23 things to do in Brussels with kids

What to do when you’ve got a Eurostar discount burning a hole in your pocket, and itchy feet? While Paris is always tempting, as well as Amsterdam and Lille, it pays not to overlook the Belgian capital, with plenty of things to do in Brussels with kids.

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If you need more tempting to try a family holiday in Belgium, there’s also Bruges (which I love, partly for the chocolate). Or Ghent. Or Antwerp! Decisions decisions? All are easy to combine with Brussels too, thanks to Belgium’s reliable rail links.

So if you’re facing a similar dilemma, you won’t be short of reasons to visit Brussels for families, including if you’re visiting with a toddler. In the city of the Smurfs and Tintin, these are my top things to do in Brussels with kids.

The BELvue Museum

If the only things your kids know about Belgium is that it’s famous for chips, chocolate and beer, the BELvue Museum is a great place to fill in the blanks.

Dedicated to the history and culture of Belgium, it includes displays on football and art by Magritte as well as more background on Belgium’s heritage, its mix of languages, and its political and social background. There are regular temporary exhibitions to see as well.

Get a discount on tickets to the BELvue Museum if you book via tiqets using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6

For more tips on visiting Belgium with kids, check out my guide to the cities, countryside and coast

Take a tour

Save your legs and see some of the highlights of Brussels with kids on a hop-on hop-off tour. The Brussels Discovery Tour from Tootbus is valid for one or two days, and has two different routes to follow.

It’s also a great way to get around, stopping at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre, the Botanical Garden, the Atomium and various other landmarks and museums, including the European Parliament and the Belgian Royal Museum of Art and History.

There’s also a combined bus and walking tour to tick off the highlights, including a free waffle thrown in.

If you’re visiting with older kids, you could also see Brussels under your own power on a half-day bike tour – only suitable for participants over 150cm though.

Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate

When in Belgium, Belgian chocolate has to be on the list. And not just scoffing it. Brussels is also home to Choco Story, the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, focusing on the history dating back to Aztec and Mayan civilisations.

After you discover how the basic bean made its long journey to be transformed into sauce to be drizzled on Belgian waffles, the history lesson is enlivened by a chocolate-making demonstration at the end – plus tastings, of course.

Best for slightly older children (and their parents) than toddlers, but definitely one of the most fun things to do with kids in Brussels.

Join a chocolate making workshop

Prefer to get hands on, rather than watching someone else have all the fun when it comes to chocolate? This 90-minute chocolate making workshop is suitable for kids aged 6 years old and above, with a demonstration from a chocolatier and hot chocolate to drink while you work (or lemonade if you prefer).

While you can’t experience the entire process from bean to bar (you’ll need to travel to St Lucia or similar for that), you will make your own bar and truffles, taste a real cocoa bean and three different origin chocolates, including the newly discovered ruby chocolate.

If your sweet tooth is craving more, you also get a discount in the shop to pick up some chocolate souvenirs.

Manneken Pis

The official symbol of the city, around a five-minute walk from the central Grand Place, everyone stops off to have a look at the Manneken Pis.

As an adult, there’s only so long you can enjoy seeing a small boy weeing, but it’s hilarious for a certain age group.

Wandering the area’s cobbled streets with their fabulous medieval buildings is likely to be a hit as well, although not always buggy-friendly – but perfect if you’re looking for free things to do in Brussels for kids between other attractions.

Mini Europe

In Brupark, around half an hour outside the city centre, you can discover 350 of Europe’s famous landmarks from across 80 cities at Mini Europe, all shrunk to 1/25th of their real height, such as a 4m Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and the Acropolis.

Several are even interactive – push a button to make the Berlin Wall fall down, press another and see Mount Vesuvius erupt. I love the idea of capturing the imagination this way, and as everything’s been miniaturised, this would easily be a favourite if you’re visiting Brussels with toddlers.

As well as tickets with free cancellation, you can sometimes find combination tickets with some of the other Brussels attractions for kids, such as the Brussels Discovery hop-on hop-off bus tour, as well as getting discounts with the Brussels City Card.

The Atomium

Built for the World Fair, the striking building is not far from Mini Europe and the Parc d’Osseghem Laeken (the Heysel metro stop) – so you can combine several attractions if you visit Brussels with kids.

Converted to a museum, the Atomium is now home to various permanent and temporary exhibitions – better with older kids than a trip to Brussels with a toddler, although even little ones will enjoy the sight of the iconic silver balls. There’s also a kids’ sphere but this is only open for group overnight visits.

Museum of Natural Sciences

Individual tickets are available, as well as combinations with other attractions.

Dinosaurs! Brussels is home to the largest collection in Europe, including 30 fossilised Iguanodons discovered in nearby Wallonia, there are also galleries on whales and dolphins, live insects plus some moon rocks, and some very fun kids’ trails to help you discover it all, along with the Sauria app.

Some of the Museum of Natural Sciences has been renovated recently, with new displays in a gallery focused on biodiversity too.

The museum is free for children under four (and for everyone on the first Wednesday of the month), and entry is also included in the Brussels card. You can arrange guided tours in English too.

Comic Strip Museum

All you ever wanted to know about comics, a visit to the Comic Strip Center in Brussels is perfect for fans of graphic novels, whatever your age, although activities are aimed more to older children than toddlers and preschoolers.

The exhibits will take you from the origins of the comic strip through a chance to explore their distinctive art style, as well as regular temporary exhibitions and permanent favourites including the Smurfs.

Tickets to the Comic Art Museum are included in the Brussels card.

There’s also a comic strip route to follow around the city that’s another fun way to see Brussels with children (and free), as well as a guided Comic Book Walls tour, which you could easily combine with a visit to the Belgian Comic Strip Centre for a fun themed family city break.

Or set off on your own to take on a comic strip outdoor escape game – perfect if your kids love a challenge.

If your kids are avid Tintin fans, you can also make a day trip to visit the Herge Museum in Louvain-La-Neuve, around 40 minutes away from Brussels by car or just over an hour on the train

Bozar

As the Centre for Fine Arts (Beaux Arts -> Bozar, geddit) is known, there are discovery trails aimed at families with kids aged six and up, as well as family tours on offer plus other activities during the year.

The year of Bruegel was celebrated with the chance to dress up like someone from the Middle Ages, make a hat or print a monster for example, but activities change regularly, so there’s always something new to discover.

Whoever is at the heart of the current exhibition, it makes a great introduction to art in Brussels for children. Most activities aimed at age 7+.

The World of Banksy

Older kids will love stepping into the World of Banksy, aka the Banksy Museum in Brussels, with a chance to learn more about the iconic street artist.

Other street artists have recreated some of his most iconic works, plus there are prints, video, installations and more, all set within an old fabric house. The immersive experience takes you on a journey through Banksy’s works – originally intended to be a temporary exhibition, it proved so popular it’s become a permanent attraction

Get a discount on tickets to The World of Banksy if you book via tiqets using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Royal Museum of Art & History

Built to celebrate 50 years of Belgian independent, the Art and History Museum in Brussels is a treasure trove of artefacts from around the globe – 600,000 in all.

You could find everything from Egyptian Mummies and Easter Island moai to Delft pottery and Flemish tapestries, as well as prehistoric finds, Ancient Greek and Roman pieces.

There are also some family trails to help you explore.

Get a discount on tickets to the Royal Museum of Art & History if you book via tiqets using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Musical Instruments Museum

For a quirky museum with a difference, the Musical Instruments Museum (or Muziekinstrumentenmuseum) is a great place to explore with kids.

There are more than 1,000 instruments on display over four floors, including some dating back centuries as well as a 19th century componium, which automatically composes its own music, with no limit to the different pieces it can create.

There’s plenty to learn about the history of musical instruments in the Western world, and if you get the audio guide as well, you can hear the sounds some of them make – definitely an added bonus over just looking.

Get a discount on tickets to the Musical Instruments Museum if you book via tiqets using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6

Coudenberg Palace

A couple of minutes’ walk from the Musical Instruments Museum, is one of the most unusual palace visits in Europe, with an underground tour to discover the palace of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

The former royal palace once stood on a hill, with various cellars underneath, until the area was levelled to lay out the new Place Royale and surrounding area. The archaeological site now lets you explore those old cellars as you learn about the Coudenberg Palace.

And there are some great ways for kids to explore, including a treasure hunt aimed at ages 5-8, who receive a backpack complete with equipment to complete 7 missions (with a small prize at the end), priced 4 Euros. There are also free audiotours and an app to download to learn more

In the same building as the BELvue Museum, it’s also easy to combine a visit to both.

There’s also a separate app to help you explore the Royal Quarter, called City Game Coudenberg: Quest of the Golden Key

Brussels Children’s Museum

Outside the city centre in Ixelles (around half an hour on public transport, less by car), this recently renovated museum still makes my list of Brussels children’s things to do – ideal for younger children in particular with a focus on learning and discovering the world through play.

There are also workshops, which can be done in English, although that’s not guaranteed. It’s worth noting the limited opening hours, a maximum of 2 1/2 hours per day, and only three days a week in term time.

There’s also a maximum of 250 visitors allowed to La Musee des Enfants (also known as Het Kindermuseum) so it’s worth getting there early on rainy days. You’re also asked not to bring strollers and buggies and electronic payments are currently only guaranteed for Belgian bank cards, so bring cash.

Autoworld Brussels

If your kids love cars, it’s hard to beat a visit to Autoworld Brussels with some fantastic vintage models.

Set in the South Hall of the Cinquantenaire building, there are over 250 vintage cars from Europe and America, right from the earliest models. Laid out by decade, you can pose with some of the retro automobiles, as well as discovering more about the history of the car in special themed temporary exhibitions.

Get a discount on tickets to Autoworld Brussels if you book via tiqets using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6

For kids who love all forms of transport, check out Train World – not far from Lego Discovery Centre Brussels – which is home to Europe’s oldest steam locomotive

Museum of Illusions

It seems like every city has its own Museum of Illusions these days, and Brussels is no exception – but they’re always huge fun for families, and a great idea if you’re looking for things to do in Brussels in the rain with kids.

And Brussels’s own Museum of Illusions is the largest in Europe with over 60 interactive (and Instagrammable) illusions – except to be turned upside down, shrunk and generally have your brain boggled, baffled and teased as you explore.

Get a discount on tickets to Brussels Museum of Illusions if you book via tiqets using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6

The Pixel Museum

Discover the world of video games at the Pixel Museum, with displays taking you on a journey through time passing dozens of consoles, accessories, games and more which have shaped the history of the video game.

Set in the Sheds of Tour and Taxis near the river, there are also plenty of ways to get hands on, with workshops running during the year, and even a chance to test out games from major and indepdendent developers.

Plus there’s a chance to play with some of the old consoles and arcade machines while you there – huge fun for gamers big and small.

The parks

There are several parks to while away a sunny afternoon if you’re wondering what to do with kids in Brussels. The Parc de Bruxelles, or Warandepark, is the largest public park in Brussels city centre, if you’re looking for green spaces between visiting other attractions.

Or head to the Botanical Garden with its lovely terraced gardens and greenhouses, which often double as the location for concerts.

Slightly further out is the Cinquantenaire Park, home to several museums, including Autoworld Brussels (although most of the others aren’t the most child-friendly – unless your kids are into military history, or unless you’re visiting Brussels with a baby and planning to nip in at nap time!).

Visit a water park

Aqualibi, around half an hour outside Brussels, has its own Kiddie Bay and Mini beach attraction aimed at kids aged three to eight – a 700 metre squared zone that’s perfect for little ones.

But there’s plenty here for the whole family, promising to cater for toddlers to teens, all in 29C water – perfect for all ages of kids in Brussels.

Older kids will love the slides – some more adrenaline-fuelled than others, including one ride that goes at around 30mph, plus four additions in 2023 such as the new 25m high slide.

Some have height restrictions but there’s also the lagoon and bubble pools plus several swimming pools, as well as a wave pool for younger ones to enjoy. Children under 100cm get free entry but realistically there’s not a lot for the littlest ones. Get tickets with free cancellation here.

The Oceade water park, which was located in Brupark near Mini Europe, has closed to make way for the NEO project – due to include a sports park with ‘water recreation’ zone.

Visit a theme park

While you’ll have to leave Brussels city centre to find a theme park, Walibi amusement park is definitely worth keeping on the list of things to do in Brussels with kids.

The largest theme park in Belgium, with 40 rides and immersive worlds plus regular new attractions, there’s plenty for the whole family. From fun family friendly challenges (like Popcorn Revenge) to huge rollercoasters like the Kondaa, it’s a very fun day out.

Around 40 minutes from Brussels by car, you can also travel there by train – use the code from the Walibi site and you can get 50% off tickets. Or get tickets with free cancellation here.

Lego Discovery Centre

Whether your kids are Lego fans or you’re looking for ideas of things to do on a rainy day in Brussels with kids, Lego Discovery Centre Brussels is a huge amount of fun.

With more than 12 attractions and rides and millions of bricks to create something new or tackle family challenges, all set across a dozen different zones, it’s great for kids large and small. There’s also the usual Mini land recreation of some iconic sights.

Around half an hour outside the city centre by bus or train, it’s easy to get to as well.

Toy museum

EDIT: Closed temporarily but no reopening date yet announced A mansion containing toys from the last two centuries, where a ‘look and do touch’ attitude is encouraged, so kids can play rather than just gaze through glass – ideal if you’re looking for toddler activities.

Brussels has a family of toy enthusiasts to thank for the original collection at the Toy Museum but donations from members of the public (and other acquisitions) mean it’s continued to grow over the years.

Around a 10-minute walk from Central station, it’s free on the first Sunday of the month but otherwise take cash. The museum also closes for an hour between 1 and 2pm for lunch.

You can visit the Toys Discovery Museum near the Pixel Museum as an alternative.

For more Belgium family travel inspiration check out my pick of the best things to do in Bruges with kids, the top things to do in Ghent with kids and things to do in Antwerp with kids

**First published 2014, updated 2024**

WHAT TO DO IN BRUSSELS WITH KIDS: PIN FOR LATER

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions on the top Brussels kids’ attractions are my own.

Mini Europe courtesy Mini Europe/Visit Brussels, Atomium courtesy Adobe Stock, all other images courtesy Depositphotos

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