Traveling to Amsterdam with a Baby or Toddler

Although many people think of it as the Sin City of Europe, Amsterdam is actually a great place to travel with a baby that attracts many young families. The capital of the Netherlands offers numerous baby-friendly activities both indoors and outdoors.

From pancake restaurants to museums packed with interactive displays and parks with playgrounds, there is plenty to look forward to when visiting Amsterdam with a baby or toddler.

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Getting Around Amsterdam with a Baby or Toddler

When I visited Amsterdam for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get around the city. There are not that many cars and it seems that everyone is riding bicycles.

You will see many locals riding around the city with their babies in a bakfiets, a bike with a large box at the front where a child can sit. If you are staying in Amsterdam for a few days, I recommend renting a bike with a child seat instead, as bakfiets are not that easy to ride.

As for getting around Amsterdam with a stroller, the city is generally easy to navigate with a stroller. Just watch out for cobblestone streets, although most roads and streets have sidewalks.

Many Amsterdam train and metro stations have lifts, which makes public transit easier with a stroller. Houses and hotels can be a different story, especially in older buildings. At some places, you will need to carry your child in your arms and leave the stroller in the hallway.

Plan to bring a lightweight stroller in case you need to carry that up any stairs! You can bring along one of these best baby carriers for travel too, which will make carrying baby and luggage a lot easier!

How to Get From the Amsterdam Airport to your Hotel

If you are travelling to Amsterdam with a baby or toddler and have a stroller, the train is usually the easiest way to get from Schiphol Airport to the city centre. It is faster and much cheaper than a taxi ride. You should also keep in mind that taxis usually don’t have their own car seats.

When flying with a baby, an affordable luxury is to book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. After a long day of flying with a baby to Amsterdam, it’s nice to have your driver waiting for you at your arrival gate with your name on a sign. A family-friendly private transfer service in Amsterdam is Welcome Pickups, which allows you to pre-book child seats.

5 Fun Things To Do in Amsterdam with a Baby or Toddler

1. Playgrounds in Amsterdam for Toddlers and Babies

Amsterdam has plenty of indoor and outdoor playgrounds for babies and toddlers, and many are close to major attractions. TunFun is probably one of the most famous indoor baby-friendly playgrounds in Amsterdam, while Groot Melkhuis in Vondelpark is a lovely waterside café with a nice outdoor playground for kids.

2. Amsterdam Museums

No trip to Amsterdam with a toddler or baby is complete without visiting at least a couple of museums. The thing about Amsterdam is that many museums offer plenty of entertainment for families with children and most of them offer tours for kids.

If you are traveling to Amsterdam with a baby who is very young, I recommend going to the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.

If you are visiting Amsterdam with a toddler, choose museums with hands-on exhibits or space to move around. Good options include the National Maritime Museum, the amazing NEMO Science Museum and Wereldmuseum Amsterdam.

3. Vondelpark

Vondelpark is an easy place to add to your Amsterdam itinerary with a baby or toddler. Vondelpark is the largest park in Amsterdam and has plenty of family-friendly activities to offer. You can rent bikes with baby seats, stop at one of the playgrounds or simply give everyone a break from sightseeing

4. Artis Zoo

ARTIS is one of Europe’s oldest zoos and can be a good outing with young kids. Opened in 1835, the fabulous Amsterdam zoo features dozens of impressive animal exhibits, as well as lovely gardens. There is also a nice planetarium and aquarium worth visiting. There is also an on-site restaurant with a playground, which is helpful when travelling with little ones.

Artis Zoo Tickets

5. Family Canal Ride

To explore Amsterdam from a different perspective, why not go on a family canal cruise. There is a reason why they call Amsterdam the “Venice of the North”. A canal cruise is an easy way to see Amsterdam’s canals, 17th-century buildings and picturesque bridges without doing too much walking.

The I Amsterdam City Card

Consider whether the 72-hour I amsterdam City Card makes sense for your plans. The I Amsterdam City Card includes city-wide GVB public transport by metro, tram, bus and ferry, plus a canal cruise.

In addition, the I Amsterdam City Card includes free admission to places like Rembrandt House, Amsterdam Museum, NEMO Science Center, the National Maritime Museum, Artis Zoo, and many others.

Where to Eat in Amsterdam with Babies and Toddlers

Finding easy places to eat is always a concern when travelling with babies and toddlers. Fortunately, Amsterdam is well-known for its abundance of family-friendly restaurants and cafes that cater to parents with young children.

The Pancake Bakery on Prinsengracht is one of the most popular eateries here and kids just love their poffertjes (small pancakes covered in powdered sugar). Moeders, which translates to ‘Mother,’ is another good option to consider. They serve Dutch home cuisine and it’s delicious.

Where to Get Baby Supplies in Amsterdam

You don’t need to fill your suitcase with diapers, you can leave that room for other baby travel items.

What I also like about Amsterdam is that the local supermarkets offer a wide range of baby food and formula. As for buying diapers in Amsterdam, they can be bought in just about any supermarket in the city. The most famous supermarket in the Netherlands is Albert Heijn, often shortened to “AH”. You can also find them in beauty shops like Etos and Kruidvat.

Baby-Friendly Places to Stay in Amsterdam

There are many great neighborhoods in Amsterdam to stay in when traveling with babies or toddlers. The Leidseplein area is very convenient, as it is close to shops, museums, and Vondelpark. The Jordaan is another good area for families because it keeps you close to many sights without putting you right in the middle of Amsterdam’s nightlife.

As for accommodation, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some parents like staying in vacation home rentals and cottages with fully-equipped kitchens, while others prefer to find a baby-friendly hotel like these family-friendly Amsterdam hotels.

Fortunately, Amsterdam is home to a number of family-friendly hotels. XO Hotels Blue Square has a cute kid’s corner for toddlers indoors, while the luxurious and centrally located Ambassade Hotel offers babysitting services.

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