Amsterdam is widely known for its countless famous museums. No trip to the ‘Venice of the North’ is complete without visiting the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. But many parents who want to explore Amsterdam’s museums face an all-too-familiar dilemma: kids do not necessarily love it. In this article we gathered some museums for all the parents and grandparents who want to enjoy Amsterdam’s museums without antagonizing their (grand-)kids.
The Houseboat Museum is a great place for anyone who is curious what it is like living on a houseboat. It is located on Prinsengracht, more specifically the “Hendrika Maria”, a former cargo ship built in 1914, and gives an interesting insight into what life is like inside one of Amsterdam’s well-known houseboats.
Free entry for children under 5 years old.
Nemo is the Netherlands’ largest science center and promises an entertaining and informative visit for the whole family. Its five floors are packed with science and technology, some of which you can even try out yourself. Your kids will be well-entertained by the endless amount of buttons to press and levers to pull and to finish the day you can enjoy a relaxing drink on the rooftop terrace while watching your kids play in the water fountains.
Free entry for children under 4 years old.
The Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum) is great for children as everything is behind glass and you can also explore the VOC ship’s outside. And if that is not enough to keep your kids entertained, they also offer a free virtual reality experience.
Free entry for children under 4 years old.
The Tropenmuseum, one of Europe’s leading ethnographic museums, has many interactive exhibits with objects from all over the world, as well as ever-changing themes and topics. Here anybody can find something that interests them.There are also creative activities organized for children from the age of 1!
Free entry for children under 3 years old.
The Anne Frank House is certainly not for the youngest of the young. But for those who want to see a first-hand account of what life was like for Jews under the Nazi-regime, the Anne Frank House can provide a valuable experience. For kids aged 10 years old and older, the museum makes available a 30-minute introduction prior to the visit.
Disclaimer: The Anne Frank House is a place to reflect on the dangers of Antisemitism and the atrocities of Nazi-Germany. Please ensure that both you and your children behave in a way that is respectful to the story being told.
Free entry for children under 9 years old.