Amsterdam with kids aged 3-5
Three to five is the age for ARTIS, the ship at the Maritime Museum, Vondelpark and the windmills at Zaanse Schans. NEMO starts to work from 4. Art museums are a struggle at this age, so keep them to under an hour or let one adult go alone.
What works at 3-5
Science museumNEMO Science Museum
child from €21.50Five floors where touching everything is the point. Same price from age 4 up, free under 4.
ZooARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
child from €27.50A leafy city zoo a tram ride from the centre. Easy with a stroller, pricey at the gate.
Half-day tripZaanse Schans windmills
No ticket neededWorking windmills and green wooden houses, 24 minutes by bus. Walking around is free.
Park and playgroundsVondelpark
No ticket neededThe city's main park, free, with playgrounds and a paddling pool a short walk from the museums.
Museum and shipNational Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum)
child from €8.50A full-size sailing ship to climb around, plus a play exhibition for ages 2 and up.
Theme park day tripEfteling
free under 4The Dutch fairy-tale theme park. A full day out of Amsterdam, and worth it if you have four nights or more.
Boat rideCanal cruise
free under 4One hour sitting down while the city goes past. The stroller stays on the quay.
ViewpointA'DAM Lookout
child from €10.50Free ferry, fast lift, rooftop view. The swing over the edge needs 1.20 m of child.