When it is too cold & wet for the playground (hi Jan & Feb!)…
And no, I’m not going to suggest Candy Castle…
My gosh the winters here are long. I come from London, a city with a bad weather rep, but I can safely say having lived in both cities, the weather in Amsterdam is much less forgiving. As I endured another particularly cold post-school playground session, one of the Dutch parents explained the weather as ‘waterkoud’, so ‘water cold’ and the perfectly literal translation explains exactly why the weather here hits differently. It is because being a city near the coast, with lots of water, there is a lot of moisture in the air, creating a particular kind of damp cold that truly gets into your bones. I digress, my point is, come winter ‘waterkoud’ days can be frequent and they are really not compatible with doing outdoor activities with young children.
I remember my first Amsterdam winter with an energetic toddler and I’ll be honest, there were moments where I felt mild despair, also because at the time (4 years ago) there were less options for indoor activity places than there are now…which meant more than desired weekend trips to Candy Castle. If you don’t know it, well it’s as tasteful as the name suggests. Thankfully the kids activity terrain has widened since then.
Luckily by the time I had my 2nd child, a bunch of new places had opened up across the city, stylish and thoughtfully designed, inspiring, safe and clean. Oh and not to mention, places where the catering isn’t all about sugary sweets and greasy fast-food, and drum rolll to the most exciting part…..where the coffee is decent!
There are a whole bunch of indoor spots to choose from in Amsterdam but here is a little taster with four favourite go to’s amongst Amsterdam parents:
For imaginative play it has to be Playhood: This is role play heaven for toddlers and young children. Whether it is the mini hotel, hairdresser, supermarket or vet, each cubicle is so well designed and inviting. Kids really do get lost in their own little make-believe worlds and it isn’t just children who love this place. There is a snazzy cafe and seating area where parents can sit back. There are decent snacks on offer and even a ‘mini’ italian restaurant where kids can play chef and make their own delicious pizzas. You have to pre-buy a ticket online for a specific time-slot meaning it doesn’t get overcrowded. With a separate nursing room for breastfeeding mums, this place has really thought of everything.
To burn some energy (for pre-schoolers and up) You Jump is fantastic: A little out of the way in an industrial park in Oost, but worth the journey. This is a trampolining paradise and it’s a perfect way for kids to burn energy when running around outside isn’t an option. The best part is that they have Mini Jump sessions, so time-slots which are specifically for 2-5 year olds, meaning you don’t have to worry about older kids getting in their way.
For a toddler soft-play session consider Club Abbey over the traditional soft-play centres: If you can’t stomach a trip to Candy Castle or Monkey Town, Club Abbey is a more ‘palatable’ alternative. Positioned as a children’s cafe, it is a more low-key affair, specifically designed with younger kids in mind, oh and with parents in mind too, with good coffee and healthy, tasty food on offer. Also more accessible for those living far from the soft-play centres on the outskirts.
For something more performative, Blackcat Theatre is a firm favourite: This children’s theatre is for the youngest ones from 1-5. With visually stimulating, interactive shows in an intimate setting, it is perfect for introducing little ones to the theatre. There is also a simple but fun and inviting play area and cafe in the foyer.
