Are there places in Amsterdam for teenagers? (no drugs, etc.)?

Question

My wife and I wnat to explore the adult nightlife and allow the kids to do something a little more tame.

Answer 1

Unless your kids like walking, sightseeing and visiting museums, then no. There really isn't much for them to do in Amsterdam that will keep them happy. I'm not saying you shouldn't take them, just that there are no amusement parks and things like that. Even the regular parks are pretty tame.

However this is a very open city even by European standards, and your kids will be exposed to a lot of nudity, drugs and sex just walking around. There is not way around that. If you are ok with that, and your kids like the things I first pointed out, then go for it. Otherwise come back without them.

Answer 2

Hmm, hard to answer as "a little more tame" than Amsterdam nightlife is still pretty broad as it doesn't get too much more extreme than Amsterdam nightlife (at least not in my experience)...

The Red Light District is pretty much a tourist attraction and many people take their teenage children there just to have a look... They won't be confronted by much more than the windows of sex shops with various items and books and windows with women in underwear and lots of drunk tourists...

If you're talking about going to clubs and bars... (dance/music ones, not sex clubs)... In most regular bars they don't allow any kind of drugs and officially they don't allow them in most clubs either, but that doesn't mean they're not there because they are... But it's not impossible to stay away from them if you want to... If you're not sure if your kids can handle Dutch freedom, don't send them out alone, not at night and not at day, or better yet, don't take them there in the first place...

I'm sure there's plenty of places in Amsterdam where young teenagers can go in the evening/at night and have a great time without any drugs but I wouldn't know where, sorry... Check http://www.iamsterdam.com/visiting_exploring/special_interest/children_families for more info

Answer 3

I have been taken from Amsterdam from when I was a baby, at least once a year, more often when I was a schoolkid and teen.
There are many museum, all kinds, and for every age-group.
A zoo, flee market, weekly markets, old buildings and some new.

You will have to plan your trip, and should not be scared of seeing a few scarcely dressed woman in the windows.
But do not expect your children to go out at night without you, and not see drugs etc, as all nightlife is rather liberal and age limits are not always enforced.
It is more fun to enjoy a concert with them, rather than go your own way.

Answer 4

Yes of course, walking around and shopping and stuff. There nightlife of course is very European...so be careful, b/c there men are creeps and love American girls...if your an American too. There almost as bad as the Italians.