Discover Flanders with your whole family

A little child wearing a blue cap is sitting at a picnic table and enjoying an ice cream.
IVV - Robert Boons-Jacky Geboers-Geertrui Van Hauwaert

You will experience magic, fun and entertainment with the whole family in Flanders, particularly during the winter months. Looking for creative indoor activities? Fascinating museums? Or just need a breath of fresh air and the relaxation that comes with the natural world? Before, during and after the Christmas holidays, Flanders will treat you to unique leisure activities that will keep you warm. Even on the coldest days.

A man and two children look around curiously during their visit to the hotel ruins at Vrijbroek Park in Mechelen.
provincie Antwerpen

Hunting ghosts in Vrijbroekpark Mechelen

In the 1970s, construction began of a gigantic hotel in the centre of Vrijbroekpark, Mechelen. Two storeys later this megalomanic project was halted. Since then, nature has taken over in this hotel ruin and transformed this ghost hotel into an animal hotel. Now, you can visit it again. Impressive – and pushchair-friendly – footpaths take you between the treetops to the ruin. The hotel lobby is inhabited by bats and from the viewing platform you can spot beavers, birds and deer. Nature steals the show here. Extend your visit to Vrijbroekpark with the free family quiz walk ‘Hout de dief’ (you'll find the trail book with tasks at the start, at the visitor centre) or the children can enjoy playing in the fun adventure playground.

Off to Vrijroekpark in Mechelen

Play outside in the Duintuin (De Panne)

Come on an adventure trail along the six different dune landscapes or biotopes in the Duintuin at Duinpanne visitor centre. The Duintuin in De Panne at the Flemish coast, has received a major makeover and has recently reopened to nature, dune and hiking enthusiasts. Little ones also learn lots of things here as they play. Each visitor can read or listen to information of specific interest. Not only that, the adventure trail past underwater cameras, experience platforms, groundwater meters and virtual reality viewers is also completely free of charge. Extra tip: Go and enjoy the fresh air on the beach. From Westerpunt, an architectural highlight, you have a wonderful view of the sea and the dunes.

A walk in the Duintuin
Child sits on picnic table next to the water, watching nature around him.
Westtoer
The Maas Valley landscape in Maaseik from the air.
Bjorn Snelders

Adventure awaits you in Maaseik, Limburg

Little (but also larger) daredevils and adventurers push their limits at Adventure Park in Maaseik, Limburg. Whooshing slides, a high ropes course or a 200-metre flight along the zipline? Adventure Park in Warredal has no less than seven courses in store, with different heights and difficulty levels. Prefer something a little calmer? The Adventure Minigolf has 18 holes and covers a grand total of 10,000 m2. During your game, perhaps you might spot a wolf, owl, raven, crane or deer? Or even every one of the Limburg Big Five?

On an adventure in Warredal

Ghent from the water

A sweet spot thanks to its ‘neuzekes’ or cuberdons, world famous for the Ghent Altarpiece by Flemish primitive Jan van Eyck and remembered for its own mystical castle: Gravensteen. There is so much to experience during your city trip in Ghent. Young children also enjoy a visit to the Huis van Alijn, a museum about everyday life in the old days. Pure nostalgia for parents! Discover Ghent's centre and green surroundings on foot, by bike, or why not in a kayak?  At Korenlei, opposite St Michael's church, you can rent a kayak (for one or for two) for 3 hours. You'll be given life jackets, paddles and a dry bag at the start.

Discover Ghent from the water
Two kayakers on the Leie in Ghent.

On bare feet in Meise Botanic Garden

Kick off your shoes and have fun walking more than one kilometre on the ‘Amaze-Your-Feet-Path' in Meise Botanic Garden. Is it your first visit to this botanic garden on Brussels' green perimeter? Then the seasonal walks are the perfect start. King Amaryllo takes children aged 4 to 12 on a treasure trail to find the secrets of each season. In the Plant Palace you can journey through the desert, savannah and tropical rainforest. Complete your visit with a magnificent view from the keep of Bouchout Castle.

Treasure hunt in Meise Botanic Garden
Two people visit the Plant Palace at Botanical Garden Meise and walk across a small bridge.

Brussels on skates

From 5 April to 14 September, you can skate through the Brussels Design Museum. What was once mainly seen as a children's hobby, is now a highly accessible and popular sport. How this happened, you can find out here.  Got a taste for it? Then you can have a ball at one of the skate parks with a view (almost) of the Atomium. In fact, the Atomium is also a must-see during your visit to Brussels. It is left over from the World Expo in Brussels in 1958 and boasts the longest escalator in Europe.

Museum on skates
A skater at work in the skate park during festival Couleur Café.
Vanessa Rasschaert

A breath of fresh air

Experience the most amazing micro-adventures in our Flemish nature areas. Enjoy the first rays of sun with your feet in the sand at our Flemish coast. Or do a cycling trip between the Mine Terrils in Hoge Kempen National Park, Limburg. Flanders is blossoming!

Brochure family-friendly Flanders and Brussels

With its versatility, Flanders is the ideal destination for a holiday with the whole family. Below you will find a selection of the activities to make your trip to Flanders an unforgettable family break.