A canal cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic waterways is a fantastic way for families to enjoy the city together. Glide past historic buildings, picturesque bridges, and colorful houseboats while relaxing on the water—a perfect activity for kids and adults alike.

Many family-friendly boat tours offer kid-focused audio guides or interactive elements that make the cruise both entertaining and educational. Children can learn about Amsterdam’s rich history, famous landmarks, and unique canal system in a fun, engaging way.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing sightseeing trip or an interactive experience for your children, a canal cruise is one of the top things to do in Amsterdam with kids.

A visit to the Anne Frank House is one of the most meaningful and educational experiences in Amsterdam, especially for older children and teens. Located in the heart of the city center, this world-renowned museum offers a deeply moving glimpse into the life of Anne Frank, her family, and the hidden world of the Secret Annex during World War II.

Walking through the preserved rooms where Anne wrote her famous diary, kids gain a powerful understanding of history, resilience, and human rights. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed to help young visitors connect with Anne’s story on a personal level, while learning about the dangers of discrimination and the importance of tolerance and empathy.

This experience is best suited for children aged 10 and up, as it deals with emotional and complex historical themes. It’s an ideal choice for families seeking meaningful educational activities in Amsterdam.

Make the most of your visit by combining the Anne Frank House with our family-friendly walking tour of Amsterdam’s city center.

The National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) offers a unique and interactive experience where children can dive into the world of Dutch sea explorers, historic ships, and maritime adventures.

A highlight for families is the chance to board a real 18th-century sailing ship, anchored just outside the museum. Kids can climb aboard, explore the decks, and imagine life as a sailor centuries ago. Inside the museum, a wide range of hands-on exhibits and activities bring maritime history to life, from learning about navigation and sea voyages to trying out ship tools and old sailor games.

This museum is perfect for curious young minds who love stories of pirates, sea monsters, and global exploration. It’s both educational and exciting, making it one of the best things to do in Amsterdam with children.

The National Maritime Museum is located in Amsterdam East, making it easy to combine with other local family experiences.

Make it a full day of discovery by combining your visit with our child-friendly walking tour through Amsterdam Oost. This self-guided route takes you through one of the city's most beautiful neighborhoods, filled with parks, hidden gems, and family-friendly spots that complement your museum adventure perfectly.

How fun is it to ride in an old tram from the previous century, surrounded by the scent of polished wood and nostalgia, through the even older center of Amsterdam? You can do this every Sunday with the Museum Tram. The Museum Tram runs every Sunday from April 7th through October, departing from Haarlemmermeerstation to the Amsterdam Forest. Go to Parcs and playgrounds to read more about the fun activities to do in the Amsterdam Forest.  

Visit the website of the museumtram for more information Homepage - Electrische Museumtramlijn Amsterdam

Amsterdam is home to charming theaters like Munganga and Black Cat Theatre, which specialize in captivating performances for children. These intimate venues offer magical storytelling, interactive shows, and creative workshops designed to spark the imagination of young audiences.

Munganga is a charming and cosy theatre in Amsterdam Oud Zuid. Munganga always offers a nice childeren show on sunday morning at 11am. No reservation is needed. You can simply walk in and purchase a ticket at the counter. The shows are nice for kids in the ages 2 till 8.  

Programma Actueel | MUNGANGA theater

Black Cat Theatre  in Westerpark primarily offers shows mostly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The shows are suitable for kids in the ages 1-5. Show is between 30 till 60 minutes long. There is a spacious foyer where children can play with unique toys and food and beverages can be consumed. The theatre is easily accessible by public transportation and parkingspace in front of the theatre.

Agenda Kindervoorstellingen | Black Cat Theatre | Amsterdam

At Theatre De Krakeling, the most beautiful, funniest, and most exciting stories come to life. Through music, acting, multimedia, and dance, the performances take you into another world—just for a little while. Theatre de Krakeling in Westerpark offers different shows on different days for kids all ages. They offer special shows for Non Dutch speakers. Look for the "language no problem" shows. 

Theater De Krakeling

Theatre de Toverknol is a delightful children's theatre located in the heart of Amsterdam. They host shows every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for children aged 1 to 9. Before the performance begins, kids are welcome to dress up and immerse themselves in the magic!

Kindertheater De Toverknol | Utrecht, Amsterdam

Looking for a fun and interactive attraction in Amsterdam that’s perfect for kids and families? This is Holland offers an unforgettable 5D flight experience that brings the stunning beauty and rich culture of the Netherlands to life.

Located in Amsterdam Noord, just a short (and free!) ferry ride from Central Station, This is Holland invites visitors to soar over iconic Dutch landscapes—from windmills and tulip fields to the canals of Amsterdam—all from the comfort of a state-of-the-art flight simulator.

Children will love the immersive special effects, vibrant visuals, and exciting sensation of flying. It’s a fun, educational journey where they’ll learn about Dutch history, geography, and traditions in a way that’s both entertaining and unforgettable.

Perfect for families seeking indoor attractions in Amsterdam, This is Holland is suitable for kids aged 4 and up (minimum height 102 cm). The experience takes about an hour and is a great option for a half-day family outing.

Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby A’DAM Lookout Tower, featuring a sky deck with panoramic city views—and even a rooftop swing for adventurous visitors! Best of all: entry to This is Holland is free with the Amsterdam City Card, making it an excellent value for families exploring the city.

Step into the past at the Jewish Museum in Amsterdam, where families can explore over 400 years of Jewish history. Begin your journey in the 17th century, when the first Jewish communities settled in Amsterdam. Where did they come from? What customs and traditions did they bring? And how are those traditions still visible in the city today?

The museum is uniquely housed in four historic synagogues, connected to form one remarkable building. As you walk through, look up at the original ceilings, tall arched windows, and traditional balustrades—authentic details that tell their own story.

A highlight for families is the Jewish Museum Junior—a hands-on museum designed especially for children aged 6 to 12. Here, kids can explore a recreated Jewish family home, where everything can be touched and explored.

Meet the Hollander family and see how each member experiences Jewish culture in their own way. Children can:

• Bake traditional challah bread in the kitchen,

• Write their name in Hebrew,

• And discover Jewish music in the attic.

The Jewish Museum offers a fun and educational outing for families visiting Amsterdam, combining culture, history, and interactive experiences that children will remember.

Looking for kid-friendly things to do in Amsterdam while shopping? Turn an ordinary shopping trip into a fun-filled adventure with a visit to the LEGO Store Amsterdam, located right on Kalverstraat, the city’s busiest shopping street.

Perfect for families with children, this colorful and interactive LEGO store is more than just a place to shop—it's a playful experience. Kids will be amazed by the giant LEGO models, hands-on building areas, and creative displays throughout the store. One of the most popular highlights is the chance to design your own custom LEGO mini-figure, complete with your name printed on it. It’s the ultimate personalized Amsterdam souvenir for young LEGO fans.

Whether you're taking a break from sightseeing or need a rainy-day activity, the LEGO Store in Amsterdam offers fun for the whole family. It's one of the top family-friendly attractions in Amsterdam’s city center—a must-visit for kids (and grown-ups) who love to build, play, and explore.

Looking for a meaningful and educational activity to do with your kids in Amsterdam? The Dutch Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum) is one of the most impressive and child-friendly museums in the city, located just around the corner from Artis Zoo and the Hortus Botanicus. Combine this museum with our kids friendly walking route through Amsterdam East. 

The highlight for families is Verzetsmuseum Junior, an award-winning interactive exhibition designed specifically for children aged 9 and up. It introduces young visitors to one of the most gripping periods in Dutch history — World War II — through the true stories of four real children who grew up during that time.

🎧 Meet Eva, a Jewish girl in hiding; Jan, whose parents were in the resistance; Nelly, a member of the Dutch Nazi youth movement; and Henk, from an ordinary Amsterdam family. Through emotional personal stories told with original objects, photos, documents, animations, and sound clips, children get a unique and accessible insight into wartime life.

🕹️ The experience includes interactive games and immersive storytelling. Kids can:

• Decode secret resistance messages

• Learn how identity documents were forged

• Play a wartime grocery shopping game

• Explore the power of propaganda

• Discover what war still means in today’s world

✈️ Bonus: Each child receives a beautiful activity booklet at the front desk. Inside, they’ll also “fly” in the cockpit of a virtual plane to hear stories from children in Suriname, the Dutch Caribbean, Indonesia, and beyond.