Come and play, discover, create and do.
Looking for a fun day out with the kids this summer? Rotterdam Centre has plenty to offer. From a traditional puppet show to an exciting treasure hunt, creative activities and adventures on and around the water.
The best part? All the tips in this article are within walking distance of each other. It’s easy to create your own fun summer adventure through the city centre.
Right in the heart of the city, you’ll find a true Rotterdam tradition: the puppet theatre at Binnenwegplein. Since 1980, these performances have been bringing smiles to the faces of children and adults alike. Wim Noordegraaf performs alongside Koos Wieman, John de Winter and various guest performers, bringing the most entertaining stories to life for children.
During the theatre season, which runs from mid-May until mid-October, you can join a free performance every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The puppet shows start at 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm. Thanks to a subsidy from the Municipality of Rotterdam, the shows have been freely accessible for many years. There is a small box next to the puppet theatre called the Dankjewelbus (Thank You Box). Voluntary donations help to cover costs such as the rental of the puppet theatre.
There’s an extra treat during the summer holidays: on selected Wednesdays, free ice lollies will be handed out to children who come to watch the puppet show. The ice lollies are provided by the shopkeepers of Rotterdam Centre. You can get one on Wednesday 22 July, 29 July, 5 August, 12 August, 19 August and 26 August.
The Koopgoot is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special children’s treasure hunt full of surprises. This summer, you’ll travel through time as you follow the trail and discover this famous shopping street in a whole new way.
The treasure hunt is free and available until 30 August. The starting point is on the stairs of the Koopgoot underneath De Bijenkorf. Pick up your treasure map at KKEC and set off on an adventure with the whole family. The route is packed with fun challenges and surprises for both children and adults.
Looking for a day full of play, discovery and hands-on activities? A visit to the Maritime Museum is a must. During the summer holidays, the museum is all about maritime adventures for the whole family.
From 18 July until 30 August 2026, you can enjoy activities including treasure hunting, rope making and painting boats. The new Plons! outdoor play area will also open, where children can climb, explore and play while enjoying views of the historic museum harbour. They can transport cargo using boat carts, operate a crane and let their imagination run wild in their own sea adventures. The outdoor play area is specially designed for children aged 3 to 8.
There are also plenty of activities where children can get involved themselves. Search for hidden treasures on the sand island, discover how sailors used to scrub the decks during the deck-swabbing activity, or hop into a kayak to collect plastic from the harbour. It’s a fun way to learn about the port and the importance of keeping our seas clean.
With the Vakantiepaspoort and Rotterdampas, entry to the Maritime Museum is free. Tickets can be booked online.
After all the adventures in the city, it’s lovely to take some time to browse at Donner. This large bookshop in the heart of Rotterdam has an extensive children’s section filled with picture books, exciting stories and inspiring books for curious young readers.
Whether you’re looking for a new holiday read, a lovely story to read together or some inspiration for a rainy summer’s day, Donner has plenty to keep children entertained for hours.
Thanks to their central locations, all these activities are easy to combine. Start your day with a fun puppet show at Binnenwegplein, continue your adventure with the treasure hunt in the Koopgoot, and finish the day with a maritime experience at the Maritime Museum. In between, there’s plenty of time for an ice lolly, a drink at a terrace or a visit to the children’s section at Donner.
