14 Things to Do with Kids in Brussels

Beyond the traditional monuments, parks and other attractions in Brussels, the Belgian capital offers a wide range of activities that will make this experience a great adventure for your little ones.

Witheducational museums, interactive exhibits, amusement parks and a variety of immersive activities designed especially for young people, the Belgian capital is definitely a huge playground full of wonderful discoveries to keep its youngest visitors entertained.

If this replica of an atom magnified millions of times is impressive to you, imagine what it's like for a child. A visit to the Atomium in Brussels is highly recommended, so I advise you to get your tickets in advance and not miss out on this experience.

Although the programme offers interesting permanent exhibitions, what matters most to young children is the experience of the visit itself. In a futuristic setting with corners to explore filled with lights, special workshops, eye-catching street furniture and passageways between the spheres, this could be the activity you were looking for to relax while they have a great time.

Useful information:

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Last admission at 17:30.
• Price: Adults pay €20, students €12 and seniors over 65 €17. Young people (taller than 115 cm and under 17 years old) €12 and children under 115 cm tall enter free of charge.
• Address: Pl. de l'Atomium 1, 1020 Brussels.

The sweetest plan in Brussels is to take part in a waffle workshop, where a master chocolatier will guide you through the entire process and answer your questions. You don't need any previous cooking experience to enjoy this activity, so it's perfect for children.

Waffle workshop information:

• Includes: utensils and ingredients to prepare the waffle batter.
• Recipe: you can take it home to surprise your guests.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Price: around £35 per person.

Choco Story Museum

If your children are also passionate about chocolate, they cannot miss the Choco Story Museum, where they will discover all the secrets of Belgian chocolate and attend a demonstration.

** Choco Story Museum information**:

• Includes: guided tour, live demonstration and chocolate tasting.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Last admission at 17:00.
• Price: adults €14, students and seniors over 65 €12, children aged 3 to 11 €8.
• Location: Rue de l'Étuve 41, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

A fun route to encourage children to walk is the famous route of Manneken Pis, Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis. Finding these amusing statues of a boy, a girl and a puppy peeing is a good excuse to convince the little ones to walk around the city and enjoy everything there is to see in Brussels

If you are travelling with limited time and want to make the most of your experience, a tour on one of the tourist buses around Brussels can be ideal for the whole family. This option is not only comfortable, but also allows you to explore the city at your own pace and decide which places best suit what you are looking for.

If you are a motor enthusiast, don't miss the Autoworld Museum in Brussels, which has one of the most diverse car collections in the world with more than 300 models, ranging from the late 19th century to the present day.

Animal-drawn, gas, steam, diesel and electric vehicles. The most interesting thing is that you can climb into them and take photos, making it an ideal activity to enjoy with the little ones.

What's more, your ticket includes an audio guide with information on all the models. Don't hesitate. Don't miss the opportunity to ride in a 1928 Bentley, a 1920s Bugatti Type 23, or the classic Mustangs and Corvettes that were so popular in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States.

Useful information:

• Includes: access to the permanent collection and audio guide.
• Opening hours: open every day from 10 am to 5 pm (Saturdays and Sundays until 6 pm).
• Price: adults €14, students and seniors over 65 €10, children aged 6 to 11 €6. Free admission for children under 6.
• Location: Parc du Cinquantenaire 11, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Another must-see for the little ones is Train World, where you can explore the oldest railway network in Europe. This unique interactive experience will give you an insight into the heritage and historical significance of the Belgian railway system, which belongs to the Belgian National Railway Company.

Here you can enjoy an exhibition of old photographs, books, documentaries and a collection of period objects. You will also have the opportunity to visit a display of steam locomotives, where you can see and interact with some historical gems such as the Pays da Waes model, which dates back to 1844.

Useful information:

• Includes: access to the permanent exhibition, locomotive display and interactive experience.
• Opening hours: open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on Mondays, except public holidays.
• Price: adults €15, students and seniors over 65 €12, children aged 6 to 17 €11. Free admission for children under 6.
• Location: Prinses Elisabethplein 5, 1030 Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium.

I also recommend one of the most entertaining and classic sound museums in the city, the Museum of Musical Instruments. With a collection of over 7,000 instruments from around the world, this museum is a favourite with children as the exhibition is interactive and allows you to listen to the sound of each instrument through headphones.

Useful information:

• Price: free admission for children under 18. Admission for adults is €15.
• Opening hours: open every day except Mondays from 9:30 a.m. Admission until 4:30 p.m.
• Address: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2 - 1000 Brussels.

Brussels is home to another attraction that you and your little ones won't want to miss: Mini Europe, a miniature park that reproduces around 350 iconic landmarks from across the old continent.

At Mini Europe, you will find a garden adorned with exotic bonsai trees and dwarf trees. This interactive experience is a tour of the greatest wonders spread across the 27 countries that make up the European Union, such as Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and the Roman Colosseum, among others. I guarantee fun, but also quality time and learning for everyone.

The park also has a restaurant area, rest areas and the Spirit of Europe pavilion, an enclosed space where you can discover little-known aspects of the European Union.

Useful information:

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Last admission at 5:00 p.m.
• Price: children under 115 cm tall enter free of charge, up to 12 years old €12.30. Adults pay €17.30.
• Address: Av. du Football 1, 1020 Brussels.

A visit to the Brussels Natural Science Museum is an unmissable experience. It has one of the world's largest collections of dinosaurs and offers a range of visual and multimedia experiences covering 400 animal species, human evolution and science in general, which children will immediately connect with.

I have no doubt that this is one of the best museums in Brussels, which also offers a programme specially designed for children, including supervised visits, holiday camps and themed birthday parties.

Useful information:

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price: children and teenagers aged 4 to 17 €5. Adults pay €13, seniors over 65 and people with disabilities pay €10.
• Address: Vautierstreet, 29. 1000 Brussels

There is nothing more fun for a child than walking around open spaces and marvelling at the wonders of the wild world.

Although it is located on the outskirts of the city, Planckendael Zoo is easily accessible by public transport. However, I recommend that you plan your visit early so that you can spend a good part of the day on this activity.

The zoo offers a brilliant variety of wild animals in a nature reserve style, which is useful for children to understand the need for conservation and care of the environment. There are also rest areas with toilets, sandpits, hanging ropes and children's games along the routes. A memorable experience that, I assure you, they will remember for a lifetime.

Useful information:

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Price: children aged 3 to 11 €25, aged 12 to 17 €29. Adults pay €31.
• Address: Leuvensesteenweg 582 2812 Mechelen, Muizen. It is a 10-minute drive from Brussels.

Brussels pays tribute to the ninth art with a tour that is pure colour, nostalgia and creativity. This comic book tour is a guided tour led by an expert (in English), where you can see giant murals, galleries, specialised shops and iconic streets that have inspired the country's greatest comic book artists. Over the course of about two and a half hours, you'll discover the cultural mark left by characters such as Tintin, The Smurfs, Lucky Luke and Yoko Tsuno in the Belgian capital.

Along the way, you'll learn about the origins of Franco-Belgian comics, visit the house that inspired Tintin's home and stroll through the Galeries Saint Hubert, which have a direct connection to their creator, Hergé. The route also includes the Smurf Passage, a monumental mosaic that decorates the ceiling of a tunnel in the heart of the city centre.

A perfect activity for both comic book fans and those looking for a different way to get to know the city. What's more, it is suitable for all ages and designed to immerse you fully in the history of European comics through its most vivid expression: street art.

Walibi is one of Belgium's best-known amusement parks and, obviously, one of the most exciting experiences for kids. With adrenaline-filled adventures suitable for teenagers and adults, as well as an exclusive children's play area, this is another outing to enjoy with the family. The park is open from April to September, with July and August being the busiest months.

And if water is your thing, very close to this park you will find Aqualibi, the water slide and swimming pool version of an amusement park. The place is enclosed and the pools are heated, making them suitable for rainy or cold days. I recommend checking the website, as it is usually not available during the low season.

Both places are located about 30 kilometres from Brussels, and the most convenient way to get there is by train. You can check train departure and arrival times to and from Brussels, as well as prices and availability, on the Brussels Train website.

Like a real-life comic book, 1,500 metres of exhibition space provide the ideal setting for diving into the world of the Smurfs. Guided by Papa Smurf, you will get to know one of the world's most popular animated franchises up close. This exhibition is only available at certain times of the year, which you can check on the official website. The tour lasts about an hour and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

From the perspective of a little blue creature, which is what you become when you step inside, the exhibition is designed so that , through virtual reality, you can cross magical waterfalls, fly on the back of a stork, or escape from the cage where Gargamel, the villain of the series, has captured you.

I recommend visiting the official shop, where you can find various items to commemorate the experience: T-shirts, mugs, books, toys and video games to complete the expedition and enjoy a bit of the outdoors in Brussels' neighbouring Grand Place.

Useful information:

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Price: children €7, adults €10.
• Address: Hall 4 of Brussels Expo, Place de Belgique.

This interactive science and technology museum is located approximately 22 kilometres from Brussels and is specially designed for children.

At Technopolis, all activities are based on experimentation, and children aged 4 to 80 are welcome to participate in fun scientific trials and demonstrations on a journey of exploration through science and technology.

I recommend buying tickets online. The easiest way to get there is by train from Brussels Central Station to the city of Mechelen.

Useful information:

• Opening hours: open every day until 10 p.m.
• Price: children under 4 years old enter free of charge, between 4 and 11 years old €14.50. Adults pay €19.50.
• Address: Av. de Tervueren 188A, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre.

Children always enjoy outdoor activities. From playing in gardens, riding on swings or going down slides to overcoming obstacles and enjoying a sandpit, all these attractions are in Brussels for you to enjoy with your family.

There is a wide range of playgrounds in Brussels where you can go for family walks and breathe fresh air in the middle of your itinerary.

Another unmissable activity to enjoy with children is to visit the large murals of Tintin, Asterix and the Smurfs that adorn the city centre. As you walk or cycle through the heart of the city, you can admire this immense living museum that pays tribute to the great Belgian cartoonists.

• Brussels is a safe city, but it's still a good idea to keep an eye on your personal belongings and your children. Many of the activities I recommend require children under the age of 12 to be accompanied by an adult.
• Some of Brussels' museums have special programmes for children throughout the year. I recommend checking the official website of the Museums of Brussels, where you can find up-to-date recommendations on exhibitions and special programmes.
• From experience, I suggest you plan each move in advance, as we don't want to have to wait hours to get into a place. Take advantage of young children's sleep schedules to make long journeys and keep your identity documents handy.
• If you are travelling with children, I recommend hiring private transport to take you from the airport to Brussels and vice versa. This option allows you to travel more calmly and comfortably, especially if you are travelling with babies or young children.
• Before travelling to Brussels, I recommend reading the article What to see and do in Brussels so that you can be aware of the wide variety of options available to you.

For anyone travelling with children, planning meal times is very important in order to make the most of your time and enjoy all the tourist attractions. To start the day, I recommend looking for accommodation that offers cooking facilities or breakfast included, and here's a good reason why: you can have different breakfast options according to your family's tastes, save on meals, avoid waste and save time.

For lunch and dinner, depending on the area you are in, consult online guides specialising in family restaurants to choose the best option. One of the highest rated is Chez Leon, located in the centre of Brussels and described as the "most Belgian restaurant in Belgium". The staff are dressed in traditional Belgian costumes, and the menu includes typical delicacies for all tastes, but best of all, it offers free food for children under 12.

Keep in mind that Brussels is the capital of waffles, one of the favourite snacks for children and adults alike. I recommend booking a Belgian waffle workshop, where the whole family can learn how to make them. The price of admission covers the class, equipment and ingredients, and remember that you get to enjoy the fun! Keep in mind that during your daily excursions, you may come across chocolate shops, ice cream parlours and bakeries of all kinds, so there is no shortage of options.