Amsterdam with a 3 year old?

[cyanfu]

My friend has asked to go away Wed-Sat next week. She has her heart set on Amsterdam but I've never really been bothered about going!

What is it like and what is there to do? My three year old is coming.

I absolutely love Paris and would prefer there, but she has friends in Dam, so happy to go.

Nemo Science Museum is fab! Lots of lovely pancakes to eat in Amsterdam. The Zoo is great too!

Thank you! That does sound lovely.

I think I'm a bit worried spending money going somewhere that won't be much different from here.

Be careful along the many unfenced canals and crossing whizzing cycle lanes with a 3 year old. They are too young for many of the main tourist attractions such as Anne Frank’s house or the many museums and galleries, but would probably enjoy the zoo, a boat trip on the canals, and wandering around the city eating poffertjes.

Never thought of Amsterdam being like here - it's very different. In fact I took my 1 and three year old to Paris once and found it completely un child friendly.
I love Amsterdam - just walking around. It's small, snd I'm sure you can find a few things that won't bore your child senseless (nothing like a whining kid at a museum)! I did a canal cruise which was fun.

Canal trip
Van Gogh museum is relatively child-friendly as these things go and absolutely brilliant

Amsterdam is absolutely my favourite city to visit, and it feels very different to the UK. Pancakes, canal boats, fun museums, flower markets and just so, so beautiful around the canal belt. I bet a 3 year old would love just going for a ride on one of the trams, or seeing the double decker trains at the station. Also, Vondelpark is close to the centre, and has lots of play areas to run off some steam.

Obviously avoid the red light district with a child - but that is easy to do, it's just to the east of the station and in a well defined area.

Zaandam windmills are a bus ride away, which a 3 year old might enjoy. If you want to go upstairs on a double decker train, got to Haarlem which is under 15 minutes away.

The Maritime Museum - go for the huge ship which you and your 3 yo can wander round and pretend to be pirates to your hearts content. We did a day trip to Amsterdam with our then 3 yo a few years ago and this was a highlight of the whole trip. We also did the canal bus type thing and, with the Maritime Museum, it was a great way to see Amsterdam. The Netherlands in general is a great family destination but I'm not sure how I'd have managed longer in Amsterdam with my particular 3 yo as he was a major flight risk and the canals would have worried me. I've been before pre-DC and its a fabulous city with much to do and great food too.