Amsterdam wasn’t top of my list of places to visit with my child. But honestly? It should have been.
I’ll be real: we arrived at Amsterdam Centraal a bundle of nerves and excitement. My giant backpack weighed me down, and my eight-year-old’s hand was clasped tightly in mine. Coming straight from the laid-back magic of Ghent, I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t visited before myself. But from the moment we stepped out into the maze of canals, leaning houses, and the hum of bikes, Amsterdam had us hooked. In this post, I’ll share exactly what made the city so special for our family, the tips we picked up for visiting Amsterdam with kids, and our favourite moments.
We spent three nights in Amsterdam
We were interrailing, which meant Amsterdam was a short but memorable stop on a bigger adventure. All of us like to see as much as possible within our travel timeframes. With just three nights in the city, we knew we wouldn’t see everything, but we still experienced enough to fall in love with it.
We were genuinely surprised by just how many family-friendly things there are to do, and how beautiful this city is. It’s one of those places that makes you want to return. I can easily imagine going back again as a family, and also visiting without my son to experience a different side of the city.
We stayed slightly outside the centre of Amsterdam
We chose to stay outside of the city centre, but we still wanted to be a short walk (10-15 minutes) to both the centre and the train station. Our hotel, Room Mate Aitana, situated on the West Dock, behind Central Station, was perfect!
This hotel was a great choice; the family room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. The shower was large and powerful, and a good selection of toiletries was provided. Everything was spotless. The hotel bar was huge, and we really enjoyed having a meal in the outdoor seating area overlooking the dock.
Amsterdam can feel very overwhelming, especially with kids. Staying slightly outside the busy areas gave us the best of both worlds: we could easily explore the lively city centre when we wanted, then return to peace and space afterwards. With fewer crowds and a slower pace, we experienced a more authentic, everyday side of Amsterdam life.
First, we visited the NEMO Science Museum
If you’re in Amsterdam with kids, the NEMO Science Museum is a must-do. It’s the largest science museum in the Netherlands, and we loved visiting it as a family during our trip.
NEMO stands out because it’s so interactive and makes learning fun and effortless. Kids aren’t just standing around reading signs; they get to touch, build, test, and experiment. This approach makes it great for children of all ages, from little ones to teenagers.
Our favourite part of the museum: the chain reaction demonstration
A real highlight for us was the daily demonstration of the chain reaction. It shows how potential and kinetic energy, action and reaction, work, but in a way that feels fun and exciting rather than like a lesson.
Seeing the huge chain reaction in action kept everyone interested. It moved quickly, looked amazing, and my son was fascinated the whole time. It’s a great example of learning through play.
What’s inside the museum?
There’s a lot to see and do at NEMO, and you can easily spend hours here, especially if you let your kids explore at their own speed. The exhibits cover topics like how our brains and senses work, how technology affects daily life, and what the future might look like with sustainable energy and smart transport.
Kids can make and step into giant soap bubbles, join in lab activities, and try out hands-on exhibits to test ideas. Everything is interactive and fun. There’s real science and technology behind it all, explained in a way that’s easy for children to soak in.
NEMO Science Museum is easy to navigate with kids
The building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands out above the IJ tunnel and appears like a giant green ship rising from the water.
Once inside, the museum is easy to navigate with children. There are lifts to all floors, wide walkways, and clear signage throughout, so moving around feels manageable rather than stressful. It’s clearly designed with families and school groups in mind, and even when it’s busy, the space feels well organised.
Great food and drink options
Food and drinks are easy to find throughout the museum, which helps on longer visits. The coffee bar is on the first floor, right after you enter, and it’s a nice spot to start your day. You can have a tea or coffee and a snack while you plan your route before exploring the exhibits.
As you explore NEMO, you’ll find the Museum Café in the middle of the building on the second floor. It’s a good place to take a break when you need one, with sandwiches and drinks in a relaxed setting. We were very impressed with the healthier choices here.
If you bring your own lunch or snacks, that’s fine too. NEMO has special areas where you can eat your own food, and staff can show you where to go. Just remember, you can’t eat or drink in or right next to the exhibits.
Rooftop square
Be sure to visit the rooftop square. Here you’ll find the Museum Restaurant, the Conservatory, and a big terrace with great views of Amsterdam. It’s a nice spot for a meal or a snack, and you don’t need to book ahead. The menu changes often and is shown on screens, and there’s always plenty of seating, which is helpful when you’re with kids.
Overall, NEMO makes it easy to plan meals and breaks, so you can enjoy your visit instead of worrying about hungry or tired kids.
Is the NEMO Science Museum worth it?
We honestly think so. NEMO Science Museum is a fun, educational, and easy way for families to inspire learning.
My little one left totally buzzing with excitement, and we adults left genuinely impressed. For us, it was one of the standout experiences of our time in Amsterdam and a place we would happily return to on a future trip.
Next, we visited A’DAM Lookout
Visiting A’DAM Lookout had been on my bucket list for a long time, but I wasn’t completely sure how it would work as a family activity. I wondered whether my son would get as much out of it as I would.
It turned out to be one of the best parts of our trip to Amsterdam.
What to expect from the observation deck
A’DAM Lookout sits at the top of the A’DAM Tower in Amsterdam North and offers wide, panoramic views across the city, its canals, the port, and the surrounding landscape. There are both indoor and outdoor observation decks, with plenty of space to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the views at your own pace.
The free audio tour is included and works particularly well for families. It explains Amsterdam’s history and landmarks in a clear, engaging way that’s easy for children to follow, without feeling overly detailed. My son enjoyed listening while spotting familiar places below.
The elevator ride to the top is part of the experience, too. It’s fast and slightly theatrical, which builds excitement before you even step out onto the observation deck.
A’DAM Lookout, the Over the Edge swing
And then there’s the Over the Edge swing.
This is the highest swing in Europe, taking you 100 metres above the ground and out over the edge of the building. You don’t have to do it, but for us, it was a big highlight of our visit.
My nine-year-old and I both decided to try it, excited and scared! The staff were calm, professional, and made us feel safe, which really helped, especially with a child.
Watching my son face that fear with excitement rather than hesitation and push himself out of his comfort zone was incredibly special. It wasn’t just about the thrill, but about building confidence, and it’s one of those moments I know we’ll both never forget.
Another part of our visit that my son really enjoyed was the Amsterdam VR Ride, which is included as an optional extra at A’DAM Lookout. This virtual reality roller coaster experience takes you on a ride through Amsterdam. He gave it a huge thumbs up!
Is A’DAM Lookout worth visiting with kids?
If your child enjoys interactive experiences or the idea of doing something a little bit daring, A’DAM Lookout works surprisingly well as a family activity. You can tailor the experience to confidence levels, whether that means sticking to the observation deck or taking on the swing together.
For us, it was the right mix of fun, memorable moments, and a little adventure outside our comfort zones. We got a few great free downloadable photos, too, to remember such a wonderful day.
Finally, whilst in Amsterdam, we visited Zaanse Schans
One of the things we loved about visiting Amsterdam with our son was how easy it was to slow things down. Zaanse Schans is just a short train ride away (roughly 20 minutes), but it feels worlds apart from the busy city.
Zaanse Schans is an open-air heritage village that’s free to walk around, making it a great option for families. You can wander the area, see the windmills turning from a distance, and explore the village without paying an entrance fee.
Some windmills are open to visitors and allow you to step inside to see the machinery at work, although entry to individual windmills usually requires a ticket. If you do go inside, climbing the narrow stairs up to the mill deck and taking in the views over the surrounding landscape feels like a small adventure, especially for kids.
Beyond the windmills, there are traditional workshops where you can watch clogs being made, as well as a cheese museum you can visit. Everything is outdoors and spread out, which makes it easier for kids to explore at their own pace.
Many of the windmills are open to visitors seasonally, with opening times and access varying by mill and time of year. It’s a peaceful, memorable contrast to Amsterdam’s energy and a really rewarding addition to a family trip. For tickets, prices, and opening hours, check their website.
My tips for visiting Amsterdam with kids
- Choose a base with breathing space. Staying just outside the city centre gave us calmer mornings, quieter evenings, and somewhere to decompress after busy days properly.
- Mix sightseeing with hands-on attractions. Places like NEMO Science Museum worked so well because our son could touch, experiment, and move, not just look and listen.
- Plan natural break points. Cafés, museum seating, and outdoor areas made it much easier to pace the day.
- Slow things down intentionally. Wandering along canals, browsing small shops, and people watching became some of our most memorable moments.
- Balance busy days with something calmer. Zaanse Schans was an easy, slower-paced contrast to the city’s energy and worked brilliantly with a child.
- Be bike aware at all times. Bikes are really everywhere, often moving fast, so stopping, looking, and listening are essential when walking with kids.
- Leave room for simple treats. Warm stroopwafels eaten beside the canal were just as special as the bigger attractions.
Would we visit Amsterdam with kids again?
Absolutely.
From hands-on learning at NEMO Science Museum, to stepping outside our comfort zones at A’DAM Lookout, to slowing down among the windmills at Zaanse Schans, Amsterdam offered a mix of experiences that worked brilliantly for our family.
We also wandered along the canals, browsed small shops, watched bikes speed by, and stopped for warm stroopwafels. These simple moments were just as special as visiting the main sights.
The city really surprised us. It’s busy and can feel a bit chaotic, but there are also plenty of calm, beautiful, and joyful moments mixed in.
I’d gladly go back to Amsterdam with our son, and I’d also love to see it again on my own. If you’re thinking about visiting with kids, I can honestly say it’s worth it. Give it a try.
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