As you will see below, there is a wide discrepancy of age ranges for museums offering free entrance. By careful planning you could potentially save a significant amount of money.

Amsterdam has a wide-range of museums that can provide visual, historical and educational stimulus for kids. Many Amsterdam museums offer special activities for children such as treasure hunts (speurtocht) or multi-media tours – always ask at the info desk.

Museums in Amsterdam: Free child entrance age range

The table below shows every Amsterdam museum we could find that offers free entry to children, including the maximum free-entry age. It also shows if admission is included with the I Amsterdam City Card (IAMS), Museumkaart (MK) or GO City Pass (GO).

Museums/attractions which can be enjoyed by all ages are: ARTIS Zoo, Johan Cruyff ArenA, NEMO and Maritime Museum – but generally only allow free entry for very young children!

Museums like the Rijksmuseum, Allard Pierson, Royal Palace, Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House, Canal House Museum are fine for those aged from 8.

3 museums have a separate children’s section – the Verzetsmuseum Junior, the Wereldmuseum Junior and the Jewish Museum Junior – however, these will be mainly aimed at Dutch school groups.

Exhibition suitability can vary. Museums such as Nieuwe Kerk, FOAM, H’ART Museum, Huis Marseille and Nxt Museum regularly change exhibitions, some of which may contain mature themes, graphic imagery or complex subject matter.

Parents should check the current exhibition before visiting.

• Anne Frank House is better appreciated for ages 10+. Note there is a €1 supplement for all tickets including free entry.
• Body Worlds contains human anatomy exhibits; parental discretion is advised.
• Embassy of the Free Mind offers a complex subject matter and is mainly aimed at adults.
• National Holocaust Museum displays some difficult and graphic historical themes, suitable for those 10-12 or over.
• Museum Vrolik contains anatomical specimens and human remains and is not suitable for pre-teen children
• Nxt Museum has immersive installations which may be intense for younger children.
• Tot Zover has exhibits about death and funerals, not suitable for young children.

If your children are above the free-entry age limits then investing in a city card may save you some money on a well-planned itinerary.

The I Amsterdam City Card offers free entry to most of Amsterdam’s main museums and attractions; the GO City card offers a children’s version of their card:

Most museums + city transport	Includes attractions + tours
I amsterdam City Card	GO City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass
1/2/3/4/5 days	1/2/3/5 days
24 hours basis	calendar day basis
€67/€94/€115/€130/€140	€79/€129/€159/€209
70 museums + transport + canal cruise + bike rental	Over 25 attractions/tours + canal cruise + bike rental
excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / tours	excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / transport
Book here	Book here
I amsterdam City Card info	GO City Amsterdam Pass info

Dutch residents should certainly invest in a Museumkaart for themselves and their children. Since this card is valid on an annual basis it is easy to get good value. Note, this card is difficult for non-residents to purchase.

These days many museums/attractions are charging anything up to €30 for standard entrance with a slight discount for older children. It does make some sense to plan your itinerary carefully in order to benefit from some of the more generous free children’s entry policies.

This article was first published in 2013. Last checked and updated 22 June 2026.

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NEMO is great for both kids and adults alike, with exhibitions academically designed in order to inspire and actively stimulate the mind.

NEMO is a striking green building sited on top of the IJ river car tunnel. The sloping copper-cladded structure creates a transition between the city centre and Amsterdam’s harbour – although to some observers it looks like a ship’s hull.

Opened in 1997, NEMO was designed by famous Italian architect Renzo Piano whose other work includes Pompidou Centre (Paris), Potzdammer Platz (Berlin) and the Shard (London).

NEMO has a collection of around 20,000 objects which tell the broad story of humanity and energy. The core collection is particularly focussed on lighting, electrical engineering, energy generation/storage and early 20th century home technology.

Spread over 5 floors, there are a number of fascinating science-themed exhibitions with plenty of hands-on equipment.

The permanent exhibits at NEMO currently on show are named and themed as follows:

Fenomena (Level 1)

Exhibit highlights include make your own gigantic bubbles, a gyroscopic spinning chair, chairlifts with pulleys, Nikola Tesla’s Lightning globe and fun with a reverse mirror.

Technium (Level 2)

Exhibition includes a tennis ball moving machine, design a green T-shirt, drawing your ideal bicycle plus exhibits on water, energy and waste.

Elementa (Level 3)

Exhibition themes includes amino acids, space and the solar system.

Humania (Level 4)

Exploration of humanity aimed at children 12+(themes such as body, sex/sexuality and death). Activities here include body positions, breathing and relaxation chair and a willpower game.

Rooftop Square (Level 5)

NEMO’s sloping rooftop square has a green theme with wildlife-friendly plants and solar panels. It offers panoramic views over the city.

There are several entertaining shows, demonstrations and lab projects everyday. Exhibits are labelled in Dutch and English.

Facilities on the ground floor include a large locker area and the museum shop.

Food and drink is well catered at the museum:

• A Coffee bar on the 1st floor
• A Museum Café on the 2nd floor.
• The main Museum Restaurant and Conservatory Bar with outdoor terrace is on the rooftop square.
• A small Kiosk with terrace is on the lower part of the rooftop square, though it is closed in bad weather.

You can also consume your own food and drinks at a number of designated seating areas.

NEMO is a fascinating museum housed in a spectacular building. With its interactive exhibits it makes for a fun visit and is great for children. It is popular with both local and international school groups so it is usually quite busy and ‘high energy’ so some patience may be required!

NEMO Science Museum Essential Info

This article was first published in 2008. Last checked and updated 17 June 2026.

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Soesterberg Air Base was originally established as an airfield in 1911. From 1954 to 1994 a US Air Force squadron was stationed at the base which was named Camp New Amsterdam. The base remained in use by the Royal Netherlands Air Force up to 2008 when flying operations finally ceased.

The National Military Museum was opened in 2014 which combined the former Military Aviation Museum in Soesterberg and the Army Museum in Delft.

You enter the museum via the first floor reception area. This floor houses multi-media exhibition spaces which focus on the armed forces.

It covers historical aspects such as military uniforms, weaponry but also deals with social history and a human perspective. Most exhibits have Dutch and English labelling although some presentations are Dutch only.

The highlight of the museum is the large ground floor collection (called the Arsenal) which contains an impressive array of planes, helicopters, tanks and armoured vehicles.

Most are on the ground which allows you to get up close whilst some are suspended spectacularly in mid-air. The large windows provide substantial natural lighting.

For aviation and military enthusiasts, the plane collection includes: CH-47D Chinook, General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (J-215), Hawker Sea Furry Mk50 (6-43), Douglas C-47A Dakota (T-443), Gloster Meteor F Mk4 (I-69), North American B-25J Mitchel (M-464) and a Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IXc (H-1).

In the covered room on the ground floor there is an interactive military-themed play zone for children called Xplore. This includes various activities including a F-16 aircraft simulator and a tank simulator.

You may be able to step inside one of the military vehicles or aircraft with a knowledgeable retired military guide. On our visit we were able to see the Fokker F27 Troopship.

You can take the lift up to a constructed control tower which has sweeping views of the former air base and the runways. Display panels describe the history of the airfield.

Weather permitting you can also head outside to visit the grounds which include memorials to the Royal Dutch Air Force, a command bunker, a hangar and other out-buildings. The museum is located within 45 hectares of forest and heath land.

A small children’s play area and assault course can also be found outside.

Facilities at the museum include lockers, a shop and a restaurant which serves soups, sandwiches, light meals and drinks. There is a 360 degree film theatre showing short films and temporary exhibitions also run on occasion.

If you are interested in military or aviation themes then the National Military Museum in Soesterberg could well be worth a visit. You can easily spend half a day or more visiting.

National Military Museum Essential Info

This article was first published in 2021. Last checked and updated 17 June 2026.

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The museum is inspired by Dick Bruna’s famous rabbit character Nijntje, also known as Miffy outside of the Netherlands. The name Nijntje is derived from the Dutch konijntje meaning little rabbit.

Dick Bruna (1927-2017) was a renowned Dutch author and illustrator. An Utrecht native, he produced the Nijntje character in 1955 and went on to publish around 120 children’s books selling millions of copies in multiple languages.

The museum was opened in 2006 as the Dick Bruna House. In 2016 it was renovated and rebranded as the Nijntje Museum or Miffy Museum. In 2022-23 it underwent a major renovation and expansion and is now 1,500m² in area.

It is part of the Centraal Museum on the other side of the street which contains a varied collection of art and historical objects.

The expanded Nijntje Museum has 12 miniature rooms over 3 floors with safe, hands-on activities for children. The museum is aimed at the core age group of 2-6 year olds.

There is a one-way walking route to make your way through the museum.

Each room is dedicated to an everyday theme – cooking in the kitchen, an animal zoo, a visit to the doctor’s, plants in the garden etc – all decorated with illustrations from the Miffy books.

Perhaps our favourite is the road and traffic ‘town’ area where little ones can learn about traffic signs whilst riding a trike and operating a level crossing barrier.

There is a new projection room on the 2nd floor attic showing a ‘Boris and the Umbrella’ animation.

The museum provides fun and educational activities for kids. Parents/carers will appreciate the small touches – plenty of buggy/stroller parking space, low placed banisters for climbing upstairs, special children’s sinks/toilets and a picnic area. There are some art and craft activities on offer as well, particularly if you visit at weekends.

The museum is popular with local children so can get busy. It is essential to book a specific time slot as tickets are no longer available at-the-door.

There is a café on the ground floor with plenty of options for kids. Note, it has card only payments with orders taken via screens.

If you are looking for a fun place to bring young children and/or you are a fan of Dick Bruna’s art then the Nijntje Museum is certainly worthy of a visit.

You can also do a family-friendly Miffy walking tour in Utrecht

Nijntje Museum Essential Info

Nijntje Museum Opening Hours 10:00-17:00 (Tue-Sun), closed Mondays.
Nijntje Museum Tickets & Admission €14.00 for children 2-6 and adults, €10.00 for children 7-17. FREE entry to children 0-1 and Museumkaart holders. Tickets/timeslots must be booked in advance and are only available at the official site
How to Get to Nijntje Museum The museum is located in Utrecht’s Museum Quarter near the city centre. It is about 20 minutes walk from Utrecht Central Station and 10 minutes walk from Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn station. U-OV bus 2 runs from Utrecht Central to just outside the museum (stop: Centraal Museum). Also see how to get to Utrecht
Address / Contact Nijntje Museum, Agnietenstraat 2, 3512 XB Utrecht nijntjemuseum.nl

First published in 2019, last checked and updated 9 June 2026.

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