Explore Brussels with Kids

The Best Things to Do in Brussels with Kids 

Belgium’s capital is so beautiful and colorful that you have to visit it as soon as possible. Wondering what to do in Brussels with kids if you’re on family holidays? Brussels is a lovely family destination all year round, full of kids’ favorite foods (chocolate, waffles, fries), vibrant playgrounds, indoor and outdoor activities, green parks and fascinating attractions for children whether they’re in a relaxing or full-energy mood.  

#1 Choco-Story Brussel 

During your visit to Choco-Story Brussels, also known as Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, you and your little ones will learn how the Mayas and the Aztecs grew cocoa trees, how cocoa is transformed into chocolate and will get to watch a live pralines-preparation by a master chocolate-maker right in front of you. Are you drooling yet? Don’t worry, tasting chocolate will be a vital part of your tour. Definitely one of the most fun things to do with kids in Brussels. 

Address: Rue de l’Etuve 41, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium 
Opening times: Mon-Sun (10AM-5PM) 
Website

#2 Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences 

You don’t want to miss the largest dinosaur collection in Europe, including 30 fossilized Iguanodons discovered in Wallonia, galleries on whales and dolphins, live insects, moon rocks, fun kids’ trails and many more. Getting excited? The museum is free for little travelers under 4 and free for everyone on the 1st Wednesday afternoon of the month after 1 PM. Let your Jurassic Park games begin.

Address: Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium 
Opening times: Tue-Fri (9:30AM-5PM), Sat-Sun (10AM-6PM), Mondays closed  
Website

#3 Spot Some Street Art  

Did you know there’s a comic strip route to follow around Brussels? It’s definitely a fun, unique and free activity for you and your children to follow the trail and spot all the famous French cartoon characters hidden in the city. Brussels is also known as Capital of Comics, so, it doesn’t come as a surprise that many cartoonists have painted their favorite characters all over the city. Plus, if you’re visiting the city in autumn, a great way to deal with gray, gloomy weather is the Brussels Comic Strip Festival.  

Except for the comic strip route, discover everything you ever wanted to know about comics, and of course Tintin, at the Comic Strip Museum. Enjoy with your kids the permanent exhibition as well as the various activities that the museum offers.  

#4 Toy Museum 

Not only your little ones but also you will love this mansion full of toys from the last two centuries. Here, your kids and even your toddlers can play interactively and there’s a “look and do touch” behavior encouraged. Keep in mind it’s free on the 1st Sunday of the month and it closes for an hour between 1 and 2 PM for lunch. 

Address: Rue de l’Association 24, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium 
Website

#5 The Children’s Museum  

The name says it all. Want to awaken the creative side of your kid? Add the Children’s Museum, mainly designed for children between 4 and 12 years old, to the top of your Brussels bucket-list. You can even enroll them in various workshops during opening hours, too. Cooking, DYI, construction, acting in a theatrical play are just a few out of the many creative things they can get involved in, there.  

Address: Rue du Bourgmestre 15, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium 
Opening times: Sat, Sun & Wed (2:30PM-5PM), closed on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 
Website 

#6 Mini Europe 

At Mini Europe, you’ll travel to the whole of Europe in only a couple of hours. Discover 350 of Europe’s famous landmarks from across 80 cities shrunk to 1/25th of their real height and stroll amid a 4m Big Ben and the Acropolis. Many are interactive and will make your children head over heels excited. They can push a button to see the Berlin Wall fall down or push another to make Mount Vesuvius erupt.  

Address: Av. du Football 1, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium 
Opening times: Mon-Sun (9:30AM-5PM) 
Website

#7 Manneken Pis 

While wandering around Brussels’ cobbled streets with their medieval buildings, you’ll meet the official mascot of the city, Manneken Pis, a statue of a small boy peeing. It’s only 5 min on foot from the central Grand Place and it’ll certainly make your little ones burst out laughing. 

Address: 1000 Brussels, Belgium 

#8 The Atomium 

One the most unique things you can do in Brussels with your kids is visiting the Atomium. Its futuristic light shows, sci-fi exterior, exciting escalator rides and engaging educational exhibition make it a must-see for kids. They’ll be wondering if Darth Vader will appear in front of them anytime soon. 

Address: Pl. de l’Atomium 1, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium 
Opening times: Mon-Sun (10AM-6PM) 
Website 

#9 Go Green 

Thinking what to do with kids in Brussels during sunny days?  

You can visit the Parc du Rouge-Cloître, a former monastery found on the outskirts of Brussels in the South-West of Ixelles, with a fitness trail and many playgrounds for kids under 6 and another one for older children. Bonus: there’s a pirate ship which your kids will adore. 

Or go to the Sonian Forest, part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you and your little adventurers can build together huts, participate in your own treasure hunt, romp around freely, build camps, organize forest games or take part in the forest workshops. 

#10 Embark on an Active Adventure  

Are your little co-travelers thirsty for more? We’ve got you 100% covered. 

Try Jump XL, a trampoline park, where your kids can even have lessons with a professional trainer who will teach them how to do awesome back flips.  

Travel to space via the Space Team Game during which you and your kids will use dexterity, logic, speed and other skills to win.  

Let your kids live their medieval fantasy in the world of Sortilège where characters such as knights, fairy godmothers, witches, etc. accompany them on an epic quest through multiple challenges like treetop rope courses, puzzles, archery or sword fighting.  

Undertake together the Mystery Bag mission, a playful combo of treasure hunt and escape game through the city. If your kids are 10 or older this game is perfect for them. They also need to be accompanied by you to play it. 

Explore hidden stories of the city with Vroum’ekes, a local guide of Brussels and its surroundings aboard an old VW minibus and enjoy a ride full of surprises. This game for young and old is ideal for all of you with kids aged 8 or older. Bon voyage!