Are you enthusiastic about visiting the Rijksmuseum with kids? As somebody who lived in Amsterdam with kids, I’ve been to the Rijksmuseum with kids many occasions. On this information, I share our prime ideas for making the Rijksmuseum enjoyable for youths, in addition to inform you what’s most necessary.
However first what’s the Rijksmuseum?
Somewhat concerning the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is one in every of Amsterdam’s, if not the Netherlands’, prime artwork museums and homes many works by Dutch masters from the Dutch Golden Age akin to Vermeer and Reuben.
Nonetheless, though there are lots of lovely artistic endeavors on show, this isn’t the best place to go to with kids.
Challenges of visiting the Rijksmuseum with kids.
Though house to unbelievable works, the Rijksmuseum was not designed or interpreted with kids in thoughts. As a skilled curator and one who has labored in wonderful science facilities and youngsters’s museums, I can inform you that the Rijksmuseum is just not a spot you’ll be able to simply come and luxuriate in with the youngsters.
Nonetheless, we’ve got tricks to make the expertise extra fulfilling for visiting with kids. Nonetheless, it’s price noting that, though the displays should not significantly oriented in direction of kids, the museum itself has many household contents akin to:
- a number of free rental carts to be used within the museum,
- child altering rooms,
- feeding/nursing room
- kids’s menu within the museum cafe.
Making the Rijksmuseum for kids
So now you recognize a bit about what to anticipate from the Rijksmuseum, I will inform you from my expertise as a curator how one can make the expertise extra fulfilling for kids.
First, go to a neighborhood artwork museum
The primary time I went to the Rijksmuseum with my daughter, it was her first expertise of a conventional artwork museum after visiting Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum and NEMO Science Heart, a few of the most kid-friendly museums in Amsterdam. To say that my daughter was a bit disillusioned with the Rijksmuseum is an understatement.
It is at all times good to handle expectations everytime you’re visiting a museum with little ones, and on the Rijksmuseum there’s undoubtedly a have to handle expectations. In case your kids are sufficiently old, discuss what to anticipate or for those who can, we advocate visiting a neighborhood artwork museum first to allow them to get used to the environment first.
Go to the customer desk
Everytime you go to an artwork museum with kids, I like to recommend going to the customer info level first. Right here you will discover out about amenities, particular occasions and trails for kids.
The one time we visited the Rijksmuseum, there was a particular arts and crafts session within the classroom (we have been there throughout the college holidays), nevertheless different occasions we purchased the Rijksmuseum scavenger hunt, which school-aged kids take pleasure in, for a nominal payment.
In addition they have a digital recreation that prices 2.5 euros per gadget. That is appropriate for kids aged 7 and up. And for these touring with youngsters, there’s additionally an escape room on the Rijksmuseum, however reservations are required.
Deliver a pen and paper
Though crayons, markers, and different pens are an enormous no-no in museums, pen and paper are high-quality. We advocate bringing them in your backpack so your little ones can sketch art work when you take pleasure in them.
Make a scavenger hunt
Though you should buy a scavenger hunt on the customer info desk, you can too make your individual. You are able to do this by shopping for postcards from the museum store on your kids to search out in your stroll, or you’ll be able to pre-print some photographs from the museum web site and use them.
Take a family-friendly tour
Should you’re visiting with kids between the ages of 6 and 12, chances are you’ll wish to take one of many museum’s every day household excursions.
Select what you could see
Even with out kids, it will be troublesome to see each murals within the Rijksmuseum in a single go to. Nonetheless, with kids it’s virtually not possible.
For that reason, we advocate that you simply select the must-sees prematurely and know the route so as to see all of them within the shortest attainable time.
For us, the must-sees on the Rijksmuseum are:
- The Night time Watch by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
- Milkmaid by Vermeer
- Jan Asselijn’s Menacing Swan i
- Self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh,
Spend time within the gardens
One of many issues I like concerning the Rijksmuseum is the attractive backyard wherein they’re set. There are some sculptures within the backyard in addition to fountains in the summertime that your little ones will take pleasure in cooling off in – simply keep in mind to deliver them a recent set of garments.
Should you’re visiting Amsterdam in December, you may additionally wish to take a look at the ice rink that is often (although not in 2023) arrange in entrance of the museum.
Go to the memento store
My children love the museum reward outlets at each museum we go to. Nonetheless, the Rijksmuseum has a very good one. My little ones love Nijntje aka Miffy in English and there are many Miffy books within the retailer. However my toddler completely liked the Playmobil units of art work on show.
Different Rijksmuseum ideas and methods
Purchase your tickets prematurely
My primary tip for visiting the Rijksmuseum is to purchase tickets prematurely. The queues right here, particularly in peak season, can get loopy so you should definitely get your ticket prematurely as this lets you skip the road and go straight to the museum with out having to queue.
The wonderful thing about Rijksmuseum tickets is that after you purchase them, they’re legitimate for a yr so you’ll be able to select the day you go to. I might advocate selecting the rainiest day in your Amsterdam itinerary to go to the Rijksmuseum.
You should buy your advance tickets right here!
Be aware: Kids go free of charge.
First, go to the Night time’s Watchmen
The crowds on the Rijksmuseum get larger because the day goes on so I would advocate going to the museum at opening and stopping by the Night time Watchmen – it is one of many highlights of the Rijksmuseum. That is often the image with the most individuals so you should definitely go early to get one of the best view.
If you cannot make it to the Rijksmuseum very first thing within the morning, I would advocate going after 3pm because the crowds begin to die down in direction of the tip of the day.
How lengthy do I would like on the Rijksmuseum?
It is actually exhausting to reply the query of how lengthy I would like on the Rijksmuseum as a result of it actually is dependent upon your degree of curiosity and who you are touring with.
There are a number of routes by means of the Rijksmuseum, together with a one-hour and a two-hour featured route. In case you have a excessive degree of curiosity, you could possibly undoubtedly prolong your journey right here and make it a half-day exercise, however I feel just a few hours is sufficient, particularly if you’re touring with kids, particularly young children.
Search for seasonal occasions on the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum has many seasonal occasions on its property together with:
- Tulip pageant the place the sector shall be stuffed with colours in April.
- Ice rink on the sector in December
After reviewing we additionally found that there are alternatives to buy further household packages. That features
- A household tour that may be bought concurrently the Rijksmuseum ticket. There are every day and personal tour choices – every day throughout college holidays and lasts an hour. This tour is really helpful for kids 6 years and older.
- There are additionally actions for kids throughout holidays and weekends within the picnic lunch room. Once more, we did not assume it was marketed properly when getting into the museum so you should definitely ask concerning the actions happening throughout your go to.
Basic opinion about visiting the Rijksmuseum
The artwork on show on the Rijksmuseum is really world class and I feel the Rijksmuseum is price having on any journey to Amsterdam, nevertheless if you’re touring with youthful kids there are lots of different Amsterdam museums that may most likely have extra for the entire household nevertheless with our recommendation it may to be a spot extra appropriate for a household.