If you are looking for a view of the city, you should try the terrace at NEMO. While you are at it, why not enjoy lunch or have a drink to relax at their bar.

Practical information about NEMO

• Train station: Central Station~ it is about a 10-minute walk from this station.
• Opening hours: Every day from 10:00-17:30
• Ticket prices: Ages 4 and over 17.50 Euros
• Buy tickets online: https://www.nemosciencemuseum.nl/en/visit/tickets-and-prices/
• Lockers: They offer free lockers, just make sure to have a 50 cent piece to hold the locker.
• Food: There is a coffee shop on the 2nd floor and cafe on the 5th floor

Top things to do in Amsterdam in December-Amsterdam Winterfestival

If you happen to be in Amsterdam around Christmas and New Year, then you need to add the Amsterdam Winterfestival when traveling with kids to your lists of places to see and go.

This is by far my favorite thing we did while we were in Amsterdam. This festival is a winter wonderland and it’s mostly inside!

It’s held inside the RAI convention center and they transform the entire place. They have so many fun things going on. They have a giant indoor sledding hill, indoor ice skating, movie theaters, drinks, food, games, and so much more!

This place has so much to offer, it deserved its own post. You can view all about it here.

Ice Skating

Visiting Amsterdam in the winter has benefits. For one, it is less crowded. The other is sometimes doing things that are not the typical vacation agenda or what you always see on Instagram.

The canals of Amsterdam are incredible and we love stopping on the bridges and taking pictures. I never tire of this, and it seems like each bridge or canal just as beautiful as the last. But what if you had the chance to ice skate on these canals? Yes, it does happen from time to time.

It’s not every year that the canals of Amsterdam freeze over allowing for ice skating to happen, but if you happen to be in Amsterdam over the winter try to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Where can you ice skate with kids in Amsterdam?

Second to ice skating on the canals would have to be ice skating in front of the Rijksmuseum. The Museumplein in Amsterdam is transformed from the giant reflecting pool into a beautiful ice skating rink and Christmas market.

We are not experienced ice skaters, but they made it easy for us by providing chairs to push around. The ice skating rink also has a bench along one of the walls for those needing a quick break.

Even better, send your kids out ice skating and you can enjoy watching them from the side while enjoying a warm drink or some food at the restaurant.

The Amsterdam Winter Festival is another great place to ice skate in Amsterdam. This festival usually runs the week before and after Christmas.

If you happen to be in Amsterdam while it is happening make sure to visit. Your ticket gets you into all the activities, not just ice skating, and if the temperatures are super cold outside. They have an indoor ice skating option.

Ticket Prices – Hours – Location: Rijksmuseum Ice Skating

Price: € 6,50
Rental Skates 2 Hours: € 6,50
*If you buy your tickets online you can save a little bit of money and maybe a little bit of time standing in line. Online Tickets are easiest when traveling with kids. This will save you from waiting in line.

Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 – 21:00
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 – 22:00

How to get here:
From Central Station: Tram 2 (Stop is Rijksmuseum)
Using the Metro Line: Head to Weesperplein stop then get tram 7 or 10 and take it to Spiegelgracht stop.

Bucket List Amsterdam

Loving this list of Amsterdam’s best? If you are looking for even more things to do in Amsterdam, check out this ultimate Amsterdam bucket list from A World In Reach.

Things to do inside when traveling with kids in Amsterdam

It rains a lot in Amsterdam and if you are traveling with kids, sometimes the rain will get to you. There are many wonderful museums to visit if your kids are old enough to handle a day in an art museum.

Our kids are not old enough yet to handle a full day of art. But don’t worry, Amsterdam has a great LEGO Store to keep you dry and your kids entertained. The best part about it is that it is free! Well, as long as you can keep yourself from buying anything.

Amsterdam LEGO Flagship Store

Our kids can spend hours playing in this store. Even if you are not traveling with kids it is still worth a quick stop to see some of the large scales lego designs of local places and architecture.

The store boasts a brick-built windmill standing over 9 feet tall. They have also recreated some of the inspired artwork from Jan Vermeer and Vincent van Gogh with LEGO bricks. It still amazes me how much work it takes to put some of these LEGO designs together.

Fun Tip: The Amsterdam LEGO store has a Mosaic Maker machine. What is that? It is a machine that allows you to design your own unique Minifigure person.

Why not design your own Amsterdam souvenir or let your child design their own LEGO person. This is a unique opportunity as there are only a few of these Mosaic Maker machines in a limited number of LEGO stores throughout the world.

As you can see from the picture that the store is worth a visit even if you are not traveling with kids. There are plenty of photo opportunities including a replica street scene and a bicycle to sit in.

Location:
The Amsterdam LEGO store is located on the famous shopping street of Kalverstaat. This is a short walk from Dam Square.
How to get there:
Metro line– get off on Rokin Stop
Tram lines– 4, 14, or 24 to get off at Rokin Stop
To Dam Square Tram Lines– 2, 11, 12 from Central Station

Cheese Stores and Dutch Cheese

Still, looking for things to do inside while traveling with the kids in Amsterdam? One of our favorite things was visiting many of the cheese stores around Amsterdam. We would pop in out of the rain and enjoy taste testing all the different cheeses.

Cheese is renowned in this small country and is home to some of the world’s best. Amsterdam and the surrounding area are home to some major types of cheese, such as Gouda and Edam.

The kids thought this was great and they actually got a chance to try some new flavors. Our 10-year-old tried goat cheese for the first time and it ended up being one of her favorites. I liked some of the creative cheese flavors like coconut and rosemary.

The best part about this is again that it is a free inside activity to do with kids in Amsterdam! It was an added bonus that our kids got a snack 🙂

Should I take my kids to the Anne Frank House?

The Anne Frank House is the actual building where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. Anne wrote her famous diary here and personal photos and artifacts abound. 

For an adult and anyone who has read or was moved by The Diary of Anne Frank, it is a must. However, this is one of the top attractions in Amsterdam and tickets can be difficult to get if you don’t plan ahead.

Yes it is very very busy and yes it is touristy, but it is so much more than checking off a box or just another site. It is worth planning ahead to see this.

Maybe it is because The Diary of Anne Frank is required reading in most American schools, or maybe it’s a piece of history that we shouldn’t forget. For me, it is and was a must-visit place to see in Amsterdam

Is the Anne Frank house worth visiting? Yes!
But is it worth visiting with kids? Absolutely!

Especially if you have kids that are around the age of 7 or older. Around the age of 7 or 8 is when most kids have started to hear about Anne Frank, and if they haven’t it’s a good time to share her story with them.

For kids younger than this it might be a little boring once you get through the house and on to the museum, but for me, it is still worth lugging my 2-year-old through the house to experience a piece of history.

You have to reserve tickets online, they will not sell them to you at the museum. Tickets are usually sold out within days of opening. They open tickets exactly 2 months in advance of the day you’d like to go.

Guys, you have to be on top of things to get tickets! They open ticket sales at exactly 12:00 pm (Amsterdam time) 2 months before the day you want to go. Don’t miss it!

Here is the website with more information: Anne Frank House Tickets

Practical Information about Anne Frank House

• How to get there: Take tram 13 or 17 and get off at the Westermarkt stop.
• Opening Hours: November 1 to April 1- Daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; Saturdays from 9:00 am -10:00 pm. April 1 to November 1 Daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
• Ticket Prices: Adults~ 10:50 Euro; Children 10-17~ 5.50 Euro; Children 0-9~ 0.50 Euro

You’ve got to try the Waffles and Mini Pancakes (Poffertjes).

I tell myself that I am getting them for the kids to try and experience traditional Dutch food, but in reality, I hope they don’t finish them and I get to eat the leftovers.

Poffertjes – Mini Pancakes

Poffertjes are a festive holiday treat. You will find these at almost any summer or a winter festival, and especially at Christmas markets. These delicious mini pancakes usually come in serving sizes of half dozen and a dozen.

They are cooked right in front of you and the smell is delicious. Then they are covered with powdered sugar. Poffertjes can and will be served with other things like maple syrup, whipped cream, Nutella or chocolate, and maybe a fruit like strawberries.

They are prepared on a castiron skillet with little pancake indents for the batter. They are then served on a small plate with a disposable fork usually wooden for environmental reasons.

We were lucky enough to find a Christmas market at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum park. We also stumbled upon them at the Winter Festival – Winterparadijs .

If you are not lucky enough to find a festival, you can still find the poffertjes in Amsterdam. Not far from the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Vondelpark you will find De Vier Pilaren, a European dessert restaurant.

Here you will be able to find the poffertjes anytime, and you can also get Dutch and Stroopwafel.

The Dutch Waffles or Stroopwafel?

In Amsterdam you will see both very thin waffles, these are the Stroopwafels, and a thicker waffle. These thicker waffles are from neighboring Belgium.

When I am on vacation or traveling, I like to enjoy my food, so I recommend trying both the traditional Dutch Stroopwafel and the thicker, but still delicious, Belgium waffle.

What’s a Stroopwafel?

Stroopwafels are small and thin with a small layer of caramel syrup smashed between two waffles. These yummy waffles are meant to be eaten with a warm drink. Actually, you should set your waffle on top of your mug, the heat from the mug melts the caramel syrup inside the waffle.

Making it warm and slightly gooey. Grab a cup of coffee and a hot chocolate for the kids and give this a try. Our kids loved them and we ended up going home with a couple of extra packages.

If you get a chance check out Van Wanderen Stroopwafels for your waffle fix. They have 4 locations around Amsterdam. Don’t forget to add tiny marshmallows or Oreo cookies to your waffle.

Hop on the canals

Take a boat tour on the canals. Get a different perspective of the city by floating down the waterways. Give your feet a break and possibly your back from packing your kids around.

This is a great idea for both kids and adults. You get the benefit of seeing many of the sites and the city and kids love the ride and get to relax.

Most canal boat tours of Amsterdam are about 60-90 minutes long, or you can combine your tour with food and drink, or even a hop-on, hop-off boat. This can double as your transportation ticket if you choose.

This is a top thing to do in Amsterdam while traveling with kids as it’s fun for both parents and children.

**Pro-tip~ Take a boat tour after lunch if you have little kids, it’s a great way for them to take a nap. The slow-moving boat will put them to sleep in a hurry and then you can sit back and enjoy the city.

Other top things to do while traveling with kids

We were not able to do these things, but many other blogs and locals recommended them.

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo

Dutch Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum): Is rated as one of the top 3 museums in the Netherlands for children. Kids can learn more about ships, boats, and maritime activities.

Jewish Historical Museum & Tropenmuseum: Both have great areas for children. In the Jewish Cultural Quarter and help to know something about Jewish life and Jewish Tradition.

Visit a windmill! We didn’t have a chance to do this on this trip, but we have gone in the past and it’s so much fun.

What to pack for December in Amsterdam

This post does contain affiliate links. These come at no extra cost to you but I do receive a small commission from any purchases made through these links. I am a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Program. 

There are a few things you will definitely need for your trip to the Netherland in December. This list is in addition to all your regular items that you would normally pack. Here is my list of must-haves:

• A mini umbrella that will easily fit into your purse. Always carry an umbrella with you! Here is a great one from Amazon for $16.
• Rain jackets, even in the winter it is nice to have these to put over your coat to keep your coat dry.

• Gloves, scarves, and hats. It does get cold and you will be outside while touring the city. Don’t forget these or you’ll be buying overpriced souvenir versions.
• Good walking shoes that can get wet.
• Hand warmers for kids. I used these to keep my toddler’s hand warm because she wouldn’t wear gloves. Amazon sells them so you can have them delivered right to your door.

Wrap up on Amsterdam travel with kids

Amsterdam is a great city and if you haven’t been there yet, you should unquestionably add it to your list. Make sure to purchase your Anne Frank tickets in advance and plan around it so you don’t miss it!

There are loads of things to do when traveling with kids that are free. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to really enjoy Dutch culture. Rent a bike, walk through the park, try some cheese. You will fall in love with this city within a day.