Amsterdam with toddlers or baby in tow by a local!

Thinking about visiting Amsterdam with toddlers or baby in tow? In this guide I round up all our insider tips I learnt as a local Amsterdam mum to help take the stress out of visiting Amsterdam with baby or toddlers. It includes where to stay in Amsterdam with kids, how to get around and of course the best things to do in Amsterdam with toddlers and baby in tow. 

How to get around Amsterdam with a baby or toddler

Amsterdam is actually quite a compact city with a lot of options for getting around with a baby or toddler in tow. In this section I will break down all of the best options for transport in the city from private vehicles to public transportation. 

Metro & Trams 

Amsterdam has a compact but easy to use Metro system that is supplemented by an extensive tram network. Both of these systems are really easy to use even if you are travelling with a stroller and take you nearby to most of the major Amsterdam attractions. 

There are also plenty of trains from Schiphol airport to central Amsterdam, which I tend to use instead of private hire vehicles. 

Renting a Bike in Amsterdam with Toddler or Baby

I think that renting and riding a bike in Amsterdam is something at the top of a lot of people’s Amsterdam bucket lists. If you are wondering if you can rent bicycles in Amsterdam with toddlers or babies then the answer is yes. 

According to Dutch regulations, babies can sit on the front of bicycles from the time that they can comfortable sit up on their own fully in control of their neck and head. Once children reach two, they can then switch to a seat behind the parents.

It is not legally required for adults or children to wear helmets in Amsterdam but I always put my little one in a helmet whenever I take her out. However not many of the bike rental shops offer this, so you will either have to purchase one in Amsterdam (Hema, a Dutch chain found throughout the city usually has lots of cheap ones) or you can bring one with you. 

Another popular option is to do what the Dutch do and cycle with a bakfiets! This is a box on the front of your bicycle where children can seat and some even come with attachments so you can put even newborn babies in in their car seats.

For novelty value you could always rent one in the shape of a clog but this will definitely mark you out as a tourist! 

I would urge though a word of caution that if you are not a confident cyclist and especially if you are travelling in peak season you may not want to rent bikes or you might want to consider renting further out of town and get used to the bikes not in the busiest intersections of Amsterdam.

Our guests recently rented bicycles by black bikes Amsterdam and the service and the bikes were excellent. They also have front and back seats, bakfiets and clog bakfiets bikes for rental and this can be done by 3 hour intervals or longer i.e. a week dependent on your itinerary. 

For more Amsterdam travel tips check out this post.

Walking Around Amsterdam with toddlers – Is Amsterdam Stroller Friendly

As with any city in Europe one of my favourite ways to explore the city is to walk it and Amsterdam is a very easy city to walk. In fact many of the main tourist attractions in the city are within walking distance of one and other. However it is not a place that I would let my toddler have free run of.

There are lots of cycle lanes and bike paths all over the city (usually denoted by red markings but not always).  For children and adults who are not used to these cycle paths it can be dangerous.  Many tourists forget and walk out directly into bike paths without looking – don’t be this person.  

If you are walking with a toddler I recommend using a carrier, stroller or a toddler back pack with reins (we love these ones ) to help keep them safe near cycle lanes.

If you are wondering is Amsterdam Stroller Friendly then my answer is largely yes! Amsterdam is famously very flat and the pavements are equipped for dealing with strollers. 

Read Next: Is a baby carrier or stroller for travel best? 

How Not to get around Amsterdam with toddlers

If you have the option not to get a taxi I would recommend chosing another form of transport. Taxis in Amsterdam are expensive, and can take a long time due to pedestrianised areas so therefore using the trains and other means is better.

It will also save you the hassle of lugging a heavy car seat around with you. 

For more inspiration on the best city breaks with toddlers in Europe check out this post. 

Where to Stay in Amsterdam with toddler or babies

Amsterdam is actually a relatively compact city by European standards and it has great public transport options. Therefore I don’t think there is one right answer when asking “where to stay in Amsterdam with kids” as it really depends on what you are looking for.

In this section I will tell you some of my favourite areas to visit in Amsterdam with kids including best hotels and apartments we’ve found for different budgets. 

Before I moved to Amsterdam a lot of guides I read suggested staying in the Jordaan area with kids. Now I like the Jordaan but this can be a very busy part of town and for this reason one of my favourite places to stay in Amsterdam with kids is actually the Plantage area.

The Plantage

The Plantage area is slightly quieter and has good access to a lot of my favourite things to do with babies and toddlers in Amsterdam including the zoo, the Hortus botanicus botanical gardens and some of the most child friendly museums in Amsterdam. 

A good rated hotel in this area is the Hyatt Regency which also has an airport shuttle, restaurant on site, access to public transport, near by to a good supermarket and restaurants, a park with good playground and is only 800m from Artis Zoo.

To check prices and availability CLICK HERE!  

Another great option especially for those opting for a longer stay is to stay in an aparthotel. We stayed for six weeks in the beautiful and historic Wittenburg which was great for us as it meant we didn’t have to eat out all the time as it comes with a kitchen and it also has options for one and two bedroom apartments which I prefer when travelling with kids as it means you don’t have to sit in the dark once your little has gone to sleep. 

You can check prices and availability here!

Vondel Park

If you don’t want to stay in this area another option is to stay near Vondel Park – the largest park in central Amsterdam and a great place for toddlers and babies in Amsterdam. In this area The Marriott comes highly rated: 

You can check prices and availability here!

Amsterdam Zuid

If you are looking for more budget options then I would recommend staying slightly further out of the city as the hotels tend to be slightly better value than those that are in the centre of the city.

If you want to consider staying further out we recommend the Amsterdam Zuid area as there are lots of public transport options and options for both hotels and apartments such as (click the name for details of prices and availability): 

Hotels in Amsterdam Zuid – Crowne Plaza, Novotel Amsterdam 

Aparthotels near Amsterdam Zuid – Element, Adagio Amsterdam City South

However the best value money for places we found were actually just our the Amsterdam city limits in an area called Amstelveen. You can be in the centre of Amsterdam in around 20 minutes using the 5 tram and there are many options to get to Amsterdam Zuid in about 5 minuets which is one of the best connected places in the city. 

In this area you will be able to find budget hotels and also apart hotels which are preferred accommodation with toddlers.

Where not to stay in Amsterdam with toddlers

Personally, I would recommend those traveling to Amsterdam with toddlers who want to stay in the city center try and avoid De Wallen (the red light district), Dam Square and the area around Centraal train station as these are some of the less family friendly areas to stay. 

You could consider staying in an Airbnb or a canal boat but the stairs and the added danger of water respectively may prove challenging for people traveling to Amsterdam with toddlers and babies. 

Best Time to Visit Amsterdam with babies and toddlers

In my opinion there is no bad time to visit Amsterdam with toddler or baby in tow.

Spring in Amsterdam with a toddler

Spring is always a great time to visit Amsterdam. In fact my favourite month to visit Amsterdam is April because the tulips will be out in full bloom and you can visit Keukenhof Gardens or cycle around the nearby tulip fields.  

Keukenhof is a lovely full day trip and is definitely an Amsterdam bucket list item however it can be very busy so bear this in mind when you are travelling to Amsterdam with a baby or toddler. For more information on the best day trips from Amsterdam with kids including Keukenhof Gardens, Haarlem, Zaanse Schans, a UNESCO world heritage site and more check out our dedicated guide. 

For a complete guide on what to wear in Amsterdam in April click here! 

Summer in Amsterdam with a toddler

Summer is another great time as you will have the best chance of weather for your visit to experience the city’s great parks and outdoor spaces however summer is peak time for Amsterdam so you will be faced with more crowds. 

But one thing I love to do with a toddler in Amsterdam is head out of the city to one of the many nearby city beaches. Just be sure to pack appropriately for Amsterdam in July.

Note: the Summer months in Amsterdam are classified as June, July and August but September is also traditionally a warm month in Amsterdam. 

Autumn in Amsterdam with a baby

Autumn is one of the quieter times in the city and the weather won’t be as bad as in Winter. Travelling in the shoulder seasons means you will have mild weather and limited crowds which might be favourable when travelling with a toddler or baby to Amsterdam. 

Winter in Amsterdam with a baby

Winter on the other hand sees Amsterdam decked out for Christmas. Amsterdam in December is actually one of my favourite times to visit. Amsterdam has great Christmas lights and its own tradtion of Sinter Klaas and Zwarte Piet (who I am not a fan of and is worth looking up before you decide if you want to visit or see Zwarte Piet)who arrives in the city on 6th December. 

I love travelling to cities during Winter when the crowds are less but also to experience local traditions like when we went to Stockholm in Winter for the festival of St Lucia. Amsterdam also has some lovely Christmas markets and taking a canal tour to see the Christmas lights is another special thing to do in Amsterdam. 

Best things to do in Amsterdam with a toddler or baby

Being a local we have out experiencing and trying to find the best things to do in Amsterdam with a toddler or baby. In this section we round up the best things we have found and the things we recommend you NOT doing in Amsterdam with toddlers and babies.

Best Amsterdam Parks for Toddlers 

Vondel Park

This is perhaps the most well known of all the parks in Amsterdam and it is also the biggest in the centre.

Vondelpark is a great place to cycle around, take a picnic but also there are two lovely play areas that are great for toddlers. If it is a hot day there is also a splash pool so be sure to take swimwear. 

There is also a cafe Groot Melkhuis which is a great place to stop for refreshments with kids as there is also a playground here!  

Natuurspeeltuin Het Woeste Westen

Natuurspeeltuin Het Woeste Westen may be a mouthful for non Dutchies to say but it is in essence an amazing outdoor adventure park. This was one of my toddlers favourite places in Amsterdam. 

Oosterpark

Oosterpark is in a bit more of an up and coming neighbourhood by comparison to Vondelpark but it has my toddlers favourite playground.

There is a section with swings and slide but her favourite area is a large wooden floating adventure walkway (not sure how else to describe it but if there is an official name please do let me know).

My little one will spend hours here on the course and it is a great thing to combine with a visit to Artis Zoo or the Troppenmuseum. 

Amstelpark

Our nearest park and one of my favourites. Amstelpark has something for everyone. There is a small petting zoo with donkeys, ponies, goats, pigs and cows that is free admission, one of the largest playgrounds in Amsterdam with sections for the very small up to older children, a small fun fair, mini golf and a train that you can take a ride round the park on that runs at weekends and holidays.

You can easily spend at least half a day in this park and there is a really nice pancake place next to the lake which is a great place to stop for lunch.

Just outside of the park is one of the nine windmills that are in Amsterdam which is a great place to go for photos.  

And if you are in Amsterdam on the second Sunday of the month I would recommend heading to Amstelpark on a Sunday as the Pure Markt is there – a moving artisanal market that is one of my favourite things to do in Amsterdam.  

Amsterdamse bos

Amsterdamse bos aka Amsterdam Forest is a forest on the border of Amsterdam and Amstelveen. The forest isn’t ancient but was actually built int he 1960s as part of an economic stimulus project.

The Bos is one of y favourite things to do in Amsterdam with toddlers as there is just so much to do there. My toddlers favourite thing in the Bos is to go to the Goat Farm (The GeitenBoerderij).

This is particularly delightful in Spring when there are plenty of baby goats that you can bottle field. 

On top of the goat farm there are plenty of playgrounds and also splash pools in the Bos as well as a large lake that you can swim in. 

Best Museums in Amsterdam for Toddlers 

I am a museum fan but there are some museums that are better for visiting with toddlers than others. Here are my and more importantly my toddlers favourite museums in Amsterdam. 

NEMO Science Museum – the best museum in Amsterdam for toddlers

Nemo Museum is the interactive science centre in Amsterdam. I was in two minds about taking my little one here when she was three years old as I was worried that it might be a bit too old for her but I was pleasantly surprised.  

My little one particularly enjoys the water play area about rain here but be warned if you are going I would advise taking a spare set of clothes. 

I won’t spoil the interactive displays and exhibits for you but if your little is anything like mine they will love it. 

There is also a great viewing platform terrace on the roof of Nemo which is also one of my favourite free things to do in the Amsterdam. 

You can buy your tickets online in advance here!

Van Gogh Museum

Although an art museum may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you consider family friendly museums in Amsterdam, it is worth visiting the Van Gogh Museum even with toddlers. 

However if you do want to do this I recommend picking your time carefully i.e. waiting for a family day. Family days are held at the Van Gogh Museum during the school holidays and provide activities for all members of the family including toddlers in the form of a Vincent Van Gogh Story Time. 

National Maritime Museum (Het scheepvaartmuseum) 

I wasn’t sure about visiting the National Maritime Museum before we went  but actually it has a reasonable amount for a toddler in Amsterdam. Outside there is a a tall ship that you can go on and explore which toddlers will absolutely adore. 

We spent a good twenty minutes aboard the ship trying out the hammocks, exploring the captains quarters and role playing at the wheel. 

Inside there are more exhibits for the kids such as the Monster or Whale exhibit which explores the history of whaling.

Please note there is a large replica whale in the exhibit that you can walk through which might be scary for some children. 

Other Best Things to do In Amsterdam with kids

Artis zoo

This is literally one of my toddler’s favorite things to do in Amsterdam. The Artis Zoo is located in the Plantage area and is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and has a great mix of outdoor and indoor activities (butterfly house, reptile house monkey room and a dated aquarium).

There are also two play areas at the zoo – one next to the cafe which has a small section for toddlers but the main section is probably a bit big for toddlers. There is also a giraffe slide next to the chimpanzee enclosure. 

You can easily spend a half day in the zoo and I’m sure it will be a hit with your little too. 

The zoo can get busy especially if you are travelling during the peak season so I would recommend booking your tickets in advance to skip the queue. 

You can book your tickets online here! 

Tunfun – the best indoor activity in Amsterdam with kids 

If you have a rainy day in Amsterdam with kids then a great place to visit is TunFun. This is one of the largest indoor soft play areas that I have ever been to and is a really fun place to visit if you are a toddler. 

It is underground in a disused station and has sections based on a childs age each with a transport theme.  

This isn’t my favourite thing to do in Amsterdam but if you have a rainy day this is the best indoor activity in Amsterdam for kids. 

Hortus botanicus botanical gardens

Amsterdam Canal Boat tour with kids

Canal Cruises are also a great way to see Amsterdam and it is totally doable to do this with toddlers or babies.

The hop and hop off boats are a great option when travelling with small children as you can break up the journey and don’t have to do a complete tour in one go but can work around your children’s schedule easily. 

You can book the Amsterdam Hop on Hop Off Boat Tour Here 

An alternative to the hop on hop off boat tour is to rent your own boat and drive this yourself this way you can make your own schedule.  

We did this with a company called Boaty Boat which is great if you are on a budget.

However they aren’t the most stable boats in the city so I would recommend spending a little bit more if you decide to rent a boat in Amsterdam with toddlers. My favorite higher end boat rental company is Pure Boats. 

Beaches

If you a visiting Amsterdam in the summer with kids then I would recommend adding a day in your itinerary to visit the beaches.

There are a couple of great city beaches but if you have time it is worth hopping a train and heading out to Zandevoort for the day. 

De Efteling Theme Park

We love visiting theme parks with toddlers and Amsterdam is no exception. The closest and best theme park to Amsterdam is De Efteling. 

De Efteling was actually the inspiration for Disney and is a short train and bus ride outside the city or you can alternatively stay on site. 

Check out our post on visiting Efteling with toddlers for more information. 

Things NOT to do with a toddler in Amsterdam

I very rarely advise people not to do things in my guides but there are definitely some things that I would not do with toddlers in Amsterdam. The first one is

De Wallen

De Wallen is the famous red light district of Amsterdam and even during the day time this is not suitable for toddlers. I personally don’t like visiting this area with or without toddlers but if you want to visit while in the city I would advise tag teaming your visit so your toddler doesn’t go into this district. 

Rijksmuseum

I have ummed and ahhed about adding the Rijksmuseum onto this list but after careful consideration of visiting Rijksmuseum with kids  I thought I would mention it.

Although adults and older children will enjoy this museum and seeing famous artworks such as the Night watch, I wouldn’t recommend for those traveling with toddlers. 

There are no specific toddler activities at the Rijksmuseum and I would say the children’s trails and gallery scavenger hunts are really suitable from age 7 onwards.And I hate to say it but my toddler hated visiting the Rijksmuseum.

If you want to you could visit with a toddler and do a quick highlights tour however there are definitely much better museums in Amsterdam for toddlers to visit. 

However my toddler was a big fan of the dancing water fountains in front of the museum.

Anne Frank House

For me no visit to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Anne Frank House, which is one of the most moving and poignant places in the city. However this is not easy to do with toddlers. 

There are lots of stairs and small spaces which will require your toddler to walk or be in a carrier. And as it is such a solemn place, toddlers can be a little loud. For this reason I recommend not taking your toddler into the Anne Frank House and maybe tag teaming your visit if you are visiting with other adults, so you don’t have to go around with your little one. 

Stedelijk museum

The Stedelijk museum is a contemporary art museum in central Amsterdam however I wouldn’t visit with toddlers or babies. While this is great for those visiting with older children, as there is a range of family activities great for older primary aged children and teenagers there really isn’t much on offer for toddlers. 

Therefore if you are visiting with younger kids I would avoid this one and wait until they are older. 

Hop On Hop Off Bus

Hop on Buses can be a great way to a city but personally I prefer the hop on hop off boat tour in Amsterdam as you get to see more of the city. 

As Amsterdam is such a pedestrianised city, even if you aren’t travelling to Amsterdam with toddlers or babies I wouldn’t bother doing a bus

Where to eat in Amsterdam with toddlers

Pancakes 

Pancakes are a must for any visit to Amsterdam. There are loads of great places to try pancakes in Amsterdam from the pancake place in Amstelpark to the Pancake Boat. Be sure to add this to your Amsterdam itinerary. 

Cafe Blender 

This cafe in the de Pijp area is a great child friendly place to visit in Amsterdam for lunch. There is a great soft play area here that is suitable for babies and toddlers and the coffee is quite good too!

The Kinderkooke Cafe – The CHildren’s Cooking Cafe 

This place lets kids get the ingredients to make their own food like pizzas. It is a quirky cafe that has been open since 1981 and is a great place to go with toddlers. 

FoodHallen 

Although this can pose a slight logistical challenge when it comes to finding a table and grabbing food I absolutely love the food hall in Amsterdam.

The variety of cuisines on offer mean that the whole family can eat what they like without having to eat exactly the same as your toddler. 

FAQS About Amsterdam with toddlers

Is Amsterdam good for toddlers?

When people ask me “Is Amsterdam good for toddlers?” I have to ABSOLUTELY YES. We lived in Amsterdam with our toddler for two years and we had a great time exploring. There is actually lots of Amsterdam toddler friendly activities so I would definitely recommend. 

Is Amsterdam Stroller Friendly? Can I Use a Stroller in Amsterdam with toddlers

We lived in Amsterdam for a couple of years with a toddler and when people ask “Can I use a stroller in Amsterdam with toddlers” but answer is yes – with exceptions. The city is very flat which makes using a stroller easy. I also recommend keeping your toddler restrained when wandering around the city as there are so many bikes you don’t want your toddler getting hurt. 

What are your favourite things to do in Amsterdam with toddler or baby in tow?