Brussels with Kids: Fun for the Family Beyond Chips & Chocolate

Image of Brussels Flower exhibit with text overlay Brussles with kids from wwwCaptivatingCompass.com

Brussels with Kids:

7 Things to do besides eat chips & chocolate!

So you could get really caught up trying to find the best chocolate shop or the best Belgian chippy (did you know French fries aren’t really French?), but there is so much more to Brussels than chocolate and chips! No, I don’t mean more beer, although you will find plenty of that too. Brussels with kids can be magical, mind-blowing and memory making all in the space of a few days time together in this diverse city. Come along and find out what else there is to do in Brussels with kids. Stay Captivated!

Waffles with Ice Cream for breakfast!

Yep, the best place in Brussels for waffles is Maison Dandoy -Tea Room at Brussels Grand Place – 20, 1000. We kinda blew the kids’ minds when we told them we were going for waffles and then said, “Sure, get them with ice cream and chocolate sauce!” So good and such a fun way to start our day in Brussels!

Visit the Parlamentarium – Brussels.

The exhibit will show you what makes the European Parliament so unique. It will show you how decisions are made and how those decisions affect the daily lives of people just like you and me that live in a European Union country. The exhibits are interactive, hands-on and informative every step of the way. I will say that this is specifically geared toward older children. Age 10 & up will certainly appreciate it. My 8 year old enjoyed it, but not as much as my 11-year-old. It’s free and has a cafe to relax in.

Experience the world of musical instruments at the MIM.

The MIM (Museum of Musical Instruments) place blew us away. There are at least 3 floors of instruments, a concert hall, fab gift shop & of course a cafe. The instruments come from every part of the world. Everything from the first accordions to the zithers. This museum has it all. This virtual tour will give you a taste of what they have on exhibit. The concert hall offers regular concerts to the public. Many are free, so check their schedule and see what’s on while you are in town. We (including the kids!) thoroughly enjoyed watching “L’Opera Comique” which was a lovely arrangement of light operetta pieces from several French musicals. My 8-year-old particularly enjoyed seeing the well-dressed opera singer exit the museum after the show with his dreadlocks flying, his rucksack on his back and skateboard in hand. All the sudden opera was cool (or rad or the bomb, or whatever they are saying these days)!

Explore the Belvue Museum.

What a great museum geared for all ages. Your entire family will enjoy it. This little museum really surprised me. We walked away with a really insightful understanding of Belgian culture, values, and history. There truly is more to Belgium that chips, beer, and chocolate. As a side note, if you are wanting to pick up materials to help your kids understand the EU better, there is a resource room near the gift shop with plenty of information in several languages. I found it by accident and was so glad I did since the Parlamentarium was out of most free materials the day we were there.

Train Hostel & Train World.

Who doesn’t love trains? Our kid’s jaws dropped when we told them we were sleeping on a train in Brussels. The hostel is decorated with all things train. The family rooms are like sleeper cars, the community rooms are decorated with old train memorabilia and there is even a train (I think I actually saw 2) sticking out of the 2 floor. It was great! Worth the splurge (it wasn’t that expensive, we’re just cheap). As hostels go, this one was relatively quiet mid-week in the offseason. I can imagine, however, that it might be quite busy and perhaps noisy in high season. But, that’s how hostels can be, so make sure you ask all the right questions when you make reservations. Don’t let the potential of a busy hostel put you off. This one has such character, it’s worth it! Just remember your Tylenol PM! The hostel is right next to the Train World museum which is quite an experience if you are a train lover!

Take the kids on a treasure hunt at Coudenberg Palace.

The site of this palace is actually underground! The above ground area is the Royal Quarter with its many museums and fabulous views. But go underground to the site of the archeological dig and see what Brussels was like in the middle ages. If it’s a hot day, this is a great place to stay cool. and if it’s a wet day, it’s a great place to stay dry. Do your kids like history & archeology? They will really enjoy this archeological site. It’s a bit of a maze down there, so keep an eye on your little ones. You will blow their minds when you come up across the street and are looking at the entrance. Grab the audio guide to get the most of the history of the area.

Comics Art Museum

Does your family enjoy a good comic? Smurfs and Tintin have set up their home in the Comics Art Museum in the heart of Brussels. This museum is a fabulous tribute to the art of comics. Enjoy the beautiful job done in honoring the pioneers whilst simultaneously giving you a glimpse of contemporary comics art. There is way more to comics than Archie & Jughead!

Have you read my about page? Then you have heard about my travel motto and how we choose our ambitious adventures sometimes. Brussels was one of those “spin the bottle” destinations. It worked out marvelously for us and was an adventure so worth doing. You can read more about our ambitious adventures and maybe even start planning your own European adventure. Stay Captivated!