✅ The best canal cruises for families with children
The boat tours in Amsterdam are a real hit with all visitors, whether you come to Amsterdam with or without the kids.
A city break can be quite exhausting because you always end up walking a lot in Amsterdam.
What could be better for children than taking a break from visiting Amsterdam with a canal cruise?
It’s a great way to relax on the boat while listening to exciting stories about Amsterdam on the audio guide. Children can learn a lot about the history of the city while enjoying the canal cruise and watching the other boats go by as an added bonus.
Let’s take a look at the different options we have.
Why canal cruises are ideal for families
Overall, these boat tours are a great idea for a day out in Amsterdam. They are among the most popular activities in Europe, and anyone visiting Amsterdam should take at least one of these boat tours.
The canals are full of stories. Even children will love a tour with an audio guide. The audio guides are designed to keep the commentary exciting, allowing children to see all the different sights while listening to interesting explanations about them.
It goes without saying that Amsterdam can be a rainy city. When it drizzles, the adventure takes on a slightly different character, as the rain drops on the boat limit visibility. But don’t worry, the boats are heated so the children will be comfortable, and it’s quite romantic to sit on the boat and watch the rainy city. This is the real Amsterdam!
Also for children: the Amsterdam Pass
Before we look at the various options for booking a canal cruise in Amsterdam, I would like to briefly mention that you should buy the Amsterdam Pass, which includes a canal cruise.
So if you’re planning to visit a museum and take a canal cruise, which are probably among the most popular attractions in Amsterdam, you should definitely consider the Amsterdam Pass, as it makes a lot of financial sense.
The best family-friendly canal cruises in Amsterdam
Here I will try to give you a good overview of the various canal cruises you can book with children in Amsterdam.
Lovers Canal Cruise (1-hour canal cruise)
This is still the classic boat tour in Amsterdam. There are various departure points: the main train station, the Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, or the Rijksmuseum.
No matter where you are in Amsterdam, you can easily find one of the docks.
There are several reasons why the Lovers Tour is perfect for children. The audio guide that children receive during the boat tour is designed so that the explanations are simple, meaningful, and easy to understand. It is available in many languages.
At 1 hour, it is relatively short.
Book your Lovers Canal Cruise now
The boats are very comfortable, so the children can sit comfortably after a long day on their feet and there is enough space for everyone.
And last but not least, children receive a small discount when booking the tour.
Here are the different ways to book Lovers Boat Tours.
Sightseeing cruises usually depart every 15 to 30 minutes.
| Departure point | Places of interest | Online-Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Central Station Pier | Central Station, NEMO Science Museum, Dam Square | Online-Ticket |
| Anne Frank House Pier | Anne Frank House, Jordaan, The Pancake Bakery | Online-Ticket |
| Leidse Square Pier | Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum | Online-Ticket |
| Rijksmuseum Pier | Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, Leidseplein cafes | Online-Ticket |
Blue Boat Company – Kids Cruise
These canal cruises are specially designed for children and families.
The boats depart directly in front of the Heineken Experience.
Stadhouderskade 550, 1072 AE, Amsterdam
This isn’t just a canal cruise, it’s a real experience that makes kids feel like pirates conquering the canals of Amsterdam.
Book your Blue Boat experience now
At 75 minutes, the ride is long enough to really immerse yourself in the atmosphere, but not too long to overwhelm the children.
The boats usually run every 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours.
Private family boat trip
For smaller groups, it is definitely a good idea to book a boat to explore the city in a much more private way. These boats are, of course, not intended for mass tourism, but rather for smaller groups. Some families might enjoy this type of experience much more than highly commercialized tours such as Lovers. Of course, it also costs a little more!
| Canal cruises - small boats | Preis* | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Open Boat Tour With Live Guide and Unlimited Drinks | 19.95 € | Book Online |
| Classic Boat Cruise with Live Guide, Drinks and Cheese | 33.95 € | Book Online |
| Luxury Boat Canal Cruise with Onboard Bar | 22.95 € | Book Online |
| Luxury Cruise with Beer, Wine, & Cocktail Option | 20.00 € | Book Online |
Take a look at the various options in this table—maybe you’ll find something that suits you.
For each tour, you should definitely check where the boats depart from! So take a close look at the ticket provider’s description.
Amsterdam: Boat Cruise from NDSM + Unlimited Dutch Pancakes
In my opinion, one of the best options! What a crazy, original idea! Pancakes are the specialty of Amsterdam and Holland, and with this concept, you get a great boat tour and service on board that serves pancakes. Departure from NDSM, i.e., from “Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij.”
But please note that this is more of a boat tour than a canal cruise. The boat travels along the Amsterdam skyline around the harbor and not actually through the legendary canals of the Venice of the North.
Reservations must be made with a time slot. The boats run several times a day. It is important to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure!
Boat tour from NDSM + Pancake buffet
But you can’t have everything, can you?
A lunch break on a boat can also be something very special for children!
The boats depart from NDSM – Amsterdam North
Ms. van Riemsdijkweg 33, 1033WB, Amsterdam
Hop-On Hop-Off boat tour for children
It’s a little different here. The same concept exists in every major European city, but mostly with buses. How does it work? You can simply hop on and off, as the name suggests.
So you get on the boat and get off at the sights you want to see. After visiting, you get back on and go to the next sight, and the whole thing repeats itself.
Book a Hop-On Hop-Off canal tour
That could be really cool for children because then they wouldn’t have to walk all the time and could just cruise from one monument to the next. And jumping onto the boat each time is another exciting experience.
Tickets can be purchased for 24 or 48 hours.
The boats stop at several locations in the city. Departure times are approximately every 45 minutes. The entire tour without stops takes 100 minutes.
Recommendations by age
2 to 5 years: Here, I would suggest that BlueBoat is the best option because it is designed specifically for children of this age. The entire experience has been improved for children between the ages of 2 and 5.
6 to 12 years: The Pannenkoekenboot is probably the best idea. A real experience, as the boat is a bit larger and there is also something to eat, which makes the whole thing even more interesting and exciting.
Mixed age groups: Otherwise, I would always recommend the Lovers Tour, as it only lasts 60 minutes and is therefore not too long. The Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour is also cool, as you can take several trips throughout the day!
Practical tips for a successful canal cruise with children
Online-Tickets: An important tip: tickets sell out quickly during peak season. Please keep in mind that peak season in Amsterdam is in May and June, as well as September and October, which are typically the best months for city breaks. Tickets are usually available online and in advance. Sometimes a time slot is required, and if you want to book for a specific time slot, you can ensure that seats are still available by booking in advance.
Food: We all know what it’s like when children are hungry. So plan your day well. There are good restaurants and snack bars everywhere in Amsterdam. The only exception is the pancake boat, where children can get something to eat on board.
Shoes: They’re really important. You’ll be doing a lot of walking in the city. That goes for kids and parents alike. With good walking shoes, you’ll get to see much more because you’ll be able to get from one attraction to the next more quickly. Don’t worry, the boats aren’t wet!
Clothing: This is important in Amsterdam because the weather can be very changeable, even in the high season (May, June, September, October). With a bit of luck, you won’t need jackets and the sun will make the canals even more beautiful. But just in case it rains, pack something to put on, so the kids can enjoy the canal cruise without getting cold!
Conclusion about canal cruises with children
As someone who knows Amsterdam well, I can tell you that these four boat tours in Amsterdam are really great for children. It all depends on what you want to do. For anyone visiting Amsterdam for the first time, I recommend the Lovers Boat Cruise because it’s easy to get to and very well organized.
If you’ve been to Amsterdam before and want to experience something different, then boat trips such as the pancake boats are just the thing for you. This is not a traditional canal cruise on the world-famous canals, but rather a boat trip that is a little different if you’ve already been on a canal cruise before.
In both cases, it is important to book online tickets in advance, especially if you are traveling with your family, so that you can be sure that there are still enough tickets available for your desired time slot.
And please really think about the points mentioned above. It’s a real classic in Amsterdam that people often don’t enjoy their canal cruise because they’re hungry, not dressed properly, someone in the family is already too tired, or because the desired time slot is no longer available.
FAQ: The best canal cruises for families
Here are the most common questions and comments I receive on this website about canal cruises in Amsterdam. I hope I can answer all your important questions here!
Are canal cruises suitable for children of all ages?
Yes, the canal tours are available for all age groups. For very young children aged 0 to 5, I would still recommend the Lovers Boat Tours, as these only last 1 hour. For children aged 4 to 8, the Blue Boat Canal Ride with pirate adventure is more suitable.
Which canal cruises are particularly child-friendly?
All canal cruises mentioned in this article are completely child-friendly. Lovers Tours are recommended due to their duration. BlueBoat offers a unique experience where children feel like pirates conquering Amsterdam. The group boats are also great because they are very comfortable. And again, the pancake boat is also nice, but it is a special boat trip and not a canal cruise.
How long do canal cruises last, and which one is best for children?
If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time and your children have never been on a canal cruise before, I would definitely recommend something safe, such as the Lovers Canal Ride, as the tour only lasts 60 minutes.
Are there discounts for children?
Yes, there are really good discounts for children. Sometimes the discounts are up to 50%. It’s best to check each tour and all the details. It’s advisable to book in advance to get the best discount. Discounts depend on the age of the child, usually for children aged 4 to 12 or 3 to 12, with children under 3 or 4 often traveling for free.
Are the boats stroller-friendly?
That depends greatly on the tour provider. You should check the details directly on the booking page. It is also recommended to send an email or call the provider directly to ensure that access is guaranteed. A special boat can also be booked at the following website:
It is specially designed for wheelchair users.
Are there toilets on board?
Canal cruises – Important to know: Most boats do not have toilets on board. It is recommended to find a location beforehand. This means you should arrive early and prepare everything you need. Some boats from Lovers Tour Boat do have toilets on board, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Semi-boats do not normally have toilets on board.
Pannenkoekenboot-Bootsfahrt – There are toilets on board. But remember that this is a boat trip that does not take you through the canals of Amsterdam, but only through the harbor.
What sights can we see on a canal cruise?
Yes, the boats have a route that is planned to give you a great overview of the canals and all the sights of Amsterdam. The most popular sights you will see during the canal cruise are the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, the Magere Brug, the Westerkerk, and many more.
When is the best time for a canal cruise with children?
After a delicious breakfast, the first activity of the day begins: the legendary canal cruise in Amsterdam. At this time of day, children are most receptive and ready for the explanations provided by the audio guide. In general, late morning is the best time for a canal cruise with children. That’s when they have the most energy. So it’s a good idea to board the boat around 11:00 a.m.
Otherwise, I would recommend doing the tour shortly after lunch. You may feel a little tired after a big lunch, but as long as you don’t start too early in the morning or too late in the afternoon, that shouldn’t be a problem!
Are the tours family-friendly in rainy weather?
That’s a really great idea. It’s romantic to sit in a boat, listen to the raindrops on the windows, and admire the city.
However, it is of course possible that visibility will be poor during a canal cruise in the rain.
The tour operators will also tell you whether the tour is possible or a good idea. That depends on how heavy the rain is.
However, boat tours are rarely canceled in winter due to heavy rain.
What is there to do for families after the canal cruise?
If you take the canal cruise in the morning or around noon, it’s definitely time for a well-deserved lunch break.
Otherwise, there are a few family-friendly activities you can do with the kids here.
Nemo Science Museum – A great museum for children to discover the world of science.
Vondelpark – An activity for the summer months. Many playgrounds for children.
Artis Zoo – A world-famous zoo in the Dutch capital.
A walk and hot chocolate – This is also a great idea for taking a short break and watching the boats go by.
You can find lots more tips in my article – Amsterdam with children
