4 Days in Amsterdam with Kids: The Perfect Amsterdam City Break
Want to visit Amsterdam with kids?
Read on for my family-friendly, adult-approved, 4 day Amsterdam itinerary.
Amsterdam is the perfect European city for planning a long weekend getaway, and a great travel destination for families that love art, history, and exploring charming European cities. This itinerary will help you plan the best family trip to Amsterdam, whether visiting with a baby, toddler, or teens.
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Get to know Amsterdam
Before I dive into the itinerary, here’s a roundup of what you can expect from an Amsterdam family holiday, including key information, top reasons to visit Amsterdam, and some fun facts!
4 Days in Amsterdam with kids itinerary (Quick facts)
To help you save time, here’s a quick overview of my Amsterdam family vacation itinerary detailed below.
Where to stay: the YAYs Amsterdam Salthouse Canal offers family-friendly apart-hotel accommodations in a charming neighborhood environment. If you wish to stay closer to the city center, the Amsterdam Prince Island YAYs offers similar family-friendly lodging in a slightly more central location.
Where to eat: Sama Sebo (Indonesian rijsttafel), Bagels & Beans (creative bagel sandwiches), Winkel 43 (amazing apple pie), Noordermarkt (outdoor market with food stalls), Restaurant Moeders (Dutch comfort food), van Wonderen Stroopwafels (decadently sweet stroopwafels).
Museums to visit: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum (largest collection of Dutch masters in the world), Anne Frank House, Jewish Museum and Portuguese Synagogue (with adjacent children’s museum), Tropenmuseum (Museum of the Tropics).
What to do: Take a guided bike tour of the Amsterdam city center with Yellow Bikes Amsterdam, take a boat tour along the canals, and take free self-guided walking tours using the Rick Steves app.
Tours: Click here for other family-friendly activities in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
How to get to Amsterdam
Flights to Amsterdam
You can fly directly to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport from most major European cities.
There are 17 US cities that currently offer direct flights to Amsterdam.
Trains to Amsterdam
Taking the train to Amsterdam is a comfortable, affordable, and eco-friendly option for visitors coming from other European countries.
London to Amsterdam train – From London, take the Eurostar directly to Amsterdam Centraal. The journey takes just under 4 hours.
Paris to Amsterdam train – The Thalys high-speed train runs daily between Paris Nord and Amsterdam Centraal. The journey takes just over 3 hours.
Brussels to Amsterdam train – Thalys trains run directly between Brussels and Amsterdam Centraal 14 times a day. The trip takes 2 hours.
Berlin to Amsterdam train – The train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Amsterdam Centraal takes 6 hours. There are 5 direct trains each day.
Getting around Amsterdam with kids
The city of Amsterdam is best explored by bike, on foot, or via public transit.
By bike – Renting a bike during your visit is a fun, kid-friendly way to get around!
Another way to explore Amsterdam by bike is to sign up for a bike tour.
By foot – Amsterdam is a small, compact city that is easy to explore on foot. Just make sure to look twice for bikes who have the right of way!
Public transit – Amsterdam has an extensive and reliable public transit system that makes getting around the city super easy, even with kids in tow.
Amsterdam’s public transit options include trams, buses, a metro, and ferries. You can purchase GVB day passes in 1 to 7-day increments which give you unlimited rides on all public transit (plus, kids under 4 ride free!).
Pro tip: Strollers are allowed on buses and trams and do not need to be folded. Buses and trams have designated spaces to park strollers while riding.
For more information on purchasing transit tickets, visit the official website for public transit in Holland.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam with kids?
The best time to visit Amsterdam with kids is in the summer months, June through August. Summer in Amsterdam offers the best weather and the city comes alive with outdoor dining and activities. However, summer is peak tourist season and comes with large crowds and higher prices.
Spring is also a wonderful time to plan an Amsterdam family vacation. While spring weather can be fickle and sometimes dreary, temperatures are mild and crowds are less. Late March through May is also tulip season, and heading out to see the tulip fields makes for a wonderful day trip from Amsterdam.
For families visiting Amsterdam on a budget, November through February is the best time for budget travel. Hotel prices are reduced and crowds are minimal. Weather will be dreary and cold, but with so many museums to visit, Amsterdam could still make for a fine family-friendly winter destination.
4 Days in Amsterdam with kids: Itinerary at a glance
- Day 1:
- Apple pie for breakfast at Winkel 43
- Explore Noordermarkt
- Bike tour with Yellow Bikes Amsterdam
- Van Gogh Museum
- Indonesian rijsttafel dinner at Sama Sebo
- Day 2:
- Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum
- Window shopping along Kalverstraat
- Stroopwafels from Van Wonderen
- Anne Frank House
- Dinner at Restaurant Moeders (Dutch comfort food)
- Day 3:
- Jewish Museum
- Portuguese synagogue
- Red light district walking tour
- Canal boat tour
- Day 4:
- Tropenmuseum (Museum of the Tropics)
- Head home
Day 1: Amsterdam by bike and Van Gogh
Start your long weekend in Amsterdam on a sweet note with apple pie for breakfast at Winkel 43. Topped with fresh whipped cream, this will be the best apple pie you’ve ever eaten. I’m not joking when I say adults and kids will fight for the last bite!
Across the street from Winkel 43 is the Noordermarkt. Head over to peruse the many stalls selling fresh bread, cheeses, and produce. There are even food stalls where you can grab a meal (in case your kids didn’t leave you enough apple pie).
After strolling through the Noordermarkt and tasting some delicious Dutch cheeses, head into the city center for a bike tour.
We booked our tours through Yellow Bike and were so glad we did!
Not only did they provide bikes equipped with children’s seats – a front seat for our baby and a back seat for our toddler – but the guide was knowledgeable on city history and we learned a lot over the two-hour tour.
One memorable fact we learned on the bike tour is this:
Houses in Amsterdam are very narrow because homeowners used to pay taxes on the size of their home’s façade. The wider the house, the more the tax and the richer the owner was! Also, because the homes are so narrow, there are hooks affixed to the roofs for hoisting large items up through windows to the upper floors.
The bike tour was an excellent introduction to Amsterdam that our entire family enjoyed.
Next up on our 4 day Amsterdam itinerary was a visit to the Van Gogh Museum.
The Van Gogh Museum is located in a beautiful park with plenty of open space for kids to run around in. There is also a playground that’s especially good for older kids.
I recommend giving your children time to run around the park and playground before heading into the museum. If you’re visiting Amsterdam with a baby or toddler, this may help wear them out for an afternoon nap while you tour the museum.
Pro tip: Book timed tickets for the Van Gogh Museum in advance online. Day of tickets sell out and you don’t want to miss this Amsterdam highlight!
The Van Gogh Museum is a must-see sight, even if you’re visiting Amsterdam with kids! Be sure to purchase the €3 audio guide which provides excellent narration on the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh.
The museum walks visitors through Van Gogh’s life while simultaneously showcasing his art across decades.
Additionally, the Van Gogh Museum highlights Vincent’s artistic influences, such as Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, and Paul Cézanne. Works from these great artists are displayed alongside Van Gogh’s paintings.
I can’t tout the Van Gogh Museum enough and highly recommend you visit it during your family trip to Amsterdam. We spent nearly 2.5 hours there and didn’t make it to the special exhibits, so be sure to allow yourself plenty of time.
The last stop on day one of our long family weekend in Amsterdam was Dinner at Sama Sebo restaurant.
There we ordered rijsttafel, a Dutch interpretation of Indonesian cuisine.
Rijsttafel is many small plates served with a side of rice. Our meal included chicken satay, beef rendang, crispy fried chicken, and many other delicious bites.
The waitstaff was friendly, and the kids enjoyed trying all the different dishes. Sama Sebo is a wonderful family-friendly restaurant in Amsterdam, so make sure to stop by during your visit for some delicious Indonesian food (advanced reservations are highly recommended).
Day 2: The Dutch masters and exploring Amsterdam city center
Begin day 2 in Amsterdam with a trip to the Rijksmuseum.
I know this is a lot of museum-going with kids, but hear me out:
The Rijksmuseum is the only place you can see such a high concentration of Dutch masters in one place.
No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to this stunning museum. Even if you’re traveling with kids.
The Rijksmuseum is large and it’d be hard to see everything in one day (even without kids!). I recommend allotting two hours to see the museum highlights, including Hals, Rembrandt, and Vermeer, and then moving on to your next activity.
After visiting the Rijksmuseum, head to Dam Square for a self-guided Rick Steves walking tour of the Amsterdam city center.
We’re huge fans of Rick Steves’s walking tours as they have a great blend of history, interesting facts, and humor.
Pro tip: Before your trip to Amsterdam, download the FREE Ricks Steves Audio App onto your smartphone for access to his guided audio tours and additional information about the city.
The walking tour goes down Kalverstraat, Amsterdam’s main shopping street and home to the LEGO store.
Now, I know what you’re thinking:
Why would you visit the LEGO store when there are so many amazing things to do in Amsterdam?
I used to think the same thing. But hear me out:
As our son grows up, we find ourselves incorporating more of his interests into our travels. Since he’s a LEGO fanatic, we’ve started visiting LEGO stores in various cities and found that we all enjoy the experience.
Like other LEGO stores, the Amsterdam store is a fun stop that kids and adults will love. It’s decorated with tulips, Dutch houses, and reproductions of famous Dutch paintings all made out of LEGO.
It’s actually quite impressive and an opportunity to show your kids that travel is fun for them, too.
Close to the LEGO store is van Wonderen Stroopwafels. Make a pit stop here to refuel with some sugary stroopwafels – a big hit with the kids!
After finishing your afternoon pick-me-up, head over to the Anne Frank House.
Pro tip: It’s necessary to purchase tickets for the Anne Frank House in advance online. Consult the Anne Frank Trust website for detailed information on purchasing tickets.
At this point, you may be wondering if you can visit the Anne Frank House with kids.
Well, according to the official website, the Anne Frank House is not recommended for children under 10.
Based on our experience, we found this to be accurate.
It’s not a museum you can visit with a toddler or young child, but I still think it’s a must for any first-time visit to Amsterdam.
Luckily, I have a workaround for visiting the Anne Frank House with young kids.
If you’re visiting Amsterdam with young kids and would like to see the Anne Frank House, you and your partner can split up for the visit.
One person can sit in the cafe (which offers snacks, cakes, coffees, and lovely canalside views in a comfortable setting) with the children while the other person tours the house, then switch and have the second person take the kids to a nearby playground while person two tours the museum.
The museum is small and only takes an hour to see, so splitting up won’t add too much time to your day. Museum staff were accommodating and helpful, so be sure to speak to them about your predicament and they can assist you.
This was how we were able to see the Anne Frank House on our Amsterdam family holiday. In the end, my husband and I both got to see the museum, in full, without the stress of kids.
Visiting the Anne Frank House was emotional and thought-provoking. Seeing the annex rooms where Anne and her family, along with four others, hid for two years to avoid Nazi persecution was a sobering experience.
I urge you to try and make time for the Anne Frank House, even if you’re traveling with kids. It’s worth the hassle and extra time of splitting up in order to visit this important historical sight.
The final stop on the second of our four-day trip to Amsterdam is dinner at Restaurant Moeders.
Restaurant Moeders serves traditional Dutch comfort food in a cramped yet homey dining room. As the name suggests, the place is dedicated to mothers everywhere (fine by me!) and the entire dining room is covered top to bottom with photos of mothers sent in by the restaurant’s clientele.
Their beef stews with cabbage and potatoes are the perfect way to end a busy day of sightseeing!
Day 3: Amsterdam’s Jewish history and the Red Light District
On day three in Amsterdam, start your day with a visit to the Jewish Museum. This museum is a great choice if visiting Amsterdam with kids since they have an adjacent children’s museum.
The children’s museum has art projects and activities for kids to do, but the highlight is a music room full of various instruments. Children can strum guitars, shake tambourines, play around, and make lots of noise – a perfect setting for rambunctious kids!
The Jewish Museum has two main sections:
The first provides an overview of Jewish customs, holidays, and religious items. If you’re unfamiliar with the Jewish religion, this is a great place to learn about the main tenants of the faith.
The second section in the museum covers the history of the Jewish people in Amsterdam from the 1600s to present day. This, of course, includes a section on the Holocaust and its devastating effects upon the local Jewish population.
Admission to the Jewish Museum includes entry into the Portuguese Synagogue across the street, so naturally that’s our next stop on this itinerary.
The Portuguese Synagogue was built in the late 1600s by Portuguese Jewish merchants who immigrated to Amsterdam to escape the inquisition.
This is one of the largest synagogues in Europe and still serves an active congregation. The comprehensive audio guide, included in your visit, covers aspects of Jewish religious practice, daily Jewish life in Amsterdam, and the history of the building and congregation.
After you finish touring the synagogue, head to Amsterdam’s Red Light District for another self-guided Rick Steves walking tour.
Now, if you’re visiting Amsterdam with kids, you may be wondering whether or not to go to the Red Light District. My two-cents are that you should go.
When it comes down to it, this is just another neighborhood in Amsterdam. People live here, including families with children.
The neighborhood provides a cultural experience that’s unique to Amsterdam. One of the many joys of travel is experiencing different cultures, and skipping Amsterdam’s Red Light District would mean missing out on a key aspect of the city’s cultural ethos.
The Red Light District was much less seedy than I expected it to be, but that’s probably because we were there in the early afternoon. I actually thought the neighborhood was quite quaint and had beautiful architecture.
After touring the Red Light District, hop on a boat tour of the canal. The tours last around an hour and include audio narration in three languages: Dutch, English, and French.
The canal boat tour was a pleasant and relaxing way to see the city and a very family-friendly Amsterdam activity.
Day 4: Dutch colonial history and heading home
For your last day in Amsterdam, make your way to the Tropics Museum (Tropenmuseum).
Historically, this museum covered regions of Dutch colonization such as Indonesia and Suriname. However, in recent years, museum curators have worked to confront the country’s legacy of colonialism and bring the collection into the 21st century.
To do so, they’ve highlighted indigenous cultures and religions of the world. At the time of our visit, the exhibits included one on indigenous spiritual views on healing.
While we enjoyed this museum, outside the city center and only worth visiting if you are interested in colonial history and world cultures.
All good things must come to an end, and that’s a wrap on our long weekend in Amsterdam with kids. We had such a fun time exploring this wonderful city, and I hope this itinerary helps you plan the best possible family vacation to Amsterdam!
10 Top things to do in Amsterdam with kids
Need some ideas for more things to do in Amsterdam with kids? Here are 10 of the top things to do with kids in Amsterdam:
Nemo Science Museum
The largest science museum in the Netherlands with lots of hands-on, interactive exhibits that kids will love.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s most famous park with English gardens to explore, biking trails, and wonderful playgrounds (complete with splash pads in the summer months).
ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
Not just a zoo, ARTIS contains an aquarium, planetarium, and botanical gardens, and is a perfect family-friendly activity in Amsterdam.
The Tramway Museum (Elektrische Museumtramlijn)
Transportation-loving kids will enjoy riding on these restored historic trams.
Scheepvaartmuseum National Maritime Museum
Home to one of the world’s largest maritime collections. Their collections cover 500 years of Dutch maritime history.
TONY’s Chocolonely
Eat your heart out with all the chocolate samples you can handle at TONY’s Chocolonely. Kids will also love making their own chocolate bar!
Westerpark
One of Amsterdam’s largest green spaces, Westerpark has regular markets, concerts, and theater events throughout spring and summer.
De Pijp petting zoo
This neighborhood petting zoo houses more than 50 animals. Kids will love getting up close to these adorable creatures.
Hortus Botanicus
The Hortus Botanicus is the oldest botanical garden in the world. They offer several kids’ activities – both guided and unguided – including botanical treasure hunts.
Jeugdland
A little out of the city center, Jeugdland is a unique environment where kids can build and play freely out in nature. The best part? The experience is entirely free!
6 Free things to do in Amsterdam with kids
There are not many free things to do in Amsterdam for kids, however there are some amazing parks and playgrounds to explore. Below are some free things to do with kids in Amsterdam:
- Head to the rooftop of the NEMO Science Museum for amazing city views.
- Ride the free GVB ferries between Centraal Station and Noord.
- Head to the main Vondelpark playground which also has a shallow splash pool.
- Eat chocolate samples at the Tony Chocolonely store.
- See the Mouse Mansion at the Amsterdam Central Library.
- See LEGO reproductions of famous Dutch paintings at the Amsterdam LEGO store.
What to do with a toddler in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is very toddler friendly and a great place to travel with your little one. Here are 5 toddler-friendly activities in Amsterdam that both kids and parents will enjoy:
NEMO Science Center
Your toddler will love running around and getting hands-on with all the interactive exhibits at the largest science museum in The Netherlands.
Canal boat tour
A canal boat tour is a great way to experience Amsterdam with toddlers. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery (and boats!) with your toddler.
De Pijp petting zoo
What could be better than getting up close and personal with goats and sheep in this quaint urban petting zoo?
Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s most famous park and home to some phenomenal playgrounds. Your toddler will love running and climbing around Vondelpark’s many play structures.
ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
Lions and tigers and bears – oh my! Your toddler will have a blast seeing all the animals at the ARTIS Zoo (plus, kids under 2 are free!).
Where to stay in Amsterdam with kids
Finding family-friendly accommodations in Amsterdam can be tricky, but here are some places to stay in Amsterdam with kids:
- Monet Garden Hotel Amsterdam – This boutique hotel is centrally located and has suites that are excellent for families. Hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and kids under 4 eat free at the buffet breakfast.
- City Hotel Amsterdam – This family hotel is inside a historic Amsterdam house dating back to 1676. Families can book larger suites that provide plenty of room for everyone to stretch out. Great location near the central train station.
- YAYS Amsterdam Salthouse canal – YAYs Hotels offer aparthotel accommodations with functional kitchens and living space that are great for families looking for a bit more space and the option to cook their own meals. With multiple locations throughout the city, families can choose to stay more central or get more of a neighborhood experience.
How to spend 1 day in Amsterdam with kids
If you’re short on time, here’s how to spend 24 hours in Amsterdam with kids:
- Take a guided bike tour through the city center. This will introduce you to the area and teach you some Amsterdam history.
- Head to the Rijksmuseum to see the old Dutch Masters.
- After a quick highlights tour of the Rijksmuseum, pop over to Vondelpark for a lovely afternoon stroll and a chance for the kids to play and stretch their legs.
- Finally, end the day with an evening canal tour. Enjoy the peaceful canals and charming Dutch architecture and reminisce over a wonderful family holiday in Amsterdam.
Is Amsterdam safe for families?
Yes, Amsterdam is safe for families. Amsterdam is a wonderful, family friendly destination with many activities for kids.
A family trip to Amsterdam has something for everyone: Art museums for parents, fantastic parks and playgrounds for the kids, and a charming environment that everyone will appreciate.
Map of things to do during your 4 days in Amsterdam with kids
FAQ: Visiting Amsterdam with kids
Parents will find that Amsterdam is a family-friendly city. Amsterdam has many parks with outdoor play areas that kids will love. There are also many museums and activities geared toward children.
Amsterdam has many family-friendly attractions that kids and parents will love.
Take the kids on a canal boat ride, cycling through the city, and to kid-friendly museums like the Nemo Science Center. Plus, there are many delicious treats to try, such as stroopwafels and Dutch doughnuts.
Wondering how many days to spend in Amsterdam with kids? Amsterdam has many kid-friendly museums and activities, not to mention interesting neighborhoods to explore. Four to five days is enough to see the top sights, explore the city, and possibly take a day trip.
Amsterdam is a wonderfully family-friendly city, and even parents of toddlers will find plenty to do. You can certainly visit Amsterdam with a toddler.
Amsterdam is a great city to visit with a baby! Getting around Amsterdam with a baby is easy, as strollers are permitted on trams and buses. Most museums allow strollers as well, and people are helpful to people traveling with babies.