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Greatest Hits for Weekenders

12 locations
Ages 0–12

Planning a weekend in Amsterdam with kids? Here are some of the greatest hits — a mix of the city's best kid-friendly museums, playgrounds, and experiences. From NEMO's rooftop views and Artis's centuries-old zoo to goats at Ridammerhoeve and indoor play at Papote, these are the places that deliver every time.

Locations

Entrance to Amsterdam's Artis Zoo with a gate and golden eagles on top of the fence in the foreground and people queuing in the ticket line beyondInside a greenhouse with lush vegetation and vines overheadThree giraffes eating from a feeder at the zooParents and kids watch a sea lion swimming underwater in a dark room with a green glow coming from the aquarium

ARTIS

Zoo · All Ages

One of Europe's oldest zoos dating to 1838, featuring over 700 animal species with natural enclosures and botanical gardens throughout. Interactive experiences include a Planetarium, Aquarium, Insectarium, Butterfly Pavilion, and two museums—Micropia (microbe museum) and ARTIS-Groote Museum exploring humanity's connection to nature. Several cafes and playgrounds throughout the grounds.
Modern museum building in green metal cladding with steel bridge connecting to it over waterStaircase leading to roof terrace of NEMO Museum with roads passing underneath the green buildingKids watching museum workers set up Rube Goldberg machine in atriumKids playing with an interactive exhibit at a children's science museum Children and parents dressed in lab cost and sitting at tables doing science experiments

NEMO Science Museum

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.
Groot MelkhuisGroot MelkhuisGroot MelkhuisGroot MelkhuisGroot Melkhuis

Groot Melkhuis

Playground · All Ages

Grand Café with large waterside terrace and adjacent fenced playground in the heart of Vondelpark, open since 1874. Kids can run, climb, swing, and play in the large sandbox while parents relax with coffee, wood-fired pizzas, or beer/cocktails. Menu includes pancakes and tostis for children.
Large sand box with two wooden slat climbing towers and metal slidesShaded plaza with metal jungle gym and concrete stepping stones with trees behindTwo tall wooden towers with long spiral metal slide and stepping stones in the foregroundGirl at the bottom of a big spiral slide with wooden and metal mesh climbing towerColorful sign with flowers and swans over entrance gate to De Vondeltuin with outdoor terrace seating and cafe beyond

De Vondeltuin

Playground · All Ages

Sprawling outdoor terrace café nestled in Vondelpark's southernmost tip with adjacent large playground featuring sandbox and equipment for multiple ages. Self-service ordering of Dutch classics (bitterballen, pancakes), salads, sandwiches and ice cream; shaded seating with deck chairs and beach-like atmosphere decorated with torches and patio lights at night.
Display of miniature mouse-sized world with canal houses and display cases beneath showing inside of buildingsWhimsical, handmade miniature house inhabited by a family of mice with a kitchen, living room, and workshopMom and daughter browsing museum showcasing whimsical mouse village with canal houses behind glass barrierColorful store with floor to ceiling bookshelves, a postcard rack, and small lunchbox-sized dollhouses on displayThe Mouse Mansion

The Mouse Mansion

Interactive Store · All Ages

An intimate museum shop displaying handcrafted miniature dioramas featuring hundreds of tiny mouse rooms full of shops, streets, houses, and elaborate scenes like a circus tent and working rollercoaster. Visitors can explore the original sets from the beloved Mouse Mansion children's books, marvel at extraordinary details with provided binoculars, and purchase DIY craft kits and mouse dolls to recreate their own miniature worlds at home. Upstairs, staff offer guidance on Mouse Mansion-making techniques.
PapotePapotePapotePapotePapote

Papote

Kids Cafe · Ages 0–7

Purpose-built family cafe pairing quality cuisine with a thoughtfully-designed indoor play area. Designed specifically for babies through age 7, with a separate baby area for younger children plus parent seating. Child-focused menu developed with a nutritionist; seasonal, zero-waste approach.
Indoor role playing village with colorful "town square" with shops, a hotel, cafes, theater and a dining area with tables and chairs near the entranceGirl playing in pretend veterinary office with wall of stuffed animals in cages and an examination tableGirl looking beyond pretend broken brick wall at tunnelGirl taking a photo with a toy camera with a bright blue and white play police station behind

Playhood

Role-Play Village · Ages 1–7

Child-sized roleplay neighbourhood with 12 themed houses where kids become pizza chefs, shopkeepers, firefighters and more. Everything is specially designed at child scale, with beautiful wooden-toy aesthetics. Prents can relax at the café while supervising. Shoes off at the door keeps the carpeted play areas clean; sessions are carefully timed at 1.5 hours to maintain a calm, never-overcrowded atmosphere.
Goats in a barn sleeping on hay while visitors watch and take photosChildren and parents playing at wooden playground with balancing logs, swing, and climbing structure with slideInside of a barn with goats walking on loft and sticking their heads through the fenceWooden farm buildings set on grassy lawn

Goatfarm Ridammerhoeve

Children's Farm · Ages 1–12

Working organic goat farm in Amsterdamse Bos where children feed and pet goats, lambs, cows, chickens, horses and pigs. Playgrounds and hedge maze on-site. Farm shop sells homemade goat cheese, raw milk, and ice cream; terrace restaurant serves organic lunches and cappuccinos with goat's milk.
People sitting and dining in a large interior courtyard of a historic building that's covered with an intricate glass ceilingFull-size replica VOC sailing ship painted red, green, and yellow with Dutch flag on the backChildren's play area with under-the-sea theme with colorful maze and tunnelsPastel-colored, nautical-themed indoor children's play area with boat, seagulls, and diving helmetToddler looking at giant whale museum display with theatrical blue lighting

National Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum · Ages 2+

World-class maritime museum showcasing 500 years of Dutch naval history in a 1656 arsenal building. Explore interactive exhibits like Doris the Diver for young children and step aboard a life-size replica of the 17th-century East Indiaman Amsterdam ship. Modern multimedia galleries feature ship models, navigation instruments, and a 360-degree VR experience of historic Amsterdam harbor.

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