11 Things to Do with Kids in Brussels

Beyond the traditional monuments, parks and the rest of Brussels' many attractions, the Belgian capital has a wide range of activities that can make the experience a great adventure for your little ones.

Educational museums, interactive tour spaces, amusement parks and various immersive activities designed especially for the youngest visitors, the Belgian capital is a huge field of wonderful discoveries to keep its youngest visitors entertained.

A fun route to encourage children to walk is the famous Manneken Pis, Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis route. Finding these funny little 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 little time and want to make the most of the experience, a tour in one of the Brussels sightseeing buses can be ideal for the whole family. As well as being comfortable, this option allows you to explore the city at your own pace and decide which places best suit what you're looking for.

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

Although the programme offers interesting permanent exhibitions, the youngest visitors will be interested in the experience itself. In a futuristic setting with light-filled nooks and crannies to explore, special workshops, eye-catching street furniture and passageways between the spheres, this may be just the activity you've been 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 allowed at 17:30.
• Price: Adults pay €20, students €12 and seniors €17. Young people (taller than 115 cm and under 17 years old) €12 and children under 115 cm are free.
• Address: Pl. de l'Atomium 1, 1020 Brussels.

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

Horse-drawn, gas, steam, diesel and electric vehicles. The most interesting thing is that you can get on them and take photos, making it an ideal activity for the youngest members of the family.

What's more, with your ticket you'll be given an audio guide with information on all the models. Don't hesitate. Don't miss the chance to ride in a 1928 Bentley, a Bugatti Type 23 from the 1920s or the classic Mustang and Corvette, so popular in the 1950s and 1960s in the USA.

And another must-see for the little ones at home is the ' Train World ', where you will enter the oldest railway network in Europe. A unique interactive experience in which you will become aware of the heritage and historical significance of the Belgian railway system, which belongs to the Belgian National Railway Company.

In this space you can enjoy an exhibition of old photographs, books, documentaries and a collection of objects from the period. You will also have the opportunity to visit an exhibition of steam locomotives, where you will see and interact with some historical gems such as the Pays da Waes model, which dates back to no less than 1844.

A journey into the past to understand the evolution of the railway system, from its beginnings to the present day, including the electrification of the Brussels-Charleroi line.

The sweetest plan of all is to take part in a waffle workshop in Brussels with a master chocolatier who will guide you through the whole process and who you can ask any questions you may have. You don't need to be an expert in the kitchen or have any previous experience to take part in this activity.

This workshop includes the utensils and ingredients for the waffle batter. But best of all, you' ll be able to take home the recipe to surprise your guests every time you organise a snack. What are you waiting for to book your workshop? Don't forget, Belgian waffles are the best!

But this is not the only option, as you can also choose to book a chocolate workshop, where you'll discover all the secrets of Belgian chocolate making at the Choco Story Museum and attend a demonstration. You'll also prepare a personalised bar that you can take away with you and enjoy a chocolate tasting session.

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

Useful information:

• Price: children under the age of 18 are free. Admission for adults costs €15.
• Opening hours: Open daily, except Mondays from 9.30am. Access allowed until 4.30pm.
• Address: Rue Montagne de la Cour 2 - 1000 Brussels.

An experience not to be missed is a visit to the Brussels Museum of Natural Sciences which has one of the largest dinosaur collections in the world, and with various visual and multimedia experiences on 400 species of animals, human evolution and science in general that make children connect immediately.

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

Information of interest:

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm.
• Price: children and teenagers between 4 and 17 years old €5. Adults €13, seniors over 65 and people with special needs €10.
• Address: Vautierstreet, 29. 1000 Brussels

And right next to this space, you will find another attraction that you can't miss with the little ones: Mini Europa, a miniature park that reproduces to scale around 350 emblematic spots from all over the old continent.

In Mini Europa you will find a garden adorned with exotic bonsai and dwarf trees. This interactive experience is a journey through the greatest wonders of 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.

In the park you will also find a restaurant area, rest areas and the Spirit of Europe pavilion, an enclosed space to discover little-known aspects of the European Union.

Useful information:

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:30 to 18:00. Access allowed at 17:00.
• Price: children under 115 cm are free, up to 12 years €12.30. Adults pay €17.30.
• Address: Av. du Football 1, 1020 Brussels.

There's nothing more fun for a child than wandering through open spaces and marvelling at the wonder of the wild world.

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

The zoo offers a brilliant variety of wild animals in the style of a nature reserve, useful for children to understand the need for conservation and care of the environment. On the trails there are also rest areas with toilets, sandboxes, hanging ropes and children's games. A memorable experience that, I assure you, they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Useful information:

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

Housed in a huge mansion near the Parc de Bruxelles, the Toy Museum holds one of the most interesting collections of toys from around the world. If your plan includes visiting museums in Brussels, this one should be on the list to visit with children.

Around 25,000 toys of all kinds, dating from the mid-19th century to the present day, are spread over the three floors of the building and come from 33 countries on four continents. In addition, you can attend puppet shows and travelling exhibitions every month.

It will be surprising for everyone to learn the story behind each piece and to discover with nostalgia the games present in the childhood of our grandparents and ourselves. The good thing is that they are within reach of children who can play and touch everything they want.

Information of interest:

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 14:00 to 18:00.
• Price: children under 6 years free, between 6 and 18 years €5.50. Adults pay €8.
• Address: Rue de l'Association 24, 1000 Brussels.

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

And if water is your thing, close by is Aqualibi, the water slides and pool version of an amusement park. The place is enclosed and the pools are heated, so they are suitable for rainy or cold days. I advise you to check the website, as in low season it is usually not available.

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

As if it were a real-life comic strip, 1,500 metres of exhibition will be the ideal setting to dive into the world of The Smurfs. Guided by Papa Smurf, you'll get up close and personal with one of the world's most popular animated franchises. This exhibition is only available at certain times of the year, which you can confirm on the official website. The tour lasts about an hour and is open to the public from 10am until 6pm.

From the perspective of a little blue being that you become when you set foot in the place, 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 in which Gargamel, the villain of the series, captured you.

I recommend you visit the official shop, where you can find different objects to remember the experience: T-shirts, mugs, books, toys and video games to complete your expedition and enjoy a bit of the open air of the neighbouring Grand Place in Brussels.

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 from 4 to 80 years old are welcome to participate in fun science experiments 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 daily until 10pm.
• Price: Children under 4 years free, children between 4 and 11 years €14.50. Adults pay €19.50.
• Address: Av. de Tervueren 188A, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre.

Outdoor activities are always a pleasure for children. From playing in gardens, riding a swing or going down a slide to overcoming obstacles and enjoying a sand park, all these attractions are available in Brussels for the whole family to enjoy.

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

Another unmissable plan to enjoy with the kids is to visit the large murals of Tintin, Asterix or The Smurfs that adorn the city centre. While walking or cycling through the heart of the city, you can admire this immense living museum that pays homage to the great Belgian cartoonists.

• Brussels is a safe city, but it doesn't hurt to take care of your personal belongings and keep an eye on the children. Many of the activities I recommend will require the accompaniment of an adult for children under 12 years of age.

• Some of the museums in Brussels have special programmes for children throughout the year. I recommend you check the official website of the Brussels Museums, where you can find up-to-date recommendations for special exhibitions and programmes.

• From experience, I suggest you think about every move in advance, as you don't want to have to wait for hours to get in somewhere. Take advantage of young children's sleeping schedules for long journeys and keep identity documents close at hand.

• If you are travelling with children, I recommend that you hire private transport from the airport to Brussels and back when you arrive. This option helps you travel more calmly and comfortably, especially if you are travelling with babies or small children.

• Before you travel to Brussels, I recommend that you read the article What to see and do in Brussels so that you can find out about the wide range of things to do and see in Brussels.

For anyone travelling with children, planning mealtimes is very important to make the most of your time and enjoy all the sights. To start the day, my option is to look for the accommodation to have the option of cooking on site or breakfast included and I give you a good reason for this: you can have different breakfast choices according to your family's tastes, save on meals, avoid waste and save time.

For lunch and dinner, and depending on the area you are in, consult the virtual guides specialised in family restaurants to choose your best option. One of the best rated is ChezLeon, located in central Brussels and described as the 'most Belgian restaurant in Belgium'. The staff is dressed in traditional Belgian costumes, the menu includes typical Belgian delicacies for all tastes, but the best thing is that it offers free meals for children under 12.

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