Brussels works well for families. The centre is compact, the attractions are varied and several of the best ones are hands-on. Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, this guide helps you choose what to do, how to pace the day and how to keep everyone fed and happy.
For all ages: the Atomium
The giant iron-crystal structure is an instant hit with children, who enjoy the escalators and lifts between the spheres and the view over the city. The exhibitions inside change, so check what is on. The Atomium sits at Heysel beside Mini-Europe, which makes the two a natural pair for a single outing. Go early in the day, since queues grow later, and book ahead online.
Mini-Europe: for the 5 to 12s
Mini-Europe is a park of scale models of famous European landmarks, with moving elements that children love to find and operate. It is mostly outdoors, so choose a dry day and bring snacks. Younger children enjoy spotting the buildings, while older ones can try to name them. Allow around two hours.
Trains and cars
Train World, in the beautifully restored station building in Schaerbeek, presents the history of Belgian railways with real locomotives and carriages, and is a firm favourite with rail-mad children. Autoworld, in the Cinquantenaire park, shows vintage cars and is more suited to parents and older kids who like machines. Both work in wet weather and take about ninety minutes.
Building and playing
The LEGO Discovery Centre is the obvious choice for younger children: it offers rides, build zones and a play area, and suits the 3 to 10 age range. Expect to spend two to three hours, and avoid school holidays and weekends if you want shorter queues. Check the entry rules for adults and children when you book.
Dinosaurs and discovery
The Museum of Natural Sciences is famous for its dinosaur hall, with a gallery of skeletons from fossil finds in Belgium, and is a reliable winner for a wet afternoon. Allow two to three hours, and expect children to head straight for the dinosaurs before returning to the other galleries.
Chocolate, frites and comics
Choco-Story Brussels offers a chocolate demonstration and a tasting, which usually keeps children engaged from start to finish. The Frietmuseum is a quirky stop that tells the story of the chip. The Comics Art Museum appeals to children who read comics and to teenagers, and you can turn a walk through the centre into a treasure hunt by looking for the comic-strip murals on the walls. They are free and easy to spot.
Free and low-cost options
The Grand-Place is a good place for children to run about, although the cobbles can be tricky for pushchairs. Manneken-Pis is a short, funny stop. The Parlamentarium is free and interactive, and more engaging for teenagers than younger children. Parks such as the Cinquantenaire and the Parc de Bruxelles, in the middle of the city, give everyone a break from museums.
Eating with children
Frites, waffles, pasta and pancakes are widely available, so fussy eaters are well covered. Most restaurants welcome families and offer children's menus. Brasseries often open late, but family-friendly places start serving early in the evening, so you can eat before the youngest are tired. A waffle from a street stall makes a good reward at the end of a long museum day.
Getting around
The metro, trams and buses are straightforward, and young children usually travel at reduced fares or free, so check the current rules. Lifts can be limited at older metro stations, which matters if you have a pushchair, so plan routes with step-free access where you can. Many of the central sights are close enough to walk. In the old town, cobbles and crowds can be tiring for small legs, so build in breaks.
A simple three-day family plan
Spend day one in the old town with Choco-Story, Manneken-Pis and a waffle, and an afternoon at the Frietmuseum or park. Spend day two at Heysel with the Atomium and Mini-Europe. Spend day three at Train World or the Museum of Natural Sciences. Add the LEGO Discovery Centre if you have younger children, and keep one slack afternoon for a playground and a long lunch.
