Must sees for 2 days in Amsterdam with DC

[Chocolateporridge]

We've got almost 2 full days unexpectedly in Amsterdam in 2 weeks time. We'll have our 2 dc with us, aged 14 and 9.

I know practically nothing about Amsterdam, I've bought the lonely planet guide, but I'm looking for some recommendations from other parents please!

Mine loved the science museum by the harbour but they were younger then your DC. They liked walking by the canals too.

Just here for the recommendations as I'd love to take our DD.

Nemo science museum was our highlight and if they are into art I think the Van Gogh museum (book in advance)

If you are thinking of the big galleries then book. Last time we were thought we'd just pop to the van gogh museum and it was booked for weeks.

Moco museum
Heineken factory
The swing at Amsterdam look out

Skip doing a canal tour - it's a bit boring.

DS mainlined pancakes and I think liked taking out a pedal boat on the canals — we were staying in a friend’s canal boat, so that was his main thrill.

This Castle is a very short train ride away and is unique in that it still has an intact and water filled moat!
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/brederode-castle

Also nearby is Zuid-Kennemerland National Park

And the zoo, I'd forgotten that. I do remember that the zoo cafe did chips with satay sauce. Lush 😁

The Dutch Resistance Museum was a surprisingly massive hit with my dc a few weeks ago - they are nearly 13 and (then) nearly 16. Everything is in English as well as Dutch.

Friend and I did a tour round one of the canal side houses- epnderful. We were in our 40s though, not teenagers. There was also a tour, thinknitvwas called Hollsnd in a day. Tgst was enjoyable. There are some providers who offer different yours where you pay a bit more than doing it under ur own dream, but u do get to skip the queue. Worth it if u are only there two days

We did love Amsterdam and the cat museum! Brilliant

Ann Frank House

10 of us went a few years ago 4 teens 4 adults 2 OAP's
The day out they liked the most.
From the train station bus to Marken
https://www.introducingamsterdam.com/marken
Ferry to Vollendam ( Cod Bites are a local dish and very good)
https://www.introducingamsterdam.com/volendam
Bus to Edam, if you are lucky one of the festivals will be on in Edam
http://www.edam.com

Went to Heineken thought it was poor.

Ann Frank house. You need to book though - queues on the day are long.

I wouldn't do things like the zoo - a zoo is a zoo, and you can do that in the UK. I'd do things that are unique to AMS.

This.

I went to body worlds, it was amazing and I think older dcs would like it to!

Foodhallen is fun to eat, your DC are probably good ages for it

water boat tour. But definitely look into things before you go. Most museums and stuff have a long queue if you don't book in advance

Thank you so much for all the suggestions! I wish we were going for longer now!

Anne Frank museum is a must but you need to book in advance

My kids struggled with the galleries. There is a 3D thing called Rembrandt’s house which they loved and told is story interactively

mine enjoyed the canal boat tour

you need to book Anne Frank’s house well in advance but I did it years ago and didn’t think the kids were ready for it

there is a lovely park about 30 minutes from thr centre and mine loved it - there was a play park which felt “different” and I drank coffee. Sometimes the simple stuff is best. Once you are away from the station area, it’s nice to wander. But watch for the Trams which creep up on you!

I'd be shocked if you get a slot for the Anne Frank museum at this stage to be honest.

Recommend downloading the Get Your Guide app, I use this whenever i have a city break and a really convenient way to book activities and get some ideas.
I love Amsterdam and always do a canal tour, also the Maritime Museum a big hit with my kids.

Micropia next to the zoo is really fun, it's a museum of Microbes, utterly interesting.

We liked the canal boat tour.

The Dutch Resistance Museum and the Jewish Synagogue are great but I think it depends a bit on how grown up your 9 year old is, DD would have been but she is a huge history fan. Maybe you can split if your older one wants to see it?

This year we are there for 2 days and will do the Maritime Museum and the Waterlooplein fleamarket plus eating pancakes.

While you can do great trips, if it is your first time in Amsterdam I think there is too much to do there to spend it somewhere else.

F