Amsterdam changes completely in summer. Parks fill up, the beaches open, and there’s suddenly an outdoor event on every weekend. Here are the ten family activities we keep coming back to when the sun’s out, plus a few practical notes on when each one works best.
Most of what’s on this list works for a wide age range, but the pace differs. Toddlers do better with shorter, looser plans, a park with a playground nearby beats a packed itinerary. Older kids can handle a full day mixing a museum, a canal cruise and an evening festival without complaint. If you’re travelling with both, it’s usually easier to plan the day around the youngest child’s nap schedule and let everyone else adjust around that.
1. Explore Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s largest and most famous park is the obvious starting point. Playgrounds, open-air theatres and ponds make it an easy pick for a picnic or a slow bike ride, kids head for the play areas while parents stretch out on the grass or get roped into a game of frisbee.
2. Visit Artis Zoo
A historic zoo with a wide variety of animals and interactive exhibits that keep both kids and adults engaged. Time your visit around the animal feeding sessions, and leave room in the day for the planetarium.
3. Canal Cruise
Seeing Amsterdam from the water is a different experience entirely. Several tour operators run family-friendly options with commentary pitched at kids, so you get the architecture and the history without a dry, adult-only tour guide voice.
4. NDSM Wharf
An artsy area across the IJ River with a distinctly different vibe from the city centre. Summer brings markets, outdoor movie nights and art exhibitions, and the sheer amount of open space means kids can roam without you worrying about traffic.
5. Amsterdamse Bos
For a proper nature escape, this is it, bike trails, rowing, and even a goat farm. Families can spend a full day here between swimming, picnicking and, if your kids are up for it, the treetop climbing adventure. It’s big enough that you can genuinely lose the crowds, which isn’t always true elsewhere in the city during peak season.
6. Science Center NEMO
Hands-on exhibits covering everything from physics to biology, built for kids who learn better by touching things than reading labels. The rooftop terrace has some of the best views in the city and doubles as a good spot for a family photo.
7. Fun at the Beaches
Amsterdam has beaches, which surprises a lot of visitors. Blijburg aan Zee and Strand West both offer a beach day without leaving the city, sunbathing, sandcastles, water sports if you’re feeling ambitious. Many of the beach clubs have family-friendly activities and food options built in.
8. Visit the Rijksmuseum
Cultural education doesn’t have to feel like homework. The Rijksmuseum runs family tours and workshops that make the Dutch masters accessible to kids, and the museum’s family guide is worth picking up for a more tailored visit.
9. Go to the Van Gogh Museum
Another cultural anchor for a summer day, where kids learn about Van Gogh’s life and work through exhibits and, on select dates, family art workshops. It’s a good way to build a little creativity into a museum visit rather than just walking past paintings.
10. Take Part in Summer Festivals
Amsterdam runs plenty of family-friendly summer festivals, including outdoor movie nights and events with live music, food stalls and activities for kids. Check the local calendar for what’s on during your visit, our family events listing is a good place to start.
Making the Most of an Amsterdam Summer
A few things worth knowing before you head out:
- Start early, parks, zoos and beaches all get busier from late morning, especially on weekends.
- Bring sun protection, hats, sunscreen and water, even on days that start out cloudy.
- Pack swimwear if you’re heading to the beach or Amsterdamse Bos, so a spontaneous swim doesn’t turn into a soggy train ride home.
- Mix indoor and outdoor, a museum or NEMO visit is a good midday break from the heat, especially with younger kids.
- Check opening hours in advance, since some attractions run extended summer hours and others don’t.
- Book canal cruises ahead if you can, the family-friendly time slots fill up fastest on warm weekends.
If you want a longer list of things to do specifically with the paddling pools and splash spots that make summer bearable with toddlers, see our paddling pools guide and our kid-friendly pools round-up. For a rainy day fallback in the middle of your trip, our rainy day guide covers indoor options, and our museums guide goes deeper on NEMO, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum than we have room for here.
Travelling further afield this summer? Our summer Netherlands family guide covers the rest of the country, and the full places directory and family attraction deals page are worth a browse before you plan the week.
FAQ
What’s the best free summer activity for families in Amsterdam?
Vondelpark and Amsterdamse Bos are both free to enter and easily fill a full day between the playgrounds, picnic space and water.
Are the Amsterdam beaches suitable for young kids?
Yes, Blijburg aan Zee and Strand West are shallow and manageable for younger children, though as with any open water, keep a close eye on them.
Do museums get busier in summer?
Yes, particularly the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Booking tickets online in advance is worth doing rather than queuing on the day.
What should we pack for a summer day out with kids?
Sunscreen, hats, water, swimwear if you’re near water, and a change of clothes, Amsterdam summers can turn from sunny to a sudden downpour quickly.
Is Amsterdam walkable with kids in summer, or should we plan for transport?
The centre is compact and stroller-friendly, but for Amsterdamse Bos, the beaches or Artis Zoo, factor in a tram or bike ride rather than assuming you’ll walk everywhere.
