I can’t quite decide what position I would put Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum into in my list of top ten art galleries of all time, but it would probably have to be in the top three – after Louisiana and Tate Britain… We spent the best part of a day there recently during a trip to Holland’s capital city.
Successfully and enthusiastically navigating a gallery with children isn’t always plain sailing, so when initiatives are offered to keep them interested, take them and run I say…
The female contingent of the Raphael family adores a good gallery (as you may well remember), and Mr R has been gradually trained in appreciating them (aka being dragged around without complaining) over the years, but Small Boy has yet to completely enjoy this particular area of the finer things in life, and has to be persuaded, i.e. blackmailed. As it turns out, he is easily blackmailed with a family ‘multimedia mystery solving challenge‘ laid on by the museum, and stroopwafels (Dutch caramel waffles as if you didn’t know). Actually, it would probably be difficult to find someone who wasn’t blackmail-able with stroopwafels…
Anyway two mystery solving teams of two formed, we split up and immediately went in opposite directions; whereupon I realised that a) one of our teams had to be going in the wrong direction, and b) it was going to take forever to get mystery solving with a miniature Sister Wendy in my group. I am not going to give much of the important part of the actual quiz away because that could well spoil it for you, but solving clues on little mobile devices takes you around huge chunks of the Rijksmuseum, and includes the close inspection of a few stunning Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s Milk Maid in the main gallery (all the while secretly getting the uninterested interested in what they are seeing), and down to various other packed rooms with many other artefacts in it’s underbelly.
Bear in mind the following:
- You will probably get separated from the rest of your family (aka the opposition) at some point, and may not see them for quite some time;
- Allowing small people to be in charge of the mobile devices (having not apparently learned my lesson in Santorini) means that there are likely to be numerous accidental resets (do ask the super friendly staff for help if you can’t figure out how to get all your scores back!).
- Try not to worry too much about finding your other party members, as you will most likely rediscover them in the gift shop claiming their prize for successfully making it around (all smaller team members get a prize which is nice, and helps avoid sibling strangulation attempts).
All in all a great introduction to a truly wonderful museum that hosts some incredible pieces, and one that even the most ardent art unappreciater in your family will enjoy through some method or another. At the end of the quiz we even went back to several paintings to inspect them further at Small Boys request amazingly! Oh, and the cafe serves great blackmail fodder too…
There are plenty of guided tours available, including those tailored specifically for children, and attractions such as Drawing Saturday to take part in. Do book tickets online in advance if possible, not because you will save much money, but in a museum that has over 2 million visitors a year it will definitely save you time queuing up…
Rijksmuseum Museum Straat 1, 1071xx Amsterdam. +31 (0) 20 6747 000
Open daily from 9-17.00 Adults €17.50 Children under 18 free (Multimedia Family Game €10 per family of 4)…
spotting Miro
What a great idea! I love doing quizzes like that -let alone the kids! We didn’t make it to Rijksmuseum when we went to Amsterdam – a good reason to return! Thanks for linking to #citytripping x
Thank you, and yes, I would highly recommend it! :)
Oh it looks wonderful Emma, we love a good museum. Like the opposition POD does need blackmailing at times too – usually with the promise of ice-cream! We were toying with going to Amsterdam at the end of last year but I need to work out if it would be good for little legs! I hope you’re good :)
It’s a fantastic city for children Charly, get booking! :)
We loved Amsterdam when we visited and unfortunately it was crazy busy so we didn’t get to experience the museum. Definitely on our list for next time though x
We always go to these places either first thing in the morning or a couple of hours before they close, usually helps with the crowds! Thanks Lori! :)
Amsterdam is on my ‘to visit’ list and I definitely want to go here when I do. The building itself looks amazing #CityTripping
One of my favourite cities. Thanks Gina! :)
I haven’t been to the Rijksmuseum since I was in my 20s – looks like a lot has changed since then. We’re off to the Netherlands in spring, really must take the kids here.
You must! Can recommend the stroopwafels too! :D Thanks Nell! :)
I could very easily be bribed by stroopwafels. Love them! We didn’t go to the Rijksmuseum on our last trip, as we had free entry to Van Gogh and I thought one great master would be enough for a nearly three-year-old, but I love the sound of this for older kids too. #citytripping
And we need to go to the Van Gogh next time! Thanks Cathy! :)
Hey Emma! I feel like Amsterdam is never finished! I only had time for the Van Gogh museum last year, you know, right across the street from this one! I’ll get around to it eventually. Sounds like you guys had a great trip – who wouldn’t with stroop waffels on hand! :)
Thanks Christy! I know what you mean about never finished, we need to go back! :D
I think I could be blackmailed by stroopwaffels… you know, if anyone’s offering!
A kindred spirit! Thanks Lucy! :)
What a great incentive for children, and I think i could be blackmailed by stroopwafels too!
They loved it, and we did too. And the stroopwafels were great! :D Thanks Emma (:
Oh how fun. I have one that tolerates art galleries for me and one that loves them. Oh and I would happily be blackmailed by Stroopwafel!
Anything that encourages a love of art is good with me. Thanks Jen! (:
We loved the Reijksmuseum – although no small people in our contingent to play the game. And the Stroopwafel is a beautiful, beautiful thing. I was so pleased to find them at our local Co-op grocery store – my boys regularly request them in the Uni care packages I send from England. ; )
You could pretend you had children with you next visit! Yes, I do miss the massive selection of a British supermarket! :D Thanks Caroline!
Amsterdam is STILL on my list of places to visit…
Thanks for yet another great post, the Rijksmuseum sounds brilliant.
The café seems nice too, although I would not need blackmail fodder! ;o) xx
You have to go. You would love it! Lovely to have you back! :) xx
You can bribe me with a stroopwafel anyday! In fact my older son is off to The Hague for a week (taking part in MUN – Model United Nations) and the only thing he HAS to do (in my mind) or he won’t be welcome home is to bring me stroopwafels!!! I haven’t been to the Rijksmuseum with kids but the way they organise this mystery solving challenge sounds wonderful.
Thanks so much! I hope he brought stroopwafels back with him!
I really love the Rijksmuseum too. :-) Especially during off-peak times when it’s peaceful and quiet. And I’d happily be blackmailed with warm stroopwafels. :-)
It’s a beautiful space isn’t it? Thanks Krista! (:
They sell those caramel wafers here – luckily they’ve started to sell the small ones as the big ones used to have a day’s calories in one wafer. And I also like art galleries but I have to admit that I don’t love them. I learned how to interpret an old painting from attending free gallery talks at the National Gallery in London. When I went to the Louvre with three friends they were all very impressed with my ‘party piece’.
Ahhh, the National Gallery. I would spend hours there with an audioguide just wandering. Thanks Rachel! :)
haha I have a feeling I would have to blackmail my two boys too! Although I would have no trouble getting them in the cafe, great photographs :) x
Thanks Karen! (:
I haven’t been to Amsterdam in many years, I love it for all the wrong reasons. Maybe one in the future I would take my kids. Good idea about splitting the kids up into separate groups, it can make these experiences more fun. When you get back to together they have something to talk about.
It’s a fantastic city for kids. Thanks Lucy! :)
We didn’t get to go to the Rijksmuseum when we went to Amsterdam – we will just have to visit again! We went to the Van Gogh museum which had a very similar multimedia thing for kids to use. I was impressed by how much my husband and daughter (neither of whom really like art) enjoyed the museum.
And that’s one we didn’t make it to. Will have to go back! Thanks Sarah! :)
I always love your posts but I think this might actually be one of my favourites. I love how the museum gallery has evolved to get the children involved. Inspired and allows you to enjoy. Fantastic!!
That’s such a lovely comment Donna, thank you! :)
I have never properly looked around a gallery, I surely need to rectify this. Done loads of museums and enjoyed them but for some reason always discount myself from art btu one of my daughters adores art so we really must take her. Thanks for the prod. Mich x
I hope you have fun Michelle, thank you! :) x