Rainy Tuesday, restless kids, no idea where to go? Amsterdam’s museums solve that problem better than almost any city we know. This list of the ten best kid-friendly museums covers what to actually expect at each one, ages they suit, what your kids will get their hands on, and the small things that make a visit go smoothly instead of ending in a meltdown by the cloakroom.
1. NEMO Science Museum
Location: Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam, Best for: curious kids aged 4+
Built like a giant green ship rising out of the water, NEMO is five floors of exhibits you’re meant to touch, pull and press. Physics, chemistry, biology, tech, it’s all hands-on rather than behind glass.
- Giant bubble-making stations
- DNA and human body exhibits
- Free rooftop terrace with city views and a water play area
Get there early before the school groups arrive, and save the rooftop café for a breather once everyone’s had enough bubbles for one day.
2. Rijksmuseum
Location: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Best for: ages 7+ with an interest in art and history
Famous for Rembrandt and Vermeer, but it’s also set up for children with family trails and workshops that make the Gallery of Honour feel less like a lecture.
- Family quest tours with scavenger hunts
- Children’s multimedia guides
- The interactive “Rijksstudio,” where kids remix famous paintings
Download the Rijksmuseum app before you go, the kid-focused tours inside it are worth it.
3. Artis Micropia
Location: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam, Best for: ages 6+ who love science and animals
The world’s only museum dedicated entirely to microbes. Kids scan themselves for bacteria, peer through microscopes, and generally get a kick out of a world they can’t normally see.
- Interactive exhibits with live microbes
- Body scan station
- Connected to Artis Zoo, so you can combine both in one day
Bundle the ticket with Artis Zoo next door if you’ve got the stamina for a full day out.
4. Van Gogh Museum
Location: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Best for: ages 6–12 interested in art and storytelling
Van Gogh’s bold colours grab children’s attention in a way subtler paintings don’t, and the museum backs that up with family guides and interactive activities.
- Family-friendly multimedia guides
- “Treasure Hunt” trails for kids
- Art workshops on select weekends
Go on a weekday morning, it’s the difference between an easy stroll and shuffling past shoulders.
5. Tropenmuseum Junior
Location: Linnaeusstraat 2, 1092 CK Amsterdam, Best for: ages 6+ who enjoy stories and world cultures
The children’s wing tells stories from cultures around the globe through music, dress-up and interactive displays rather than glass cases and labels.
- Themed exhibits on countries like Indonesia, Ghana or Morocco
- Dress-up corners and craft-making
- Storytelling sessions
It’s popular with school groups, so book ahead rather than turning up on spec.
6. The National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum)
Location: Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam, Best for: ages 5+ with a love of ships and sea adventures
Maritime history told through life-sized replicas rather than model ships in cabinets.
- Full-size replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam
- Navigation games and sea creature exhibits
- Dress up as a sailor or captain
Leave time for the rooftop café and the museum shop, which does decent nautical-themed gifts.
7. Eye Filmmuseum
Location: IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam, Best for: ages 8+ interested in movies and technology
Cinema history meets hands-on exhibits, on the north bank of the IJ.
- Build-your-own-animation stations
- Mini cinema screenings for children
- Family workshops and movie-themed activities
Take the free ferry from behind Central Station to get there, it’s half the fun for younger kids.
8. Museum of the Canals (Het Grachtenhuis)
Location: Herengracht 386, 1016 CJ Amsterdam, Best for: ages 8+ who love history and architecture
Small but engaging, using multimedia to explain how Amsterdam’s canal ring actually came to be.
- Interactive scale models
- Light and sound shows
- Touchscreen puzzles about canal life
Pair it with a canal boat tour afterwards so the model on the wall becomes the real thing outside.
9. Verzetsmuseum Junior (Resistance Museum Junior)
Location: Plantage Kerklaan 61, 1018 CX Amsterdam, Best for: ages 9+ with an interest in WWII and storytelling
A child-friendly telling of the Dutch Resistance through the eyes of four real children who lived through the war.
- Personal narratives and diary entries
- Period costumes and themed rooms
- Audio stories in Dutch and English
Give kids a short, age-appropriate explanation of WWII before you go in, so the context lands.
10. Moco Museum (Modern Contemporary Art)
Location: Honthorststraat 20, 1071 DE Amsterdam, Best for: tweens and teens into bold, modern art
Banksy, Yayoi Kusama and other pop-culture-adjacent artists make this one land better with older kids than toddlers.
- Bright, photo-worthy installations
- VR experiences
- Contemporary art that actually starts conversations
Teens especially like the Instagram-friendly rooms, good for getting a reluctant 13-year-old on board with a “museum day.”
Planning Your Museum Day
A few things that make museum visits with kids go more smoothly, whichever ones you pick:
- Buy tickets online to skip the queue at the door.
- Pack snacks and water, most museums allow eating in designated areas, and a hungry kid mid-exhibit is a losing battle.
- Check for discounts with the I Amsterdam City Card if you’re visiting more than one.
- Bring a notebook or sketchpad, plenty of museums are happy for kids to sit and draw what they see.
- Pick one or two museums per day rather than stacking three, small legs get tired faster than you’d think.
If the forecast turns against you, our guide to rainy days in Amsterdam with kids has more indoor options beyond museums, and if you fancy a change of scenery, our day trips from Amsterdam with kids list includes a few museum-style stops outside the city too. Families heading to Efteling often pair it with a museum day earlier in the trip.
For discounted family tickets to several of these museums, check our family attraction deals page, and browse the full kid-friendly places directory for more ideas, it covers the whole Netherlands, not just Amsterdam. Visiting during a school break? Our school holidays activity guide is worth a look too.
FAQ
Which Amsterdam museum is best for toddlers?
NEMO’s lower floors and the Tropenmuseum Junior wing both work well for younger kids, since they’re built around touching and doing rather than reading labels.
Do we need to book tickets in advance?
For popular ones like NEMO, the Van Gogh Museum and Tropenmuseum Junior, yes, buying online in advance saves you queuing and guarantees entry on busy days.
Are these museums covered by the I Amsterdam City Card?
Several of the museums on this list offer discounts or free entry with the I Amsterdam City Card, worth checking before you buy separate tickets if you’re visiting more than one.
What should we bring for a museum day with kids?
Snacks, water, a notebook or sketchpad, and comfortable shoes. Most museums have cloakrooms if you’re carrying a pram or coats.
