to do with children in Netherlands/Bruges

In Amsterdam, the Science Museum is catered to children. Directly outside, there is a 17th century warship which can be toured. Also nearby is the new city library, with a large children's collection, and the city zoo is also excellent. For day trips outside the city consider these places: http://www.madurodam.nl/en http://www.goodzoos.com/Netherlands/Apenheul.htm Also, EuroDisney is only 3.5 hours away via high-speed train.

If he's into trains at all, Utrecht's Nederlands Spoorwegen (Dutch Railroad) Museum is very kid-friendly. Brugge is a gorgeous (if very touristy) town, but I imagine a kid would be bored out of his skull there. If you're there in the summer, the wide sandy beaches of the Belgian coast are very close by. My personal favorite town is De Haan, but Oostende is has more kid stuff. There's also an amusement park near Blankenberg (Plopsaland), and I think there's another one near De Panne. You didn't mention Brussels, but situated next to the Atomium
is Brupark, which contains a water park and Mini Europe. Mini Europe has a collection of scale models of European landmarks and is intended to teach kids about the European Union.

The van Gogh museum has an audio guide specifically designed for children, ask for it. My kids (8 and 10 at the time) loved it!

Nearby Bruges, In Ghent is the STAM Museum - we really enjoyed it - perfect art museum for a 9 year old - cool lego exhibit - just very well done. Also - the castle in Ghent is a good one. I always mention it - but I love Ghent. http://www.stamgent.be/en/ In Amsterdam - Anne Frank House, obviously, and the Resistance Museum were both interesting (I was there with my son when he was 9). And the zoo is very good as well (across from resistance museum). My son really enjoyed the "hidden chapel" (see link below) - it is sort of in the red light district but really neat - it is a chapekl hidden in a canal house. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/netherlands/amsterdam-museum-amstelkring-hidden-church.htm

I'm taking my 11 year old to The Netherlands in two weeks. We'll be a couple nights in The Hague and I did a google search on activities and the Hague and found a number a neat things. The CORPUS museum looks interesting. I also found an old German bunker that's been turned into a museum that looks promising.

Muiderslot Castle near Amsterdam is a great place for kids. They have some kid friendly castle/knight games, falcons and a falcon program in the courtyard, a garden, moat, dungeon etc. Fun place for families.

There are many kid-friendly attractions. When you first arrive in Amsterdam, definitely check out the tourist information center for ideas. A day trip to the quaint seaside village of Volendam seems to be kid friendly and might be worth looking more into. I have been to Amsterdam several times, although I visit Bruges almost every summer, so I know it a bit better. In Bruges, the Frietmuseum is a fun visit, showing the history of Belgian Fries with a restaurant in the basement. I think a 9-year-old would have fun on both canal boat rides in Amsterdam and a smaller boat ride in Bruges. It is possible to rent bikes, and you could bike around the city and then out to the coast or following the canal up to other towns, stopping to look at windmills or get chocolate in this little towns. It's so fun to explore and see what you find! Or perhaps you'd like to book an organized bike tour. A climb up the bell tower could definitely be fun for a kid in Bruges. Fun things to look at along the way, and a great view at the top. If you have any questions about anything, especially Bruges, feel free to message me. I have never been there as a a child, but I love and know Bruges very well. Have a wonderful trip!!