7 Amazing Things to Do in Brussels With Kids

Why visit Brussels? There are countless reasons to put Belgium’s capital on your travel radar. It’s one of Europe’s greenest cities, meaning 50 percent is covered in forests, parks, and other green spaces. Yet, it boasts more cultural events per capita than NYC! From concert halls to cultural centers, art galleries to museums, you’ll never run out of exciting and unique activities while traveling with the whole family.

As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, Brussels is truly a global city, renowned for its diversity and multiculturalism. More than 100 languages are spoken, and the metropolitan contains one cultural district after another where you’ll feel as though you’re voyaging to different parts of the world. No wonder it’s known as “a global city on a human scale.”

Keep reading to learn more about seven amazing things to do in Brussels with kids.

1. Satisfy Your Inner Chocoholic

Where to go in Brussels? Nothing beats Belgian chocolate. The country is celebrated for its take on this delightful treat, both in terms of richness and quality. And Brussels is known as the birthplace of the praline. In other words, no trip to the capital would be complete without exploring the history and art of this divine confection.

Where to start? The Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate (a.k.a. Choco-Story Brussels) appeals to chocolate lovers of all ages. This interactive location sits in a beautiful 17th-century building and features two galleries containing chocolate-related artifacts. You’ll also find a kitchen where hands-on classes and workshops occur daily. The museum’s chocolatier leads demonstrations, which involve praline making and plenty of quality control (a.k.a. tasting).

Besides the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, you’ll also want to schedule time at some of the city’s top chocolatiers. These include Godiva, Neuhaus, and Mary Chocolatier. These establishments also offer visitors chocolate-making demonstrations. Like the museum, you’ll enjoy plenty of opportunities to sample the finished products!

2. Discover the Comic Strip Museum

If your children are comic fans or artists, add the Comic Strip Museum to your schedule. This fun location displays the work of Herge, the artist behind Belgium’s most beloved animated character, Tintin.

Housed in an old department store, the facility showcases fascinating attractions, from historic cartoon strips to 3D reproductions. For example, you’ll have the chance to explore a replica of the rocket that Tintin used to travel through space.

Besides learning more about this iconic character, the museum explores the inspiration and creativity that go into creating comic strips and pop arts. There’s also a library where you and your kid can dive into more of your favorite comic strips.

3. Snap Selfies at Manneken Pis

You can’t go to Brussels without seeing Manneken Pis. Period. This two-foot-tall statue of a peeing boy has become iconic. Located southwest of Brussels’s Gothic Town Hall, it remains the city’s unofficial mascot.

Today’s version is a replica made of bronze of the original 17th-century version. The original is now located in the Brussels City Museum. Removing and preserving this statue has proven a smart move for city officials.

After all, Manneken Pis endured 18th-century theft and 19th-century destruction. Fortunately, the humorous guy remains brazenly wrapped up in relieving himself, a testament to the Belgian sense of humor. The selfies your older children snap at this monument will surely get some social media love. And little ones will love building scrapbook pages around this whimsical monument.

4. Explore Mini-Europe

If you’ve never heard of Brussels’ Mini-Europe, you’re in for a treat. This interactive display of miniature landscapes inspired by European cities is 300 models strong. It includes open-air spaces and landmarks.

As you stroll through the displays, you and your teen will feel like you’re walking through Europe Gulliver’s Travel-style. From London’s Big Ben to the gondola-filled canals of Venice, you’ll explore 80 cities in miniature. Give yourself a couple of hours to fully explore these tiny metropolises, so rich in incredible details.

The displays also contain a couple of fascinating moveable treats. These include a mini version of Mount Vesuvius erupting and a crumbling version of the Berlin Wall. You and your teen will fall for this diminutive love letter to Europe’s most famous cities.

5. Speed through Autoworld and Train World

For kids who can’t get enough speed, Brussels has two museums right up their alley: Autoworld and Trainworld. Autoworld Brussels contains more than 300 antique and vintage cars, representing a timespan from the 19th century to the present. Most makes are European or American.

To learn more about Belgium’s car industry, book a tour with a local guide who will walk you through this fascinating history. As for Train World, it contains a comprehensive collection of Belgium’s locomotives and carriages.

These include 20 vintage trains like the 19th-century Pays de Waes, which boasts the title of the oldest preserved steam train in Europe. You and your kids can learn about train simulators while enjoying a ride. And you’ll have the chance to climb into a stainless-steel train from the 1950s, the Trans-Europ-Express (TEE).

6. Check out the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

No matter your age, it’s hard to outgrow the human fascination with dinosaurs. Just think of franchises like Jurassic Park geared to fans of all ages.

So, a trip to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences will capture your family’s imagination. The museum boasts one of the most extensive dinosaur galleries in the world, with a whopping +37 million specimens collected worldwide.

Among the most impressive attractions? The skeletal remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex. You’ll also see fossils of feathered dinos and a Plateosaurus skeleton. Explore how to become a paleontologist at the paleoLAB. Then, participate in hands-on activities like rebuilding skeletons, digging for finds, and making fossil prints.

7. Visit Bois de la Cambre

When you’re ready for a little downtime in one of Brussels’s many green spaces, head to the celebrated Bois de la Cambre. This verdant city park is a favorite for locals (when the weather cooperates). There, they participate in various activities daily, like picnicking, jogging, and cycling.

Visitors can take a pontoon boat across the park’s lake to visit a small island. Other fun activities include heading to the Brussels Golf Academy and Training Center, on the southern end of the Bois de la Cambre for golf lessons.

Other attractions located inside the expansive park include Chalet Robinson. Not only is this the location where you can take a pontoon, but you’ll also find a restaurant and outdoor games like pétanque. Another spot worth a visit is the Villa Empain, an Art Deco treasure housing the Centre for Art and Dialogue Between Eastern and Western Cultures.

Things to Do in Brussels With Kids

There’s no end to fantastic things to do in Brussels with the whole family. Whether you’re sampling handcrafted chocolate at one of the city’s top chocolatiers or snapping selfies at the whimsical Manneken Pis. At Mini-Europe, stroll through 80 European cities in a matter of hours, or head to Autoworld to explore the car industry in Belgium and much more. And don’t skimp on family photos to commemorate your vacation! Here’s a shortcut to hiring a flytographer for your Brussels family vacation.

If you’re ready to book an unforgettable family getaway, we’ve got you covered. We can help you design the perfect itinerary based on your family members’ ages and interests. From our local connections to travel know-how, we’ll ensure you enjoy the best accommodations and an itinerary filled with independent exploration, hands-on experiences, and tours. Discover why we’re the top pick for families looking for kid-friendly vacations.

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