Nijntje Museum

The basics

Because the Nijntje Museum is specifically aimed at families with toddlers and pre-schoolers, it’s an attraction that people mostly visit independently. Still, some rare family-friendly private tours include it as they explore Utrecht’s historical center. (Nostalgic adult fans of Miffy may be disappointed to hear that they won’t get much from the museum if they’re not visiting with kids.) Tickets work on a scheduled time-slot basis, so be sure to book in advance.

Things to know before you go

• Tickets for young children are actually more expensive than adult tickets.

• The museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

• Exhibits incorporate tactile displays, braille, and Dutch Sign Language, while low-sensory mornings are occasionally offered.

• Food is not permitted inside the museum.

How to get there

You can take the #2 bus from Domplein square to the Centraal Museum bus stop, just down the street from the museum, or walk or cycle from the city center; it’s only a 15-minute walk and you can enjoy the scenery of the Oudegracht canal along the way. Visitors driving to the Nijntje Museum should mind the one-way streets in the area and park outside St. Nicholas' Church around the corner.

When to get there

The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday; it’s closed on Mondays and public holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visiting in the morning just after the museum opens can help you avoid the midday rush, or, go in the afternoon to keep the kids active and entertained before they get tuckered out.

Family-friendly activities in Utrecht

Parents may have a hard time keeping children entertained at many of the city’s highlight attractions, but there are activities and places to visit that kids are bound to enjoy. Visitors of all ages can delight in the antique music boxes and street organs at the Museum Speelklok, while the Railway Museum combines history with an engaging, hands-on approach.