Introducing guest blogger Samantha Karen from Sam Sees World
Amsterdam may be most famously known as a place for partying and dodgy nights out, but there is so much more to this historic city.
It is not only a great travel destination for couples and solo backpackers but also a top family travel destination. Amsterdam is a city full of history, excitement, and surprises and is packed with activities for kids of all ages.
With all the different museums, events, and attractions that Amsterdam has for kids, it can be hard to decide where to start exploring in the city; let alone all the fabulous day trips from Amsterdam you could take.
If you’re short on time though, use this guide to inspire your amazing family-orientated 24 hours in Amsterdam. You might not be able to do everything on the list, but you can try and then plan the rest for your next visit!
This post is part of our Explore My City series – come and visit cities around the world through the eyes of locals
What to Do in Amsterdam with Kids
Tony Chocolonely Super Store
One of Amsterdam’s best-kept secrets is the Tony Chocolonely Superstore! This is a child’s dream attraction that will have them feeling like they’ve stepped into a mini version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.
Tony Chocolonely is a chocolate bar brand that is produced in the Netherlands. The chocolate bars come in amazing and unique flavours, and the superstore located near Centraal Station is where you can sample them all – YUM.
The store is unique in that it has a wall full of every flavour of chocolate bar and offers free samples of them all in huge quantities! There is also a mini-factory located behind a glass wall. In front of this are touch screens which allow you to make your own custom speciality chocolate bars and have them produced right before your eyes.
This store is the perfect place to head to with kids to get a sweet treat that you all will enjoy.
Nemo Science Museum
Amsterdam is packed with kid-friendly museums, there are likely more than you can imagine. However, none are as kid-friendly as Nemo Science Museum.
This is the Netherlands largest science museum and is packed with exhibits, workshops, theaters and more that are both entertaining and educational for children. A visit to Nemo is especially great if you are visiting Amsterdam in winter, as it offers a welcome escape form the cold and rain.
Young children get to wear lab coats and googles before performing their own hands on science experiments. This gives children the perfect opportunity to explore their senses and learn in a fun and engaging way.
Throughout the museum children get to learn about the human body, engineering, genetics and energy. The hardest part about visiting Nemo is that your children won’t want to leave and see more of Amsterdam.
Artis Zoo
Located in the East of Amsterdam is the cities very own zoo called Artis. This zoo is home to over 750 species of animals and is the perfect place to explore with children. There are over 6000 animals at Artis from all around the world and offers an exciting experience for people of all ages.
The entrance ticket to Artis also grants you access to a geology and zoology museum, a planetarium, an aquarium and botanical gardens. Artis also has a playground where kids can learn about all the animals and their origins from around the world.
Canal Cruise
There is no better way to explore Amsterdam than by boat. There are a ton of boat cruise companies in Amsterdam that will bring you on a one-hour tour to the city’s highlights.
Children and adults alike love the canal cruises as a way to see Amsterdam from a fun and unique perspective. With only 24 hours in Amsterdam, you need to do and see as much as possible in the limited time available and a canal cruise is perfect for seeing the city in a quick way.
All the canal boat tours are kid-friendly, and during Amsterdam on the weekend it is a great way to escape the crowded streets.
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam’s most famous museums. It tells the story of a young girl named Anne Frank who was hidden in an attic in Amsterdam during WW2. She kept a diary during her days in hiding and was unfortunately discovered and sent to die in Auschwitz.
The museum is a profound experience for both adults and children and teaches about a past we can all learn from. Although the Anne Frank House is not overly kid-friendly, it is a great place to visit to teach your older children about a significant historical event that changed the world forever.
Madame Tussauds
In the heart of Amsterdam’s city center sits the famous Madame Tussauds. This is one of Amsterdam’s more popular attractions that is home to wax statues of celebrities and historical figures.
There are five floors, each with its own theme, and the floors include videos and other props to add to the entertainment value.
Here you will find figures of Anne Frank, Barak Obama, Albert Einstein and more. It is the perfect place to have a little family fun learning about history and taking photos with celebrities.
Where to Eat in Amsterdam With Kids
Kinderkookkafe
One of the best places to head to for a meal when traveling in Amsterdam with young children is Kinderkookcafe. This is a fun restaurant located near Vondelpark where children can cook pancakes, cookies, decorate cakes and more! It is a hands-on cooking experience where the children get involved and make the food for you.
Pancake Boat
Amsterdam is the perfect place for all the pancake lovers out there. There are a ton of restaurants dedicated to pancakes and even a pancake boat. This pancake boat is the ultimate Amsterdam experience that brings you on a 90-minute boat ride and serves unlimited pancakes. The Pancake Boat is the perfect place to get your pancake fix in while enjoying a ride on the water.
If you are after something more refined (maybe save this one for without the kids!), then 2 Michelin-star restaurant Spectrum may appeal.
About the Blogger
Samantha Karen is the founder of the travel blog Sam Sees World. She is a twenty-something traveler on a mission to explore the world to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to explore this wondrous world. Her objective is to learn about the world while also searching for her place in it.
Check out Sam Sees World for valuable information on the best things to do, see, eat, and experience while traveling and making memories along the way. You can also follow along here:
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With thanks to Samantha for her contribution to our guest series. You may also like to read about Prague with a baby, or how about Visiting Ghent with kids?
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