days out, tried and tested
Seeing the country from the water solves two problems at once: the children are contained, and nobody has to walk. Eight are listed here. Six are listed in Amsterdam — the Blue Boat kids' cruise with commentary written for children and private canal tours you can book for a family among them — along with a ferry from Marina Muiderzand in Almere to the island fort at Pampus and on to Muiderslot castle. Outside the city there are hire boats you steer yourself at Het Twiske in Oostzaan and at Waarland near Heerhugowaard. Four are wheelchair accessible and two have comfortable seating throughout.
8 tours & sightseeing in the Netherlands
Every town with something in this category has its own page. The number is what is listed there today.
The Blue Boat kids' cruise in Amsterdam is the one designed for them: a shorter route with commentary written for children rather than an audio guide about gabled facades. A private tour is the other good option with small children, because you set the length. Both are listed here with what each operator publishes about ages and duration.
Yes, and no licence is needed for the small electric sloops most rental companies use. Two of the listings here — Het Twiske in Oostzaan and Waarland near Heerhugowaard — hire sloops and canoes on open water, which is calmer than the city canals and has somewhere to stop. Life jackets for children are provided; confirm sizes when you book.
Both, and the ferry from Marina Muiderzand is part of the day rather than a means to it. Pampus is an island fort you explore, Muiderslot is a proper moated castle with armour and falconry. Allow the whole day — the crossing is seasonal and runs to a timetable, which the listing links to.
