Families

What to do with kids in Rotterdam: Fun for the whole family

Traveling to Rotterdam with kids and don’t know where to start?

Whether you’re bringing babies, energetic little ones, or curious preteens, Rotterdam has tons of family-friendly plans designed for everyone to enjoy.

From nature parks and interactive museums to urban farms, water activities, and indoor play spaces for rainy days — here’s everything you can do with kids in Rotterdam.

What to see in Rotterdam with kids

Rotterdam offers plenty of interesting places to visit as a family. From playgrounds and the zoo to interactive museums, urban farms and experiences along the Maas River, there are activities for children of different ages and for every time of year.

Playgrounds and speeltuinen: outdoor fun

Speeltuinen (neighbourhood playgrounds) are great spaces where kids can play freely and let their imaginations run wild.

You’ll find swings, slides, trampolines, and often volunteer-led activities such as workshops, markets and competitions.

Some of the best speeltuinen in Rotterdam:

Speeltuin Binnenste Buiten. Schonebergerweg 9 (Tram 4, Heemraadsplein stop).
Speeltuin Katendrecht. Near the ss Rotterdam (Metro Rijnhaven + Bus 77).
Speeltuin Weena. Very central, just 5 minutes from Rotterdam Centraal.
De Speeldernis. A 10,000 m² nature playground where getting muddy is part of the fun. Perfect for outdoor play with kids. Roel Langerakweg 25b, Bus 38.

Urban farms (Kinderboerderijen): animals and nature in the city

Got animal-loving kids? Then a visit to a children’s urban farm is a great option. Children can meet farm animals and take part in educational activities in different neighbourhoods around Rotterdam.

Top urban farms in Rotterdam:

De Kraal. Langepad 60 (Tram 7).
De Wilgenhof. Ringdijk 76 (Tram 25).
De Blijde Wei. Bergse Linker Rottekade 435 (Metro Hesseplaats).
De Kooi. Maeterlinckweg 85 (Tram 25 to Paasweide stop, then a 15-minute walk).

Theme parks and family attractions

Plaswijckpark. A family favourite in Rotterdam. It has outdoor play areas, animals and a large indoor pavilion for rainy days. Ringdijk 20 (Tram 25).
Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo). Home to more than 180 species, a large aquarium, play zones and plenty of places to rest and eat. Perfect for a full day out. Blijdorplaan 8 (Metro Blijdorp + 10-minute walk).
A DAY AT THE ZOO 👉GET YOUR TICKETS HERE 🎟️
Klimbos Fun Forest. Tree-top climbing trails in Kralingse Bos for adventurous children and adults. Langepad 71 (Metro Gerdesiaweg + 15-minute walk).
Outdoor Valley. Outdoor activities including kayaking, archery and cycling. Hoeksekade 141 (Metro Hesseplaats + approximately 3 km walk).

Water activities and more in Parkhaven

Several popular family activities are located around Parkhaven (Tram 8, Euromast stop):

Pannenkoekenboot. A pancake buffet cruise on the Maas River. EAT ALL THE PANCAKES YOU WANT 👉BUY IT HERE 🎟️
Splashtours. A unique amphibious bus tour that drives through the city before entering the water. DISCOVER SPLASHTOURS 👉BUY YOUR TICKET HERE 🎟️
Midget Golfbaan. An 18-hole mini golf course next to the Euromast.
Lasergame Rotterdam. Laser tag inside a ship — great for older kids.
Euromast. Rotterdam’s famous observation tower with panoramic views over the city. DISCOVER EUROMAST 👉BUY IN ADVANCE HERE 🎟️

Kids Marina. Small boats where children can enjoy learning to navigate in a fun way. Near the Maritiem Museum. Metro Beurs.

Indoor fun: what to do with kids in Rotterdam on rainy days

If the weather turns bad, don’t worry. Rotterdam has plenty of indoor activities to keep children entertained.

Indoor play areas

Bounce Valley. A large inflatable playground where children can burn off some energy. Lylantse Baan 3 (Metro Alexander + 17-minute walk).
Monkey Town. One of Rotterdam’s popular indoor play centres. Akkeroord 10 (Tram 3, Akkeroord stop).
Bungelland. Indoor playground particularly suitable for younger children. Koperstraat 17 (Metro Alexander + 7-minute walk).
Plaswijckpark (Indoor Pavilion). A large covered play area for rainy days. Ringdijk 20 (Tram 8, Meidoornweide stop + 5-minute walk).

Interactive museums for kids

Miniworld Rotterdam. A miniature world where a full day passes in just 24 minutes. Just 5 minutes from Rotterdam Centraal.
Villa Zebra. Interactive contemporary art activities designed especially for children. Stieltjesstraat 21 (Metro Wilhelminaplein + 10-minute walk).
Remastered. An immersive digital experience inspired by Dutch art. Metro Leuvehaven + 5-minute walk. AVOID THE LINES 👉BUY YOUR TICKET HERE 🎟️
Maritiem Museum. Offers an excellent children’s area and interactive maritime activities. Metro Beurs. BUY 👉HERE 🎟️
Dutch Pinball Museum. More than 100 historic pinball machines that visitors can actually play. Check current opening days and times before your visit. Metro Delfshaven + 10-minute walk.
Feyenoord Museum. A good choice for young football fans. Tram 3, Stadion Feyenoord stop. VISIT FEYENOORD STADIUM 👉GET YOUR TICKETS 🎟️
Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam. Natural history museum with exhibitions and activities that can be interesting for children. Westzeedijk 345 (Metro Eendrachtsplein + 10-minute walk).
Kijk-Kubus Museum. Step inside one of Rotterdam’s famous Cube Houses. Overblaak 70 (Metro Blaak).

Other indoor options

Central Library. Offers a children’s area with books, games and occasional theatre. Metro Blaak.
Swimming pools. Oostervant also has a bowling alley, while Zevenkampse Ring is another option. During warmer weather, outdoor swimming pools can also be an enjoyable family activity.

Practical tips for visiting Rotterdam with kids

Planning your visit in advance can make travelling with children much easier.

Best time to visit: Spring and summer are ideal for outdoor activities, but Rotterdam has family attractions for every season.
Museums: Opening days and times vary between museums, especially during public holidays. Always check the latest information before your visit.
Public transport: Rotterdam has an extensive network of trains, metros, trams and buses. Directions are included for many of the places mentioned in this guide.
Entry fees: Many of the attractions mentioned here require an entrance ticket.
Discounts: Some parks and attractions offer annual passes or other discounts, which may be useful if you are staying longer or live in the Rotterdam area.

Want more ideas for visiting Rotterdam with kids?

Rotterdam has plenty more to discover with children.

If you want more ideas for a family visit, take a look at:

👉 Museums in Rotterdam
👉 Walking routes around the city
👉 Day trips from Rotterdam
👉 Theme parks near Rotterdam
👉 Sports events

Is Rotterdam worth visiting with kids?

Yes. Rotterdam is one of the easiest Dutch cities to explore as a family. Its combination of playgrounds, interactive museums, the zoo, indoor attractions and outdoor activities makes it possible to plan several days with something suitable for children of different ages.

Explore our guides to museums, parks, walking routes and day trips from Rotterdam for even more ideas for your family visit.

Other options to go out in Rotterdam