Three Amsterdam Kinderbadjes - Perfect for Hot Summer Afternoons

The Lowdown

When Amsterdam heats up, the city’s paddling pools — or kinderbadjes, as they’re known locally — suddenly become some of the most valuable real estate in town. Because on those sweltering city days, when playground slides become too hot to touch, few things feel more manageable than somewhere little ones can splash their feet around and cool off for a while.

Whether you’re after a quick inner-city splash stop in Oud-West, a greener afternoon amongst the trees of the Amsterdamse Bos or somewhere you can easily fold into a longer park-and-ice-cream sort of outing, these three kinderbadjes each offer something slightly different. But what they all share is that particular kind of understated Amsterdam summer charm the city seems to do so well.

Amsterdamse Bos Klein Kinderbad

If there’s one kinderbad worth crossing the city for on a hot summer day, it’s this one.

Tucked deep within the greenery of the Amsterdamse Bos, the Kleine Kinderbad feels a world away from the busier inner-city paddling pools — and, whisper it quietly, we much prefer it to the larger Groot Kinderbad nearby. Smaller, calmer and altogether a little more relaxed in energy, it’s the sort of place where families naturally settle in for the afternoon rather than constantly chasing children between towels and overcrowded water edges.

Surrounded by a wide-open lawn with plenty of space to roll out a picnic blanket, there’s room to properly breathe here. And whilst the woodland setting feels wonderfully removed from the city, there are still the practical comforts parents quietly appreciate: toilet facilities, a kiosk for coffees and cold drinks and, of course, strategically displayed ice cream displays that absolutely no child will fail to notice within the first thirty seconds of arrival.

Bellamyplein

Bellamyplein’s kinderbad perfectly captures the sort of small-scale family charm Amsterdam does so well.

Set within a leafy little square in Oud-West, this picturesque inner-city paddling pool feels distinctly neighbourhood in character — less bakfiets chaos, more local families arriving with prams and scooters for an easy cool down on a hot afternoon.

The pool itself is small, intimate and particularly ideal for pre-schoolers wanting to cool their legs and splash about without the overwhelming energy larger kinderbads can sometimes bring. A playful fountain running through the centre only adds to the charm. This isn’t a grand summer outing destination, nor does it try to be. Instead, it’s one of those wonderfully easy little Amsterdam spots that quietly becomes part of everyday family life during the warmer months.

Westerpark - Kinderbad

Westerpark’s kinderbad is less about packing a picnic and settling in for the afternoon and more about folding a splash stop into a wider summer day out.

Set amongst one of Amsterdam’s liveliest family parks, there’s an easy rhythm to days here: playground first, splash pool when everyone overheats, followed inevitably by ice cream somewhere along the way. By ‘somewhere’, we of course mean, everyones favourite (and very conveniently located) IJscuypje. With cafés, restaurants, a theatre, the petting farm and plenty of green space all within easy wandering distance, it’s particularly well suited to families looking to make more of an outing of it.

Less peaceful forest escape and more lively summer-in-the-city energy, Westerpark’s kinderbadje comes into its own precisely because of everything happening around it.