traveldk.com

This splendid replica of a Dutch East India Company ship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1749 makes a fine sight in Oosterdok. Visit the captain in his luxurious cabin and the cook in his galley, and watch the sailors hoisting cargo and swabbing decks (see Entrepotdok).

Explore the canals at your own pace. Adults may well find these pedal boats energysapping, but children will love them. They seat either two or four people, and can be boarded at four different central locations (see Canal Bikes).

Go to Haarlemmermeer railway station and then take a 20-minute ride in an old-fashioned tram with wooden seats, clanging bell and friendly conductor to Amsterdamse Bos, where you will find pancakes, peacocks, and plenty of legstretching space.

There has been a puppet theatre on Dam Square for over a hundred years. Puppet Theatre Misha Kluft performs every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from May to October.

It’s worth going to Amsterdam’s science and technology centre just for the building alone – dubbed “Titanic” by locals – and for the superb views you can get from the roof. Inside, enquiring minds will be kept alert with scores of fun, thought-provoking demonstrations of the world around us(see NEMO).

Children really love this action-packed zoo, where they can pat the animals in the children’s farm, brave the steamy reptile house, see the stars in the planetarium, and marvel at the fish in the vast aquarium (see Artis).

This is the perfect place to go with kids on a summer day – it has a paddling pool, playgrounds, puppet shows and facepainting (at the Melkhuis café), as well as free performances in the open-air theatre (see Vondelpark).

The tallest, at 85 m (276 ft), is the tower of Westerkerk, where the reward is not just a great view, but the city’s heaviest bell and the gaily painted imperial crown of Maximilian of Austria, his gift to the city. The towers of Oude Kerkand Zuiderkerk can also be climbed.

Stroll through a highly realistic North African street, Indian village or Arab market – all at the Tropenmuseum. There is also a “hands-on” Kindermuseum (Children’s Museum), which is open to 6- to 12-year-olds by appointment (guided tours in Dutch only).

If you want to take a trip back into the days of the Golden Age, experience a moon landing, or meet Michael Jackson and a host of other stars, then this waxworks is the place. There’s a great view of Dam Square from the round window, too.