Family-friendly Amsterdam

There are so many things to do in Amsterdam as a family. From child-friendly museums to unique attractions, you’ll have plenty of ‘gezinsvriendelijk’ (family friendly) fun in the Netherlands.

Why Amsterdam is perfect for a family holiday

Amsterdam is probably the most diverse, inclusive capital city in Europe, and it’s perfect for a family holiday, with plenty to appeal to children of all ages. Packed with attractions that will delight as well as educate, a world-renowned zoo, parks and child-friendly festivals and events throughout the year, Amsterdam ticks all the family boxes. So pack everything you need for a family trip to Amsterdam into the car, and get there in less than 4 ½ hours from the LeShuttle Calais terminal. 

Things to do in Amsterdam with the family

Spark curiosity at NEMO Science Museum

The striking copper green exterior of the NEMO Science Museum

The largest museum dedicated to science and technology in the Netherlands, NEMO is where science comes alive for children. There are three main elements to the museum – the exhibitions, ranging from the science behind everyday life, to water power and science through the ages; the collection of around 20,000 artefacts, telling the story of scientific progress in the past, with a special focus on electrical appliances; and activity areas where kids can conduct science experiments and see scientific phenomena in action, like popping balloons and toppling dominoes. 

NEMO Science Museum is an unmistakable sight in the Oosterdok, and is only a 15-minute walk from Amsterdam’s Central Station. 

Pose with celebrities at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

Grab your selfie with a star at the iconic Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam! From Hollywood actors to politicians, pop stars to sporting legends, all the family will be entertained by the lifelikes on show at the most famous wax museum in the world. Strut down the red carpet with George Clooney, take to the stage with Lady Gaga, celebrate a goal with Lionel Messi or admire the genius of Albert Einstein. If your child hasn’t heard of Nelson Mandela, Elvis Presley or Johann Cruyff, this is the time to find out! The whole family will have a fun time at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam, which is conveniently located in Dam Square, right in the centre of the city. 

Meet the animals at Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo

The elephants are some of the star attractions at the ARTIS zoo 

Everyone loves a zoo, and this is one of the best! Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo was the first zoo to be opened in the Netherlands, in 1838, and is one of the five oldest in the world. It’s located right in the heart of the city, and makes for a fantastic family day out in Amsterdam. The zoo houses over 5,000 animals, including many endangered and critically endangered species. Some of the family favourites at Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo are the Asian elephants, jaguars, gorillas, giraffes and Chilean flamingos, and your ticket also includes entry to the botanical garden and planetarium. 

Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day, and is in the Plantage neighbourhood, in the eastern part of central Amsterdam. 

Explore the micro-world at Artis Micropia

You can’t see them with the naked eye, but without microbes, life would be impossible. There’s more than one hundred thousand billion of them in the human body alone, and the whole family can learn more about the fascinating world of the microbe at Artis Micropia, the world’s first microbe museum. You’ll get to see these extraordinary organisms under the microscope, magnified to exceptional levels of detail, and discover just how beautiful and important they are. 

Artis Micropia is part of the  Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo complex – but a separate ticket is needed for the Artis Micropia attraction.

Play in the city’s largest park, Vondelpark

Vondelpark is the perfect spot for a family bike ride

Vondelpark is the largest city park in Amsterdam and always a popular spot for families. There are at least three children’s playgrounds, including an adventure playground near the Amstelveensweg entrance, complete with giant climbing nets, ropes and slides, and a tree-top playground. The Kinderkookkafe is a lovely cafe where children get to make their own meals. If your kids just need to let off some steam, the wide open spaces of Vondelpark are ideal.

Vondelpark is in the Oud-west area of Amsterdam, not far from the Rijksmuseum.  

Marvel at the oddities at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

You’ll see some amazing things at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam – hundreds of rare and unusual artefacts, tales of extraordinary people, extreme happenings and mind-bending illusions. Everything about this museum is ‘strange but true’ – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! started out as a newspaper column in 1918, chronicling the curious, odd and bizarre, and you’ll find yourself being immersed in many of the exhibits – whether you like it or not! This is an attraction more suited to older children, as some things might be a little scary for younger ones.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is also in Dam Square, near to Madame Tussauds. 

Cruise along the canal on a boat tour

Amsterdam has 100km of waterways, so what better thing to do with the family than take a tour of the canals and the river Amstel? You’ll be spoilt for choice for companies offering tours, usually with English-speaking guides, who will highlight all the sights around the city and point out interesting facts – find out why houses in Amsterdam lean forward, see the location of Anne Frank’s house on Prinsengracht or the many unique vessels that call the canals their home. 

Plan your family holiday to Amsterdam

Try on the giant clogs at the Wooden Shoe Workshop!

Driving to Amsterdam from the UK

Driving to the Netherlands from our Calais terminal is easier than you think. The journey to Amsterdam takes just 4 ½ hours via the E40 motorway in Belgium and you’ll pass a number of iconic cities, such as Ghent, Antwerp and Rotterdam. You won’t pay tolls on this route, as there are no tolls on the motorway network in Belgium and the Netherlands, and from Calais you can drive to the Belgian border on toll-free roads. 

Getting around Amsterdam with children

You won’t have to worry about travelling with your family in the Dutch capital. The city has an excellent public transport network of trams, buses and a Metro. Discounted tickets for children aged 4-11 are available, as well as free travel for those under 4. Cycling in Amsterdam might also be an option if your children are a little older and confident on two wheels, or can be safely secured in a child’s bike seat. Cycling is a great way to see the city on largely car-free roads in the central area.

Where to stay in Amsterdam with kids

There are some superb child-friendly hotels in Amsterdam, catering for all budgets and tastes. The Mövenpick Hotel near the NEMO Science Museum comes highly recommended, especially for its interconnected family rooms and canal views. The Hotel Sebastians is also a family favourite, close to the Anne Frank Huis and offering buggy hire and board games on request. If you do your research you should be able to find reasonably priced family rooms within walking distance of the city centre. 

Where to eat in Amsterdam with the family

Stroopwafel, poffertjes, bitterballen, pancakes, pizza ... your family won’t go hungry in Amsterdam. In fact the taste temptations may be too great, as the smells from food outlets waft seductively through the streets. We have a comprehensive guide to traditional Dutch foods to try, and you’ll find some fantastic places for quick bites or evening meals wherever you are in the city. 

Book your family holiday to Amsterdam with LeShuttle

As well as the family friendly things to do in Amsterdam listed above, there is a huge array of shops in the city centre, like the LEGO® Store and Tony’s Chocolonely. A bit further afield (about a 20 minute drive) and you’ll stumble upon the delightful Wooden Shoe Workshop of Zaanse Schans. Get your picture taken in the giant clogs! 

So much fun to be had, just 4 ½ hours from Calais!