Laak is a residential corner of the city around Hollands Spoor station and the old harbor canals, and it has more for kids than its quiet streets suggest. Farm animals, kids' theater, climbing walls and indoor play all sit within a short bike ride of each other. These are the spots we've checked, so you can plan a morning or a rainy afternoon without crossing town.
Molenweide is one of the city-run farms, with goats in the meadow, rabbits and guinea pigs to pet, and a vegetable and fruit garden where kids can see crops growing.
The farm runs nature and environment activities for kids, and part of the stable is now De Koffiemolen, a corner for coffee or tea while children watch the animals.
Laaktheater is a neighborhood theater with a round, steeply raked hall, and the venue says every seat has a clear view. The program mixes toddler shows, youth theater and dance with music, film and comedy, much of it made with people who live in Laak.
Kids can also join theater lessons or Bollywood dance classes, and school holidays bring festivals like Krokus Kabaal and Festival De Betovering.
The Park Playground is a free-roam virtual reality arena in the Binckhorst. Players wear wireless headsets and move around a large open space together, with no cables, after a host's short briefing and intro video. Each booking plays on its own field. Games range from an Egyptian tomb adventure with puzzles and archery to escape rooms, shooters and horror, and the host helps match the game to the group.
Beest Boulders is a bouldering hall in The Globe building beside Hollands Spoor station. Climbers go up short walls without ropes or harnesses, with thick mats underneath to land on. Routes are reset every week, so kids who come back find new problems to solve.
De Klimmuur, a rope-climbing wall with much taller walls, shares the building. The hall has its own kitchen for lunch and dinner, plus a climbing shop.
Kids Eiland is a 3,000 m² indoor play center in the Megastores mall. Toddlers get a soft play area with big blocks; older kids get a freefall slide, an elastic climbing tower, trampolines, rope bridges and bouncy castles.
Nothing is motorized, so every moving part runs on kid power. The café serves fresh sandwiches, snacks and coffee, and the whole menu is halal.
Laak is a residential corner of the city around Hollands Spoor station and the old harbor canals, and it has more for kids than its quiet streets suggest. Farm animals, kids' theater, climbing walls and indoor play all sit within a short bike ride of each other. These are the spots we've checked, so you can plan a morning or a rainy afternoon without crossing town.
Molenweide is one of the city-run farms, with goats in the meadow, rabbits and guinea pigs to pet, and a vegetable and fruit garden where kids can see crops growing.
The farm runs nature and environment activities for kids, and part of the stable is now De Koffiemolen, a corner for coffee or tea while children watch the animals.
Laaktheater is a neighborhood theater with a round, steeply raked hall, and the venue says every seat has a clear view. The program mixes toddler shows, youth theater and dance with music, film and comedy, much of it made with people who live in Laak.
Kids can also join theater lessons or Bollywood dance classes, and school holidays bring festivals like Krokus Kabaal and Festival De Betovering.
The Park Playground is a free-roam virtual reality arena in the Binckhorst. Players wear wireless headsets and move around a large open space together, with no cables, after a host's short briefing and intro video. Each booking plays on its own field. Games range from an Egyptian tomb adventure with puzzles and archery to escape rooms, shooters and horror, and the host helps match the game to the group.
Beest Boulders is a bouldering hall in The Globe building beside Hollands Spoor station. Climbers go up short walls without ropes or harnesses, with thick mats underneath to land on. Routes are reset every week, so kids who come back find new problems to solve.
De Klimmuur, a rope-climbing wall with much taller walls, shares the building. The hall has its own kitchen for lunch and dinner, plus a climbing shop.
Kids Eiland is a 3,000 m² indoor play center in the Megastores mall. Toddlers get a soft play area with big blocks; older kids get a freefall slide, an elastic climbing tower, trampolines, rope bridges and bouncy castles.
Nothing is motorized, so every moving part runs on kid power. The café serves fresh sandwiches, snacks and coffee, and the whole menu is halal.
