Amsterdam may be best known for its adult entertainment, but the city is much more than the stereotype, and actually has a huge amount to offer kids. Before you book your flight and finalise your Amsterdam airport transfer to your accommodation, take a look at this list of some of the city’s best attractions for your young ones.
ARTIS Royal Zoo
Located in the leafy Plantage district, ARTIS, the Netherlands’ first zoo, is a real treat for adults and children. With over 750 species of animals, as well as an aquarium and the country’s largest planetarium, there’s more than enough here for kids to get their teeth into.
While ARTIS’s architecture dates back to its founding in 1838, the main attraction is the living, natural environments created to help the animals feel at home – kids will be in awe seeing an African savannah in the middle of a European city!
At the same time, the zoo’s relatively small size guarantees the best up-close views of the animals, and a petting zoo provides an opportunity to get even closer.
Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve
While Ridammerhoeve houses animals such as chickens, cows, pigs and even a horse, its goats are its main attraction. ‘Geitenboerderij’translates roughly to ‘goat farm’, and Ridammerhoeve really makes the most of the concept. Its goats are friendly and free, roaming about the park ready to be petted, fed and played with. It’s a great chance for kids to socialise with and learn to care for animals – the goats especially appreciate being fed from a milk bottle!
What’s more, the farm also offers fresh produce in its restaurant, serving goat products such as milk, yoghurt, cheese and ice cream.
Amstelpark
Situated near the famous River Amstel, on the southern edge of the city, the big, beautiful Amstelpark offers another petting zoo, gardens, and a huge playpark. Animals such as goats and chickens are all around, and visitors often comment on how immersed in the natural world they feel as they roam about the park.
More than this, the fabulous playground offers a variety of token-operated rides, from bumper boats to race cars and even a mini-train. And if you’re in season (April to October), train rides around the park offer views of an antique windmill – a real Dutch institution.
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is often compared to New York City’s Central Park: a green oasis in the middle of an urban centre. Amsterdam’s Old South is much calmer and quieter than Midtown Manhattan, of course, but Vondelpark is nonetheless a charming change from the bustle of city life.
The park has perhaps the best playground in the city, with everything from swings and roundabouts to tree huts and rope swings for older kids. But the chief attraction is undoubtedly the Kinderkookkafe. Pancakes are a tradition in many cultures, but the Kinderkookkafe has a unique twist: here, kids get to make their own pancakes from scratch! In addition to teaching kids their way around a kitchen, this also offers parents a much-needed chance to put up their feet while the little ones are occupied.
How to Get There
As a popular tourist destination for all ages, Amsterdam is easily accessible from the UK. Train and boat routes are available, but flights are by far the easiest way to reach the city, with British Airways and easyJet offering regular and affordable travel to Schiphol Airport.
Once you’re off the plane, the best way to complete the journey to you accommodation is with a pre-booked shuttle intoAmsterdam. Airport transfer optionswith Shuttle Direct can get you from Schiphol to the city in less than 30 minutes. When it’s this easy and cheap to get there, what are you waiting for? Get online and book your Amsterdam Airport transfer and start planning your city break now!
Martin Wynn
