Summer holidays 2026 at the Maritime Museum
There’s plenty to do at the Maritime Museum this summer holiday! Come and play, explore, watch and get creative. From the new ‘Plons!’ outdoor play area to treasure hunts, rope-making and boat painting: enjoy a packed summer programme full of maritime adventures for the whole family. From 18 July to 30 August 2026. Book your tickets online!
Featured: the new Plons! outdoor play terrace from 18 July
Climb, scramble and play with views over the historic museum harbour! Transport your cargo using boat trolleys, operate a crane, and let your imagination run wild in the world of the sea. Specially designed for children aged 3 to 8.
Book your Plons! time slot
Museum Treasure Hunt
11:00-17:00 hrs
Pick up your treasure hunt at the ticket desk and explore the museum. Hand it in at the lighthouse and receive a lovely holiday keepsake.
Get Creative at the Lighthouse
11:00-17:00 hrs
Get creative! Buy a DIY craft kit for € 3.50 and make it in the museum or take it home to enjoy later.
Deck Scrubbing
10:00-17:00 hrs
Brace yourself like a real sailor! Scrub the deck until it shines and discover how important this daily chore used to be on board.
Create Your Own Treasure Map
11:00-17:00 hrs
Come to De Brug and create your own treasure map! Draw a secret island, write hidden messages and discover the art of old maps.
Watch the Blacksmith at Work
Fire, sparks, and 1,000 degrees! Watch the blacksmith work with red-hot iron and help maintain the historic ships.
Rope Making
11:00-17:00 hrs
Make your own ship's rope! Discover how strong ropes for ships were made in the past.
Storytelling this summer holiday
11:30, 13:30 & 15:00 uur
Make yourself comfortable in our museum library and listen to the best children’s stories. From 18 July to 30 August, we’ll be reading stories three times a day. (Please note: storytelling is in Dutch only.)
Treasure Hunting
Starting Friday, July 25
11:00–16:30 hrs
(ages 0–10)
Grab a shovel and go on a treasure hunt! Dig in the sand and discover what hidden treasures lie beneath the surface.
Plastic Fishing by Kayak
Starting Friday, July 25
11:00–16:30 hrs
Ages 8 and up (with an adult chaperone)
Hop into a kayak and head out onto the water! Use a grabber to collect floating plastic and help keep the harbour and the ocean clean.
Colour the Punter
Starting Friday, July 25
11:00–16:30 hrs
(ages 6–12)
Paint a replica of the medieval punter in the most beautiful colors. Then discover the real punter on display at the Maritime Museum and learn how this unique little boat played a role in the founding of Rotterdam.
Historical Boat Tours
See the Erasmus Bridge, the SS Rotterdam, and the Rotterdam skyline from the water, and learn all about the fascinating history of our museum ships. The crew will be happy to tell you about the ship, its history, its technology, and the future of these floating monuments.
Electric Boat Tour through the Maritime District
Come see our Stadsgraanzuiger 19 and the historic harbour from the water! Along the way, the skipper of the electric boat will tell you the story of the area and show you its most beautiful spots.
Take a break at the museum café “Het Lage Licht”
At the museum café, you can enjoy fresh coffee, delicious pastries, a light lunch, or a hot meal. It’s a lovely spot to relax for a while, looking out over the museum harbour and reflecting on a day full of maritime adventures.