It’s a place where modern architecture blends with exciting attractions, green parks, and family-friendly activities that make it perfect for a fun, enriching, and relaxed family trip. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing this city through the eyes of my children, and I’m excited to share our adventures, along with recommendations for other family-friendly activities and attractions. Whether you’re planning to spend a week or just a few days in Rotterdam, you’ll find plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
I’ll highlight three family-friendly activities that we personally enjoyed and recommend four others, giving you detailed information on what to expect, how to get there, services available, ticket prices, and why I think they’re perfect for families. So let’s dive into the family-friendly fun that Rotterdam has to offer!
My Family-Friendly Adventures in Rotterdam
Activity 1: A Day of Fun at Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp)
Our family adventure in Rotterdam began with a visit to Diergaarde Blijdorp, or Rotterdam Zoo, which turned out to be one of the best zoo experiences we’ve ever had. It’s more than just a place to see animals – it’s an immersive journey that allows children to learn about wildlife while having fun.
Location & Directions
- Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp): Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JG Rotterdam.
- How to Get There: The zoo is located just a 15-minute tram ride from Rotterdam Central Station. Take tram line 25, which will drop you right outside the zoo’s entrance.
The Experience
What I love most about Diergaarde Blijdorp is how it’s designed to be an engaging experience for children and adults alike. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by a beautiful butterfly garden. My kids were in awe as colorful butterflies fluttered around, landing on flowers and sometimes even on their shoulders.
The zoo is divided into different geographical zones, each representing various parts of the world. We spent hours exploring the Oceanium, an impressive aquarium filled with all kinds of sea creatures. The kids were especially fascinated by the sharks and playful sea otters. From there, we moved on to the African Savannah, where we saw giraffes, zebras, and even rhinos up close.
Highlights for Families
- Oceanium: The Oceanium is one of the biggest attractions, offering a unique underwater experience that will leave your kids wide-eyed.
- Playgrounds and Picnic Areas: Throughout the zoo, there are several well-maintained playgrounds, which are perfect for letting the little ones burn off some energy. We took advantage of the picnic areas to have a packed lunch, which is a great way to save money.
- Interactive Experiences: There are interactive exhibits like feeding the penguins, and my kids absolutely loved the petting zoo, where they could get up close with smaller farm animals.
Ticket Prices & Hours
- Admission: Adults €26, children (3-12 years) €21, and free for children under 3 years.
- Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Discounts: We booked our tickets online through the zoo’s official website and got a 10% discount for purchasing in advance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Beautifully designed with lots of green space.
- Fantastic variety of animals and educational exhibits.
- Family-friendly facilities including playgrounds and baby-changing stations.
Cons:
- Some areas, particularly the aquarium, can get crowded on weekends.
- Food inside the zoo is on the expensive side, so I recommend bringing your own snacks or lunch.
Activity 2: A Fun-Filled Day at Plaswijckpark
If your kids need to let loose after sightseeing, Plaswijckpark is the perfect place to let them run, climb, and explore to their hearts’ content. It’s part amusement park, part petting zoo, and part nature reserve – essentially, a paradise for young children.
Location & Directions
- Plaswijckpark: Ringdijk 20, 3053 KS Rotterdam.
- How to Get There: You can easily reach the park by taking bus line 35 from Rotterdam Central Station. The journey takes around 20 minutes, and the bus stops right at the park’s entrance.
The Experience
Plaswijckpark offers a blend of indoor and outdoor activities, which makes it great for unpredictable Dutch weather. On sunny days, we spent most of our time in the outdoor playgrounds. The Traffic Square was a particular hit with my kids – they could drive around in little cars on a mini-roadway complete with traffic lights and signs. There’s also a Water Playground, where they had a blast splashing around on the mini boats.
On cooler days, we ventured indoors to the Speelwijck, an enormous indoor play area with slides, climbing walls, and soft play zones for toddlers. It’s clean, safe, and filled with enough activities to keep the kids entertained for hours. For animal lovers, the Dierenwijck area offers a small petting zoo, where my kids delighted in feeding goats and sheep.
Highlights for Families
- Boat Rides: One of the unique activities here is the little boat rides. We rented a paddleboat and spent a peaceful 30 minutes floating along the park’s canals.
- Indoor Playgrounds: For rainy days, the indoor play area is fantastic. It’s large enough to cater to children of all ages, with toddler-friendly zones as well as more challenging sections for older kids.
- Nature Trails: For a quieter experience, we enjoyed the nature trails, which offer a more relaxed pace and allow the children to explore small animals and learn about the environment.
Ticket Prices & Hours
- Admission: Adults and children (2 years and older) €14.50. Free for children under 2.
- Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Discounts: We found a family pass on the park’s website, which offered a small discount if booking for two adults and two children.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Wide variety of activities for children of all ages.
- Spacious and beautifully maintained park.
- Family-friendly facilities, including picnic areas and clean restrooms.
Cons:
- Can get busy during school holidays.
- Food options inside the park are limited and can be pricey.
Activity 3: Exploring the Maritime Museum
Our next stop was the Maritime Museum, a fantastic interactive museum that brings Rotterdam’s rich nautical history to life. It’s a perfect place for families, offering a mix of educational exhibits and hands-on activities that kept both the kids and the adults in our group engaged.
Location & Directions
- Maritime Museum: Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam.
- How to Get There: The museum is centrally located and can be easily reached by tram or metro. From Rotterdam Central Station, take tram line 8 or the metro to Leuvehaven station. The museum is just a short walk from the stop.
The Experience
The Maritime Museum offers a wonderful blend of history and modern technology. Upon entering, we were greeted by a massive model of the Port of Rotterdam, which gave us a bird’s-eye view of one of the busiest harbors in the world. My children were fascinated by the interactive displays, especially the simulation where they could pretend to be harbor pilots guiding ships into the port.
The Offshore Experience was a major highlight for the kids. It’s an interactive exhibit that allowed them to explore what life is like working on an oil platform. They got to “operate” heavy machinery and take a virtual helicopter ride to an offshore rig – it was both fun and educational.
Highlights for Families
- Interactive Exhibits: The museum has several hands-on exhibits that teach kids about ships, navigation, and the history of Rotterdam’s port in a fun and engaging way.
- Special Activities for Kids: During our visit, the museum was offering a treasure hunt for children, which was a huge hit with my kids. They were given maps and had to search for clues around the museum to claim a small prize.
- Outdoor Harbor Section: The museum’s outdoor area is home to historic ships and cranes, which kids are allowed to climb aboard and explore.
Ticket Prices & Hours
- Admission: Adults €14, children (4-15 years) €10, and free for children under 4.
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Discounts: We used a Rotterdam Welcome Card, which gave us a 25% discount on admission.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly interactive and educational.
- Great mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
- Conveniently located in the city center.
Cons:
- Some exhibits may be more suited to older children.
- Limited dining options inside the museum, though there are plenty of nearby cafes.
Recommended Family-Friendly Activities in Rotterdam
1. Euromast Tower
- Location: Parkhaven 20, 3016 GM Rotterdam.
- How to Get There: Take tram 8 to Euromast stop, and it’s a short walk from there.
- Services: Observation deck, restaurant, and abseiling (for the adventurous).
- Pros: Stunning views of Rotterdam and beyond.
- Cons: Long queues during peak times.
- Price: €11.50 for adults, €7.40 for children (4-11 years).
2. Kinderdijk Windmills
- Location: Kinderdijk, about 15 km from Rotterdam.
- How to Get There: Take the waterbus from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk.
- Services: Bike rentals, guided tours, and educational exhibits.
- Pros: UNESCO World Heritage site, stunning views.
- Cons: Can be crowded in summer.
- Price: Adults €9.50, children €5.50.
Rotterdam is a city that welcomes families with open arms, offering a rich variety of activities and attractions that cater to all ages. From its engaging museums and lush parks to exciting outdoor adventures, your family will be spoiled for choice.