Attitudes to Children

Holidays by Destination Europe Netherlands Amsterdam Attitudes to Children 

Although tourist Amsterdam is surprisingly un geared to children, the city itself is one of the Europe's most child-friendly with all the multiple facilities laid on for locals easily available to visitors. Somewhat surprisingly to outsiders, families live, if not in the heart of the red light district, than not far away and sometimes just round the corner from ladies on sale in windows.

Playgrounds

Rare in the centre, although there is a nice wooden one around just south of Harlemmerstraat southwest of the central station, around Markt Binnen. Most patches of greenery have one, usually featuring a sandpit and sometimes paddling pool. Those in Amsterdam are closed to dogs to ensure cleanliness. Some charge a fee but as they are usually well run with a resident caretaker/manager, this seems good value. See also Places to Go for indoor play areas.

Baby Changing Facilities

As the UK, in larger/newer museums, some department stores and McDonalds, but not yet common elsewhere. Note that public toilets are in short supply and not generally suitable with children so if caught when out and about you might have to resort to one of the larger hotels.

Buggies

Emphasis on wheelchair access means buggies can be used more easily than in the UK, including on public transport, with some trams now including a lower step for example, though Amsterdam cobbles are not the easiest of surfaces and the tall, thin buildings make the more characterful accommodation something of a trial if you have little ones to get up and down the narrow stairs.

Breastfeeding

Surprisingly, the Netherlands has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe and where babies are breastfed, it's not common after two or three months. However, the city is a very consciously liberal place so feeding should not cause problems except in smarter places.

Babysitting

Babysitting is generally only offered at the most expensive hotels though smaller, family-run operations may be able to put you in touch with a suitable relative. Alternatives are Oppascentrale Kriterion, Roeterstraat 170 + 31 20 624 5848 4.30-8pm which provides sitters of 18-plus who are all students in some form of higher education. This agency offers introductions to vetted students of 18+. 7pm to midnight rates are €5 per hour €6 thereafter, €3 admininstration charge and a surcharge of €3.50 Fridays and Saturdays. You are expected to provide food for the period covered, plus transport home. Book ahead, especially for weekends.

Baby Stuff

Available as usual most cheaply in supermarkets, less so in pharmacies.