Artis Zoo - The zoo is okay (there's nothing spectacular about the collection) but it's a nice place to go. The complex includes an aquarium, geology museum and planetarium (show is in Dutch). There is an excellent kid's playground area with sandbox and climbing structures. To make a day of it, take the Artis Express canal boat from Centraal Station.

Tropenmuseum - This museum is dedicated to "peoples of the world" and is a great hulking building with excellent collections of musical instruments and masks, as well as life-size dioramas of life in different countries. The museum is kid friendly (aka noisy) and fun for older kids.

Jewish Historical Children's Museum (Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1) - A Jewish Museum just for kids, it's designed like a house with a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, music room, living room. Make challah in the kitchen (and learn about what makes it kosher), there are baking classes in English), arts and crafts in other rooms, play music and more. Visit this museum after the Anne Frank House, and find out about Dutch Jewish families and traditions today.

TunFun (under Mr. Visserplein, near Waterlooplein) - Wondering where to play if the weather is crummy? Head over to TunFun indoor playground, a huge play area under ground, with great climbing structures for kids of all ages (1-12), slides, ball pools, trampolines and indoor soccer area. Recommended by a family living in Amsterdam.

Rembrandtplein - In the center of this square is Rembrandt's famous The Night Watch rendered bronze, the civil guards ready to march, pikes pointed, flag waving, the drum rolling ... plus a statue of Rembrandt himself.

Willet-Holthuysen Museum - See how a wealthy Dutch family lived in centuries past. Lovely high-ceilinged rooms, gilded chandeliers, windows with stained glass, elegant furnished rooms. Don't miss the ballroom or formal garden.