Amsterdam is a small city, and after a few days the kids will have seen the canals, the parks and the museums. That’s when it’s worth getting on a train. Within an hour or two you’ll find castles, a theme park, windmills and a zoo with dinosaurs, all easy day trips from Amsterdam with kids, and a good reminder that our directory covers the whole Netherlands, not just the capital.
1. Muiderslot Castle, A Real-Life Fairytale Fortress
Location: Muiden, 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Best for: ages 4+ who love knights and castles
One of the oldest and most picturesque castles in the Netherlands. Kids dress up as knights or princesses, explore the armoury, and wander the gardens.
- Interactive kids’ tours
- Falconry demonstrations
- Water shield and medieval games
Getting there: train to Weesp, then bus or bike to Muiden. Summer visits get you outdoor shows and garden fun on top of the castle tour.
2. Efteling Theme Park, The Ultimate Fantasy Adventure
Location: Kaatsheuvel, 90 minutes from Amsterdam, Best for: all ages
The Netherlands’ most beloved theme park, built on fairytale themes rather than generic thrill rides, with landscaping that’s part of the experience.
- Fairytale Forest for young kids
- Thrill rides like Baron 1898 and Python
- Daily shows and character meet-and-greets
Getting there: direct bus, or train plus shuttle. Download the Efteling app for queue times before you go. We’ve written a full breakdown in our Efteling day trip guide, including which rides suit which ages.
3. Zaanse Schans, Windmills, Cheese & Wooden Shoes
Location: Zaandam, 20 minutes from Amsterdam, Best for: ages 3+ who enjoy culture and crafts
An open-air museum where Dutch heritage is still working, not just displayed, real windmills, a clog workshop, traditional cheese-making.
- Windmill tours
- Cheese tasting
- Clog painting
Getting there: a short train or bike ride. Go early to beat the tour buses and enjoy the riverside walks in relative peace.
4. Utrecht Railway Museum (Spoorwegmuseum)
Location: Utrecht, 35 minutes from Amsterdam, Best for: train-loving kids aged 2+
Set inside a former train station, this is one for kids who are obsessed with trains, mini train rides, model railways, and simulators to operate.
- Mini train rides and themed exhibits
- Full-size locomotives
- Indoor and outdoor play areas
Getting there: train to Utrecht, then a shuttle or 15-minute walk. Combine it with Utrecht’s Dom Tower or a wander along the canals.
5. Giethoorn, Venice of the North
Location: Giethoorn, 2 hours from Amsterdam, Best for: families with older kids who enjoy nature and boat rides
A car-free village best explored by boat. Glide along the canals, look at the thatched houses, have a picnic somewhere quiet.
- Rent your own whisper boat
- Visit museums like Olde Maat Uus
- Scenic bike and walking paths
Getting there: train to Steenwijk, then bus or bike. It’s a longer day, so go on a weekday if you can, weekends draw crowds.
6. Amersfoort Zoo (DierenPark Amersfoort)
Location: Amersfoort, 45 minutes from Amsterdam, Best for: animal-loving kids aged 3+
A family-focused zoo known for jungle-themed play areas and enclosures that put you closer to the animals than most zoos manage.
- DinoPark with life-size dinosaurs
- Climb-through tunnels in monkey habitats
- Playground and splash park
Getting there: train to Amersfoort, then bus. Pack a change of clothes for the splash park in summer.
7. Haarlem, History, Beaches, and Hidden Courtyards
Location: Haarlem, 20 minutes from Amsterdam, Best for: all ages
A smaller, calmer city with family-friendly museums, sandy beaches nearby, and streets that are easier to navigate with a pram than central Amsterdam.
- Teylers Museum (the oldest museum in the Netherlands)
- Grote Markt, with kid-friendly cafés around it
- A bike ride out to Bloemendaal beach
Getting there: direct trains run every 15 minutes. Visit during flower season if you want tulip fields on the way.
8. Batavialand, Explore Dutch Maritime History
Location: Lelystad, 1 hour from Amsterdam, Best for: ages 6+ interested in ships and history
A hands-on museum and shipyard where kids climb aboard historical replicas and see how ships were actually built.
- Life-size Batavia ship reconstruction
- Water-based science exhibits
- Build-a-boat activities
Getting there: train or car to Lelystad. Dress warmly, a lot of it is outdoors.
Making the Trip Work With Kids
- Pack snacks and water, not every stop has a child-friendly menu on site.
- Use the NS app for route planning and live schedule updates.
- Consider a Dutch Rail Pass or I Amsterdam Card if you’re doing more than one trip, the savings on transport and entry add up.
- Bring entertainment for the journey, books, a tablet, anything for the train ride, especially for Giethoorn or Efteling which are the longest hauls.
- Check the weather before you commit, Zaanse Schans and Haarlem work fine in light rain, but Giethoorn and the beach at Haarlem are much better on a dry day.
If you’d rather stay closer to the city, our perfect weekend in Amsterdam with kids guide and rainy day guide cover things closer to home, and our museums guide is worth checking before you decide between a city museum day and a trip out. For more towns worth the trip, see our guide to kid-friendly cities outside Amsterdam, and browse the full places directory or upcoming family events for more ideas around the country.
FAQ
What’s the closest day trip to Amsterdam for young kids?
Zaanse Schans, at just 20 minutes away, is the easiest for toddlers and preschoolers, short travel time and plenty of open space to wander.
Is Efteling worth it for a family with a toddler?
Yes, the Fairytale Forest and gentler rides are built for younger children, though the theme park is a longer day overall, so pace yourself.
Do we need a car for these day trips?
No, every destination on this list is reachable by train, sometimes with a connecting bus, bike or shuttle at the other end.
Which day trip is best for a rainy day?
Batavialand and the Utrecht Railway Museum both have substantial indoor sections, making them safer bets if rain is forecast.
