Family and kids in NDSM
Het Twiske
NDSM is the gateway to some spectacular Dutch countryside: green meadows of grazing cattle, picturesque little villages and all the windmills you could hope for. Het Twiske is a green recreational area that hosts endless activities for outdoorsy types, young and old. Rent canoes or sailboats, windsurf, stand-up paddleboard and even go diving. If that doesn’t float your boat, there are plenty of designated areas to have a scenic picnic or take a brisk dip. You can hire various styles of bikes at locations across the city for all ages (including those kitted out with child seats). These cycleseeing routes are a great starting point for deciding where you want to set off together.
The Pancake Boat
All aboard the Pancake Boat to sail around Amsterdam as you eat as many pancakes as your rumbling tum has room for. This unique cruise is great fun for all ages, choosing from 1 or 2.5-hour experiences. For a fixed price, everyone can eat unlimited pancakes loaded with an eye-popping spread of tasty toppings.
Blast Galaxy
Blast Galaxy is a retro arcade hall packed with gaming classics like Donkey Kong, Mario and Pacman. A trip here will be a novelty experience for Millennials and a nostalgia whirlwind tour for grown-ups, starting each conversation with 'back in my day...' You don't need coins to play; simply pay a fixed entrance fee of €15. Then you're set to enjoy as many games as you want or until your wrists get tired from all that competitive joystick grappling.
NoordOogst Nature Playground
The NoordOogst Urban Agricultural Project boasts its very own nature playground - a challenging obstacle course surrounded by trees, wild gardens and water. Get to grips with the climbing area, sandpit, and splash pool, which are complete with waterfalls, stepping stones, and tree trunks to clamber over. There’s also a lookout tower for views across the farm, including the pig enclosure.
STRAAT Museum
Step inside STRAAT, Europe’s largest street art museum, housed in a expansive former warehouse on the NDSM Wharf. This colourful and immersive space showcases everything from towering murals to thought-provoking installations by renowned street artists from around the world. With plenty of room to explore, a host of bold and enticing art pieces and ever-changing exhibitions, STRAAT is the perfect blend of art and entertainment for the whole family.
Family-friendly cafes
The large windows at IJ-Kantine overlooking the IJ are great for little (and big) ones who like to watch ships sailing by. On sunny days, kids can play on the spacious terrace and sandpit, and in cooler weather, head inside for the collection of toys, games and colouring activities. There’s a kids’ entertainment programme on weekends too. Every Sunday, Pllek organises a free kids programme. Keep an eye on the agenda for various craft workshops, theatre, children’s yoga and circus activities.
Theatre and food festivals
Watch the vast spaces of the NDSM wharf transform into a hub of activity during the many family-friendly festivals that take place throughout the year. Over Het IJ happens over ten days in July, bringing a summery blend of inspirational theatre and fabulous food to the NDSM grounds. The festival specialises in location-specific performance, allowing you to catch one-off shows on the most unexpected stages. Or, in August, take in the sizzling aromas as the city’s food trucks descend upon the area for the Lepeltje Lepeltje Food Festival - a delicious long weekend of snacks, musical acts and children’s entertainment.
Treehouse Creative Workshops
Dive into hands-on creativity at Treehouse NDSM, where families can take part in engaging art-based workshops made for all ages. From drawing and arts and crafts to music, theatre and storytelling, the sessions at Treehouse NDSM offer kids and parents the chance to explore their imaginations together. Held in a unique artist-led space within the heart of NDSM, the workshops at this special venue are ever-changing, and always engaging.
