If you’re looking for a free but enjoyable way to spend some times with your kids, you can visit one of the many petting zoos throughout Amsterdam. In Dutch a petting zoo is called a ‘kinderboerderij’, which literally translates to children’s farm. There are close to 20 petting zoos within the city.
Kinderboerderij De Dierencapel
The Dierencapel (Animal’s Chapel) is the only petting zoo in the centre area. The small but cosy petting zoo was founded in 1992 after people from the local neighbourhood expressed their wishes to transform a big vacant lot to a petting zoo. The city saw potential and thus the innercity’s first petting zoo was built.
Since the petting zoo is rather small they do not have a big collection of farm animals, but ofcourse the usual suspects like rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, ducks and geese can be found. There’s also a small playground that caters to the needs of the youngest visitors.
How to get there?
The Dierencapel is located a 15 minute walk away, west of the Central Station, at the Bickersgracht. If you’d like to take the bus take bus #18, #21 or #22 and stop at ‘Buiten Oranjestraat’. Click here for the location on Google Maps.
Kinderboerderij De Pijp
Just located right outside of the historic centre, petting zoo De Pijp is probably one of the most popular ones. Named after the archetypical Amsterdammish neigbourhood of De Pijp, this place is rather spacious for the densely populated neighbourhood it’s located in. The have a pretty big collection of all kinds of farm animals, but also offer some amphibians, reptiles and insects for your viewing pleasure. Next to animals a small playground can be found with a sandbox that comes with toys to play with.
How to get there?
Right next door to the petting zoo De Pijp there is a tram stop. Take tram #12 and stop at ‘Van Hilligaertstraat’. Click here for the location on Google Maps.
Kinderboerderij De Werf
Located in the west of the city right next to train station Science Park you can find De Werf. The petting zoo is surrounded by trees and is an oasis of tranquility. It has a large collection of all kinds of small bicycles, tricycles and tractors for kids to play with. Donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats and a lot of smaller animals can be found there. The place also offers a small playground with a sandbox. So enough to see and do for (young) children while parents can just sit and relax and enjoy the tranquility!
How to get there
Take the train to Science Park. From the small train station it’s not even a 5 minute walk to the petting zoo. Click here for the location on Google Maps.
Other petting zoos and city farms
For an overview of all the petting zoos in Amsterdam visit this page.