National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) with kids

The ship moored outside is the reason to come. It is a replica of an East India Company vessel, and children can lie in a hammock, fire the cannons and haul cargo. Inside the museum, Doris the Diver is built for ages 2 and up and The Tale of the Whale for ages 6 and up. A free junior audio tour ties it together.

National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum), Amsterdam

OosterdokBus 42 from Centraal, Kadijksplein

Tickets

€8.50per child (5-17)

Adults €20 · free under 5

Go to the official site

There is no ticket partner for this one, so the button goes to the official site.

Best time

Open daily 10:00 to 17:00. Do the ship first, before school groups arrive.

Open in Google Maps

More in Amsterdam

NEMO Science Museum ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo Rijksmuseum Van Gogh Museum

The family card

Family card

Minimum ageNo minimumNo minimum

Enjoys from3 years

Duration2h – 3h

StrollerStroller OKBuggies and strollers are allowed and all exhibition areas have lift access. The ship is only partially accessible by lift.

€

Child priceFree for ages 4 and under · €8.50 (5-17) · €20 adult

Toilets and changingChanging tableFamily restrooms with changing facilities in the basement and on the first floor.

QueueShort queuesRarely a wait at the entrance.

☀

Best timeOpen daily 10:00 to 17:00. Do the ship first, before school groups arrive.

Verdict by age

Not a general rating. How each age band actually experiences it.

0-2

Fine

3-5

Great

6-10

Great

11+

Fine

Ages 3 to 10 are the target and they get a real ship to play on. Babies are easy thanks to lifts and family restrooms, though the ship's lower decks are awkward with one. Older children enjoy the ship, then lose interest indoors.

It is calmer than NEMO next door and better for under-5s. Allow two to three hours. Buggies are allowed in the museum, back carriers are not, and the museum lends strollers. Family restrooms with changing facilities are in the basement and on the first floor. The ship is only partly reachable by lift.

Tips for the visit

Leave the back carrier at the hotel. They are not permitted, and loan strollers are offered.
Cards only at the entrance, restaurant and shop.
The museum gives the walk from Centraal Station as 19 minutes. Bus 42 saves small legs.
Ask for the free junior audio tour at the start.

Sources

Facts checked on Oct 4, 2026 against these pages: