Traveling with children is always a mix of challenges and rewards. Another way to travel. A different way to see new places. And it is clear that when we travel with the little ones at home, not all destinations are equally interesting, welcoming or friendly. But Belgium is among those that are especially recommended: it does not involve long plane trips, the country is small and accessible, it is easy to move from one city to another by train and the urban public transport network is extensive and effective. So everything is comfortable and easy.
Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp are its most visited cities, and they are undoubtedly full of attractions, not just for adults. These cities offer captivating traditional architecture, some with canals and corners full of charm, as well as gastronomy full of temptations such as the famous Belgian chocolate, French fries or freshly made waffles on every corner. And with that you already have the entire family in your pocket.
These four cities are great destinations for a relaxed adult trip. They are full of important museums, high-end restaurants, countless activities related to beer, charming cafes where you can quietly enjoy tea and sweets without having to worry about how much your child eats or if your baby throws or not the food on the floor… But all four of them can become highly attractive destinations for the little ones, and here are a few plans that prove it.
Brussels: comics and dinosaurs
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and of Europe, and it shows. Because in addition to offering numerous plans of interest to adults, it also concentrates a good number of places that can arouse the interest of the little ones. Take note, there are a few.
This small theme park offers a miniature representation of the most emblematic cities and monuments of the countries of the European Union, with scale models in a space designed to be explored on foot. More than 80 European cities are represented and the tour becomes an authentic miniature journey, with numerous mechanisms with which children can interact as they go.
- Museum of Natural Sciences
For children who like dinosaurs, the Brussels Museum of Natural Sciences is a must-see. With one of the largest collections of dinosaurs in Europe, it becomes a fascinating place, especially for its famous iguanodons from the Bernissart site, where up to 28 skeletons of this species have been found. In addition to dinosaurs, the museum offers much more and also includes numerous interactive material so that little ones can give free rein to their curiosity.
The world of comics has a special place in Brussels, the birthplace of characters like Tintin and The Smurfs. At the Comic Museum, children can get up close and personal with these characters and discover how comics are created, what their origin is, and also enjoy reading them in their library. The museum is full of color and offers interactive exhibits that allow little visitors to participate in creating their own stories. But be careful, because it is not a children’s museum, here the geekiest adults can also spend hours and hours.
Designed specifically for them, the Children’s Museum is a place where you learn by playing. More than a museum, this place is a huge house full of play, entertainment, curiosity and creativity, with workshops and activities ranging from cooking to crafts, stories and construction. It is an excellent opportunity to take a break from the trip and let them have fun freely in an environment created especially for them. It has very limited hours and it is essential to take advantage of every minute inside, so it is always a good idea to wait for the playground at the door to open.
Ghent: medieval adventures and dragons
For many, Ghent is the most pleasant city in Belgium. More charming than Brussels and Antwerp, but not as tourist-exploited as Bruges. Its historic center is architecturally beautiful, but although it is a perfect destination for adults, the city has managed to create a few activities expressly designed for children.
- Boat trip through the canals
Even if you’re not a child, you’ll like this. Ghent is a city of canals, and there is no better way to discover its corners than with a boat trip. This activity allows us all to learn part of the history of the city and some of its most notable monuments from a different perspective. Observing the colorful houses, bridges and historic buildings that make Ghent such a picturesque place, a boat ride through the canals is a good plan for children to discover the city in a more entertaining way.
Castles are always a place that arouses the interest of children, and Ghent is not far behind. This medieval castle has been restored and allows families to explore its walls, corridors and even the dungeons comfortably following an audio guide included in the ticket price. Children will enjoy imagining what life was like in medieval times and exploring the ancient weapons and armor displayed in the castle, but they will also have the mission of finding the castle’s jester, and if they find him in the shop they will give him a small gift.
- Phosphor Dragon Gymkhana
For children to explore the city and learn about it in the most entertaining way possible, Ghent has a app mobile, very well made, which offers us a gymkhana throughout its historic center. The dragon Fosfor has been passing through different corners and monuments of Ghent and has lost his glasses. Our mission will be to continue his journey, passing tests and questions, obtaining points if we get it right, until we find them. If we succeed, at the Tourist Office the children can pick up a souvenir from the city.
- Climb the Belfort Tower
The Belfort Tower, one of the symbols of Ghent, offers spectacular views from the top. But don’t worry, there is an elevator. Furthermore, before starting the climb, the children are asked to look for a dragon egg, and if they find it in the souvenir shop they can also pick up a gift.
Bruges: canals and fries
Bruges is the most touristic city in Belgium. Reasons are not lacking, because there is no doubt that it seems like a story. But although it is a destination chosen by thousands and thousands of visitors from all over the world, it also has a good number of especially interesting plans for children.
- Boat trip through the canals
Similar to Ghent, Bruges is also best discovered from its canals. Boat rides are ideal for children, who can enjoy a moment of rest while observing the views and counting ducks and swans along the way, while parents explain the history of the city to them following the instructions that the guides provide. in several languages.
Belgium is famous for its chocolate, we already know that, and Bruges has its own museum. Choco-Story is a very suitable place for children to learn the history and secrets of cocoa. In addition to learning about its preparation and the utensils that have been used generations ago, the museum offers small tastings, which adds an extra touch of excitement to complete our visit.
After chocolate, another of Belgium’s gastronomic staples can be found in its French fries. And of course, they also deserve a museum. It may not be the most typical museum, but the Frietmuseum in Bruges is a real hit with children and not so children. Dedicated to the history of French fries, this museum has curious exhibits and, at the end, a tasting of the authentic ones fries Belgians. It is a fun and delicious stop that the whole family will like.
This interactive museum allows visitors to immerse themselves in medieval Bruges through a sensory experience. With headphones and visual effects, children can feel as if they are walking the streets of another era. It is an entertaining and educational tour that adds a touch of magic to the visit, but perhaps a little complex for children under six years old.
Antwerp: chocolate and comic murals
Of the four cities, perhaps Antwerp may seem the one that escapes the interest of the little ones the most. It is a monumental city where adults could spend a whole week without getting tired of seeing things, but if we know where to go, we will see that children also have a lot to do.
This chocolate museum goes one step further. The port of Antwerp receives the cocoa that arrives in Belgium from different corners of the world, which gives this museum a unique historical context. A visit to Chocolate Nation becomes a sensory experience. With interactive exhibits and explanations about the chocolate production process, children will be able to discover this world in an environment that smells of cocoa. And at the end, when we know the history of chocolate, its types and its production process, we can round off the visit by tasting a good number of different chocolates.
- Comic mural route
Antwerp has an original comic mural route and with it we can explore the city in a more enjoyable and fun way. In addition to enjoying great illustrations of comic characters on the walls of the city, without realizing it we will pass through some of the most interesting areas of Antwerp.
The central theme of MAS is Antwerp in its many aspects. And since that may not interest children too much, the museum has managed to awaken their curiosity through workshops and interactive exhibitions specially designed for them. It even has a children’s area where they can stay exploring while parents tour other rooms in the exhibition.
Located above the Antwerp tourist office, in Het Steen Castle, The Antwerp Story is an interactive tour that allows families to discover the history of Antwerp in an enjoyable and entertaining way. With exhibits that mix technology and tradition, it is an ideal activity to close your visit to the city. As always, it is enough to introduce small challenges and elements to interact with, so that any topic can be of interest to all ages.
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