A Real-Life 7-Day Luxury Itinerary for Amsterdam.
Inside NEMO, the children’s science museum in Amsterdam
Most people treat Amsterdam as a weekend city break. We treat it as a second home—albeit one where I still look the wrong way when crossing the street.
My husband is Dutch—specifically from Breda, a charming city in the south where the pace is slower and the "g" is softer—so for the last decade, we haven’t just visited the Netherlands; we’ve had to parent in it.
We have done the rainy playground excursions, the desperate searches for pancakes, and the dinners where we pray the poffertjes arrive before the meltdown does.
But I have a confession: After 10 years of visiting, I am still not confident enough to ride a bike with my kids on the streets of Amsterdam.
The locals make maneuvering a cargo bike look like a ballet; I make it look like an insurance claim waiting to happen. So, we walk. We take trams. We take boats. And we have perfected a rhythm that balances the "must-dos" with the kind of slow, local luxury that makes a trip feel like a vacation.
This is our exact, stress-tested 7-day blueprint for enjoying Amsterdam with kids—without losing your mind, your sense of style, or your balance.
The Dutch Parenting Playbook: 3 Lessons We Learned the Hard Way
Before you go, you have to understand the rules of engagement.
1. The "Gezellig" Survival Strategy You will hear the word gezellig constantly. Technically it translates to "cozy," but for Dutch parents, it is a survival strategy. When it rains sideways (and it will), you don't cancel plans. You light candles, you order hot chocolate, and you call it gezellig. It turns a weather disaster into a core memory.
2. The Playground Hover (Or Lack Thereof) Dutch parents do not hover. They sit at the playground café, order a cappuccino, and trust their children to navigate the slide without a security detail. It felt radical to me at first, but now it’s my favorite part of the trip. If you see a parent spotting a toddler on a jungle gym, they are almost certainly American. Sit down, order the coffee, and let them play.
3. The Cargo Bike Reality Check You will see mothers pedaling wooden cargo bikes (bakfiets) loaded with three kids, a dog, and a week’s worth of groceries. They do this in heels. They do this while texting. Do not try to be them. I tried it once; the wobble was humbling. It is okay to admire the bakfiets lifestyle from the safety of the sidewalk.
> Looking for my curated list of the best family hotels and restaurants? Check out my complete Amsterdam Master Guide for the specific logistics.
The beautiful breakfast room at the Pulitzer Amsterdam
Day 1: Arrival & Canal Life
Aboard the Pulitzer’s own Canal Boat for am evening tour through Amsterdam
Aboard the Boat There’s no better way to start than on the water. Canal tours are everywhere, but go for a smaller salon boat if you can (we love the Pulitzer’s classic boats). You’ll get cushioned seats, a glass of wine, and a guide who actually tells you stories instead of rattling off dates. The kids think it’s a boat ride; you get architecture and history. Everyone wins.
Dinner at Jansz This sets the tone for the trip: chic, beautiful, but they’ll still bring extra bread for the kids. If only every family trip could begin this way.
Day 2: Science & Pancakes
Morning at NEMO Spend the morning at NEMO Science Museum, which is basically where science teachers send their best ideas to retire. Giant bubble experiments, chain reactions, and a rooftop terrace with the best view of the city. Kids love it because they can touch everything, and you’ll love it because they’re busy touching something that isn’t your phone.
The VOC Ship If you have energy, walk across to the Maritime Museum. The replica VOC ship docked outside is perfect for climbing and pretending you’re a pirate family for an hour.
Lunch & Dinner Lunch at Pancakes Amsterdam, where your children will finally sit quietly because they are too busy inhaling poffertjes (tiny pancakes covered in powdered sugar). Order apple pancakes for yourself and pretend you’re sharing.
Dinner back near your hotel at Restaurant Sebastian. Pizza, wine, and people-watching. It feels civilized and doable.
Day 3: The Tulip Day Trip
(Spring Only)
If you’re lucky enough to be in Amsterdam in spring (mid-March to mid-May), go to Keukenhof Gardens. The flowers look like they’ve been Photoshopped, and there are playgrounds and hedge mazes to distract the kids while you take approximately 147 tulip photos you’ll never print.
Add a stop at a cheese farm or windmill for the kind of day where you finally get the family photo that makes it to the holiday card.
> Not traveling in Spring? Swap this day for a trip to Utrecht to see the Miffy Museum (see below).
Day 4: Park & Zoo Day
(Choose Your Own Adventure)
Morning at Artis Start with Artis Royal Zoo, which is manageable in size (translation: you won’t lose your children or your will to live). It also has an aquarium and a planetarium in case the animals get old. Lunch at De Plantage next door feels like you’ve escaped to a chic conservatory, but they won’t blink when you order fries for the kids.
Now, choose your path:
Option A: The Vondelpark Walk Since (as mentioned) I don't bike, we love to walk through Vondelpark. Head straight for the Groot Melkhuis playground. You can sit on the terrace with a glass of wine or coffee while your kids play in the sandpit within eyesight. This is peak Dutch parenting.
Option B: Wander the Nine Streets Stroll the Nine Streets instead. It’s Amsterdam at its most charming: crooked boutiques, vintage shops, and cafés you suddenly need to sit down in. My son was delighted by the quirky toy and game shops; I was delighted by “just popping in” to clothing stores.
Dinner Head to Casa di David along the canal. Pasta, tiramisu, and water views make everyone happy.
Day 5: Fairytale Adventure
The Flying Dutchman Ride at the Fairytale Themed Efteling Theme Park
Efteling Theme Park Take a full day for the Efteling, the Dutch version of Disney, if Disney had been designed by the Brothers Grimm. It’s whimsical, a little odd, and completely magical.
You’ll walk through enchanted forests, ride attractions that are more storybook than stomach-churning, and realize this is the rare theme park where adults are having just as much fun as kids. You’ll also come home tired, sticky from snacks, and full of bizarre Dutch fairytales you’ll never be able to retell properly.
Day 6: A Dutch Family Day in Breda
Hop on the train to Breda, about an hour from Amsterdam. Since my husband is from here, I can personally confirm it’s about as Dutch as it gets: friendly, walkable, and blissfully untouristed compared to Amsterdam.
The Park Lunch Right across from the train station is a big park with an adorable playground and a tea house café. This is one of those very Dutch parenting moments where you sit down to a relaxing lunch while your kids run around safely, because here, parents don’t hover and children are trusted to play. It feels both refreshing and slightly radical.
The Old Town From there, stroll into Breda’s old town, where cafés spill onto the main square, boutiques line the side streets, and there’s a castle to admire. It’s lively enough to feel like an outing, but relaxed enough that your kids can run without you shouting “watch the bikes!” every ten seconds.
Day 7: Markets & Farewell
Morning Market Spend your last morning at the Albert Cuyp Market, where you will snack on fresh stroopwafels, consider trying herring (do it!), and buy souvenirs that won’t survive the flight home.
The Final Adventure For one last burst of energy, skip the tourist traps and head to The Mouse Mansion (Het Muizenhuis) near Muntplein. It is a tiny shop/museum filled with the intricate, handmade miniature world from the famous books. It is free, quiet, and magical.
Wrap Up Wrap up with dinner wherever feels right. And if you did manage to score Anne Frank House tickets, congratulations, you’re better at planning ahead than most of us. It’s powerful and best saved for older kids (12+).
Optional Day Trips (If You Have Extra Time)
Utrecht Train Museum (Spoorwegmuseum) If you have a train-obsessed child (or partner), take the quick 30-minute train ride to Utrecht. The Railway Museum is a dream: real locomotives to climb on, interactive exhibits, and even a mini theme park atmosphere. It’s history, but disguised as play.
The Hague (Den Haag) An easy day trip from Amsterdam and home to the Mauritshuis Museum, where you can see Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring in person. The city also has wide, sandy beaches (Scheveningen) if you want to mix art with a little sea air.
Ready to Cycle Through Amsterdam (Or Just Walk)?
Family trips to Europe can be daunting, but we make them effortless. From securing guaranteed connecting rooms at the Pulitzer to booking the best private canal boats, we handle the complex logistics so you can focus on the fun.
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