Most of the items on this list are open year-round. A few are outdoor activities that are best enjoyed in spring or summer. There is something for every budget and every age, from free to a day full of activities.
ARTIS and Micropia
ARTIS is the oldest city zoo in the Netherlands, founded in 1838, and combines a classic zoo with a planetarium, an aquarium and Micropia: the only microbe museum in the world. In Micropia, you'll build your own microscope, view invisible worlds through magnifications and pass by the Kuss-o-Meter to see how many microbes you share with someone in a kiss. ARTIS alone is a full day. Micropia added to it makes it a special one. Combination ticket available. - Plantation Church Avenue 38-40, Plantation
NEMO Science Museum
Two floors full of doing it yourself in Nemo: in the Phenomena and Technium exhibitions, children experiment with air, water, light and technology. No workshop required, no reservation: you walk in and start. On the roof a terrace overlooking the IJ. The building itself, designed by Renzo Piano as a rising ship's hold, is already worth seeing. Open daily. - Oosterdok 2, Center
Pancake Boat
75 minutes of boating on the IJ while eating unlimited pancakes. Classic Amsterdam outing, popular with children of all ages and also appreciated by adults who actually went along for the kids. Departs several times a day from the NDSM wharf. Reserve on time. - NDSM Wharf, North. Daily
EYE Film Museum
EYE has permanent offerings for children: Cinemini for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-6), discovery trail Mission Super Eyes (ages 4-12) and regular family movies on the big screen. The mosaic animation workshop is available at set times. The building is on the IJ; the ferry there is an adventure in itself. Open daily. - IJpromenade 1, North
The Amsterdam Forest
The Amsterdamse Bos is nearly 1,000 acres and has enough for an entire day: cycling on rented bikes, swimming in the Bosbaan, goats and lambs at the petting zoo, climbing in Fun Forest and summer performances at the Forest Theater. Reachable by bike from Oud-Zuid in twenty minutes or by streetcar. - Amsterdamse Bos, Buitenveldert. Free admission
“The Amsterdam Forest is to children what the Vondelpark is to adults: a place to stay for hours without it ever getting boring.” - Kidsproof Amsterdam (2025)
Resistance Museum Junior
The children's section of the Resistance Museum takes children through four stories into the daily lives of children during World War II. Interactive games, a cockpit and a scavenger hunt booklet. Strong for children ages 9 and up, and especially timely during the week around May 4 and 5. Great to combine with ARTIS, Micropia and the Hortus nearby. - Plantation Church Avenue 61, Plantation
The Mouse House Mini Museum
In the Mini Museum at Mint Square, the worlds of mice Sam and Julia have been recreated in minute detail. Children pick up a bingo card at the ticket counter and go in search of mice; whoever finishes the card gets a surprise. On weekends, there is a walk-in workshop where children paint their own mouse doors. Free admission, no reservations required. - Mint Square 8, Center. Daily 10am-6pm. Free
Hortus Botanicus
The Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, created in 1638 as a medical herb garden. Compact and uncluttered, good for young children who can't walk for long. The butterfly garden is the highlight: a heated greenhouse full of tropical butterflies that land on you. There are regular seasonal activities and scavenger hunts for children. - Plantage Middenlaan 2a, Plantage 
The Maritime Museum
The replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam lies at anchor next to the museum and is fully exploreable. Children climb aboard, explore the holds and learn about the lives of sailors in the 17th century. The museum itself has interactive galleries about the Golden Age and seafaring. Good for kids who like adventure. - Kattenburgerplein 1, Center
Fun Forest Amsterdamse Bos
Climbing park in the middle of the Amsterdam Forest, with courses for different ages and levels. From toddlers to teenagers: everyone has their own challenge. Outside, in the green, and active. Combines well with the petting zoo or a visit to the Forest Theatre. - Bosbaanweg 5, Amsterdamse Bos
KiMu Children's Art Museum
The first children's art museum of Amsterdam, opening in March 2026 in Noord. Children work in three studios for 2D, 3D and light entirely from their own ideas, guided by professional artists. Different from other museums: here the children are central as creators, not as audience. Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. - Termini 487, North
“KiMu takes children seriously as artists. No coloring sheets, no imitating, but really working from their own ideas.” - The Parool (March 2026)
Miniature Museum Amsterdam
A time travel through the history of Amsterdam through meticulously constructed miniatures, short films and a scavenger hunt. Clear and compact, good to do with young children. In the center, good to combine with a walk along the canals or a visit to the Maritime Museum. - Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, Center
Aloha Amsterdam
Bowling, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf, laser game and karaoke all under one roof. The city's most complete rain weather option. City pass gives discount. Open from 11 a.m. on weekends. - Prins Hendrikkade 194, Center
Goats and the petting zoo in the Forest
At the petting zoo in the Amsterdamse Bos are goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens. Touching and feeding is allowed, admission is free. In spring there are lambs and goats. Good to combine with cycling through the forest or a visit to Fun Forest. - Farmhouse Meerzicht, Koenenkade 56, Amsterdam Forest. Free
Vondelpark and Groot Melkhuis
The Vondelpark has a children's pool that opens in the summer, multiple playgrounds and plenty of room to run, bike and picnic. Big Milk House is the family restaurant in the heart of the park, with a playground outside. Free, always open, no planning required. - Vondelpark, Old South. Free admission
TonTon Club North
Arcade Games, pinball and interactive games in a space that also works for adults. Simultaneous ordering of Asian comfort food: dumplings, buns and noodles. Good for kids ages 6 and up, and also for parents going along. On the NDSM wharf, good to combine with a ferry ride and Pllek or Van de Werf. - Anvil Street 28, North
Ferry to North
Free, year-round, day and night. The ferry from Central Station to North takes seven minutes and gives a view of the IJ that can't be had anywhere else for free. For children, the ferry is an outing in itself. Once in Noord: EYE, KiMu, TonTon Club, Pancake Boat and the NDSM Wharf are within walking distance. - Ferry, Amsterdam Central. Free
Rijksmuseum family tours
The Rijksmuseum has scavenger hunts, family tours and workshop letters for children ages 3 to 12. Pim & Pom for little ones, Expedition Rijksmuseum for ages 6-9 and Mission Masterpiece for older children. The collection is large enough to select: you don't have to see everything. - Museum Street 1, Museum Quarter
Farmhouse The Ridammerhoeve
On the edge of the Amsterdam Forest is organic farm The Ridammerhoeve, with goats, pigs, sheep, chickens and cows. Children may touch and feed the animals. During the summer season, the teahouse is open for food and drinks. One of the quietest places on this list. - Nieuwe Meerlaan 4, Amsterdamse Bos. Free
Flevoparkbad
Amsterdam's top-rated outdoor pool, with a 50-meter pool, a shallow play island and a toddler pool. Large enough to find a lounging spot even on hot days. Open from May 1 to early September. Combine well with Flevopark and Javastraat for lunch pickup. - Insulindeweg 1002, East. May 1 through early September. €6.20 p.p.
For a day without planning: ferry to North, EYE and Pancake Boat. For a cultural day: ARTIS and Micropia, followed by the Hortus or the Resistance Museum Junior. For outdoors: the Amsterdamse Bos with Fun Forest, petting zoo and Restaurant Hendrik for pancakes. And for bad weather: NEMO or Aloha, and then TonTon Club if there's any energy left.