Bebopping…
Culture Museum · Ages 4+
Interactive museum set across four 17th-18th century synagogues exploring four centuries of Jewish culture in the Netherlands. Jewish Museum junior offers a hands-on environment where children bake challah, write Hebrew letters, and play musical instruments. Also features paintings, ceremonial objects, films and 3D presentations; café serves kosher foods.
Art Museum · Ages 4+
Step into the restored 17th-century home where Dutch master Rembrandt lived and worked from 1639-1658, surrounded by his nearly complete collection of 260 etchings. Explore authentically recreated rooms furnished with period objects and artifacts, plus original copper plates and drawings, with a multimedia guide narrated by the artist's dog for kids over 6 and scavenger hunt for 4+. Daily live etching demonstrations and hands-on drawing workshops bring the creative process to life.
History Museum · Ages 7+
Powerful museum documenting Dutch resistance and daily life during WWII through 130+ personal stories, authentic objects, and interactive displays. Features Verzetsmuseum Junior, a dedicated children's section with reconstructed homes and age-appropriate narratives of four children's wartime experiences. Includes free multilingual audio guides and video testimonies; exhibits presented in Dutch and English.
Science Museum · Ages 4+
The world's first museum dedicated entirely to microorganisms. Interactive microscope stations and multimedia displays reveal living bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae; a body scan shows which microbes inhabit your skin. Exhibits use cutting-edge technology including 3D viewers and interactive screens.
Natural History Museum · Ages 7+
Interactive natural history museum exploring how humans, animals, plants and microbes form one ecosystem. Journey through 170-year-old building with sensory exhibits, art installations and thought-provoking displays. Features unique elements like scent tunnels, comparisons with animal movements, and the Tanja hippopotamus exhibition.
Theatre · Ages 3+
Intimate theater showcasing classical European marionette opera with large handcrafted wooden puppets. Five puppeteers manipulate basswood puppets in silk and velvet costumes performing works by Mozart and Offenbach, with music central to the experience. Performances are in Dutch, but the visual spectacle and classical music transcend language barriers.
Bookshop · All Ages
Amsterdam's largest independent bookstore with over 125,000 titles spanning five floors connected by escalators and lift. Extensive children's section on the second floor featuring English/Dutch picture books, a pirate ship play structure, and giant toy boxes that turn reading time into active play. On-site Vascobelo café serves coffee and cakes in a relaxed setting.
Science Museum · Ages 4+
The Netherlands' largest science museum with five floors of hands-on interactive exhibits where children conduct chemistry experiments, build bridges, blow giant bubbles, and explore how everyday science works. The ship-shaped copper-green building designed by Renzo Piano sits above the IJ tunnel with a free-access rooftop terrace offering panoramic Amsterdam views. Daily demonstrations include a spectacular chain reaction Rube Goldberg machine on the second floor, plus workshops on light, sound, electricity, water, and the human mind.
Library · All Ages
Modern 10-story public library with a spacious, light-filled children's section featuring books in multiple languages and a makerspace. Spectacular panoramic views of Amsterdam from the top-floor terrace with café. Multiple cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Theatre · Ages 1–9
Intimate children's theater with monthly interactive performances featuring actors, music, and storytelling. Before each show, children can dress up in costumes from the theater's costume racks. Refreshments included with admission: coffee, tea, juice, and cookies. Location also offers dance, music, and drama classes as well as a popular theatre camp during school holidays.
History Museum · Ages 3+
Interactive multimedia journey through 400 years of Amsterdam's canal history, housed in a stunning 17th-century canal house with period rooms and original wall paintings. Structured tour through five themed rooms with included audioguide in nine languages; 45-50 minute experience. Beautiful serene garden oasis in the backyard, peaceful refuge from the bustling city.
Culture Museum · Ages 4+
Interactive museum of world cultures housed in a stunning 1926 building with a striking Light Hall. The dedicated Wereldmuseum Junior exhibition for ages 6–13 lets children touch, try things out, and participate in cultural discovery. A party shop showcases celebrations and traditions from around the world.
Theatre · Ages 6+
One of the Netherlands' leading theaters, housed in a historic building on Leidseplein with a commitment to contemporary programming. Stages both adult productions and children's shows including The Bookshop Kids (for ages 6+) held monthly, plus family-friendly performances adapted from classics and new works. Regular theater workshops available for children interested in drama.
Art Museum · Ages 4+
One of the world's finest art museums with 8,000 masterpieces spanning 800 years, including Rembrandt's iconic Night Watch and works by Vermeer and Van Gogh. The grand building features diverse treasures beyond paintings—airplane models, dollhouses, weapons, ship models, and historical artifacts that captivate curious minds. Free admission for all under 18 plus family games, scavenger hunts, drawing workshops, and dedicated activity programs make it exceptionally welcoming for young visitors.
Library · All Ages
Modern Amsterdam public library branch in the De Pijp neighbourhood that combines a library, theater, makerspace, studio, and café-restaurant. Features story time and craft activities for children aged 4+, plus regular workshops like origami and art-focused programs hosted in the Maakplaats room.
Theatre · Ages 5+
A prestigious theater in Amsterdam's Leidseplein area with two auditoriums (601 and 939 seats) showcasing musicals, plays, cabaret and concerts. Recently renovated in 2010, the theater features stunning red chairs and a gold-framed stage. Offers youth and children's performances alongside adult programming, with a bar and dining available.
Bookshop · All Ages
Netherlands' oldest specialist children's bookshop, established in 1975 with over 7,000 titles across 32 bookcases. Features books for all ages from board books to young adult, plus toys, games and plushies, with a dedicated reading corner. Hosts annual contests, author meet-and-greets, and reading events; multilingual collection includes English, French, German, Arabic and Farsi editions.
Miniature Museum · Ages 3+
Detailed miniature scenes bring Amsterdam's 750-year history to life, from 1275 origins through the Golden Age, squatter riots and Pride. Many models are interactive with buttons triggering lights, sounds and moving scenes. Average visit lasts 1 to 1.5 hours on Museumplein.
Library · All Ages
A neighbourhood branch of Amsterdam's public library located in converted supermarket space with cafe-like ambience and a café for tea and coffee. Regular programming includes writing workshops, reading sessions, storytelling programmes, yoga classes and listening events.
Film Museum · Ages 2+
Striking white building housing one of Europe's premier film museums with a 60,000-film collection. Features four cinema screens, interactive exhibitions including a 360-degree immersive film space, Movie Pods with vintage films, and hands-on installations like the Flipbook and Green Screen where visitors can create their own scenes. Museum targets slightly older kids (6+), while Cinemini events for ages 2-6 offer short films in relaxed family environment followed by interactive themed activities.
Art Museum · Ages 4+
World's largest collection of Vincent van Gogh's works, including Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and The Bedroom. Museum is thoughtfully curated chronologically to follow Van Gogh's artistic development from his early Dutch period through Paris, Arles, and Saint-Rémy. Interactive family guides and treasure hunts for children aged 6-12 available at the information desk.
Concert Hall · All Ages
World-renowned concert hall praised for acoustics that rival Carnegie Hall and Vienna's Musikverein. Hosts 900+ concerts annually across three performance spaces, with dedicated family programming, such as Children's Concerts for ages 4–12 and Children's Music Days for ages 2–4. Young music explorers discover instruments, stories and classical masterworks in interactive, storytelling-enriched performances.
Library · Ages 1+
Beautiful historic branch library in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid near the Concertgebouw with a vibrant youth section and children's book collection. Features a cozy reading café with snacks and drinks, study spaces, and hosts regular children's story times, workshops, and coding classes for kids. Architectural gem with a vintage brown façade in a monumental building.
Library · All Ages
Public library branch housed in Amsterdam's historic De Hallen tram depot complex. Features a BoekStart corner for youngest readers, Wednesday afternoon storytime sessions, and a curated collection for all ages. Adjacent Belcampo reading café offers coffee and light refreshments as well as a small play corner for young kids (under 4).
Library · All Ages
A petite library branch with a dedicated children's corner and cozy atmosphere in Amsterdam-Noord. Hosts story times, workshops, and community activities alongside a book collection for all ages. Coffee corner and open balcony create an inviting social space.
Theatre · Ages 2–18
Amsterdam's dedicated youth theatre with weekly rotating performances across multiple genres including dance, puppetry, circus and contemporary theatre. Intimate flat-floor theatre with close sightlines to the stage and spacious child-friendly foyer. Located on Cultuurpark Westergas, a vibrant cultural park blending green space and creativity.
History Museum · Ages 5+
Iconic expressionist housing block designed by architect Michel de Klerk, showcasing the Amsterdam School movement. Visitors tour a fully restored 1920s workers' apartment with period furnishings, explore a reconstructed pre-housing law slum dwelling, and see a remarkable post office with hand-painted vaulted ceiling and lavender-blue color scheme. Includes exhibits on social housing history, decorative arts, and architectural craftsmanship, with a garden featuring Amsterdam School street furniture.
Theatre · Ages 3+
An international cultural stage housed in a converted 1920s church featuring theatre, music, dance, comedy and spoken word performances. The venue welcomes families with children's productions, workshops, and birthday party hosting. Fresh, locally sourced food and a relaxed café atmosphere complement the performances for a casual bite before or after a show.
Library · All Ages
Community library in Amsterdam-West with large, dedicated children's section, reading area, and spacious café. Regular programming includes storytime sessions in multiple languages, creative workshops and neighbourhood activities.
Theatre · Ages 2+
An intimate, multidisciplinary arts venue combining theatre, music, dance and puppetry created by artists from around the world. Housed in a former horse tram depot turned national monument metres from Vondelpark. Hosts interactively and lively weekly kids programming with Brazilian-inspired shows, music/story sessions, and family carnivals blending culture, dance, and play.
Library · All Ages
Compact neighbourhood library in Amsterdam-West with extensive children's collection including a dedicated BoekStart corner for infants aged 0–2. Wednesday afternoon story time features narration, crafts, colouring and games for young children. Monthly activities and bi-monthly youth exhibitions run throughout the year.
Art Museum · Ages 6+
World's largest street art and graffiti museum in an enormous 8,000m² former shipyard warehouse. Over 180 works by international artists, from established names like Keith Haring and Banksy to emerging talents, displayed on massive canvases grouped by themes. Children aged 6-12 get a free interactive treasure hunt to explore artworks at their own pace, plus free lockers for bags and a café with views from the panorama deck.
Library · Ages 2+
A neighborhood library branch with dedicated kids' corner and children's book collection. Story hours and craft activities for young learners, including sessions in Spanish and English. Quiet reading space with cafe for families.
Automotive Museum · Ages 6–12
Interactive exhibition exploring mobility and transportation through hands-on exhibits where children can discover car design, test driving simulators, and learn how mobility shapes daily life. The renovated space within a historic Citroën building showcases designer vehicles and features interactive workshops and design challenges.
Children's Museum · Ages 2–12
A child-centered art museum where children are treated as competent creators rather than passive viewers. Children design their own creative processes, explore materials freely, and participate in exhibitions showing alongside professional artists. Hands-on ateliers with diverse materials encourage experimentation, discovery and self-expression.
Theatre · Ages 1–6
Intimate theatre designed for the youngest children, featuring performances with live music, dance and mime that require little dialogue. Interactive play area in the foyer and on stage after each show. Small capacity venue creating close audience-performer connection.
Library · All Ages
Modern public library branch with a dedicated children's section and extensive youth collection including multilingual books. Hosts regular children's activities including story times, workshops, and creative programs. On-site reading café.
Library · All Ages
Family-friendly library branch with dedicated BoekStart corner for youngest readers and extensive children's collection. Located in De Honingraat community centre with a maakplaats (maker space) and coffee corner. Hosts workshops, exhibitions and activities regularly.
Theatre · Ages 2+
Cultural performance venue hosting 280 shows annually across theatre, dance, cabaret and music. Meervaart Jong & Meervaart Studio offer dedicated talent development classes and workshops for children in performing arts. Fully wheelchair accessible with lifts and accessible facilities throughout the modern 1,100-seat theatre.
Library · All Ages
Busy neighbourhood library with extensive multilingual book collection and strong children's programming. Features BoekStart corner for toddlers and hosts regular art sessions, creative workshops, and community activities. Located in the same building as Theater De Meervaart and Amsterdam Music School.
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