Madurodam is a really cool place. I loved Zaanse Schans. Yes, it is rather touristy, but a very cute and quaint little "village", and the views across the water are beautiful. It's about a 40 min train ride and a 10 min (or so) walk. A very enjoyable excursion. My other choices would be right in line with the list already posted by others. Have a great trip.

Years ago, I went to Europe with a guy who was raised in Germany. He insisted that we go to Maduordam because he had fond childhood memories of it. I really don't get the appeal of attractions like that. Maybe if the kids were younger.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone!

May I suggest the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen and Enkhuizen itself for a daytrip? The Museum has an outdoor museum village where you can see how people lived before the Zuider Zee was closed of in the late 1920s and became IJsselmeer. Enkhuizen used to be a shipping hub for the merchant fleet during the Dutch Golden Age and the evidence of this can still be seen in the city. If you come early you can take a boat across the IJsselmeer to Stavoren, on the Frisian coast.

<i>Posted by: missypie on May 23, 11 at 6:48am
We are a famiy of 5 - "kids" ages 20, 18 and 15. The kids like museums well enough, but we'll need to iimit them to the best of the best. </i>

Try the Global Hemp Museum on the Spaarne in Haarlem. It is unique. Your kids are about the right age for that one.