Activities
May holiday
During the May holiday (April 27 to May 12), there is lots to discover at NEMO. Be amazed by the demonstrations or experiment yourself at a workshop. On King's Day (April 27) NEMO is closed.
Book your tickets in advance
We request all visitors to purchase or reserve a ticket with a specific start time in advance.
NEMO is upgrading
NEMO is working on a new exhibition from January to June 2024. This means that the second floor will only be partially accessible to the public during the May holiday.
Extra activities
Making patterns
Nature is rich with all kinds of patterns. Think of a zebra’s stripes, the veins in leaves, cauliflowers and shells. In this workshop, you can experiment with cubes, circles and dots to create your own unique pattern. Or enjoy a game of Palago, where strategic thinking is key to being the first to complete a flowing pattern and win.
Experiment with sound effects
Filmmakers and TV producers often use everyday objects to imitate various natural sounds. Create a sound audio track for a short film using everyday objects. For example, a flying bird sounds just like... flapping gloves!
Race with a wooden figure
Choose a wooden figure and make it walk down a ramp. By gravity and balance, it swings down. What makes it go faster or slower? How do you make your figure go down the ramp the fastest?
Chain Reaction
Rolling office chairs, popping balloons and toppling dominoes. Welcome to the world of potential energy and kinetic energy. Chain Reaction is a demonstration of action/reaction and cause/effect. There are several shows each day.
Build your own chain reaction
A chain reaction is a series of events. Each event triggers another. A very well-known example is a row of falling dominoes. And of course the big Chain Reaction in NEMO. During the Spring holiday you can now make a chain reaction yourself.
Magic or science?
What happens to a balloon in liquid nitrogen? How do you make patterns with sound? Find out how wondrous science is in this spectacular demonstration with ice-cold and red-hot experiments.
Hands-on chemistry
In the NEMO chemistry laboratory, visitors can become scientists in their own right – for a little while at least. Lab coat? Check! Safety glasses? Check! It’s time to get to work on your own experiments. You’ll discover the hidden properties of baking powder, vinegar and other household items.
Science Live
Put your brain to work!
Engaging your brain is key to solving puzzles. You have to think logically, look closely and keep at it. Sometimes the puzzle beats you and you need help, or maybe you help someone else to crack their puzzle. Watching how people solve puzzles can teach us a lot about how we tackle problems. Take part in Utrecht University’s study and find out how you go about solving brainteasers.
Up on the roof at NEMO
The roof of the NEMO Science Museum building is the highest city square in the Netherlands. There you can find the open-air exhibition Energetica, a large terrace and a restaurant, all with beautiful views of the city of Amsterdam. There is no access to the roof in inclement weather and on King’s Day.
Exhibition Living Looonger
in NEMO's Studio
NEMO Science Museum’s Studio is an off-site location at the Marineterrein (in Amsterdam). Here, it presents a variety of programmes for adult audiences. Visit the exhibition Living Looonger and discover everything about the future of ageing. Test your biological age, discover what you yourself can do to live as long as possible and share your thoughts on a world in which we grow older and older.
If you already have a ticket for NEMO Science Museum, you can then use that ticket to visit The Studio for free. Your visit does not need to take place on the same day.