Amsterdam with a 10 yr old

My grandmother took me to Amsterdam when I was 12, almost 13.
I loved Anne Franks house.(make sure you/she read the book before you go, )I enjoyed the Canal cruise. She also took me on a tour to a cheese factory and windmill.. think that was ok. I was in Europe for 3 months that summer, Amsterdam was not really a stand out for me except for those things,, we stayed a week and thats all I remember. I don't think the Red Light Districts a great idea, its not terribly gross or anything, but for a child that age does she really need to know all about legalized prostitution and what cheap lingerie looks like yet?

There is a nice toy museum in Amsterdam. I have forgotten where its located, but you could do a computer search for it: toy museum, amsterdam. Even us old folks thought it was interesting, but then its been said that I have never grown up.

Your ideas are good, but for the Anne Frank House, has she read the book, and are you ready to explain the Holocaust (in at least some age-appropriate detail)? Otherwise, it could be awkward - "why were they hiding, and what happened to them after they were found?" I would NOT take a 10 year old to the Red Light District. In addition to seeing the scantily clad women, which she'll probably find more amusing than anything else, she'll be seeing VERY loutish tourists trolling for sex and drugs - not nice. You can see pretty canals all over town - no need to go to these particular canals. The one thing there that might interest both of you is the Amstelkring (the church in the attic); it's an interesting "mirror" to the Anne Frank House, also involving hiding of people who were being persecuted for their religion (the "compare and contrast" aspects would make a nice essay, if she has to write about her trip later). For a snack, she might get a kick out of FEBO, which is like an automat - insert a euro, open the little door, and pull out your snack (mostly fried). She should also be interested in the real "French" fries (vlaamse frites), and might want to try them with mayonnaise or one of the other sauces besides ketchup.

I understand Harolds points, re age and understanding for Anne Franks house, But I took my 11 yr old daughter to the Shoah( Holocaust) Museum in Paris, after she had finished reading "Sarahs Key"( fiction) and "Hiding Edith" ( biography) ,, and she got alot of the experience. She would tell you the Holocaust Museum was very moving,, because it made the books more real,, seeing actual artifacts from real people who were directly affected by events that to her were such ( to her ) a long ago time.
I think its good for kids to see things like this, but agree you have to do the prep to make them thoughtful visits..

RE Pat's points, just to be clear about what I meant. I am certainly not saying that you should not take your daughter to the Anne Frank House, but I am saying that you should make sure both she and you are prepared. It sounds like Pat's daughter was quite prepared, and that's fine. But it certainly depends on the child - a friend of mine tells me he had nightmares for weeks when he first learned details of the Holocaust, and that's not a way to spend a vacation. I don't think there's any graphic footage at the AFH, but as I said, be ready to deal with the inevitable questions and feelings that will arise. If you both are fine with this, go for it - it's truly a unique place. If you are going, be sure to get advance tickets, as the lines are also quite "special" - in their length.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have ordered the Anne Frank book, and my daughter is well aware of the Holocaust...we visited Maunthausen 2 years ago (she only went in the barracks and yard area, but we explained it at a high-level). I think Jordaan area for strolling and dinner, Anne Frank House, canal boat tour, bike tour, and if time permits, a quick train ride to Haarlem for dinner the second night!

Resistance Museum and the zoo were also favorites - my son was maybe 9 when we visited and loved the church hidden in the canal house - Google it. Hard to avoid red light district - i wouldn't make a big deal about it honestly. Loved Ghent. We visited the opening of the STAM Museum and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great castle too. One of my favorite cities

We took our girls to Amsterdam when they were 8 and 10. And yes, the canal boat tour and the Anne Frank House were a huge success with them. But so was the Van Gogh museum! They have an excellent audio guide specifically geared towards children - in English. It follows the same route through the exhibit as the adult guide does, just with different text. Well worth your time. For my 8 year old that was her favourite thing about Amsterdam ;-) A tip for the Anne Frank House: do get your tickets online ahead of time to avoid standing in line amongst dozen of kids on school field trips.

We took our 11 year old grandson to Amstedam last year, did Anne Franke, the Van Gogh, canal cruise, however, his highlight was the morning we spent at the Mueseum Nemo, which has hands-on activities spread throughout the building. It's just down from Centrall, in a building that looks like it was built to be a ski slope. It's a don't miss!

While walking through the streets of Amsterdam with my teenage daughter, we happened to come upon the red light district. Made me very nervous and uneasy. Too many people even during the day. I would definitely avoid this area.

Oh gimmee a break! What made you nervous? There are red lighted windows outside the "district" too. Kids grow up in Amsterdam and they are no worse for it. Sometimes this sort of thing just encourages healthy conversations with your kid.