Looking for ideas for family outings? Good news, all year round, Brussels offers tons of exciting activities!
Brussels for kids and teenagers : annual activities
14 April 2022
© Dingenzoekers - Greetje Van Buggenhout
Whether you are on your own, with your brother or sister or part of a large family, and whether there is rain or sunshine, Brussels remains an inexhaustible source of activities for children. The city has lots in store for all tastes and ages: activities, discoveries, exhibitions, shows... Parents will have plenty of choice to keep their kids busy, to introduce them to art and see them making beautiful discoveries!
In early spring, circuses, shows and children's activities take over the streets and parks of the city. Brussels has its playful activities at the Iris Festival, and the multi-coloured Zinneke Parade; while Sortilège, the medieval adventure game, will immerse young and old in a fantastic medieval experience.
Enjoy summer by taking a relaxing break with your children. Take them to the beach at Bruxelles les Bains, or to one of the countless playgrounds in the many parks Brussels has to offer.
In autumn, a perfect antidote to cure the autumn blues is the Brussels Comic Strip Festival. Or Bruxelles Champêtre, where the countryside takes over the city. And beware of the Halloween witches, who take out their broomsticks in the 4 corners of the capital.
And in winter: let us stay warm on the carousels, the Ferris wheel, and the ice rink with lots of hot chocolate, all the pleasures of the Winter Wonders!
Discover a selection of must-see events for the whole family in Brussels throughout the year, on your agenda!
April
The Museum of Natural Sciences will amaze you with its galleries dedicated to dinosaurs, evolution and insects, its stuffed animals and much more! Make sure you plan a visit, you won't regret it. The Luminopolis exhibition is still open until 13 August 2023.
In April, the capital plays host to numerous open-air shows. Hopla will be taking over the neighbourhood around place Sainte Catherine. Free activities and entertainment, along with shows by circus artists await; who can resist?
A bonus tip for those who are looking for an ecologically responsible outdoor activity: from 11 April, kids and adults can head to Le Sortilège for an exciting adventure straight out of the Middle Ages!
This time of year also sees the reopening of the Petit Train à Vapeur miniature steam train in Bempt Park in Forest.
May
Brussels is in party mode in May as it celebrates the Iris Festival, the Brussels-Capital Region's diverse and free birthday party! A little later in the month, it's time to join in the fun, once again, for the Zinneke Parade.
June
Every year, the Brussels Renaissance Festival transports you back to the Europe of the Renaissance. You can get to know Charles V, visit his palace (well, what's left of it!), but also discover the origins of Belgium and Europe. A special Family Day with a host of exceptional family-friendly activities awaits you at the Coudenberg!
The beautiful sunny days of June are going to make you want to get out and take advantage of our capital's first outdoor events. Well you're in luck, as that's when the guinguette pop-up bars begin to pop up in Brussels' parks. Enjoy a drink outdoors, concerts and entertainment for youngsters.
Other small festivals bring Brussels to life at the beginning of the summer. There's the Visueel Festival Visuel street art festival in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and the Esprit de Famille festival in the Roseraie, in Uccle.
July - August
To occupy your children during the summer holidays, you are spoilt for choice: the Sonian Forest is just a stone's throw away, and ideal for long quiet walks or to build the largest hut in the world! And there's always something to do in the numerous parks of the capital: Lire dans les Parcs, the numerous playgrounds... Brussels is the greenest capital in Europe and has certainly earned its title!
You can also swoop down to Forest Park to experience the capital's most sparkling festival with your children: Park Poetik, it's a whole weekend of activities, shows and music for the family, and it's not to be missed!
At the end of August, the Théâtres Nomades festival puts up its marquees in Brussels Park for the 12th time. Puppets, street theatre, acrobats, jugglers and musicians share with you their love of performance, their appreciation of others and the art of living together. It’s a unique human experience that’s free of charge!
Also at the end of the month, the Brussels Games Festival transforms Cinquantenaire Park into a gigantic games area for all! Whether you’re an amateur, just curious or completely hooked, bring your family and (re)discover the joy of playing together. Fun is guaranteed!
On the last weekend of August, puppet festival Insifon at Meudon Park in Neder-Over-Heembeek will set the tone.
September
Take your Smurfs to the Brussels Comic Strip Festival or travel through Brussels to marvel at its comic strip murals. Transform them into brave knights and beautiful princesses from the Middle Ages at the Fêtes Romanes at Wolubilis.
Under no circumstances should you miss the pleasure of sitting on the lawns and straw bales of Bucolic Brussels, the big car-free day party in the heart of the capital.
October
Is it raining again? In October, why not head to the cinema for Filem’on Brussels, the international film festival for young audiences (2 to 16 year olds)? Why not try your hand at solving puzzles and finding hidden clues to escape from the many escape rooms that have sprung up in Brussels?
The I love Science Festival, Brussels' brand new science festival is a must for children and adults alike. Finally you'll know how science impacts your daily life and how in the future it will reveal even more.
Last but not least, beware of the Halloween spirits that come back at this time of year to haunt every nook and cranny of Brussels! This includes the Dia de Muertos celebration in the Marolles. If you're not too scared, venture to Mini-Europe or the Museum of Fantastic Art to discover their special Halloween programmes.
November
Embark on an adventurous journey through music and fun activities at the Big Bang Festival, an inventive and experimental music festival at BOZAR.
Enjoy the best of Belgian and international theatre for all audiences at the Export Import Festival organised by Bronks.
Young art lovers can visit the Kunstendag voor Kinderen. And above all, rejoice: hot chocolate, carousels and the Winter Wonders ice rink are coming back!
December
Make the most of winter in Brussels and enjoy Winter Wonders that returns with its skating rink, giant Ferris wheel, Christmas tree and the live nativity scene, enchanted rides and gourmet breaks: crunchy chips, light waffles and hot chocolates.
Take a break in one of Brussels' child-friendly theatres and discover, for example, the enchanting setting and secret corners of the La Montagne Magique theatre. And if you want more, don't miss the Noël au Théâtre festival!
January
The sky is grey, it's raining or even snowing? Never mind, the weather won't stop you from getting out and exploring! Whether you're looking for adventure or culture, there's something for everyone! For some amazing experiences, come and have fun on the trampolines and courses at Jump XL, KoJump, GetAir, SkyZPark or experience the thrill of Koezio or the Space Laser Game.
Discover surrealism and meet some talking hats at the Magritte Museum. Learn everything there is to know about Brussels and Belgium at the BELvue Museum and the experience.brussels exhibition, or treat your little ones to some fun discoveries at the Children's Museum.
February
To kick the month off in explorer mode, dive down into the bowels of Brussels at the Sewers Museum. Experience the thrill of life-size trains in a former train station Train World and meet your comic strip heroes in Brussels at the Comic Art Museum.
Is it raining and you don't know what to do in Brussels? Why not take a trip to the Illusion Brussels museum. Packed full of amazing decors, tricks of the eye and magic, you and your kids will leave with a smile on your faces!
Spend the last cold days of winter in the warm at Anima! This animation film festival awaits you at Flagey at the end of the month. The programme is vast (projections, workshops…) and your youngsters (from 3 years old) and teenagers will love it!
March
The Banad Festival invites you to discover some of the capital's finest Art Deco and Art Nouveau gems. It's a beautiful way to get a taste of Brussels' architectural heritage in a fun way, as organisers have planned special, family-friendly activities!
Mini-Europe opens its doors once again after its hibernation, giving you the chance to do a tour of Europe in the blink of an eye! Do you have teenagers? Then head down to Comic Con Brussels: it’s THE Brussels event for pop culture in all its forms. Comics, manga, fantasy, horror, cosplay and gaming... You've got no excuse to stay at home!
Are you little ones music lovers? Then make sure you head down to KidZik, a music festival dedicated to young audiences. About fifteen shows and animations are programmed in different venues in Brussels, for children from 0 to 12 years old.
March is the month of the Brussels Water Days. On the programme, numerous activities around water (the water cycle, fauna and flora of Brussels' waterways, guided tours, cruises, etc.) for the general public, and a healthy selection of activities aimed at families and children.
