Start your day relaxed with water yoga, draw your own sea chart or hop aboard the Plastic Whale boat and help clean up the water around the museum. You can also set off on your own with the sightseeing tour, where you will learn everything about Amsterdam, ports and ships. Come visit us!
Children up to 12 years old free of charge
Did you know that children up to the age of 12 have free admission to the National Maritime Museum? Plan your visit and enjoy an educational and fun day out.
Programme
From 5 July to 31 August, there will be various activities for young and old at the museum every day. All activities are free with a valid museum ticket. The activities take place daily or several times a week at various times. See the programme below to find out what's on and when.
Mapping your sea
Maps of the sea have been made for centuries, enabling ships to reach their destinations safely and quickly. You can view these maps in the museum. Some are beautifully decorated, others are simple. Where are you from, what would you encounter at sea? Be inspired and draw your own map. Once finished, it will become part of a very large map. Between 11:00 and 15:00, drop in at the Open Square.
See & Learn route - Amsterdam and beyond (6+)
Amsterdam is a port city, which is reflected in many ways. With the viewing tour, you can explore the museum independently and discover stories and objects related to ports, ships and Amsterdam. You can do this viewing tour on your own, but it's more fun together! Available daily at the Open Square.
Water yoga (2-6 years)
Start your day relaxed with water yoga! Join us on an underwater yoga journey: dive into a wave, rock like a boat and dance like seaweed. Afterwards, you will feel completely zen and ready for the rest of your museum visit. Weather permitting, this programme will take place outside on the jetty. From 12 July, daily at 10.30, 11.15 and 12.00. Duration: approx. 25 minutes. Children must be accompanied by parents/guardians.
Colouring sheet Sea monsters
What extraordinary sea monsters you see here! But wait, there's a head missing, a tail missing... Can you make these sea monsters whole again? Draw a cute monster or a very angry one. Use your imagination, anything goes! The colouring sheet was created by Kwennie Cheng, who also drew Diver Doris. Available daily during opening hours at the Open Plein.
Plastic fishing with Plastic Whale
This summer, Plastic Whale's boat will once again be moored at the museum's jetty. Put on your life jacket, hop aboard, and join us for a sail and a fish! Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 12 July at 12:00, 13:15, and 14:30. Duration: approx. 1 hour. Participants must be able to swim confidently. Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
The Deck
The most beautiful view of the IJ can be found on The Deck. Enjoy a snack, a drink and cool off on the water. Open daily during visiting hours, weather permitting. You can also enjoy some classic Dutch treats like pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches (tosti), and our popular stroopwafel cake.
Also fun for all ages
Step aboard the East Indiaman Amsterdam
A key part of your museum visit. On board, there's much to discover about East Indiamen and the history of the Dutch East India Company.
Diver Doris (2+)
Diver Doris is an adventurous maritime museum experience for families with children aged 2 years and older.
The Tale of the Wale (6+)
In the exhibition The Tale of the Whale, children learn about whaling and how it has made whales an endangered species.
