- Family Travel
- Newcastle Airport Deals
- Scotland Airport Deals
- Uncategorized
- Posted: 31/03/2026
Top Things to Do in Brussels with Kids – A 2026 Guide
Lucy Starrs
Top Things to Do in Brussels with Kids – A 2026 Guide
Brussels might not always be the first city people think of for a family break, but it’s actually a brilliant destination to visit with kids. The city is compact, easy to explore and packed with attractions that keep both children and adults entertained.
From interactive museums to famous landmarks and, of course, plenty of chocolate and waffles, there are lots of fun things to do in Brussels with kids. The best part is that many attractions are close together, which makes sightseeing much easier when travelling with little legs.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or adding Brussels to a longer European trip, here are some of the best family-friendly activities to include in your itinerary.
Walking Tour with Chocolate and Waffle Tasting
This was one of our favourite things to do in Brussels with kids. During the tour you’ll wander through the historic streets while learning about the city’s history and culture. Along the way, you’ll stop at local chocolatiers and waffle shops to sample some delicious treats, these tasty stops make it enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
Atomium
The Atomium is one of Brussels’ most famous landmarks and an exciting place to visit with children. Before going I would check what exhibitions are on show to make sure it is worth your time. Regardless, the futuristic structure looks like a giant atom and is made up of connected spheres that you can explore making it a cool place to see on your travels.
Mini Europe
Located next to the Atomium, Mini Europe is a miniature park that showcases famous landmarks from across the continent. It’s a great way for children to see iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben all in one place., so definitely one to add to the list of things to do in Brussels with kids.
Many of the displays include interactive features such as moving trains, sounds and animations. As a result, it feels more engaging than a typical museum and works well for families with younger children. Since they’re in such close proximity, you can visit the Atomium and Mini Europe in one go.
LEGO Discovery Centre
If you’re travelling with LEGO fans, the LEGO Discovery Centre is a must-visit attraction. This indoor space is designed especially for families and is packed with colourful LEGO-themed activities.
Kids can build their own creations, explore interactive play zones and see impressive LEGO models of famous landmarks and 4D cinema. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, especially if the weather isn’t ideal. We visited mid-week and it was quiet, a nice change from the busy crowds at other LEGO attractions you can visit.
Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is a brilliant stop if your kids enjoy interactive experiences. The museum is full of mind-bending exhibits that challenge your perception and make for plenty of laughs.
From optical illusions to gravity-defying rooms, there are lots of opportunities for fun photos. It’s also very hands-on, which means kids can explore freely rather than simply looking at displays.
I’d really recommend this when thinking about things to do in Brussels with kids.
Boat Tour to Bruges
If you have a little extra time, consider taking a day trip from Brussels to the beautiful city of Bruges. Many tours combine a guided visit with a relaxing canal boat ride through the historic town.
Bruges feels like stepping into a fairy tale, with cobbled streets, charming canals and colourful buildings. Kids often enjoy the boat ride the most, while adults appreciate the stunning scenery and history.
Things to Do in Brussels with Kids Top Tip: Brussels 48-Hour Museums Card
If your family enjoys museums, the 48-hour museums card can be great value. It gives access to dozens of museums across the city, allowing you to visit several attractions at a reduced cost.
This flexibility is especially helpful when thinking about things to do in Brussels with kids. You can pop into a museum for an hour or two and then move on to the next activity without feeling tied to one place for too long.
Free things to do in Brussels with kids
Manneken Pis
One of the most famous (and slightly quirky) sights in Brussels is Manneken Pis, the small statue of a little boy that has become a symbol of the city. Kids often find it hilarious, especially once they learn about the different costumes the statue wears throughout the year.
The statue itself is quite small, so you don’t need long here. However, it’s fun to stop by while exploring the city centre and grab a waffle or chocolate nearby.
Grand Place
The Grand Place is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and a great place to start exploring Brussels with kids. The buildings surrounding the square are incredibly detailed, and there is always a lively atmosphere.
Children will enjoy the open space while adults can admire the stunning architecture. If you visit in the evening, the square is often beautifully lit up, which makes it feel even more magical.
Parc de Bruxelles
When travelling with kids, finding a good park for downtime is always helpful. Parc de Bruxelles is the largest park in the city centre and a perfect place to take a break from sightseeing.
There are wide paths for walking or scootering, plenty of space for picnics and often street performers or musicians nearby. It’s a lovely spot to relax while the kids run around before heading to your next attraction.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Even if you’re not planning on shopping, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are worth visiting. These elegant covered galleries feel almost like stepping back in time, with beautiful glass ceilings and historic shopfronts. Kids will enjoy browsing the chocolate shops, it’s just like stepping into Wonka.
Things To Do in Brussels With Kids – Final Thoughts
Is it Worth Visiting with Kids?
Yes! Brussels is a fantastic city to explore with children. It’s manageable in size, easy to get around and packed with attractions that appeal to families. Two days is a perfect amount of time to see the main sights, I’d recommend three if you want to include a boat tour.
From tasting chocolate and waffles to visiting interactive museums and iconic landmarks, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Brussels with kids. With a mix of culture, fun experiences and delicious food, it’s a destination that keeps everyone happy. If you’re planning your next European city break, Brussels is definitely worth adding to your list.
Why not check out our guide to things to do in Barcelona with kids?
This post contains affiliate links.
Written by: Lucy Starrs
Hi, I am Lucy – mum to a 6-year old boy based in Scotland with a passion for travelling and saving money. Check out my blogs and Scotland page for hand-picked recommendations.
RELATED ARTICLES
Keep up to date...
Disclaimer: I have learnt running 21km is no joke, I would not recommend anyone be this delusional ✌🏻
I know a lot of the running community don’t like this sort of thing; beginners entering races they have no business entering. And I get it. For me, signing up was complete ignorance during a very difficult time. I wanted to raise money for the hospice that was caring for my mum, and the London marathon was happening at the time - I told my mum I’d run the London marathon next year - which is ridiculous as I’ve never ran in my life (I actually got a place on the Pancreatic cancer UK team 🙏🏻). My brother suggested signing up for this half marathon to help me prepare - so I did. And through grief and life, training started a little later than planned… but here we are. It would have been easy to drop out, say I’ll do it another time, but I’m not in it for the glory. I’m there to try my best, and raise money for an amazing charity. We have raised £11k so far; which is absolutely insane. If I get scooped up, I get scooped up. I want to see how far I can get before I do - and I’ll be a lot more prepared for London next year.
If you’d like to support my run by donating to an incredible hospice, I have the link in my linktree ❤️ (it’s linked in my bio or you can google the travel mum linktree)
#thetravelmum #halfmarathon #marathontraining
Oct 9
Disclaimer: I have learnt running 21km is no joke, I would not recommend anyone be this delusional ✌🏻
I know a lot of the running community don’t like this sort of thing; beginners entering races they have no business entering. And I get it. For me, signing up was complete ignorance during a very difficult time. I wanted to raise money for the hospice that was caring for my mum, and the London marathon was happening at the time - I told my mum I’d run the London marathon next year - which is ridiculous as I’ve never ran in my life (I actually got a place on the Pancreatic cancer UK team 🙏🏻). My brother suggested signing up for this half marathon to help me prepare - so I did. And through grief and life, training started a little later than planned… but here we are. It would have been easy to drop out, say I’ll do it another time, but I’m not in it for the glory. I’m there to try my best, and raise money for an amazing charity. We have raised £11k so far; which is absolutely insane. If I get scooped up, I get scooped up. I want to see how far I can get before I do - and I’ll be a lot more prepared for London next year.
If you’d like to support my run by donating to an incredible hospice, I have the link in my linktree ❤️ (it’s linked in my bio or you can google the travel mum linktree)
#thetravelmum #halfmarathon #marathontraining
So this year I am determined to be THAT organised mum (and not be running around the shops on Xmas Eve as usual 🫠)
I’ve put the links for these toys in my linktree, if you need help finding it comment HELP and I’ll DM you the links you need 💛 I’ll also add in a link to all of the toys that have 50% off or more.
The links we share are affiliate links.
#christmaspresentideas #kidstoys #thetravelmum
If you have a young girl, chances are she’s getting a Disney doll for Xmas from me 😂✌🏻
My son will absolutely LOVE this
We already have 50,000 of these, but my friends son doesn’t, and I know he will love them.
We have a lot of this marble run track, but we don’t have one that sticks to a window and automatically takes the ball up and round. Absolute easy win for my kids.
I looked at the rules, it sounds like it will be a fun travel game now Leo is old enough to get involved in card games!
I’ve put the links to these toys in my link tree. If you need help finding it, comment HELP and I’ll send you the links as a DM.
Oct 6
So this year I am determined to be THAT organised mum (and not be running around the shops on Xmas Eve as usual 🫠)
I’ve put the links for these toys in my linktree, if you need help finding it comment HELP and I’ll DM you the links you need 💛 I’ll also add in a link to all of the toys that have 50% off or more.
The links we share are affiliate links.
#christmaspresentideas #kidstoys #thetravelmum
If you have a young girl, chances are she’s getting a Disney doll for Xmas from me 😂✌🏻
My son will absolutely LOVE this
We already have 50,000 of these, but my friends son doesn’t, and I know he will love them.
We have a lot of this marble run track, but we don’t have one that sticks to a window and automatically takes the ball up and round. Absolute easy win for my kids.
I looked at the rules, it sounds like it will be a fun travel game now Leo is old enough to get involved in card games!
I’ve put the links to these toys in my link tree. If you need help finding it, comment HELP and I’ll send you the links as a DM.
How holidays change once you have kids! 😬 What are your non negotiables when travelling with your little ones?!
Comment ‘Holidays’ and I’ll send you a link to an ideal budget friendly holiday for next August school holidays - great flight times, spacious apartment accommodation and no sun bed wars!
The links we share are affiliate links 💛
#thetravelmum #familyholidays #familytravel
Oct 5
How holidays change once you have kids! 😬 What are your non negotiables when travelling with your little ones?!
Comment ‘Holidays’ and I’ll send you a link to an ideal budget friendly holiday for next August school holidays - great flight times, spacious apartment accommodation and no sun bed wars!
The links we share are affiliate links 💛
#thetravelmum #familyholidays #familytravel
Today it became really apparent that I can’t be everything… we built a business so our kids could have a comfortable future, we wanted to have freedom to do lots of things together - yet I spend 90% off the time pushing them away while I fail to get everything done. This hand holding back and forth went on for a bit before I realised it’s the perfect metaphor - he just wants me now, while I’m busy worrying about the future.
Not sure what the solution is, but solidarity to anyone else failing the balance 😅 if you’ve worked it out, do share 😄💛
#workingmumlife #workingfromhome #thetravelmum
Sep 29
Today it became really apparent that I can’t be everything… we built a business so our kids could have a comfortable future, we wanted to have freedom to do lots of things together - yet I spend 90% off the time pushing them away while I fail to get everything done. This hand holding back and forth went on for a bit before I realised it’s the perfect metaphor - he just wants me now, while I’m busy worrying about the future.
Not sure what the solution is, but solidarity to anyone else failing the balance 😅 if you’ve worked it out, do share 😄💛
#workingmumlife #workingfromhome #thetravelmum
Unlock the perfect
Cheap holiday
Build a custom DIY trip in 30 seconds!
