Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most family-friendly cities—and the museums really prove it. You’ll find world-class exhibits that keep kids entertained, educated, and hands-on the whole time.
Whether your children love science experiments, art adventures, or climbing aboard real ships, Amsterdam has a museum that fits.
These seven interactive children’s museums in Amsterdam stand out because they go way beyond “look but don’t touch.” Each one invites your family to participate, create, and explore.
From toddler-friendly sensory exhibits to treasure hunts for older kids, there’s something for every age group. This guide covers what makes each museum special, the best ages for each, and some tips to help you plan a smooth visit.
1) NEMO Science Museum
NEMO Science Museum is easily Amsterdam’s most popular kid-focused attraction, and honestly, it deserves the hype. The big green building looks like a ship’s hull and sits right on the waterfront—you really can’t miss it.
Inside, five floors of interactive exhibits let your children touch, build, and experiment with everything from electricity to water pressure. Kids aged 6 and up can try the chemistry laboratory and Maker Space, where they build prototypes and see how different materials work.
During Dutch school holidays, special workshops pop up with topics like building machines or creating electrical circuits. The museum is free for children under 3, but everyone 4 and up pays full price.
The rooftop terrace is a highlight. You get fantastic views of Amsterdam’s skyline, and in summer there’s a splash-friendly water exhibit up there.
Plan at least two to three hours here. Younger toddlers enjoy the ground-floor exhibits, while older kids love the upper levels.
2) Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum might seem like it’s just for adults, but it’s actually great for families. The best part? Admission is free for everyone under 18, which helps the budget.
There are several interactive experiences for families. The Best of the Rijksmuseum family guided tour includes sensory assignments like riddle-solving, drawing, and clay modeling.
Kids aged 7 and up can try the Family Quest for just €2.50 per person, working together to uncover eight museum secrets. There’s also a free Family Route with mini-quests at the information desk.
Older kids and teens might enjoy the SnapGuide tour, led by popular YouTubers and available in English. All you need is a smartphone and earphones.
Even if your children have a short attention span, they can still enjoy highlights like Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” without having to see every gallery. A focused 90-minute visit is usually enough for younger families.
3) Tropenmuseum Junior
Tropenmuseum Junior, located in Amsterdam’s Oost neighborhood, is part of the larger Tropenmuseum but designed entirely for children. Here, kids learn about how people live around the world through immersive, guided experiences.
What makes Tropenmuseum Junior unique is its structured format. Instead of wandering, your family joins a timed, guided session with storytelling, role-playing, and hands-on cultural activities.
Sessions are usually in Dutch, so it’s worth checking ahead if they offer English-language tours during your visit. The museum is best for kids between 4 and 13 years old.
Amsterdam’s tourism board calls it a standout kid-friendly cultural spot. Reservations are a must, especially on weekends or during school holidays.
Plan about an hour for the guided session, plus extra time if you want to see the main Tropenmuseum exhibits afterward.
4) The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum, or Het Scheepvaartmuseum, lets your family explore Dutch seafaring history in a hands-on way. The building is a former 17th-century naval storehouse, and outside you’ll find a full-sized replica of a Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship.
Kids can climb aboard the ship, fire a cannon, check out the captain’s cabin, and crawl into the cargo hold searching for hidden treasure clues. Inside, exhibits like “The Tale of the Whale” are great for children aged 5 and up and teach about marine life and whaling.
For the youngest (ages 2 to 4), the “Doris the Diver” exhibit offers a sensory adventure with boats, barrels, and a singing seaweed forest. Children 12 and under get in free.
During school holidays, the museum adds guided tours, junior audio tours, and coloring activities. Plan at least two hours to see both the indoor exhibits and the ship.
5) Jewish Museum Junior
The Jewish Museum Junior is part of the Jewish Cultural Quarter in central Amsterdam and gives your children a personal look at Jewish culture and traditions. Instead of typical exhibits, the museum is set up like a walk-through Jewish family home.
As your kids move through the house, they discover different parts of daily Jewish life, from holiday customs to food traditions. One highlight is letting children bake their own small hallah bread rolls during the visit.
The museum is free for kids under 6 and best for ages 6 to 12. The format is intimate and engaging, making it a great pick if your kids get overwhelmed in bigger museums.
You can easily combine a stop here with a stroll through the historic Jewish Quarter. Plan about an hour for the museum. English-language materials are usually available, but it’s smart to double-check when you book.
6) Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum in Museumplein is one of the Netherlands’ most visited museums, and it’s actually more family-friendly than you might think. The collection of paintings, drawings, and letters by Vincent van Gogh is impressive for all ages, but there are special programs for kids.
For ages 6 to 12, the Van Gogh Treasure Hunt starts at the information desk and sends kids searching for fun facts about the artist’s life and work. Younger children (ages 4 to 6) can play an interactive game finding rabbits hidden in Vincent’s paintings.
On Saturdays, the museum hosts children’s painting workshops for ages 6 to 12, which you need to book in advance. These are available in English if you ask.
Go-Kids.nl mentions the family audio tour, designed for families with children between 6 and 12. The museum gets crowded, so definitely book timed-entry tickets online well ahead of your visit.
7) WONDR Experience
WONDR Experience isn’t a traditional museum, but it deserves a spot here because it’s one of Amsterdam’s most engaging interactive attractions for families. Located in Amsterdam-Noord, WONDR is a series of colorful, Instagram-worthy rooms where kids can jump, play, and explore hands-on sensory installations.
Think ball pits, confetti rooms, and interactive art stations—creativity is the only rule. The experience is immersive and playful, making it a hit with kids of all ages (and teenagers who want shareable photos).
Each room has a different theme, and staff are usually around to guide you. WONDR is best if your family wants pure fun and imagination, rather than a classic educational outing.
You’ll spend about 60 to 90 minutes moving through the rooms. Buy tickets online ahead of time, as walk-ins aren’t always possible.
The venue is easy to reach by ferry from Amsterdam Centraal Station—a fun mini-adventure for younger kids.
How To Choose The Right Museum For Your Family
Best Picks By Age Group
For toddlers (ages 2 to 4), the National Maritime Museum’s “Doris the Diver” exhibit and WONDR Experience are the most sensory-friendly options. Kids aged 4 to 8 thrive at NEMO Science Museum and Jewish Museum Junior, where everything is designed for small hands and curious minds.
Older children (8 to 12) get the most out of the Rijksmuseum’s Family Quest, the Van Gogh Treasure Hunt, and Tropenmuseum Junior’s guided cultural sessions.
How Much Interactivity To Expect
Not every museum here offers the same level of hands-on fun. NEMO and WONDR are almost entirely touch-and-play.
The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum blend art viewing with interactive activities like treasure hunts and workshops. If your kids need constant physical engagement, NEMO and the National Maritime Museum are the best bets.
If they can handle a mix of looking and doing, the art museums work well.
Indoor Time Needed For Rainy-Day Plans
Amsterdam weather is unpredictable, so it’s good to know how long you’ll be inside. NEMO easily fills three hours.
The Rijksmuseum and National Maritime Museum each take about two hours. The Van Gogh Museum, Jewish Museum Junior, and Tropenmuseum Junior each take roughly one to one and a half hours.
WONDR fills about 60 to 90 minutes. You can pair two shorter museums in one rainy day without exhausting your kids.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Booking Tickets And Avoiding Queues
Almost all these museums require or strongly recommend timed-entry tickets bought online. The Van Gogh Museum and NEMO Science Museum sell out days in advance during peak season (June through August and Dutch school holidays).
Book at least a week ahead if you can. An I amsterdam City Card gives adults free access to over 70 attractions and can save a lot if you plan to visit several museums.
Location And Transport Between Museums
A few of these museums are close together. The Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museum all share Museumplein, so you can walk between them in minutes.
NEMO is a short walk or tram ride from Amsterdam Centraal Station. The National Maritime Museum is nearby in the Eastern Docklands.
Tropenmuseum is in Oost, reachable by tram 14. WONDR requires a free ferry from Centraal Station to Amsterdam-Noord.
Amsterdam’s GVB trams and buses are stroller-friendly, so it’s easy to get around with young children.
Facilities Parents Should Check First
Before you head out, double-check each museum’s stroller policy. NEMO and the Rijksmuseum both let you bring strollers, but NEMO gets pretty crowded on weekends.
Most museums on this list offer baby-changing facilities. You’ll also find accessible restrooms at nearly all of them.
The Rijksmuseum and National Maritime Museum have family-friendly cafés right inside. That means you don’t have to wander around looking for a kid-friendly restaurant when everyone gets hungry.
It’s smart to peek at each museum’s website for the latest info on nursing rooms, lockers, and coat storage. This matters even more in the winter.