If you have more time and want to visit some places outside Amsterdam, here are some child-friendly day trips which we think you might enjoy. Most of them are reachable by public transport. Try using http://journeyplanner.9292.nl/ to plan your journey. This English version is quite new so I am not sure how reliable it is. Otherwise you could try the original Dutch version www.9292ov.nl/
Trains in Holland are usually very good. If you plan to travel by train a lot, it may be worth investing in a discount card. See www.ns.nl/en for more details.
Noord Holland
Zaanse Schans www.zaanseschans.nl (near Zaandam): windmills, pancake house
Local Beaches: Castricum, Egmond Aan Zee and Zandvoort
Trains in Holland are usually very good. If you plan to travel by train a lot, it may be worth investing in a discount card. See www.ns.nl/en for more details.
Noord Holland
Zaanse Schans www.zaanseschans.nl (near Zaandam): windmills, pancake house
Local Beaches: Castricum, Egmond Aan Zee and Zandvoort
These beaches are all between 30 - 60 minutes drive from Amsterdam. They are also reachable by public transport. All have cafes and loungers to rent. Click on the links below for details about each location.
Castricum
ZandvoortCastricum
Haarlem has an historic market square, plenty of museums as well as many shops and cafes. www.haarlemmarketing.nl
Frans Hals Museum www.franshalsmuseum.nl
Free entry for children under 18 years old. Famous for it's dolls house.
Frans Hals Museum www.franshalsmuseum.nl
Free entry for children under 18 years old. Famous for it's dolls house.
Teylers Museum www.teylersmuseum.euThe first and oldest museum in the Netherlands. Beautiful architecture, fossils, etchings and paintings. Workshops are organised for children most Wednesday afternoons.
Leiden
Explore a minature version of typical Dutch scenes of Holland.
The Veluwe is a known as the green heart of Holland and there are many museums and castles to visit in the area. See www.theveluwe.com for more information.Leiden
Naturalis Museum www.naturalis.nl
A natural science and zoology museum, very close to Leiden train station. Ideal as an outing in wet weather.
The Hague
Madurodam www.madurodam.nlA natural science and zoology museum, very close to Leiden train station. Ideal as an outing in wet weather.
The Hague
Explore a minature version of typical Dutch scenes of Holland.
Het Loo Palace www.paleishetloo.nl is famous for its gardens. Lots to see indoors and outdoors.
The Kröller-Müller Museum www.kmm.nl is situated in the centre of the national park. Famous for its collection of Van Gogh and 19th and 20th century paintings. Unfortunately does not accept Museumkaart. Free for children under 6 years old.
Arnhem
Netherlands Open Air Museum www.openluchtmuseum.nlThe Kröller-Müller Museum www.kmm.nl is situated in the centre of the national park. Famous for its collection of Van Gogh and 19th and 20th century paintings. Unfortunately does not accept Museumkaart. Free for children under 6 years old.
Arnhem
Gives a taste of the everyday lives of ordinary Dutch people m the early 20th century. Lots of fun, interactive activities to explore.
