Best family-friendly museums in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

The sprawling Rijksmuseum can seem daunting for adults and children alike, but you will be surprised by how art can come alive through the many kids-friendly activities at the museum. Best of all, admission is free for ages 18 and under.

• The Best of the Rijksmuseum family guided tour is filled with interactive and sensory assignments such as solving riddles, drawing and clay modelling.
• Adventurous families may follow the Family Quest, an add-on geared towards ages 7 and up, which costs € 2.50 per person. Every family member must work together as a team to unravel eight special Rijksmuseum secrets and discover a special surprise.
• Or follow the free Family Route through the museum, which offers lots of exciting mini-quests. Ask at the information desk and at the start of the exhibition for details.
• Alternatively, the SnapGuide tour is instructed by popular YouTubers and artists such as NikkieTutorials and Ronnie Flex and is available in both English and Dutch. All you will need to follow the tour is a smartphone and earphones. During this 1-hour route, you will learn about Dutch art, history and the guide’s favourite art pieces.

Money-saving tip:

You can keep your family visit budget-friendly by purchasing the I amsterdam City Card for adults. The card gives free access to over 70 attractions and museums across Amsterdam, many offering free entrance for young children.

NEMO

NEMO Science Museum is an absolute paradise for kids, particularly educational, thanks to the interactive displays and engaging activities demonstrating science's inner workings. NEMO Science Museum is free for kids under 3. From age 4 and up, the little visitors will be expected to pay full price.

• In the museum, attend the chemistry laboratory, where guests from 6 and up can become scientists or venture into the Marker Space, where you can build prototypes and explore how different materials produce different results. During school holidays, keep an eye out for special workshops that vary from building machines to making an electrical circuit and much more.

Money-saving tip:

Depending on the museums you'd like to visit, choosing an I amsterdam City Card pass might be beneficial. See a visual comparison of pricing for family-friendly attractions compared to City Card costs to make your decision easier.

STRAAT Museum

STRAAT Museum at NDSM Wharf showcases works by graffiti and street artists from all over the world. With free entry for kids under 13, STRAAT offers a free and fun treasure hunt suitable for children from 6 to 12 years old. Kids can explore the museum at their own pace as they view the artworks and learn about the world of modern street art.

Wereldmuseum Amsterdam

Wereldmuseum offers an interactive and immersive experience where children can explore world cultures through play, storytelling, and hands-on activities. With engaging exhibitions designed specifically for young visitors, it’s the perfect place for families to spark curiosity and creativity. Kids under 6 years old can enjoy the museum free of charge.

• Venture into the Wereldmuseum's party shop, where children can familiarise themselves with celebrations from all around the world. The location hosts festivities from different cultures with music, special dances, creative activities and party outfits. It’s the perfect addition to the main exposition of the Wereldmuseum, which showcases various parts of the world and its people.

EYE Filmmuseum

EYE Filmmuseum is an absolute treasure trove when it comes to engaging activities that introduce the world of cinema to children. EYE Filmmuseum tickets are slightly discounted for children of 11 years and under.

• Don't miss Cinemini - Eye’s film theatre, geared towards children from 2 to 6 who are experiencing their first cinema visit. On Sunday mornings, the theatre opens especially for preschoolers and their families. During this experience, children can watch a film and experiment with light and shadow in play tents afterwards.
• Explore the rest of the museum through the Eye Walk, an engaging video tour for children from 7 to 12.
• The Puzzle Tour uses special black viewing devices, with which you can play and discover how motion works in films and optical illusions.
• Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without noting the many children’s films playing every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as during the school holidays.

Jewish Museum Junior

Don’t miss the Jewish Museum Junior while exploring the Jewish Cultural Quarter. The Children’s Museum introduces kids to what it means to be Jewish through a tour of a Jewish family home. As the kids journey through the house, they will learn different elements of Jewish culture, including food customs, and even bake their own little hallah bread rolls. The Jewish Museum Junior is free for kids under 6 years old.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum brings the vibrant world of Vincent van Gogh to life with engaging family-friendly activities and interactive exhibits. Kids can discover the artist’s masterpieces through treasure hunts, creative workshops, and a specially designed family tour.

• To make your visit more interactive, the museum has created the Van Gogh Treasure Hunt, suited for children ages 6 to 12. It focuses on interesting facts about Vincent’s art and life and starts at the main information desk.
• There is also an interactive game finding the rabbits hiding in Vincent’s work for younger visitors aged 4 to 6.
• If you plan to visit on a Saturday, don’t miss the series of children’s workshops where kids aged 6 to 12 get involved with painting. The workshops have to be booked in advance and are also available in English on prior booking. The theme of the workshops is constantly changing, but it is always an excellent opportunity for the kids to step into an artist’s shoes, armed with paint, ink, and paper, ready to create.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum invites families to set sail on a journey through Dutch naval history with interactive exhibits and a real historic ship to explore. Kids can climb aboard, navigate the seas in a simulator, and discover fascinating stories of adventure and trade. During school holidays, the museum offers additional guided tours, junior audio tours, and colour-book activities. Children 12 years old and under can enjoy the museum free of charge.

• Aside from its monumental permanent collection, the National Maritime Museum engages children through special exhibitions such as The Tale of the Whale, suitable for children aged 5 and up. It examines the practice of hunting whales and its impact on them and the consequences of human activity on marine life.
• Another exhibit, Doris the Diver, is well suited for the youngest visitors, ages 2 to 4. This interactive journey will take the family through barrels and boats and the sounds of a singing seaweed forest. The little ones can build blocks and explore in search of a lamp that must return to the lighthouse.
• Of course, we can’t forget the full-sized replica of a real VOC ship moored next to the building. Children can learn about life on the ocean and the impact of trade. All while exploring the captain’s cabin, firing a cannon and crawling into the hold. Can they uncover hints that will surely lead the way to some secret treasure?

Stedelijk Museum

Stedelijk Museum introduces families to the world of modern and contemporary art through interactive exhibits and creative workshops. With a dedicated family lab and engaging activities, kids can explore art in a fun and hands-on way. And best of all, did you know kids under 19 get free entry to the Stedelijk?

• Consider participating in the WhatsApp Trail treasure hunt to make your visit more memorable. You will receive your clues via your phone and follow the route as you search for the dancing lady, a mysterious bird, and much more. It’s the perfect free family activity, which must be booked beforehand.
• You can also follow a children’s audio guide, which includes eight works of art and engages the kids in a magical visual search. Best of all, entrance is free for all kids and teens under 19.

Rembrandt House Museum

Rembrandt House Museum offers families a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of the Dutch master. Step inside his former home and workshop, where kids can watch live paint-making demonstrations and try their hand at etching. The museum’s interactive activities and family tours bring Rembrandt’s world to life in an engaging way. It’s a perfect stop for young artists and history lovers alike.