Are you visiting Rotterdam with the family? How fun! There are many fun kids activities in Rotterdam to fill your day. To help you get started, we share the best family outings in this article!
From sporty outdoor activities to exciting or relaxing indoor activities… Be amazed at Miniworld Rotterdam, undertake all kinds of fun water activities and visit the most beautiful Rotterdam museums and sights. There’s something for everyone!
Discover all cool museums in Rotterdam!
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Cool museums with kids in Rotterdam
1. Miniworld Rotterdam
Miniworld Rotterdam is a super fun place for a day out with your kids. It is an indoor miniature world of Rotterdam with everything you can imagine. Here the kids discover the world in miniature size, a unique way to get to know the metropolis of Rotterdam better.
Expect over 650 square meters with Rotterdam polder landscapes, modern and historical architecture and of course the port of Europe. Everything is surprisingly detailed. Really a top place for a family outing in Rotterdam!
TIP: Already get your ticket for Miniworld Rotterdam!
2. Visit the Maritime Museum
Photo by Theo de Man.
A fun museum to visit is the Maritime Museum Rotterdam. This museum is located in one of the largest and oldest museum ports in the Netherlands and here you can learn more about the past and present of the port of Rotterdam. With exhibitions, activities and a collection of historic ships and cranes, you’ll be here for a while.
Ideal for a rainy day and of course for an outing with your kids. Here you can easily buy a ticket online for the Maritime Museum Rotterdam. And do you already know these kid friendly museums in Rotterdam?
TIP: Already buy your ticket for the Maritime Museum here!
3. Villa Zebra
Villa Zebra is a children’s museum with contemporary visual art. A must-visit with kids!
Visit Villa Zebra for interactive exhibitions and art installations, art workshops and reading afternoons.
4. Wereldmuseum Rotterdam
The Wereldmuseum is a contemporary museum with the mission to inspire to have an open view of the world and contribute to global citizenship.
Especially for the curious children you will find Superstraat, the most fun street in the world. Here you travel all over the world and there is a different story behind every door.
5. Kunsthal Rotterdam
Foto door Jeroen Musch.
Every Rotterdammer has been here at least once in his life. The building of the Kunsthal was designed in 1988-1989 by the world-famous architect Rem Koolhaas and the building is one of the icons of Rotterdam.
At the Kunsthal there are always various, high-profile exhibitions to visit. From modern, contemporary art to forgotten cultures, photography, fashion and design, there is something for every target group. There are plenty of fun exhibitions and activities designes especially for kids!
6. Belasting & Douane Museum
At the Belasting & Douane Museum (Tax & Customs Museum) you learn about taxes and get acquainted with customs work from then and now. The surprising collection includes more than 45,000 objects including paintings, silverware, official costumes and uniforms, smuggling objects, photos and more. Various temporary exhibitions can be seen throughout the year.
There is also plenty to do for children, such as craft activities, workshops and treasure hunts. Definitely give it a chance, because it’s more fun than you’d think.
Outdoor activities with kids in Rotterdam
7. Fun Forest
Do you want to go into nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Then pay a visit to the Fun Forest climbing park in the Kralingse Bos.
Here you can climb over obstacles, zipline between the trees and paddleboard on the water.
In the climbing forests you will find various challenging courses for young and old. For example, you have the Monkey Trail with balance beams, climbing frames and lianas. For the adult daredevils there are courses at a height of 15 meters with a bungee jump and a free jump.
A super fun adventure for the whole family!
8. Play minigolf with your kids
Mini golf is always a good choice for a fun day with the family! In the Euromastpark you will find the outdoor mini golf park with 18 holes. A fun activity for all ages, with special golf sticks for toddlers.
After a round of mini golf, linger for something to eat and drink on the terrace.
Book a round of minigolf in Rotterdam here!
9. Discover the secrets in our city
Photo by our blogger @olivia.in.rotterdam
Are your kids crazy about scavenger hunts? Then this special exploration game is for you!
Download the special Secrets of the City game on your phone and go on an adventure in Rotterdam Centre. During the game you will find the best kept secrets of the city.
The exploration game takes about 1.5 hours to complete, but there is no time limit. So enjoy it at your own pace!
Did you already know the beautiful inner garden of the city hall in Rotterdam pictured above? Discover this and more hidden places in Rotterdam.
10. Discover street art in Rotterdam
Street art by Tymon de Laat.
The buildings of Rotterdam are sometimes given a lick of paint. And not just a simple paint job, but true works of art.
Scattered throughout the city you will find huge murals, painted by talented artists. Go outside with your kids and visit these cool street art spots in Rotterdam.
TIP: To discover even more street art in Rotterdam, I recommend the Rewriters app. This app takes you along the most beautiful street art in Rotterdam and gives you background information about the artwork and the artist. The routes are updated several times a year, so there is always something new to discover!
11. On a journey in Plaswijckpark
Plaswijckpark is fun for the whole family! It consists of Speelwijck, Dierenwijck and Wandelwijck.
You can find all kinds of playgrounds in Speelwijck. In the Verkeerstuin or Traffic Garden you can drive a car, in the Apenspeeltuin or Monkey Playground you can lie around on the ropes. Is it raining? Then go play inside the Huis in de Heuvel or House in the Hill.
Do you love animals? Then visit the Dierenwijck and meet the different animals that live there.
De Wandelwijck is where you, but especially your parents, can relax for a bit. There is a Picnic Pasture, a Rosarium with 40 varieties of roses and an English garden with several fountains.
12. A day trip to Kinderdijk from Rotterdam
Do you have a whole day? Then visit Kinderdijk. It may not be in Rotterdam, but it is easy to visit from our city. Did you know that you can take the Waterbus from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk? It only takes 30 minutes.
Kinderdijk, with its 19 windmills, has been a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Tourists from all over the world come here to admire the beautiful windmills. The ingenious system of mill and ground has kept the grounds of Kinderdijk dry for centuries.
TIP: Already buy yourself the Kinderdijk ticket, which includes entrance to two Dutch mills and a boat tour through the village.
Water activities in Rotterdam with kids
13. Kids Marina
Kidsmarina is a super fun water attraction in Rotterdam. Children can feel like a captain as soon as they get on one of the children’s boats. The great thing is that at Kidsmarina they immediately gain insight into the port and its functions and vehicles. So it’s an educational and fun day out in Rotterdam!
The kids can easily drive the model boats themselves and the boats are powered by electric motors. A boat trip takes 15 minutes from sailing to mooring.
14. Get a tour of the port
As the largest port city in Europe, the port is an important part of Rotterdam. It provides 385,000 direct and indirect jobs at companies in the Netherlands and extends over a length of no less than 40 kilometers. Unique in its kind and therefore an essential part during your visit to Rotterdam.
With this 90-minutee cruise you will be part of the traffic around the harbor, view the shipyard, the dock and the modern handling of thousands of containers. An informative tour that is also very fun for young children!
15. Join the splash tour
It may look like a normal bus tour, that will take you to the most special places in Rotterdam. But that is not the only thing! During the tour, the bus literally takes a dip in the Maas.
The bus sails further and shows you the city from the water. A very fun and exciting activity for kids.
TIP: get your tickets for the Splash tour!
Check out this article with more fun water activities in Rotterdam.
16. Pannenkoekenboot
If you are looking for the real Dutch experience with the family, you should go with the Pannenkoekenboot or Pancake Boat. In addition to tasting the typical Dutch pancakes, you will explore Rotterdam with a boat trip on the Maas.
A super fun children’s activity, but secretly also fun (and delicious of course) for the grown ups.
TIP: be sure to reserve a spot on the Pancake boat!
17. Take the Watertaxi
Foto door @maarten_see_hooijmeijer
Explore the Maas together with your family and go in one of the many watertaxi’s in Rotterdam. It is a form of public transport, but a hundred times more fun! The fast watertaxi’s bring you to more than 50 locations in Rotterdam and Schiedam.
It’s possible to go to one of the docks and grab a watertaxi there or request one beforehand. A nice way to see Rotterdam from the water and also an adventure, because the watertaxis can ride over the waves pretty quickly.
During this fun tour you also go on a watertaxi ride and you get to see fun highlights such as the Markthal and Cube Houses.
18. Kralingse Bos and Plas
Feel like escaping the busy city and have some quality time with your family? Kralingse Plas is a great place to spend a sunny day. For example, pack a picnic basket full of delicious fresh food, bring a rug and pick a spot in the park. Here the children can play with a ball or in the playground while you enjoy a good book.
If the weather is really good, you can even decide to go for a swim! Be sure to check zwemwater.nl to check if the water is safe to enter. Sometimes the quality of the water isn’t good enough, especially when it’s really hot.
Kralingse Plas is surrounded by the Kralingse Bos. So if you feel like going for a walk with the family, it’s an excellent place to do so!
Discover more summer activities in Rotterdam.
Fun indoor outings with kids in Rotterdam
22. Remastered experience
The Remastered experience is fun for young and old! This interactive attraction takes you on an hour-long audiovisual journey and becomes one with the art.
Walk under a waterfall, go on an adventure with the unearthly creatures of Hieronymus Bosch, learn to travel in time and surround yourself with the paintings of Dutch Old Masters such as Van Gogh and Mondrian. Each time you enter a new world and you don’t know what to expect.
Remastered is suitable for children from 6 years old. Buy your ticket in advance via this link.
20. Indoor climbing adventure Spider City
Photo by Jan de Groen.
In indoor climbing adventure Spider City in Rotterdam you climb, float and fly with the help of special gloves with Velcro and a versatile belay system. Move between buildings and trees to make the city green again. After all, you are a member of the ‘Gang of the Green Fingers’!
Spider City has recently opened, on April 29, 2023, and is of course a great outing for children. A fun week to keep moving! Spider City is only open on weekends.
21. Racesquare Rotterdam
Especially for all Formula 1 fans, the largest virtual race experience in the Netherlands opens its doors in Hollywood Event Center. You will find this in Rotterdam South, around the corner from De Kuip.
4D elements are used, such as smoke, light effects and force feedback. Thanks to the on-board radio, racers are in constant contact with their friends. And thanks to the racing simulators, you can race on every race track in the world!
It is the Valhalla for racing enthusiasts of all ages. And the ideal outing for the whole family!
22. Grab a (kids) movie at Cinerama
Chances are you will visit Rotterdam on a rainy day. Don’t let it spoil your fun!
One of the things you can do in our city on a rainy day is to visit one of the cinemas. And Cinerama, located on Westblaak, is certainly a favorite of many. Probably because of the old-school look of the cinema; as a parent you’ll definitely get a nostalgic feeling!
Of course there are also plenty of fun kids films to choose from. Children up to the age of eleven receive a discount for a movie ticket at Cinerama.
23. Bungelland
Looking for a playground paradise for children in Rotterdam? Then Bungelland is the answer!
It is an indoor playground in Rotterdam, where children can go nuts. Climbing, sliding, jumping, it’s all about having fun!
Bungelland is located near the Alexandrium shopping center in Rotterdam. For the parents there is free WiFi, magazines and you can order some food.
24. Bowling at Atoll
Looking for a fun kids party? Then bowling at Atoll is a great option! Here you can go bowling with a large group of kids and enjoy tasty drinks and snacks.
But of course a visit to Atoll is also fun as a family outing and with the whole family. Play against each other or as a team and develop your bowling skills. Strike!
25. Visit an escape room
Photo by Live Escape in Rotterdam.
Are you looking for an exciting outing with your kids? Then go together to one of the many Escape Rooms in Rotterdam. Such as Live Escape.
The escape rooms at Live Escape have something to offer for everyone, including children of all ages.
Read Mathilde’s article for more nice Escape Rooms in Rotterdam.
Great sights to enjoy with kids in Rotterdam
26. Visit the iconic Markthal
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Rotterdam is definitely the iconic Markthal. This unique architectural structure serves as both an office building, housing and a marketplace.
With over 40 food vendors that sell all sorts of international food and drinks, it’s definitely one of the highlights for most tourists. Treat your kids to something sweet, like the famous Stroopwafels!
There are several tours that will introduce you to typical Dutch food. For instance, this 2-hour walking tour with multiple snack breaks.
TIP: During the construction of the Markthal, many historical items were found in the ground of the site during the excavation. It’s possible to admire those items at the escalators in the middle of the Markthal, and it’s called De Tijdtrap – which means the time stairs.
27. Enjoy the view from the Euromast
Are you with your family in Rotterdam for the first time? Then visit the Euromast for a panoramic view of the city. The Euromast is the tallest building in the Netherlands with its 185 meters.
The Euromast is part of the World Federations of Great Towers (WFGT): the 37 most beautiful and tallest towers in the world, such as the Burj Khalifa, the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. Really very special!
In the Euromast you can not only enjoy the beautiful view of Rotterdam, it is also possible to reserve a table and have a nice dinner with the family. With a view of our city of course!
TIP: Buy your ticket here to enter the Euromast.
28. Go on the Rotterdam hop on, hop off bus
Are you in Rotterdam for the first time and do you want to see as much as possible? Then a hop-on hop-off is more convenient than you think. With a 24- or 28-hour ticket you can get in and out wherever and whenever you want.
Of course it is best to discover Rotterdam on foot or by bike, but during a rainy day it is nice that you can hide from the rain in a bus and warm up. Then to brave the rain again with your umbrella and still admire all the sights of Rotterdam!
That were the fun activities with kids in Rotterdam! Do you have any good tips? Then share it in the comments below and who knows, maybe we’ll add it in the article!
1 reply on “28 Best things to do in Rotterdam with kids”
My boys would love the kids marina! Looks like awesome fun.