Amsterdam with kids (5 - 12) next week
 

We lived outside of Amsterdam for years but have not lived there for 8 years and are meeting friends from home there on Friday just for the day.

We all have good traveling kids but a day is surely not much at all in terms of time.

I know the Gay Pride Canal Parade is that day so expect the city will be crazy with crowds.

That said, wanted to do a few highlights .... here are my ideas below and I am looking for editorial comments and suggestions please. Our family will stay for the next two weeks so I thought we could hit the highlights with them and then other goodies on our own.

Amsterdam Historical Museum? Haven't been in a long time and never with kids.
Anne Frank
Begijnhof
I understand Van Gogh and Stedelijk are closed but some of Van Gogh is elsewhere. Any thoughts on that?
Canal Boat cruise (I've actually never done one other than our engagement party where friends hired a canal boat and threw us a party on it - but that's another story!)
Maoz falafels .. my fave
Bagels & Beans
Albert Cuyp or another market. Love ideas here.
Vondel Park? Our friends don't bike unfortunately ...

This is WAY too much for just a day ... any suggestions on what would be GREAT?

Cheers and Dank Je Wel

Tracy

Kids would love most the canal boats I think and for an usual do your own canal float you can at several places rent pedalos so the kids could pedal around the canals a bit, with adult guidance for sure.

The Troppen Museum is great for kids - lots of re-created scenes for third world countries - you think you are in say Indonesia or India the way they have set up the exhibits.

Frites - the traditional Dutch street snack - don't miss it - with Mayo, ketsup, curry sauce, peanut sauce or for a splurge the Frites Speciaal - onions, mayo, ketsup

Kids may also love the traditional Rijstaffel dinner - the Rice Table where rice is at the center and you chose from dozens of dishes to put things on the rice - an Indonesia import from Dutch colonial days and lots of Rijstaffel restaurants all over town.

You at least should buy the National Museum Card since you will be in Holland so long - just a few major museums makes it pay off - good for one year for all national museums in Holland - nearly every museum including dozens in amsterdam, including the Lord in the Attic - small church hidden away in upper floor of narrow canalhouse extant from times when religious freedom was lacking - kids too may like trekking up to the attic to see the miniscule church.

Anne Frank House would be high on my list for any ages - be sure to book an entry time to avoid a long wait in line.

Not that much of interest to kids in Amsterdam Historische Museum IMO

checfk out perhaps the free pedestrian ferries that leave constantly from behind the Centraal Train Station - they cross the Ijs and give you a neat view of Amsterdam from across the water.

I would head for the science museum by the Centraal station, then lunch in the floating chinese restaurant just across the inner harbour.

then a canal tour and afternoon at the zoo.

these were the things that our kids enjoyed most in Amsterdam, and I've no reason to suppose that yours are any different!

Thanks for the ideas - both of you. I hadn't thought about a Rijstaffel and if we don't do with our friends, will certainly do when we're on our own. Can't wait to pedal around the City again ...

Amsterdam also has a nice zoo, right in the center of town.