Things to do with kids
Goat farm Ridderhoeven, Amsterdamse Bos © Facebook

7 fun things to do with kids just outside Amsterdam

July 9, 2025
Last updated: July 9, 2025

Looking for the best outings with kids near Amsterdam? In this article, we've compiled the 7 best tips for activities just outside the city. Whether it's raining or sunny, you won't have to travel far to enjoy a fun adventure together!

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱! I've rounded up a complete list with the coziest and most festive Christmas markets in Amsterdam you don't want to miss this year. Think twinkling lights, mulled wine, food stalls, live music, unique gifts and lots of Christmas vibes all December long. Whether you're planning a festive day with the fam or friends, or just want to soak up that holiday spirit. These are the markets in Amsterdam to put on your calendar now. 🎄✨ 𝘿𝙧𝙤𝙥 “𝘾𝙃𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙈𝘼𝙎𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙆𝙀𝙏” 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝙔𝙇𝘽𝘽-𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙨. Send this list to your festive partner-in-crime, grab a hot chocolate (or mulled wine 😉), and have fun! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasinamsterdam #amsterdammarkets #christmasmarkets #amsterdamguide thingstodoinamsterdam winterinthenetherlands festiveseason christmasvibes marktlovers amsterdamtips
HOME ALONE 4 INCOMING 😅 My trip to NYC ends in a bad (Christmas) movie when the hotel gives my carry-on with my passport to an old lady who doesn't realize it and checks it in for a flight to the UK! Now I'm stuck here in NY without my passport, and I've missed my flight. I've experienced a lot in all the years I've been traveling for Your Little Black Book, but this is a first 😅. This chat video is purely therapeutic in nature 🤣🤣🤣. Because really: HOW?! 🫢 Note to self: better to take my passport with me all day, instead of leaving it 'safely' in the hotel apparently... and from now on, suitcases should be tied together with a cable in the storage room. Even if you're in a luxurious and expensive hotel, everything is still human work. Now I'm stuck in one of the nicest cities in the world, but of course I just want to be home with Manuel as planned. 😔 To be continued 🧳✈️ And thanks for all the sweet DMs ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ✖️✖️✖️ Anne
And do you also have a nice garden? I want to thank you for your patience and help. 𝟳-𝗷𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲! This time we went to @williams.farmhouse one of my favorites for lunch in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid. But is this also fun during the day with kids? We ordered a 'plain' version of the Farmhouse burger 🍔: yes, really just meat + cheese 🤣… and together with the fries it was a mega success. Child happy, us happy… and it was such a cozy, rainy afternoon. I mean this interior, I immediately dream away to the Cotswolds again! Do you have a favorite 𝗸𝗶𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 in Amsterdam or the Netherlands? Let me know in the comments, I'll collect all for the next 𝗞𝗜𝗗𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗙! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdam #amsterdamfood #amsterdamrestaurants #amsterdamfoodie #amsterdamguide amsterdamwithkids kidsproef familyfriendly amsterdamlunch amsterdamoudzuid yourlittleblackbook kidsproofamsterdam
So happy to finally share this! @lefoodwalk is back this winter with four themed walks during the Amsterdam Light Festival, running from November 27th to January 18th. Perfect for a day out with friends, a date, colleagues, or family. From a Street Food Walk to an Oyster Walk and from Cocktails to an Old Amsterdam Drinks Walk. The Le Foodwalk team has listened to you, and there's a different experience available almost every day. Tickets (which are even cheaper than last year 🔥) are live now! I've added a link in my bio. 𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗫 𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Thurs-Sat Price: 4 bites + Amsterdam Light Festival app (worth €6,99) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ @weareedn_amsterdam ⦁ @caferestaurantdebazel ⦁ @soulkitchen_amsterdam ⦁ @blackandblue_reguliers 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: € 43,50 𝗢𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Thurs-Sat 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱: 4 x 2 oysters + Amsterdam Light Festival app (worth € 6,99) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ Soulkitchen ⦁ De Bazel ⦁ @bellyofthebeastbar ⦁ @vermeerswijnkamer 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: € 43,50 𝗖𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Wed-Sat Included: 3 cocktails (also 0.0%) + Amsterdam Light Festival app (worth €6,99) 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ @feijoaamsterdam⦁ @lottisamsterdam ⦁ Belly of the Beast 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: € 35,50 𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗠 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Sun-Wed 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱: 3 Dutch drinks & 3 Dutch bar snacks + @amsterdamlightfestival app (worth €6,99) 𝗕𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ @hetkarbeel ⦁ @proeflokaalvanwees ⦁ @beertemple_amsterdam 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: €33,50 Who do you want to do a Foodwalk with this winter? **Sunday in the evening in Amsterdam.** ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck #lightfestival #lefoodwalk #amsterdamlightfestival #amsterdamfoodguide #amsterdamfood #amsterdambynight #canalview
I hope everyone gets into the Christmas spirit this Christmas 2020 🎅🏼 The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and I can tell you: this list will immediately get you in the Christmas spirit. 🎄 📍In this new video, I've listed the most beautiful Christmas markets and winter fairs in the Netherlands, from Maastricht to The Hague. Whether you're in the mood for mulled wine, raclette, Christmas carols, ice skating with your besties, or planning a cozy weekend getaway in December, now's the time to block your calendar. Send the tips to your Christmas date ❤️ and comment "CHRISTMAS MARKET" to receive a link to ALL the Christmas market shortlists on Your Little Black Book. Let the Christmas anticipation begin! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #kerstmarktnederland #kerstuitje #winterfair #kerst2025 #weekendtips #thingstodointhenetherlands #magischmaastricht #royalchristmasfair #kerstmarktamsterdam #winterinthenetherlands #kerstvibes #yourlbb #kerstmarkt #christmasmarket
Amsterdam, get your skates ready — ice skating season has officially begun! ⛸️ The first rinks, like @schatbaanmuseumplein, are opening this weekend and we are so ready for it. I already planned a mom & son date — that's how excited we are to hit the ice. 💙 This year, there are some new rinks to discover across the city too. And who knows... maybe we'll even get lucky with natural ice again. Until then, these are the 7 best ice skating rinks in Amsterdam you don't want to miss. Whether you're planning a festive date, a day with friends, or skating with the kids — this guide has you covered. 📍All details are in the Amsterdam Ice Skating Listicle on Your Little Black Book (link in bio). Send this to your skating buddy and start planning your first winter weekend on ice! ❄️ ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #yourlbb #amsterdamwinter #iceskatinginamsterdam #amsterdamchristmas #thingstodoinamsterdam #amsterdamguide #winterinthenetherlands #amsterdamlife #cityguide #amsterdamcheck #wintervibes #travelamsterdam #weekendinams #holidayseason #schaatsen
𝟱 𝘅𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗻. From new hotspots to lowspots and from hand-pulled noodles to an intimate Mediterranean bistro, I've listed 5 new favorite restaurants for you that you definitely want to try. Save this guide for your next dinner date 🍽️ 📍 Orchid House (Oost) Vibe: all day dining at Oosterpark, family friendly and good vibes. Must orders: ceviche, angel hair pasta with sea urchin and picanha. @orchidhouse.ams 📍 Omri (De Pijp) Vibe: small and cozy corner building with a warm interior and dimmed lights. Perfect for a date night. Must orders: the dolmas and lamb shawarma tostada with watermelon. @omri_amsterdam 📍 Chingu (De Pijp) Vibe: mainly focused on take-away, but trust me: you'll want to go out of your way for these Taiwanese rice balls. Must orders: Jumeok Bap with king crab or mayak egg, so delicious. English: @chinguamsterdam 📍 Leonardo's Ravioli Bar (De Pijp) Vibe: Italian bistro full of cozy corners in the always lively Pijp. Now also open for lunch on the weekend. Must orders: as many as possible. And share everything. I can be brief about it. @leonardosraviolibar 📍 Yellow River Handpulled Noodles (Centrum) Vibe: like you've ended up in a Chinese canteen. You order via the kiosk and wait until your number is called. Must orders: choose your favorite thickness noodles + the minced meat noodles. The dumplings are really worth trying too. @yellowrivernoodles Let me know where you're going first. Or where you've had the most delicious meal recently, I'm curious! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdamfood #amsterdam #amsterdamrestaurant #amsterdamlife #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamrestaurants #hotspots
The most beautiful Christmas shows at garden centers throughout the Netherlands are now open! 🎄 Only 7 more weekends until Christmas... and this cozy and free Christmas outing is perfect to get into the Christmas spirit. Trust me, I've already been ;-). Do you have a favorite that's not in this video? Let me know in the comments! You can also find the complete list of 30 tips via the link in my bio ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #christmasshows #christmasshow2025 #christmasdecoration #christmasinspiration #gardencenter #weekendtip #thingstodo #discoveringthenetherlands #winterouting #cozyoutings #christmasholiday #christmasfeeling #christmasmarkets #decembertips

7 Things to do with kids just outside Amsterdam

Colorful Experience in Assendelft

There's plenty of fun to do with kids in the Amsterdam area. A visit to Bonte Beleving is definitely one of them. At this pony and petting zoo, kids can cuddle farm animals, help out on the farm, walk with ponies, and of course, play to their heart's content. Bonte Beleving has a play meadow where kids can climb and clamber to their heart's content. Dads and
Meanwhile, moms can enjoy a drink in the teahouse. The teahouse is also the perfect place to end the day with a cozy high tea!
Vaartdijk 25, Assendelft – bontebelevenis.nl

Kids do something fun just outside Amsterdam

Colorful Experience in Assendelft © Facebook

Ouderkerkerplas

Ouderkerkerplas in Amstelveen is a lovely place to visit in nice weather. There's a small beach and some great swimming spots for kids. There's also a playground where kids can let off steam. On cooler days, you can enjoy a pleasant walk or bike ride through the nature reserve. You can spot several birds and other animal species at Ouderkerkerplas. Older kids can enjoy horseback riding, sailing, or diving in the nature reserve. Bring your own picnic basket to Ouderkerkerplas to complete your outing!
Middle Road, Ouderkerk aan de Amstelveen

 TIP: Visiting a farm shop is also fun with kids. There's often plenty to do on the farm. Check out our tips for the best farm shops near the Randstad here >>

Things to do just outside Amsterdam Ouderkerkerplas

Ouderkerkerplas © Facebook

The Boswinkel & Amsterdam Forest

For fun outings with children near Amsterdam, you don't have to travel far. De Boswinkel and the Amsterdamse Bos are great to visit year-round. Kids can learn more about the forest and its inhabitants at De Boswinkel. Then, you can head out for a bike ride or a walk. Fun activities are also regularly organized at De Boswinkel, such as scavenger hunts and exciting excursions with the forest ranger! The Amsterdamse Bos also offers various attractions such as play islands, children's pools, a goat farm, and a maze. You can also play sports, have a picnic, or take a nap in the Amsterdamse Bos. And of course, you can end the day at the pancake restaurant.
Bosbaanweg 5, Amstelveen – amsterdamsebos.nl

Things to do with kids AMS

The Boswinkel, Amsterdam Forest © Facebook

Goat farm Ridammerhoeve

At the Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm, you'll learn all about organic farming and farm life. While you're visiting the goats (and other animals), the work continues. Kids can also enjoy the playground, while Mom and Dad relax with a cup of coffee. Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm regularly organizes fun activities and workshops. For example, learn to make your own cheese! The farm is also perfect for a children's party. Kids can be picked up in a pony cart, take care of the animals, search for eggs, and the party ends with poffertjes (Dutch pancakes).
New Meerlaan 4, Amstelveen – goatfarm.nl

Things to do just outside Amsterdam at Ridammerhoeve

Goat farm Ridammerhoeve © Facebook

Elsenhove Play Farm

Speelboerderij Elsenhove is a farm in Amstelveen where kids can play and learn all about nature, sustainability, and farm life. They get to help the farmer and care for the animals. Fun activities are also regularly organized. Combine your trip to Speelboerderij Elsenhove with a bike ride or hike through the beautiful nature reserves nearby. You're guaranteed a full day of fun!
Bankrasweg 1, Amstelveen – elsenhove.nl

Things to do just outside Amsterdam Elsenhoven

Elsenhove Play Farm © Facebook

Olmenhorst

At the Olmenhorst in Lisserbroek, children learn where their fruit comes from. In these beautiful orchards, you can pick (and enjoy) your own apples and pears. You can combine picking fruit with a walk or bike ride through the surrounding area. On weekends, there's also a gypsy wagon in the orchard where you can enjoy delicious fresh fries. For other snacks and drinks, head to the Fruitloods. Also, keep an eye on the calendar. Fun activities regularly organize at the Olmenhorst, such as an Apple Parade, guided tours, and scavenger hunts. Finally, you can adopt your own fruit tree at the Olmenhorst!
Lisserweg 481, Lisserbroek – olmenhorst.nl

 | TIP: read more about this here picking apples in the Amsterdam area. And did you know that you can also pumpkin farms can visit?

Things to do just outside Amsterdam Olmenhorst

Olmenhorst © Facebook

Amstelveen Picking Garden

The Pluktuin (Pluck Garden) in Amstelveen is the perfect place to pick and arrange your own bouquet of flowers. It's not only fun for the kids, but also for the parents. The kids can play and run around in the garden while you enjoy the beautiful flowers and butterflies. Activities are organized in the Pluktuin throughout the season. For example, come carve a pumpkin in the fall and make a Christmas centerpiece in the winter! End the day with a visit to the Tea Garden. Enjoy tea and homemade cakes and pastries while the kids explore the playground.
Amsteldijk South 183, Amstelveen – pluktuinamstelveen.nl

 | TIP: also check out nice lists here child-friendly hotels in Amsterdam en child-friendly hotels throughout the Netherlands.

Kids do just outside Amsterdam picking garden

Amstelveen Picking Garden © Facebook

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