Stuff to do with 7 year-old in/around Rotterdam?

Question

My niece is coming to visit next week and will be here for 10 days -- VERY short notice so we haven't been able to book excursions to EuroDisney or anywhere...everything is full! Need ideas of things to do with her in/around Rotterdam, please!

Answer 1

For sure you can take your niece to the Zoo - de Blijdorp - it's in Rotterdam - http://www.rotterdamzoo.nl/
beside - you can also go to Efteling - it's not that big as EuroDisney but it's great park as well - http://www.efteling.nl

you can also visit Kinderboederij - the animal farm for children and normally so many activities during the summer time. You can try to find out which one its close to you. but have a look: http://www.kinderboerderij.nl/

If you still have sometime and weather is nice - go to the beach. Kid loves it as well....
can go to Scheveningen or De Hoek van Holland.
http://www2.holland.com/denhaag/nl/discover/scheveningenkijkduin/scheveningen/index.jsp

it will enough place to visit - so you dont need to be worriez....

Veel Plezier...

Answer 2

The Rotterdam maritime museum, Het Scheepsvaart museum, has a part of the exhibits specially for kids as young as her:
http://www.maritiemmuseum.nl/website/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.show&CTX_ID=217B8ACB110984F00A7C69CD8DDC1E29&CNT_ID=21EBF721110984F00AABE8DA323B4291
There are more museums in town, many might interest your niece:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g188632-Activities-c6-Rotterdam_Zuid_Holland.html

Take her to the market, on saturday the market at Blaak is huge, or just for a walk through town.
Go in a park where there are more children her age, so she can play.

There is the boatride to Dordrecht or just a harbour tour:
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=rotterdam@131&cur_section=sig&property_id=378517
And remembering my niece at that age, do not plan something for everyday, as she will be content to do things at home.
Go to one of the cheaper shops and get a lot of girly crafts to do, like sticker books, big bead necklaces, or pompoms.
Make sure you have a few toys like some dolls (if she does not bring her own,) a skipping rope and maybe a miniscooter. You need not spend a lot of money on the toys, but they might help to fill the time you are busy with other things like cooking.
Of course a girl that age might want to help in the kitchen too.

Answer 3

There's lots to do in Rotterdam for kids. Besides the zoo ( http://www.blijdorp.nl/?RubriekID=2017 ), I can recommend the maritiem museum (go for the professor Plons exhibit it's especially for kids: http://www.maritiemmuseum.nl/website/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.show&CTX_ID=217B8ACB110984F00A7C69CD8DDC1E29&CNT_ID=21EBF721110984F00AABE8DA323B4291

Then there is Plaswijck park a family park with lots of fun activities for kids ( http://www.plaswijckpark.nl/home/index.php ).

Then you can go on a boat tour through the port with Spido ( http://www.spido.nl/default-site.aspx?TaalID=2&MenuID=9&ID=9 ) , or if you think that takes too long, you can take the watertaxi behind the Maritiem museum, which will take you accross the river to Hotel New York.

I don't know where's she's from, but if she hasn't been in streetcars then that's a fun thing to do as well (or on the train or metro).

The Euromast is another thing to do to get a great view of Rotterdam ( http://www.euromast.nl/english/index.html ) . Afterwards you can go on the pannekoekenboot to eat pancakes while going through the port (http://www.pannenkoekenboot.nl/pannenkoekenboot/lang_en/rotterdam_rondvaarten.aspx ), it's next to the Euromast.

Then there are plenty of swimming pools in Rotterdam ( http://www.rotterdam.nl/smartsite.dws?id=266243&MainMenu=&Menu=266243 )
or the beach in Rotterdam ( http://www.rotterdam.info/uk/TRD/evenementen/festivals_en_manifestaties/86119.asp )

Answer 4

Go to Hoek van Holland.
You have the beach which all kids like and there a museum
(underground bunker) that most kids like also.

Answer 5

Show her the "cube houses" - they should be listed in every guide.