This beautiful city has a stellar reputation for being an amazing family vacation destination and is perfect for those traveling with kids! The art and culture, the iconic architecture, the gorgeous parks; they all make for an epic itinerary for you and your family.
Amsterdam is a city I have always wanted to visit and we have good friends living there right now. They moved in late 2020, and we have been anxiously waiting to visit them.
Amsterdam is a place you will love to visit. There are many wonderful sights to see, and food to enjoy. Here is a 4-day itinerary for you to get the most out of your trip to Amsterdam when traveling with kids.
One of the things you may want to do before going to Amsterdam is to research some of the history of the area. Knowing a bit more about some of the people who lived there, such as Anne Frank, will make this more educational and enjoyable for you.
Amsterdam with Kids: 4 Day Itinerary
Amsterdam Day 1
Arrive in Amsterdam
The best way to get to Amsterdam is by plane. I would suggest a nonstop flight when traveling with kids to make it less stressful.
Top Sights In Amsterdam
Haarlam
You will find delicious stoopwafel at the Haarlam’s farmer’s markets. It’s one of the best ways to spend a few hours, sampling the flavors of the area. Each of the area’s markets has a variety of foods, such as breads, vegetables, fruits, and more to choose from as well.
Zandvoort Beach
Spend some time on Zandvoort beach and enjoy the beautiful North Sea. Unless you are there in the Spring or Summer, it can be pretty chilly, but you will enjoy it no matter what time of year you visit.
Walk into Centrum at Night
After the beach, take in the nightlife a bit. Amsterdam is such a beautiful city. You’ll love walking around the city center at night seeing all of the lights. Don’t forget to grab cones of french fries on the street (or Patat as they’re called there).
Downtown Amsterdam also boasts canal tours, shopping on Nine’s street, and a gorgeous floating flower market.
Amsterdam Day 2
Zaanse Schans: This spot is about 25 minutes outside the city center and is a great spot to take the family. There are Windmills and old Dutch homes to recreate the 18th & 19th century Dutch villages. Kids can pop into all of the different village spots and try things like candle making, see how they made cloth sails and more. A major highlight will be climbing up a windmill.
A’Dam Lookout Tower: Go from seeing what life was like in the 18th century to the super modern A’Dam Tower! At A’Dam Tower, you can do a virtual roller coaster and the swing over the city. The views of the city from the A’Dam Tower are awesome.
Stay at the Tower for an early dinner at Butcher to round out the fabulous day.
After dinner, stop by the Anne Frank Mural at the Straat Museum. You may want to build in time to take in the Straat Museum as well.
Another fun place to visit is Anne Frank’s original house in Oud Zuid. There is a little statue in a small park in the neighborhood. It would be awesome to see this before going to the Anne Frank house; to see where Anne lived before going into hiding. You’ll be able to identify with Anne as a normal child before having to go into hiding during the Holocaust.
Walk around Vondelpark: You’ll love ending day 2 in Amsterdam with a stroll around Vondelpark, the largest park in the city. This is certainly a spot I’d love to return to in warmer weather. It’s a huge, beautiful park.
Amsterdam Day 3
Anne Frank House: Take the day and enjoy visiting this, and learning more about Anne and Margot having to hide in this house. The house is very well preserved, and there is so much information to glean here. Simply grab a headset as you walk through to listen.
There are letters, notes, and magazine clippings to see there as well. If you want to take in this site, be sure to book this in advance of your trip.
The Mouse Mansion: The Sam and Julia Mouse books are popular books in Amsterdam. You can visit their mini mouse world by stopping in the Mouse Mansion Museum. It’s a small shop filled with scenes from the books. It’s like walking through the best decorated dollhouse ever.
Other Things to Do with Kids in Amsterdam
Tony Chocolonely: Tony Chocolonely is not only the most delicious chocolate, there’s a great story behind the brand too. Visit the store to learn all about its mission. There’s also a chance to create your own personalized Tony Chocolonely bars.
Lego Store: The Lego store in Amsterdam is awesome. It’s full of friendly staff and has more interactive fun than other Lego stores worldwide. Be sure to see the giant windmill made of legos!
Plantage for Lunch: This magical cafe is a must on your visit!
Verzetsmuseum Dutch Resistance: This children’s museum is perfect for having your kids learn about the Holocaust. The Resistance Museum Junior is Amsterdam’s first children’s museum about World War Two. There are true stories and authentic items that were part of children’s lives during the occupation by Nazi Germany. You get a look at life during WWII from the point of view of children.
The museum is very interactive, and you’ll enjoy walking through the mini homes of the children you are learning about. Don’t be surprised if your kids want to stay all day.
Amsterdam Day 4
Ice Skating: If you visit Amsterdam in the winter, be sure to take some time to ice skate on the Museumplein Amsterdam at Ice Amsterdam. You’ll have a blast while skating and enjoying the views of Rijksmuseum.
The Smallest Tea House: If you are a tea lover like my daughters and I are, this is a must-see.The tiny house includes a small tea shop on the ground floor and then 2 tiny tea rooms, one on top of the other. The house has been in the family for over 60 years and the owner is wonderful to chat with. The tea and all of the food is excellent.
Van Gogh Museum: Great art museum for kids to see. There is a kid’s scavenger hunt you can pick up at the entrance and if they find everything they get a “prize” at the gift shop at the end.
Festival of Lights: If you are in Amsterdam around Christmas, make sure to check out the Festival of Lights. It’s best seen on the canal (most things you can only see by boat).
Of course, staying longer in Amsterdam is wonderful, but 4 days of touring around Amsterdam with kids was perfect. You will still see so many sights and enjoy the rich history.
Where to stay in Amsterdam with Kids
I would recommend checking out this spot for your lodging needs while in Amsterdam. It’s a family-friendly, budget-friendly rental that is within easy access to all the sights of the beautiful city.
Is Amsterdam Family Friendly
As you can see, in our experience Amsterdam is very kid friendly. While it may have a reputation for nightlife and partying there are many things to do with kids. The local government has truly worked to attract a different type of tourist, and it shows. We highly recommend adding this beautiful place to your European vacation plans.
What is the Weather Like in Amsterdam?
While there are plenty of clouds and rain there is no shortage of things to do despite the Amsterdam climate! Make sure to pack rain gear but know that umbrellas are readily available on the streets.
Winters in Amsterdam are chilly with temperatures around 38F. Regardless, there is never a bad time to visit Amsterdam. Check the weather apps and pack accordingly so you can enjoy all the amazing winter events in the beautiful city.
If you loved this you’ll want to check out our other great posts about international travel:
Best places to Eat in Florence with Kids
Costa Rica with Kids: A 7-Day Itinerary
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