Looking for a fun and educational family activity in Amsterdam? Then NEMO Science Museum is an attraction you shouldn’t miss. During our weekend in Amsterdam, this was without a doubt one of the highlights for our daughters. Our oldest daughter, who was 7 at the time, absolutely loved it. From conducting experiments to discovering how technology and physics work, she wanted to try everything.
Even our youngest daughter, who was 3 years old, had a surprisingly good time. While some exhibits were still a little too advanced for her, she loved exploring the museum, pressing buttons and discovering things on her own.
During our visit to NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam, we explored the different floors, took part in countless hands-on experiments and enjoyed the views from the rooftop terrace. In the end, we spent almost four hours here and the time flew by. In this guide, we’ll share our experience, the best exhibits and practical tips for visiting NEMO Science Museum with kids.
Skip ahead to your favorite part
- Why NEMO Science Museum Is a Must-Visit for Families
- What Is NEMO Science Museum?
- The Best Things to Do at NEMO Science Museum
- What Age Is NEMO Science Museum Best For?
- Practical Information for Visiting NEMO Science Museum With Kids
- Is NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam Worth Visiting?
- Frequently Asked Questions About NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam
- More Things to Do in Amsterdam With Kids
Why NEMO Science Museum Is a Must-Visit for Families
Before visiting NEMO, we were curious to see how it would compare to other interactive science museums we had already explored. We’ve previously visited Experimentarium in Copenhagen and Universeum in Gothenburg, two attractions where our daughters happily spent hours exploring. We had also visited NEMO ourselves as children, so our expectations were fairly high.
Fortunately, NEMO lived up to those expectations almost immediately. Our daughters absolutely loved it. Not just because there’s something to discover around every corner, but because so many of the exhibits encourage families to interact together. Many experiments, challenges and activities involve teamwork, friendly competition or helping each other solve problems. That led to plenty of laughs and memorable moments throughout the day.
What makes NEMO so special, in our opinion, is that it doesn’t feel like a traditional museum at all. You’re not simply walking from display case to display case reading information panels. Instead, you’re constantly involved. Pressing buttons, conducting experiments, building things and discovering how the world works through hands-on experiences. Because children actively participate, many of the lessons and concepts tend to stick with them far better than they would in a more traditional museum setting.
We genuinely believe that NEMO Science Museum is one of the best family activities in Amsterdam. If your children are curious, love experimenting and enjoy learning by doing, there’s a very good chance they’ll have a fantastic time here.
Visiting NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam?
We recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially during weekends and school holidays, as time slots can sell out quickly.
➜ Check ticket availability for NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam
What Is NEMO Science Museum?
NEMO Science Museum is the largest science museum in the Netherlands and is located just a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station. The striking green building, designed to resemble the bow of a ship, has become one of Amsterdam’s most recognizable landmarks.
At NEMO, everything revolves around learning by doing. Instead of simply looking at exhibits, visitors are encouraged to take part in experiments, hands-on activities and interactive displays. Spread across multiple floors, you’ll discover topics ranging from science and technology to the human body and sustainability.
For us, that’s exactly what makes NEMO so special. Children are encouraged to touch, explore and experiment almost everywhere. As a result, it feels far less like a traditional museum and much more like a giant discovery playground where learning happens naturally through play.
In addition to the exhibitions, NEMO also features a rooftop terrace with fantastic views over Amsterdam. There are several cafés and food outlets throughout the museum, making it easy to take a break during your visit.
The Best Things to Do at NEMO Science Museum
NEMO is spread across several floors filled with interactive exhibits, experiments and activities. That means you’ll constantly discover something new during your visit. From conducting experiments to building, testing and exploring, these were our favorite experiences at NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam.
Experiment in the Laboratory
The Laboratory was one of our favorite areas in the museum. Here, children put on a real lab coat and take part in guided experiments led by museum staff. Without a doubt, this was one of Nina’s favorite parts of our visit.
She still talks about the experiment where we launched a small rocket using a chemical reaction. Because children actively participate and immediately see the results, these experiences tend to stay with them much longer than simply reading about them in a book.
The experiments are explained in a fun and accessible way, allowing children to learn a surprising amount without even realizing it. In our opinion, this area is especially enjoyable for children aged 6 and older.
Watch the Famous Chain Reaction Demonstration
Another highlight for us was the Chain Reaction demonstration. Several times a day, a presenter shows how one small action can trigger a long series of reactions.
Think rolling balls, dominoes, ropes, tennis rackets, soccer balls and all kinds of objects that continuously set each other in motion. Just when you think you know what’s about to happen, another unexpected twist follows.
Even our youngest daughter stayed completely engaged until the very end. Because something is always moving and there’s constantly a new surprise around the corner, this is easily one of the most popular attractions at NEMO Science Museum.
Explore the Different Floors
One of the things we loved most about NEMO is that every floor offers something different. The kids experimented with light, sound and electricity, while we were just as curious about the science behind the exhibits ourselves.
NEMO does a great job of making science both accessible and fun for visitors of all ages. Throughout the museum, we regularly found ourselves taking on challenges together, helping each other with experiments and discovering how things worked. That shared sense of exploration is one of the reasons why a visit to NEMO Science Museum feels so much more than a typical museum experience.
Build and Create in the Maker Space
Children who love building, designing and creating will have a great time in the Maker Space. This area is all about imagination, experimentation and problem-solving.
There are no right or wrong answers here. Kids are encouraged to test ideas, build things, make mistakes and discover what works and what doesn’t. Children who enjoy creating, inventing and figuring things out will easily spend a lot of time in this part of the museum.
Enjoy the Views From the Rooftop Terrace
Make sure to end your visit on the rooftop terrace of NEMO Science Museum. The views alone make it worth the trip. From the top, you’ll overlook Oosterdok, Amsterdam Central Station, the historic city center and the impressive VOC ship beside the National Maritime Museum. It’s one of the best viewpoints in Amsterdam that many visitors don’t even realize exists.
By the time we reached the rooftop, we had already spent nearly four hours exploring the museum. It turned out to be the perfect break. Some fresh air, beautiful views across the city and a chance to stretch our legs before heading home. On a sunny day, it’s a fantastic place to finish your visit.
What Age Is NEMO Science Museum Best For?
Our daughters were 3 and 7 years old when we visited NEMO Science Museum, which gave us a good idea of what families can expect at different ages. While both girls had a fantastic time, they experienced the museum in very different ways.
NEMO With Toddlers and Preschoolers
When it comes to interactive science museums, we often hear comments like, “Isn’t that a bit too complicated for a toddler?” or “Will they actually get anything out of it?”. We understand why people ask those questions, but our experience was quite the opposite.
Our youngest daughter, who was 3 years old at the time, loved exploring the museum. She wanted to touch everything, press every button and try every interactive exhibit she could find.
Of course, a toddler won’t fully understand how a water purification system works or why a particular experiment produces a certain result. But honestly, that’s not really the point. One of Puck’s favorite activities involved moving buckets of water around at an interactive exhibit. She immediately received feedback when something worked, which encouraged her to keep experimenting and playing.
She also loved attractions such as the giant soap bubbles and the Chain Reaction demonstration. So while toddlers won’t understand every scientific concept, there’s still plenty for them to see, touch and explore.
NEMO for Elementary School Children
In our opinion, this is where NEMO truly shines. Our oldest daughter, who was 7 years old, was at the perfect age for everything the museum has to offer. She didn’t just want to participate in every activity, she also wanted to understand how everything worked.
At this age, children become much better at connecting ideas, conducting experiments and understanding explanations. We noticed this especially in the Laboratory, where children can perform real experiments themselves. It’s no coincidence that this area is generally recommended for children aged 6 and older.
If you have elementary school-aged children, there’s a very good chance that NEMO Science Museum will become one of the highlights of your Amsterdam trip.
NEMO for Teenagers and Adults
How much teenagers enjoy NEMO will naturally depend on their interests. We can easily imagine curious teens spending hours here, while others may be less enthusiastic.
What we can say with confidence is that there’s more than enough to see, do and discover for older children and teenagers. Many exhibits go beyond simply pressing buttons and actively encourage visitors to think, collaborate and experiment.
We also had a great time as parents. Throughout the day, we found ourselves taking part in challenges, conducting experiments and trying to figure out how different exhibits worked. That’s what makes NEMO so much more engaging than a traditional museum where you’re mostly reading information panels. In fact, there were moments when we might have been having just as much fun as the kids.
Practical Information for Visiting NEMO Science Museum With Kids
Planning a visit to NEMO Science Museum? Here’s everything you need to know before you go, including how to get there, where to park, opening hours and ticket information.
Location and Accessibility
NEMO Science Museum is located in the heart of Amsterdam, just a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station. From the station, it takes around 15 minutes to reach the museum on foot. Thanks to its central location, NEMO is easy to reach by train, metro, tram and bus.
Address:
Oosterdok 2
1011 VX Amsterdam
Parking at NEMO Science Museum
Traveling by car? Parking Garage Oosterdok is probably the most convenient place to park. From there, it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the museum entrance.
Like most parking facilities in Amsterdam, it isn’t cheap. If you’re already staying in the city, public transportation is often the easier option.
Opening Hours
NEMO Science Museum is usually open from Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
During school holidays, public holidays and from late March through late September, the museum is often open on Mondays as well.
We recommend checking the latest opening hours before your visit. It would be a shame to arrive and discover the museum is closed.
Tickets and Admission Prices
Everyone aged 4 and older pays the same admission fee. Children aged 3 and under can enter free of charge. If you have a Museumkaart, I amsterdam City Card or another accepted discount pass, admission is often included. However, you will usually still need to reserve a time slot in advance.
Our advice: Book your tickets ahead of time. Weekends and school holidays can be busy, and popular time slots often sell out. We also recommend visiting as early in the day as possible. During our visit, the museum became noticeably busier as the morning went on.
Is NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. If you asked us which museum we would recommend first to families visiting Amsterdam, NEMO Science Museum would be at the top of the list. We ended up spending almost four hours here and never got bored for a moment. In fact, by the end of our visit, we still felt like there were exhibits and activities we hadn’t fully explored.
What we loved most is that NEMO doesn’t feel like a traditional museum. You’re constantly involved. Conducting experiments, solving challenges, building things and discovering how the world works. Because of that, parents often become just as engaged as their children.
Our daughters experienced the museum in very different ways. Nina wanted to understand how everything worked, while Puck was happy simply exploring and trying things out. Yet they had one thing in common: neither of them wanted to leave. And that probably says everything you need to know.
Staying in Amsterdam With Kids
Turning your visit into a weekend trip? Then it’s worth booking your accommodation well in advance. Family rooms in Amsterdam can sell out quickly, especially during weekends and school holidays.
We’ve put together a guide to our favorite family-friendly hotels in Amsterdam, ranging from affordable family rooms to unique accommodations where the overnight stay becomes part of the adventure.
➜ Check out our favorite family-friendly hotels in Amsterdam
Frequently Asked Questions About NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam
Yes, we definitely recommend it. NEMO Science Museum is one of the most popular family attractions in Amsterdam and can get very busy, especially on weekends, during school holidays and on rainy days. By booking online in advance, you’ll secure your preferred entry time. Even if you have a I amsterdam City Card or another discount pass, you’ll often still need to reserve a time slot.
We would also recommend visiting as early in the day as possible. During our visit, the museum became noticeably busier as the morning progressed.
We ended up spending almost four hours at NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam and easily could have stayed longer.
The amount of time you’ll need depends on the age of your children and how interested they are in science and technology. If you’re only planning to see the highlights, two to three hours may be enough. However, if you want to explore the exhibits at a relaxed pace, take part in experiments, watch the Chain Reaction demonstration and stop for food or drinks, we’d recommend setting aside at least half a day.
Our advice? Don’t try to squeeze NEMO in between other activities. There’s so much to see and do that you’ll likely stay longer than expected.
Yes. NEMO has several cafés and food outlets where you can grab a meal, snack or drink during your visit.
You are also allowed to bring your own food and drinks. There are multiple seating areas throughout the museum where families can take a break and enjoy something to eat. We found this especially convenient when visiting with children, as you’re not completely dependent on the museum cafés.
Yes. NEMO Science Museum is included with the I amsterdam City Card. Even if admission is included, we still recommend reserving a time slot online in advance, especially during weekends and school holidays.
More Things to Do in Amsterdam With Kids
NEMO Science Museum was one of the highlights of our weekend in Amsterdam, but it’s certainly not the only family-friendly attraction the city has to offer. During our trip, we also visited ARTIS Royal Zoo, took a canal cruise and explored several of Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhoods.
Looking for more inspiration for your family city break? In our complete Amsterdam with kids guide, we share all of our favorite attractions, restaurants and practical tips for visiting the city with children.
Plan Your Family Trip to Amsterdam
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
➜ Check out the best family-friendly hotels in Amsterdam
Tickets and Activities in Amsterdam
➜ Discover popular attractions and activities, including NEMO Science Museum, ARTIS Royal Zoo and Amsterdam canal cruises
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