Amsterdam with a 5 year old

[Beerandpancakes]

We have booked last minute flights to Amsterdam, although I've been before it was some time ago and pre kids so mainly involved wandering pretty canals and drinking beer. Where would you stay and what would you do with a 5 year old?

Nemo, the science museum, is excellent. There are also splash parks in some parks if it's warm - the one in the Oosterpark is close to the centre or the Amsterdamse Bos has two large paddling pools if you hire bikes. Have fun!

The NEMO science museum has a lot of hands-on kids stuff for all ages. When we were there a couple of years ago there was a science demonstration with audience participation that was greatly enjoyed by the kids watching.

Thanks for the tips will check out the science museum as I'm sure that will go down well. Splash parks is a good idea too.

@beerandpancakes I'm an Amsterdam blogger and also the family blogger for the City of Amsterdam website.

You'll find heaps of suggestions for family friendly ideas on our site but this post is a great start in terms of specific accommodation

amsterdamwonderland.com/2016/06/16/family-friendly-accommodation-in-amsterdam/

Whilst this post gives you an idea about areas

amsterdamwonderland.com/2018/05/13/where-to-stay-in-amsterdam-a-neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood-guide/

And If you're looking for stuff to do this one should help

amsterdamwonderland.com/2018/03/16/a-48-hour-amsterdam-family-itinerary-the-perfect-weekend-city-break-with-kids/

Let me know if I can help with anything. It's a brilliant city with kids that age

Nemo is AMAZING!

Definitely the Nemo science museum.
The Amstelpark has some of the most beautiful gardens and the most gigantic playground and petting zoo (there were pony rides when we went). On the weekends, the kids can take a train ride around the park and can get a glimpse of an old windmill along the Amstel River. There's a fun hedge maze to explore too. In addition to having a snack bar, the playground also has token rides like bumper boats, race cars and a mini-train.
The KinderKookKafe is a fun pancake cafe for kids aged 5-12 located near the Vondelpark (which has some amazing play areas by the way!) The kids take over the small restaurant by cooking their own pancakes. For kids who don't want to take part, there are heaps of toys and dressing up clothes.
Carousel Pancake House is also great. As the name suggests, this large round restaurant sits in the middle of an old-fashioned carousel. They serve a variety of Dutch pancakes (both savoury and sweet), and commonly get rave reviews for their poffertjes (mini pancakes covered in powdered sugar).
As mentioned earlier, Vondelpark has some great play areas including wooden bridges and a huge paddling pool.
Also known as the Chicken and Rabbit Playground, the Vereniging Kippen children’s play area in the Jordaan district (not far from Anne Frank’s House) is a bit of a locals’ secret. Small, but quieter than the touristy parks, it has chickens, rabbits, an array of ride-on toys and a sandpit.

Tracelab and ricekrispie thank you for all the tips. I'm keen on checking out the vondelpark and pancake houses and I think we will do a boat ride so the grown ups can get to actually see something of the city!

I'd love to do a cycle tour - can anyone recommend any that cater to younger kids - probably with a tag along as although he can ride his own bike it probably wouldn't be sensible!

yes nemo is brilliant, so much fun she will love it much better than our science musuem.
but dont forget to go on the roof there...its best part DD adored all the water stuff up there and you can sit and and relax too

dc go in large baskets at the front of bikes, too hard core to have him on his own bike.