Is Amsterdam Good for Families? A Practical Guide

Is Amsterdam good for families? Yes, if you know where to go. Beyond the famous photos there are great places for children, big parks, and easy day trips that adults and children both enjoy.

What children love in Amsterdam

• A canal boat tour — the easiest way to see the city without long walks.
• NEMO Science Museum — hands-on experiments in a big green building near Centraal Station.
• Artis Zoo — right in the city, good for half a day.
• Vondelpark — lawns, playgrounds and room for a picnic.

Practical tips

• Mind the bikes: cycle lanes are everywhere — teach children not to walk in them.
• Stay near the centre to save travel time.
• Book museum tickets online before you go.

Easy family day trips

• Zaanse Schans — windmills, fifteen minutes away.
• Madurodam — the Netherlands in miniature, about an hour.
• Duinrell — theme park and indoor water park, under an hour.
• Efteling — the country’s biggest theme park, about an hour and a half.
• Beekse Bergen — a safari park, about two hours.

With your own driver the pushchair and bags stay in the car, and you head back whenever you like. The real prices are in the table below.