Culture for kids around Amsterdam

Experience art and science in Haarlem

Even Amsterdam itself can’t match this: the oldest museum in the Netherlands is here in Haarlem, and it’s inviting you to go fossil hunting. Slightly older kids will love Teylers Museum, where fantastic fossils, preserved beasts, sparkling minerals and impressive gadgets are just some of the weird and wonderful items on display. Masterfully combining art and science, the museum is worth a visit just to admire the magnificent building. Kids up to 12 can even take a free treasure hunt through the collection.

Build fantastic creations, brick by brick

Have you ever seen 60,000 LEGO bricks in one space? That’s what you'll discover at Haarlem’s ABC Architectuurcentrum(in Dutch), a centre for architecture with its very own LEGO room. With so many bricks, kids can play and build to their heart’s content while you peruse the rest of the museum. There, you can count on exhibitions about the architecture of Haarlem and its surroundings: in the Haarlemzaal, you'll find scale models, construction drawings and 3D-printed buildings of this historic city. 

Dig up ancient history

What does an archaeologist do? And what treasures do archaeologists find in the ground? Discover Haarlem's ancient secrets at the Archeologisch Museum, a true hidden gem housed in a beautiful historical building, free to visit. A “children’s trail” is offered in both Dutch and English, but the true attraction is a mock excavation, where your little ones can play archaeologist themselves and dig up some real artefacts.

Climb the bell tower in Monnickendam

Waterlands Museum de Speeltoren in Monnickendam offers something for everyone: take a journey through tales of ancient settlements, see the beauty of the Waterland region, and hear the most out-of-tune carillon (a kind of keyboard that plays bells) as it resonates from the bell tower. For the kids, there's a fun-filled attic where you can play in the exciting House of Discovery, dig in the well, or discover surprising combinations in a game of memory.

Learn to fly at the Aviodrome

Whether or not you’ve already grown up, you might still have dreams of being a pilot. Make those dreams a reality on the flight simulator at the Aviodrome, an aviation museum in Lelystad. Tour a real Boeing 757 jumbo jet (yes, even the cockpit) and get behind the controls of an F-104 Starfighter simulator to get some real-life pilot training. Then tour the museum to admire some of its most treasured objects, including historic pilot and flight attendant uniforms, handbooks, and more.

Get your thrill-seeking fix at a theme park

Over in Amsterdam, neighbouring Flevoland lies Walibi Holland, one of the best theme parks in the entire country. Test you and your kids’ resolve across a huge range of rides and rollercoasters, including Goliath, the fastest and highest rollercoaster in the country; Xpress, which takes you from 0 to 90 km/h in just three seconds; and newest ride YOY, featuring both “thrill” and “chill” variants, so that everyone is welcome. Younger families can also take a tour of Merlin’s Magical Castle or take a spin in a bumper car. True thrillseekers can stay on site, while Sunday visitors can pay half price – just remember to book on time.

Bike indoors in all seasons with indoor MTB

Perhaps it's a rainy day, and you're looking for an activity to help the kids and teenagers burn off steam. Head to Indoor Mountainbike, just outside of Almere, to whiz around this exceptional dirt mountain biking course, designed for all levels of experience (and bravery). All equipment and safety training is provided and special clinics are on offer for children aged between 6 and 14 years of age. Best of all, the track is entirely covered – perfect for when the weather turns.  

Go wild at Linnaeushof

Young and old will have the time of their lives at Europe’s largest playground, Linnaeushof: the ultimate outdoor adventure. For toddlers, there is a large area that includes a “traffic village” for tricycles, a road complete with signals, crossings, a police station and a fast-food outlet. Older children can enjoy the lake with pedalos, rope bridges, mini-golf, slides, go-karts, a train ride, a pedalled monorail, a waterpark and hundreds of other activities.

Explore the universe at Space Expo

Send your little ones to discover the outer reaches of space. At Space Expo, perhaps they can even earn their very own astronaut diploma here at the visitor centre of the European Space Research and Technology Centre: the European Space Agency in Noordwijk. André Kuipers' original Soyuz capsule is on display, there’s a model of the International Space Station so big you can walk through it, and don’t miss the life-size scale model of the moon landing. Blast off!

Bounce all around at Jumpin’ Noordwijk

Is there too much energy left after a day full of sightseeing? At the indoor park Jumpin Noordwijk(in Dutch), kids can let loose in this trampoline paradise. Every bouncing activity you can dream of exists here, plus some: a “wallrider”, “bounce track” and the unmissable obstacle course. Can your kids get the fastest time? While you’re at it, release your inner child and go for a jump as well. The park also offers Formula 1 VR racing simulators, obstacle courts, free-running tracks, ninja parkour, and a play zone. And for the very young visitors, nearby KidsZoo (in Dutch) is a soft play paradise for children aged 1–12.

Let loose at Funzone Aalsmeer

Are they kids or little monkeys? Either way, here they can run feral in the climbing jungle centre at Funzone in Aalsmeer – featuring a ball pit, trampolines, climbing, disco dancing, glow-in-the-dark golf and more. Funzone also helps celebrate children's parties in its special party room, and for parents, there are places to relax, read and tune out.

Enjoy indoor and outdoor adventures around the dunes

The Pieter Vermeulen Museum in IJmuiden is a popular spot for enquiring minds. In this museum, which is a centre for environmental education, you can playfully discover everything about the nature in the surrounding Kennemerland area. Get up close with animal exhibits, have fun with the ever-changing interactive exhibitions and get creative at the craft table. If you prefer an outdoor adventure, the museum offers assignments about trees, shrubs and birds in the nearby park. Nearby, check out Beachclub Zuid(in Dutch) during the summer, with its trampolines, bouncy castles, and a giant ball mountain – or head to Duinpark Het Paasdal(in Dutch), where you can challenge yourself on an 18-hole mini-golf course or rent a bike to explore the stunning dune landscape. All perfect to combine with a day at the beach.

Experience a retro play paradise

Located just outside Naarden, old-school thrills and shows feature at this traditional amusement park. With attractions for kids of all ages, the Oud Valkeveen play paradise offers a perfect, fun-filled day out. After starting out over a century ago as a farm and pancake house, the venue has grown into a much-beloved amusement park with rollercoasters, slides, trains and climbing frames, as well as a cinema and theatre – just to name a few of its countless activities for kids and adults.