A holiday in Amsterdam - with the kids

[Puffin13]

A holiday in Amsterdam - with the kids
By Jay Cooke
Article Last Updated: 06/28/2008 08:15:55 AM MDT

Amsterdam has plenty for discerning adults. But the Dutch capital is great fun for family travelers, too. If you last visited Amsterdam with a backpack but now find yourself toting kids to the continent, don't bypass this creative city, with its vibrant squares, inspirational arts and ample chances for hands-on fun.

It's a good value destination for Europe these days, too. With the euro trouncing the dollar, the beauty of Amsterdam is how little you have to spend. You'll get plenty of free entertainment just strolling along the city's wandering canals, past colorful tulip markets and gilded old houses, as clanging trams roll by.

Stopping for chocolates and pastries at takeaway shops, gawking at the half-pipe skaters at Museumplein and giggling at jugglers and fire-eaters at Leidseplein will stretch your budget, while keeping younger travelers stimulated and engaged.

Get active

The signature way to navigate Amsterdam is equally cool for kids: by bicycle, symbol of the city. More than 600,000 bikes ply Amsterdam's 300 miles of bike paths, with commuters and tourists riding wheel to wheel. To pedal more freely, follow the Amstel River path to the southeast, or head to the city's premier green space: Vondelpark, with its 120 acres of ponds, lawns and gardens. Seven playscapes dot the landscape, and free plays and concerts for kids happen on Wednesdays at the park's Open Air Theater (www.openluchttheater.nl).

For kids a bit older, canal bikes (aka pedal boats) are a nifty way to cruise the city's canals, which stretch more than 62 miles and earn Amsterdam its "Venice of the North" moniker. Rental fees start around 8 euros an hour, with handy drop-off spots around town.

Grow minds

Young ones may not dig the moodier Rembrandts at the under-renovation Rijksmuseum, but they'll love the colorful chaos that is the Van Gogh Museum (011-31-20-570-5200; Paulus Potterstraat 7; www.vangoghmuseum.nl). More than 700 works by the Dutch master and his contemporaries hang in two buildings. The museum caters to kids, offering a children's audio tour, treasure hunt and birthday parties to boot. Let them wander the halls following their whims (no touching, of course), or dole out crayons and coloring pages for their own interpretations.

Gadget fans young and old will find the NEMO science center (011-31-20-531-3233; Oosterdok 2; www.e-nemo.nl) great interactive fun. Tons of exhibits let you draw with lasers, code DNA, learn to make cheese and more. Shaped like a giant ship in the harbor, the building's cool, too; during summer, its rooftop "Nemo Beach" brings a mega sandbox (and DJs) to the mix.

For the naturalists, bypass cramped Artis Zoo for nearby Hortus Botanicus (011-31-20-625-9021; www.hortus-botanicus.nl; Plantage Middenlaan 2A), a botanical garden (circa 1638) where kids can creep out to the bug-eating darlingtonias and Venus flytraps, or chase winged rarities around the butterfly house.

Have fun

Street performers cluster by Museumplein and Leidseplein, two public squares with ample food and drink options. These are great places for respite from all the walking, and for impromptu multinational playdates.

Transportation fans get their fill with a trip to the city's outskirts and the Tram Museum Amsterdam (011-31-20-673-7538; www.museumtram.nl; Amstetveenseweg 264), where historical trams from across Europe circle expansive Amsterdamse Bos, a huge recreation space with forests, ponds and gaming fields galore.

Bring the kids, get a bang for your buck

If you go Multiple carriers fly directly to Amsterdam from the U.S. Summer fares are starting around $1,000 round-trip, but now's the time to book fall travel, when crowds thin, costs drop and evening skies are sublime. The I Amsterdam discount card provides pay-one-price access to multiple sites around town. Bike City (011-31-20-626-3721; Bloemgracht 68-70; www.bikecity.nl) and MacBike (011-31-20-620-0985; Centraal Station; www.macbike.nl) have daily/weekly rates from 8/40 euros. Canal Bus (011-31-20-623-9886; Centraal Station; www.canal.nl) rents canal bikes.

Places to eat For the intrepid young chef (and tired parents), Kinderkookkafe (011-31-20-625-3257; www.kinderkookkafe.nl; Vondelpark 6) is sheer genius: a restaurant where kids prep, cook and serve meals (and on Sundays, high tea). The Pancake Bakery (011-31-20-625-1333; Prinsengracht 191; www.pancake.nl) flips out flapjacks Greek (lamb and feta), Hawaiian (pineapple and banana), Brazilian (pecan-caramel ice cream) and much more. Ubiquitous neighborhood "brown cafes" offer classic, cheap Dutch fare (think meat and potatoes) and atmosphere all the more welcoming with the city's new anti-smoking ordinance. The huge Albert Cuypmarket (Albert Cuypstraat) is fun to stroll for picnic supplies.

Places to stay Most Amsterdam hotels are kid-friendly, but confirm before you book. The Waterfront Hotel (011-31-20-421-6621; www.hotelwaterfront.nl; Singel 458; doubles from 135 euros) is roomy and pleasant. By the picturesque Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), Hotel Adolesce (011-31-20-626-3959; www.adolesce.nl; Nieuwe Keizersgracht 26; doubles from 85 euros) has free snacks all day. Or spread out in your own rental flat, with Amsterdam Apartment (011-31-20-668-2654; www.amsterdamapartment.nl; Oude Nieuwstraat 1).

Source

[EdinburghBoy]

I totally agree with this article, we brought our adult daughter and teenage son over for 7 days last year when the gay weekend was taking place, both my kids loved the atmosphere and diversity of things to do in Amsterdam. We're coming over again at the end of this month with just our son this time and he cannot wait to get over and sample the unique delights of this great city.

[Boner]

http://www.duinrell.com/

Went here a few years back, cracking place for a family, the waterslides are amazing especially stoned.