How to Spend 3 Days in Amsterdam with Kids (2024)

Planning a trip to Amsterdam with kids and want a totally do-able itinerary? Keep scrolling to check out my kid-friendly 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary from my last trip to the Netherlands!

This kid-friendly 3 days in Amsterdam itinerary was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

We just got back from our first trip to Amsterdam with kids and we had a blast!

One of my friends went the week before and gave us lots of advice that helped us finalize our Amsterdam itinerary.

We did a mix of kid-friendly tours, museum visits, shopping, day trips, and eating. Keep scrolling to see exactly how our family spent 3 days in Amsterdam.

How to Get to Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport

Train

The train is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport. The journey takes about 15-20 minutes and trains depart every 10 minutes from platforms 1 and 2 in the main arrival plaza.

Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines or the service desk.

Taxi/Uber

We opted to take a taxi because it had been a long travel day and the kids were tired of walking.

Taxis and Uber services are readily available at Schiphol Airport. The journey by taxi or Uber to Amsterdam city center typically takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Taxis have their own designated area just outside the arrival hall, and Uber users can order their ride through the app as usual. Please be aware that while this option offers door-to-door service, it’s more expensive than the train.

Where to Stay in Amsterdam with Kids

We stayed at the Radisson Blu in the central district of Amsterdam. My husband suggested it after he stayed at a similar one in India.

We LOVED this hotel! So, there may have been a slight issue where someone in my family accidentally booked the hotel for NEXT year instead of this year. The hotel staff were really amazing and found us a room that worked and got us all set up.

The kids loved our room because they each had their own bed (one was a roll-away). It was a great size for what we needed.

The location was also really convenient as most things were less than a 15-minute walk. We highly recommend this Amsterdam hotel for families. Check the latest rates and availability.

3 Days in Amsterdam with Kids

Before I really get into the Amsterdam in 3 days itinerary, I wanted to note that we spent the week prior visiting Italy so we had recovered from jet lag by the time we got to Amsterdam.

We took a plane, which is a great way to get from Rome to Amsterdam. It was much less time than taking a train.

We arrived in Amsterdam in the evening, had dinner at the hotel, and then went right to bed. This Amsterdam travel itinerary starts the very next day.

DAY 1: Photo Shoot, Van Gogh Museum, & Anne Frank House

Breakfast at Stach

We had a hard time finding a cafe for breakfast on our first morning. “Coffee shops” in Amsterdam primarily sell wacky tabacky, which threw my husband off as he searched for stuff on his phone.

We ended up at Stach, which had some pastries and coffee. It was a mini version of their grocery store and they had like 5 seats upstairs.

The kids had croissants and my husband and I enjoyed our coffee. But, they didn’t even sell bottled water or juice or something for the kids.

Flytographer Photo Shoot in Amsterdam

I’m pretty obsessed with doing family photo shoots when we travel, and Amsterdam is such a gorgeous backdrop!

We met up with Steven and walked along the city’s famous canals and iconic buildings to capture some amazing photos. He was amazing to work with and was so entertaining and engaging!

Our Amsterdam photography session was at 10:30 a.m. on a fairly overcast day, which meant the lighting was perfect. We also lucked out that there weren’t many crowds, even on this summer day.

Tony’s Chocolonely

I didn’t realize that Tony’s chocolate was from Amsterdam! But, I came across Tony’s Chocolonely in my research and figured it was worth a stop.

It’s a cute little shop where you can pick out your favorite chocolate bars in all sizes. Plus, there’s a big picture window where you can see the factory and assembly line.

There are lots of cute photo ops and the staff here are super friendly! We highly recommend a quick stop here to stock up on yummy chocolate! It’s one of our favorite things to do in Amsterdam for kids!

French Fries for Lunch

The Dutch are known for their French fries, so we figured we’d try them for lunch! Across from Tony’s Chocolonely is Manneken Pis, an award-winning fry spot.

We ordered two small ones so that my kids could get ketchup and I could get truffle mayonnaise.

The fries here are SO good! They have spots where you can stand and eat them or you can take them as you stroll Amsterdam. We ended up walking and eating.

Having fries for lunch is one of the many awesome things for kids to do in Amsterdam.

Shopping

My kids are HUGE Pokemon fans and they were determined to find Dutch Pokemon cards. Apparently, they are super rare.

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We didn’t find them, but we did pick up some Japanese and Korean versions at a local shop (The Gamekeeper) that had all kinds of games, toys, books, and other cool stuff.

We also ended up buying a few things at Lululemon because they had a summer sale and my husband needed some new shirts for the rest of our trip.

Dam Square

Dam Square is one of the most famous and busiest squares in Amsterdam, known as the city’s heart and soul.

This historic site is home to notable buildings such as the Royal Palace, the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), and the National Monument, a pillar erected in memory of Dutch victims of World War II.

There are lots of buskers and street performers in Dam Square. My kids insisted on taking photos with the grim reaper.

You can also visit a lot of shops and restaurants nearby.

Private Family Tour of the Van Gogh Museum

We met up with Remo for a private family tour of the Van Gogh Museum around 3 p.m.

We had previously visited the Musee d’Orsay to marvel at Van Gogh’s work and had done two different immersive Van Gogh experiences back in Seattle.

We were all pretty excited for our 2-hour tour and Remo was really knowledgeable and passionate about helping us understand Vincent Van Gogh’s life.

This is one of the top world-class museums in Amsterdam and I highly recommend booking this tour.

The Van Gogh Museum has an activity booklet for kids to fill out. Remo helped our kids fill it out after each room and they ended up earning a postcard and a sticker, which they proudly wore the rest of the day.

We got to see a painting of a skeleton smoking, which he did as a joke as he left an art school. This was something our kids were really fascinated by and it’s probably their new favorite Van Gogh piece.

I personally was obsessed with learning about how Van Gogh’s sister-in-law is actually the reason why he is so famous today.

She spent her life marketing his work and strategically selling his paintings to museums to get more eyes on his art.

Honestly, I can’t believe how that isn’t highlighted more. She might be my new favorite hero!

Stroopwafels

After our Van Gogh Museum tour, we decided to walk and find stroopwafels. My husband had done some research and took us to Van Wonderen Stroopwafels.

It’s a tiny shop that usually has a line out the door (that’s how you know it’s good)!

You can get the original stroopwafels or you can get it with toppings like Smarties, marshmallows, salted caramel, nuts, and so much more. I think doing a Stroopwafel crawl is one of the coolest things to do with kids in Amsterdam.

They also have pre-packaged ones that would make great souvenirs.

Dinner at Rancho

At this point, we were all ready for some “real” food, so my husband found a steakhouse. He always seems to know where he can get steak no matter where we are!

I had a grilled salmon salad that hit the spot. It’s hard to get veggies while traveling sometimes. My husband and our kids devoured the steak and it refueled us enough to walk to the Anne Frank House.

Anne Frank House

One of the top Amsterdam attractions is the Anne Frank House, where the young Jewish girl hid during World War II.

So, it’s really tricky to get Anne Frank House tickets, especially if you want the ones with the presentation. Tickets are released about 4 weeks in advance.

I happened to be on a red-eye flight when tickets were released and then I was so sleep-deprived that I accidentally booked the wrong date. Luckily, they were able to schedule me for the right date, but at 8:30 p.m.

We ended up getting there around 8:00 p.m. and they were kind enough to let us in early because our 6-year-old really needed to pee.

The entire experience was really moving and both our kids did a great job of using library voices and having calm bodies.

My 9-year-old read the graphic novel version of Anne Frank’s Diary earlier in the week and he was really interested in seeing her room and where all the family members lived.

He did need to skip the last couple of exhibit areas because he was having a lot of big feelings and needed to be done.

Shopping

I think it was about 9:00 p.m. at this point and we all needed something “fun” before going to sleep. So we popped into a few stores on our walk back to our hotel.

One of our favorite stops was a rubber duck shop that had literally every type of rubber duck you could think of.

DAY 2: Day Trip to Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans

Breakfast at Omelegg

We had to meet for our Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn tour at 7:45 a.m. so we figured we’d hit a cafe on the walk to the meeting point. We couldn’t believe that we couldn’t find any cafes that were open.

After asking around, we found one restaurants that was open: Omelegg. But, they didn’t have any milk alternatives so I didn’t get my morning coffee. Boo.

But, the kids and my husband got a hearty breakfast and we got some croissants and Nutella to eat on the bus. The service was super friendly and fast.

Zaanse Schans

Our bus tour left just after 8:00 a.m. and our first stop was Zaanse Schans. This is an open air museum dedicated to highlighting Dutch history and culture.

We had a guided tour through the village with demonstrations at the wooden clog museum and the cheese factory. Then, we had free time to wander around and explore at our own pace.

My favorite part was taking photos with the oversized clogs. There were SO many photo ops and that’s something I enjoy doing with my family.

I think my husband and kids enjoyed tasting all the different types of cheeses. The truffle cheese, beer cheese, and pesto cheese were quite lovely.

And the main attraction was getting to see working windmills. We didn’t go inside any, but that was an option that other people on our tour did. See all the best things to do in Zaanse Schans.

Giethoorn

At about 11:00 a.m., we started the 90-minute drive to Giethoorn. Our tour guide talked a lot about reclaimed land and the differences between dikes and dams along the way.

Giethoorn itself is a really adorable canal town. I guess it was made famous when it was featured in an old movie called Fanfare. Since then, the town switch from being a farm town to a top tourist attraction.

Our tour included a group boat ride down the canals and through the lake. It was a highlight of our trip to Giethoorn. The captain even let my boys steer the boat for awhile!

After the boat ride, we had a late lunch at an Italian restaurant. Then, we strolled along the canals to check out the shops and take photos on the cute bridges.

We met up with the group at 4:45 p.m. and arrived back in Amsterdam right around 6:15 p.m. Check out my full guide to Giethoorn.

Room Service Dinner

After a 10-hour Amsterdam day trip, the kids begged us for room service. It really did seem like the easiest option.

So, we ordered an assortment of items and everyone zone out in bed while eating dinner. It was a great way to end the day!

DAY 3: Amsterdam Sightseeing Tour

Breakfast at De Laatste Kruimel

By now, we realized that a lot of cafes don’t open very early. We tried going to a place we found on Yelp only to discover that it hadn’t actually opened for the day.

So, we ended up at a cool, quirky cafe nearby. They highlighted the fact that they are allergy-friendly, have vegan options, etc. This is great because I’m lactose intolerant and it was sometimes tricky to find places with milk alternatives for coffee.

My kids ordered apple pie, banana bread, and a French Toast croissant thing. My husband had a fancy quiche. And I got a delicious soy latte.

Private Amsterdam Sightseeing Tour

We were so excited that Remo was our guide for the Amsterdam sightseeing tour for kids! He was our tour guide at the Van Gogh Museum so it was awesome that we already knew each other.

My kids were pretty tired so I wasn’t sure how long they would last on a walking tour. My 6-year-old ended up falling asleep partway through and my husband just carried him.

The tour itself was pretty cool! There wasn’t any scavenger hunt or treasure maps or anything, but it still kept everyone’s interest.

Remo is really great with kids and you can feel his passion for sharing Amsterdam’s history with tourists.

Since this was a private tour, we were also able to customize it a bit to work for our family. At one point, we sat at a cafe for half an hour so our kids could refuel and regroup a bit.

A few highlights were learning about the trading companies, seeing a women’s prison, walking through the Red Light district, and seeing the oldest church in Amsterdam. Check the latest rates and availability.

Lunch at ‘T Nieuwe Kafe

I’m almost embarrassed to admit that we hadn’t had Dutch pancakes yet, so that was the priority for lunch. I figured if we ordered some eggs and bacon, it would be a more balanced meal.

My apple pancakes were so tasty and I was only able to eat about half before I was stuffed. It came with powdered sugar as well as syrup that didn’t taste like maple.

My kids devoured their Nutella Dutch pancakes and even begged to have them for dinner!

Milkmaid Project Photo Shoot

My friend Vanessa from Wanderlust Crew told me about the Milkmaid Project a week before we arrived in Amsterdam and I knew I needed to book a session.

The photographer studied 17th-century paintings, including ones by the famous Dutch painter Vermeer. I actually got to re-create The Milkmaid and it was an incredible and unique experience in Amsterdam.

But, I think it was just as cool to hear about how he studied the painting so much that he discovered a few things about how Vermeer actually painted it. We learned a lot about famous artists and it was fascinating.

We also did a family portrait there in the style of a 17th-century family. Our photographer had a huge array of costumes for all sizes. He even had shoes that fit our kids!

I think my boys were mostly interested in which weapons they got to hold, however they did have fun trying on the hats!

The hardest part about the whole thing was NOT smiling and keeping serious. For our family, that is a struggle!

Doing unique photo shoots like these is just one of the many crazy things to do in Amsterdam for families.

The Upside Down Amsterdam

Since we knew we’d have some time after the Milkmaid Project photography session, we really wanted to do something “fun” for the kids.

We love immersive museum experiences like The Color Factory and Museum of Ice Cream, so I knew my kids would totally dig the Upside Down Amsterdam. It’s definitely one of the coolest Amsterdam museums for kids.

It’s one of the newest Amsterdam attractions. It is sort of like an Instagram spot where they have tons of rooms with interactive elements.

Some rooms have self-timer cameras so you can get photos of your whole group. Others will require someone to take your photo.

My kids had a BLAST just running around and playing on the different exhibits. A few favorites included the trampoline, giant gumball machine, and of course the giant ball pit! Check the latest rates and availability.

It’s a bit of a hike from town so we took a taxi to get there as well as one back to our hotel.

Uber Eats Dinner at Hotel

After such an action-packed day, our family really just wanted to head back to the hotel to relax. We all had been craving Chinese food, which is one of our comfort foods from back home. So, we ordered delivery to our hotel!

BONUS: Morning Canal Tour

Since we had an afternoon flight, it was just enough time for us to do an Amsterdam canal tour before grabbing our bags and heading to the airport.

This might have been my personal favorite thing we did in Amsterdam. The sun was warm and our electric boat was so quiet and smooth.

Doing an Amsterdam canal boat ride was a great way to see the city from a unique perspective. Plus, our tour guide gave us lots of insider information about the city and what it’s like to live there.

We opted for the morning tour because that’s what worked in our schedule. But they also have a wine and cheese one for adults and one that includes Dutch apple pie!

Tips for Visiting Amsterdam with Kids

Stay Near Amsterdam Attractions You Want to Visit

Amsterdam is really a pedestrian city. Ubers and taxis are not only expensive, but they usually take a lot longer than if you walk.

I suggest mapping out the places you want to go first, and then figure out what area makes the most sense to stay.

We loved the location of the Radisson Blu for our 3 days in Amsterdam because we could walk to about 75% of the places we wanted to go. But I have a whole list of kid-friendly Amsterdam hotels worth checking out.

Ask Your Kids What THEY Want to Do

I was actually really surprised that my 9-year-old wanted to visit the Anne Frank House. I’m glad I checked with him in time to score the hard-to-get tickets.

They also wanted to look for Pokemon cards, which led us on a fun wild goose chase and we saw lots of cute shops we might not have explored otherwise.

Get Stroopwafels

My kids are pretty food-focused, so they definitely wanted to get stroopwafels. We actually bought a pack of them right when we landed at the airport.

However, it’s always good to get them fresh. There are TONS of places to get fresh stroopwafels in Amsterdam.

Bring Layers

Even though we visited Amsterdam during the summer, it was actually quite chilly most of the time. We even had a few rain showers each day.

I suggest packing a few lightweight sweaters and even a rain jacket for everyone in your family.

Book Entrance Tickets in Advance

A lot of the Amsterdam museums and attractions sell out quickly and it’s super important to book your entrance tickets ahead of time.

Tickets to the Anne Frank House are only sold online about 6 weeks in advance. I also recommend getting skip-the-line tickets to the most famous museums like the Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum.

With a 3-day trip to Amsterdam, you’ll have lots of room to add in at least one museum.

Talk to Your Kids About Bike Safety

One thing that really caught us off-guard was how aggressive the cyclists are! They are almost silent and they will zip through red lights, so it’s important to always be aware.

Make sure your kids understand where pedestrians can walk and what is the bike lane. And have them triple check before crossing any streets.

Be Prepared to Smell Pot

We’re from Seattle, where cannabis has been legal for a few years. But we were still not expecting such a strong smell in a lot of the city.

It’s apparently illegal to be outside and smoke, but we definitely saw people doing it (and smelled it).

It’s pretty easy to just cross the street or walk quickly through it if it’s too strong of a smell.

It’s Easy to Avoid the Red Light District (or go during the morning)

It’s a personal family decision whether or not you’d like to walk through the famous Red Light District.

We walked through during the morning on a tour and my kids didn’t even notice the handful of ladies in the windows.

If you do go, just make sure that everyone in your group knows NOT to take any photos or videos of the ladies, as that is illegal.

Amsterdam Itinerary FAQs

Is 3 days enough to visit Amsterdam?

Yes, three days in Amsterdam is usually enough to see many of the city’s key highlights including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and take a canal cruise.

However, the more time you have, the more you can explore, especially if you’re interested in less touristy neighborhoods or want to take day trips. With 4 days in Amsterdam, you could also head to Delft.

Is 2 days enough for Amsterdam?

While you can cover some of the major attractions in Amsterdam in two days, a longer stay would allow you a more leisurely exploration of the city, its museums, parks, and neighborhoods. I highly recommend our Amsterdam 3-day itinerary.

How far is Schiphol Airport from Amsterdam?

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is located about 17 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam city center. It takes approximately 20 minutes to travel between the airport and the city center by train.

Is Amsterdam good for families?

Absolutely! Not only are there lots of things to do in Amsterdam with children, but the city itself is pretty easy to navigate and is pedestrian-friendly. Our 3 days itinerary in Amsterdam covers a ton of family activities and attractions.

Is Albert Cuyp market worth visiting?

Yes, Albert Cuyp Market is worth visiting. It’s the largest and most popular outdoor market in the Netherlands, with over 260 stalls selling everything from fresh produce to clothes, and it’s a great place to try local Dutch snacks.

How can I save money in Amsterdam?

You can save money in Amsterdam by utilizing public transportation or renting a bike instead of taxis, eating at local markets or smaller eateries, visiting free or donation-based attractions, and considering an Amsterdam City Card if you plan to visit many museums.

Is the Amsterdam City Card worth it for families?

The Amsterdam City Card can be a good value for families planning to visit multiple attractions, as it includes free entry to many museums, a canal cruise, and unlimited use of public transportation.

However, it’s best to check whether the attractions you want to visit are included and compare the cost of individual tickets.

Is the Heineken Experience kid-friendly?

The Heineken Experience is primarily geared towards adults as it’s a brewery tour, and alcohol is served.

However, children are allowed to enter under the supervision of an adult, and a complimentary soft drink is offered to children and those who do not drink alcohol.

The interactive elements of the tour may be enjoyable for older kids, but it might not be as engaging for younger children.

3 Days in Amsterdam Travel Tips Wrap Up

Spending 3 nights in Amsterdam presents ample time to get a taste of the city’s charming blend of history, culture, and kid-friendly activities.

This carefully curated 3-day Amsterdam itinerary offers a great balance of exploration and relaxation for the whole family.

Begin in the city center, where a world of exploration awaits within walking distance. You can also delve into significant World War II history sites that serve as poignant, educative experiences.

Make sure to spend time simply exploring Amsterdam; walk along the canals, taste local foods, and embrace the city’s unique atmosphere.

No matter how you choose to spend your 3 days in Amsterdam, the city is bound to leave a lasting impression that your family will treasure.

Looking for more Amsterdam travel content? Check out my top Amsterdam travel tips, best day trips from Amsterdam, is Giethoorn worth visiting, how to book affordable Amsterdam photographers, things to do in Amsterdam with kids, things to do in Zaanse Schans, and where to stay in Amsterdam with kids!