If you are searching for the best family day trips in the Netherlands, you will almost certainly come across Volendam with kids. It is one of the country’s most famous villages and appears in almost every travel guide about Holland.
The colourful harbour, traditional houses and fishing boats create a postcard-perfect setting that looks exactly like many people imagine the Netherlands to be. Children love watching the boats and eating an ice cream by the water, while parents often spend more time taking photos than they expected.
At the same time, we think many travel blogs make Volendam sound a little too perfect. It isn’t.
On sunny weekends in July or August, the harbour can become incredibly crowded. Tour buses arrive one after another and the narrow streets fill with visitors. Some of the authentic atmosphere disappears.
That is why we always recommend visiting early in the morning or on a weekday outside the busiest holiday periods.
When you do that, Volendam suddenly feels very different. The harbour is quiet, fishermen are preparing their boats and local people are walking their dogs before the crowds arrive. In our opinion, that is when Volendam is at its best.
Why Visit Volendam with Kids?
There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands, but Volendam has something that many destinations have lost over the years: character.
Yes, it is touristy, but it is also a village where people still live and work. Fishing boats still use the harbour and local families still gather on the waterfront during warm evenings.
That creates a lively atmosphere that children seem to love.
One thing that surprised us is how entertaining the harbour is without there being any real attractions. Kids simply enjoy watching boats arrive, feeding ducks or looking at the ferries crossing the lake.
Sometimes travelling does not need roller coasters or playgrounds. Sometimes sitting on a bench with an ice cream while watching the world go by is enough.
Volendam is also incredibly easy to visit from Amsterdam, making it one of the best family day trips if you want to escape the busy city for a few hours.
What Is Volendam with Kids Like?
Volendam is a historic fishing village on the shores of the IJsselmeer, around twenty kilometres north of Amsterdam.
For hundreds of years the sea determined daily life here. Fishing was the main source of income and families lived close together around the harbour. Although tourism has become an important industry today, much of that history is still visible.
The old wooden houses, fishing boats and narrow streets give the village a very traditional Dutch appearance.
Many visitors never leave the harbour area, but we actually recommend doing exactly that.
Walk just five minutes away from the waterfront and you will suddenly find yourself in quiet residential streets where children play outside and locals cycle home with their groceries. It feels like a completely different place.
That contrast is one of the reasons we enjoy visiting Volendam so much.
It is touristy enough to feel lively, but authentic enough to remind you that this is still a real Dutch village.
What Can You Do in Volendam?
The harbour is where almost every visit begins, and honestly, there is no better place to start.
Children immediately notice the boats, birds and busy promenade. There is always something happening. Ferries leave for Marken, fishermen unload supplies and visitors stroll along the water with fresh stroopwafels or ice creams in their hands.
We would actually recommend not making a strict plan here.
Simply walk around, browse a few shops, sit down for a drink and let your children decide what interests them. That relaxed approach suits Volendam much better than rushing from one attraction to another.
We have often noticed that children spend longer watching boats than visiting museums.
Sometimes the simplest moments become the best holiday memories.
Take the Ferry from Volendam to Marken
If we could recommend just one activity in Volendam, it would be taking the ferry to Marken.
The crossing only takes around thirty minutes, but it completely changes the day. Instead of staying in one village, children suddenly feel like they are going on a little adventure across the water.
On sunny days we always try to sit outside on deck. Watching Volendam slowly disappear behind you while the ferries and sailing boats pass by is surprisingly relaxing.
Marken itself is much quieter than Volendam. The wooden houses, tiny streets and peaceful harbour feel almost frozen in time.
Many people visit one village or the other, but we honestly think they belong together. The combination tells the story of the old Zuiderzee far better than either village does on its own.
If your schedule allows it, definitely include both.
Is a Traditional Dutch Costume Photo Worth It?
You cannot walk far through Volendam without seeing signs inviting visitors to dress up in traditional Dutch clothing.
Normally, we are not huge fans of these kinds of tourist attractions. They often feel a little cheesy.
But surprisingly, children usually love it.
Putting on oversized wooden shoes, funny hats and colourful costumes creates plenty of laughter, and grandparents back home will almost certainly enjoy the photos as well.
Would we travel to Volendam just for this? No.
But as a short activity during your visit, it is actually much more fun than we expected. Sometimes it is okay to embrace being a tourist for half an hour. Here’s our stunning family picture!
Visit the Volendam Experience with Kids
The Volendam Experience is a small virtual reality attraction that tells the story of the village and the former Zuiderzee.
Normally we would not describe ourselves as big fans of VR attractions, but this one is surprisingly well done. Instead of feeling like a video game, it gives visitors a glimpse into daily life hundreds of years ago.
Older children usually enjoy the moving images and storytelling, while adults often appreciate learning more about the history of the village.
It is not somewhere you spend half a day, but for thirty to forty-five minutes it adds something extra to your visit.
Especially on rainy days, it is a pleasant break from walking around outside.
Visit a Cheese Factory in Volendam with Kids
You cannot really visit the Netherlands without seeing cheese somewhere, and Volendam is no exception.
Several cheese shops offer small demonstrations and tastings throughout the day. Children often find the enormous cheese wheels fascinating, while adults enjoy trying the different flavours.
We would not call this a must-see attraction, but it is a fun stop while exploring the village.
The nice thing is that there is no pressure. Walk in, look around, taste a few samples and continue your walk through Volendam.
If you enjoy bringing home edible souvenirs, this is also one of the nicest places to buy authentic Dutch cheese.
Is Volendam Too Touristy?
This is probably the question we hear most often.
Our honest answer is: sometimes, yes.
On warm summer afternoons the harbour can become incredibly crowded. Tour groups fill the promenade and the atmosphere changes completely.
That is exactly why we recommend visiting early in the morning or outside the main holiday periods.
When you arrive before most visitors, Volendam feels peaceful and authentic. You can hear the seagulls, watch fishermen preparing their boats and enjoy the harbour without constantly avoiding crowds.
The village has become popular for good reason. You just need to choose the right moment to experience its charm.
What Is the Best Age for Volendam with Kids?
One of the reasons we like Volendam so much is that it works for almost every age group.
Toddlers are fascinated by the harbour. They wave at the boats, chase pigeons and watch ducks swimming through the marina. There is enough movement to keep them entertained without needing organised activities.
Children between 5 and 12 years old probably enjoy Volendam the most. They are old enough to appreciate the ferry crossing, explore the narrow streets and become interested in the history of the village.
Teenagers often surprise us as well. Many enjoy taking photos around the harbour or simply sitting on a terrace watching the boats come and go.
Unlike a theme park, Volendam is about experiencing a place rather than rushing from attraction to attraction. That slower pace suits many families surprisingly well.
Visiting Volendam with Toddlers
We honestly think Volendam is one of the easiest villages in the Netherlands to visit with very young children.
Everything is compact and mostly flat, so using a stroller is straightforward. There are plenty of cafés where parents can stop for a coffee while toddlers watch the boats and birds around the harbour.
The only challenge is the crowds during peak season. Around midday in summer, the promenade can become packed with visitors, making it less comfortable with a buggy.
If we were visiting with toddlers ourselves, we would arrive around 9:30 in the morning, explore for a few hours and enjoy an early lunch before the busiest period begins.
That simple change makes the experience much more relaxing.
What Does Volendam with Kids Cost?
One of the biggest advantages of Volendam is that it does not have to be expensive.
Walking around the village is completely free and, in our opinion, that is already one of the best parts of the visit. The harbour, the small streets and the atmosphere cost nothing to enjoy.
Extra activities such as the ferry to Marken, the Volendam Experience or dressing up in traditional clothing require an additional ticket, but you can decide yourself how much you want to spend.
Compared with attractions like the Efteling or Madurodam, Volendam is actually a relatively affordable day trip for families.
If you are travelling through the Netherlands on a budget, it deserves a place on your itinerary.
Where to Eat in Volendam with Kids?
We always think a visit to Volendam should include lunch overlooking the harbour.
There is something special about sitting on a terrace while fishing boats slowly pass by and children point excitedly at the ferries leaving for Marken.
The village has dozens of restaurants serving pancakes, burgers, sandwiches and fresh fish. Even picky eaters usually find something they like.
Our advice would be to avoid the busiest restaurants directly in front of the harbour if they look overcrowded. Walk one or two streets further and you will often find quieter places with equally good food.
If you plan to visit during the summer holidays, making a reservation is not a bad idea. The most popular terraces fill up quickly once the weather turns sunny.
For families, a relaxed lunch by the water is one of the highlights of the entire day.
Can You Combine Volendam and Edam?
Absolutely, and we actually think it is one of the best combinations in North Holland.
Edam is much quieter than Volendam and famous for its historic centre and cheese market. Walking through its canals and old streets feels completely different from the lively harbour atmosphere of Volendam.
If you have a rental car, combining Volendam, Marken and Edam makes for a fantastic full-day itinerary.
Each village has its own character, and together they offer a wonderful introduction to traditional Dutch life outside Amsterdam.
For families with children, this route provides plenty of variety without requiring long travel times.
How Long Do You Need in Volendam with Kids?
One mistake we see quite often is that people only plan an hour or two for Volendam. They take a few photos, buy a souvenir and head back to Amsterdam. We think that is a shame.
Volendam is one of those places that becomes more enjoyable the slower you explore it. Sit on the harbour wall for a while, wander through the quieter streets behind the promenade and let the children watch the boats instead of rushing to the next attraction.
For most families, half a day is the perfect amount of time. That gives you enough opportunity to explore the village, enjoy lunch and perhaps visit a cheese shop or take a family photo in traditional Dutch clothing.
If you also take the ferry to Marken, you can easily spend an entire day in the area without ever getting bored.
How Do You Get to Volendam with Kids?
Getting to Volendam is surprisingly easy, which is one of the reasons it is such a popular day trip from Amsterdam.
By car, the journey takes around thirty minutes. Several large parking areas are located just outside the village centre, so you can park and walk to the harbour in just a few minutes.
Public transport is also excellent. Buses leave frequently from Amsterdam Central Station and usually reach Volendam within thirty to forty minutes.
If you are staying in Amsterdam, we would actually recommend leaving the car behind. The bus is simple, affordable and saves you the hassle of finding parking.
Many families also combine Volendam with Marken by ferry before returning to Amsterdam later in the afternoon.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Volendam with Kids?
If you ask us, late spring is probably the nicest time to visit Volendam.
The flowers are blooming, temperatures are pleasant and the village is lively without feeling overcrowded. Early autumn is another excellent choice, with fewer tourists but often surprisingly good weather.
Summer can be wonderful too, but only if you arrive early. By lunchtime the harbour is often packed with tour groups, making it difficult to walk around comfortably with younger children.
We would personally avoid visiting on Dutch public holidays or sunny Saturdays in July and August. The village loses some of its charm when it becomes that busy.
An early weekday morning offers a completely different experience.
Personal Tips for Visiting Volendam with Kids
If we could give one piece of advice, it would be to treat Volendam as a place to experience rather than a place to tick off your list.
Slow down. Buy an ice cream, watch the ferries, sit by the water and enjoy the atmosphere.
We would also recommend leaving the busiest promenade behind for a little while. Some of our favourite moments in Volendam have actually been in the quiet streets just a few minutes away from the harbour, where local children were playing outside and hardly any tourists were around.
If you have enough time, combine Volendam with Marken and Edam. Together they create one of the nicest family day trips in the Netherlands and give a much better impression of traditional Dutch villages than visiting only one location.
Final Thoughts on Volendam with Kids
We genuinely think Volendam deserves a place on almost every family itinerary through the Netherlands.
It may not have roller coasters or huge playgrounds, but it offers something different. It gives families the chance to experience a traditional Dutch fishing village at a relaxed pace, surrounded by boats, history and beautiful scenery.
Yes, parts of Volendam are touristy. We would never deny that. But if you visit outside the busiest hours and allow yourself to wander beyond the harbour, you will discover a charming village with plenty of character.
For us, the highlights are simple: the ferry crossing to Marken, lunch overlooking the water and watching children become fascinated by boats and seagulls.
Those small moments often become the memories that last the longest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, definitely. We think Volendam is one of the best family day trips from Amsterdam thanks to its beautiful harbour, relaxed atmosphere and traditional Dutch character.
We recommend at least half a day. If you include the ferry to Marken, you can easily spend a full day exploring the area.
Yes. The village is mostly flat and easy to explore with a stroller. Only during the busiest summer afternoons can the harbour become a little crowded.
Children between 5 and 12 years old will probably enjoy Volendam the most, although toddlers and teenagers can also have a wonderful day here.
Absolutely. In fact, we think combining Volendam, Marken and Edam creates one of the nicest family day trips in North Holland and offers a fantastic introduction to traditional Dutch villages.
If we had to choose, we would probably pick Volendam for families with younger children. The harbour feels more lively, there is more to see throughout the day and the ferry to Marken adds an extra adventure that many children absolutely love.
