A list of nearly 200 places in Belgium that are great for children’s outdoor activities.
Click to jump to:
I don’t pretend that this list is in any way complete. Most towns have their own children’s playgrounds, which would be impossible to list – although I include some of the larger ones. I focus on outdoor activities, such as adventure playgrounds, open air swimming pools, wildlife parks, children’s farms, zoos, steam trains, forest playgrounds, rail-bikes etc. I also include some underground caves in Wallonia, which I suppose are also outdoors in that they are not inside a building. It also includes a few outdoor engineering wonders for older children.
Most of the names are self-explanatory but where they are not I’ve given a short description. You’ll see quite a few of the locations described as “provincial domains.” These are generally excellent for children of all ages, and include activities like swimming, boating, minigolf, tennis, trampolines, playgrounds for young and older children, and usually a café or restaurant.
The easiest option is to select which of the 10 provinces of Belgium you live in or will be visiting. And then go through the list to see if anything sounds appealing. The nearest town is shown in bold, and the towns are in alphabetical order. Clicking on the name takes you to more information of each place. Unfortunately, many of the websites are only in Dutch and/or French, which seems short-sighted when they are seeking to attract tourists, so you may have to juggle with Google Translate. The provinces are alphabetical: the first five are in Flanders; the next five are in Wallonia; and I end up with a short list for Brussels.
Naturally, in these difficult COVID-19 times, you will have to check whether each of these places is open or not. Some will require you to register in advance. And please take note of the regulations regarding facemasks and social distancing etc.
ANTWERP PROVINCE
- Antwerp Zoo, Antwerp
- Comics Station, Antwerp
- Provincial Domain Hof van Leysen, Antwerp
- Children’s farm Rivierenhof, Antwerp
- Children’s playground Nachtegalenpark, Antwerp
- Water and playground, Park Spoor Noord, Antwerp
- Outdoor swimming De Molen, Antwerp
- Old Harbour Cranes, Rijnkaai, Antwerp
- Outdoor swimming & playground Keiheuvel, Balen
- Provincial Domain De Schorre, Boom
- Recreation centre Breeven, Bornem
- Children’s farm Mikerf, Brasschaat
- Child-friendly walk, Pagadderpad, Dessel
- Open air pool, Boekenberg Park, Deurne
- Provincial Domain Averegten, Heist-op-den-Berg
- Children’s playground Netepark, Herentals
- Recreational domain De Mosten, Hoogstraten
- 1917 war trenches walk, Mastenbos, Kapellen
- Forest playground Kabouterbos, Kasterlee
- Walk, play area and sculptures, De Slaapende Reus, Kasterlee
- Children’s farm t’ Struisvogelnest, Lier
- Outdoor swimming, sports & playground Lilse Bergen, Lille
- Planckendael Zoo, Mechelen
- Outdoor swimming & playground De Nekker, Mechelen
- Park and playground Vrijbroekpark, Mechelen
- Sint-Rombout’s Tower, Mechelen
- Fun and adventurous child-friendly walk, Totterpad, Meerhout
- Provincial recreation domain Zilvermeer, Mol
- Animal park Pakawi Park, Olmen
- Children’s playground Sint-Pietersburcht Puurs-Sint-Amands
- Provincial Domain Prinsenpark, Retie
- Mega Speelstad, Wechelderzande-Lille
- Children’s playground Boswachterhuis, Westerlo

EAST FLANDERS PROVINCE
- Children’s playground Stadspark Aalst
- Provincial domain De Brielmeersen, Deinze
- Outdoor river swimming, Vosselare Put, Deinze
- Provincial Domain Het Leen, Eeklo
- Outdoor swimming and playground Blaarmeersen, Gent
- Kayaks Korenlei, Gent
- Barefoot walking trail Gentbrugse Meersen, Gent
- Barefoot walking trail Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, Gent
- Outdoor swimming & playground De Gavers, Geraardsbergen
- Forest playground Kluisbos, Kluisbergen
- Provincial nature centre De Kaaihoeve, Meilegem (Zwalm)
- Children’s playground Liedermeerspark, Merelbeke
- Activity park The 7 Summits, Oudenaarde
- Children’s farm Direboe, Outer (Ninove)
- Children’s farm De Ster, Sint-Niklaas
- Outdoor swimming & playground De Ster, Sint-Niklaas
- Provinciaal Domein De Roomaker, Temse
- Provincial domain Puyenbroeck, Wachtebeke
- Outdoor swimming De Warande. Wetteren

FLEMISH BRABANT PROVINCE
- Children’s playground Bekaf, Aarschot
- Forest play area Meetshovenbos, Aarschot
- “Ice-cream Alley”, Abdijstraat, Averbode
- Children’s mountainbiking, De Balenberg, Baal
- Children’s playground ‘t Vossenhol, Bertem
- Water sports, Dijle Floats, Bertem
- Activity zone and forest play area De Torenvalk, Blanden
- Provincial Domain Halve Maan, Diest
- Children’s farm Het Neerhof, Dilbeek
- Forest play area Gete Valley, Drieslinter
- Provincial Domein Hofstade
- Provincial Domein Huizingen
- Canoeing on the Dijle, The Shelter, Korbeek-Dijle
- Provincial Domain Kessel-Lo, Leuven
- Children’s playground Park Den Bruul, Leuven
- Canoeing, Leuven Floats, Leuven
- Forest play area Schierbossen, Londerzeel
- Forest playground Oranjerietaverne, Plantentuin Meise
- Horse-riding Meerdalhof, Oud-Heverlee
- Playground Zoetwaterpark, Oud-Heverlee
- Children’s playground Het Meiveld, Overijse
- Children’s playground Junglehoek, Pepingen
- Vlooyberg Tower, Tielt-Winge
- Forest playground Speelbos Everzwijnbad, Vaalbeek
- Hanssenspark playground, Vilvoorde
- Forest play area ‘t Waterdraakje, Wezemaal
- Provincial Domain Het Vinne, Zoutleeuw

LIMBURG PROVINCE
- Horse-and-cart rides, Bocholt
- Bokrijk Park and Open Air Museum
- Pony rides, Kattevennen, Genk
- Outdoor swimming Kapermolen, Hasselt
- Harry Malter Family Park, Heusden
- Children’s playground Domain Bovy, Heusden-Zolder
- Children’s Farm, Lanaken
- Forest playground Bosland, Lommel
- Outdoor swimming Parelstrand, Lommel
- Forest playground Klankenbos, Neerpelt
- Children’s farm Den Houben, Peer
- Children’s playground Bruegel, Peer
- Provincial Nature Center Nieuwenhoven, Sint-Truiden
- Outdoor swimming Heidestrand, Zonhoven
- Barefoot walking trail, Zutendaal

WEST FLANDERS PROVINCE
- Children’s Farm Hoeve Paepenhof, Adinkerke
- Children’s farm De Zeven Torentjes, Assebroek
- Provincial Domain Bulskampveld, Beernem
- Pony rides Heirweghof, Beernem
- Outdoor sports De Kijkuit, Beernem
- Various activities, Landschappark Bulskampveld, Beernem and nearby
- Wacky cycling, De Lustige Velodroom, Blankenberge
- Sea-Life Blankenberge
- Boudewijn Seapark, Bruges
- Children’s playground Graaf Visartpark, Bruges
- Recreation centre La Potiniere, De Haan
- Amusement Park Plopsaland, De Panne
- Playground Duinpanne, De Panne
- Provincial Domain Ijzerboomgaard, Diksmuide
- Provincial Domain De Blankaart, Diksmuide-Woumen
- Provincial domain De Gavers, Harelbeke
- Provincial Domain De Balingbeek, Ieper-Zillebeke
- Outdoor swimming De Krekel, Izegem
- Goat farm ‘t Reigershof, Klemskerke
- Zwin Nature Park, Knokke-Heist
- Outdoor swimming pool Abdijkaai, Kortrijk
- Outdoor swimming pool Lago, Kortrijk
- Adventure walk, Expeditie Bulskampveld, Kruiskerke
- Adventure Walk, Expeditie Bulskampveld, Maria-Aalter
- Children’s farm Lettenhof, Middelkerke
- Adventure Walk, Expeditie Bulskampveld, Nieuwenhove
- Children’s farm De Lenspolder, Nieuwpoort
- Ijzer Estuary Ferry, Nieuwpoort
- Climbing & play area, De Waarde, Oostkamp
- Roger Raveel Ferry, Ostend
- Children’s farm De Lange Schuur, Ostend
- Walk with Alpacas, Sunset Alpaca, Ruiselede
- Provincial domain Sterrebos, Rumbeke
- Provincial Domain De Baliekouter, Wakken
- Provincial Domain Wallemote-Wolvenhof
- Forest playground Het Leiebos, Wevelgem
- Provincial Domain Bergelen, Wevelgem
- De Zonnegloed Animal Park, Westvleteren
- Outdoor swimming & playground Hernieuwenbrug, Wielsbeke
- Outdoor play area De Scheepsput, Wingene
- Adventure Walk, Expeditie Bulskampveld, Wingene
- Amusement Park Bellewaerde, Ypres
- Maze at Loppem Castle, Zedelgem-Loppem
- Maritime Theme Park Seafront, Zeebrugge
- Activity & adventure centre Transfo, Zwevegem
- Paintball Valley, Zwevegem

BRABANT WALLON PROVINCE
- Kids’ summer activities, Le Relais des Rêves, Grez-Doiceau
- Children’s farm, Ferme & Compagnie, Grez-Doiceau
- Provincial Domain Hélécine
- Geocaching, Jodoigne and other villages
- Paintball for kids, Paintball Neptune, La Hulpe
- Outdoor swimming, Renipont Plage, Lasne
- Disc Golf, Louvain-La-Neuve
- Provincial Domain du Bois des Rêves, Ottignies
- Steam Train, Rebecq
- Children’s farm, Ferme de la Vallée, Vieux-Genappe
- Various activities, Waterloo Memorial 1815, Waterloo
- Walibi Amusement Park, Wavre
- Adventure Parc, Wavre
- Trampolining, Wavre

HAINAUT PROVINCE
- Open air musuem Archéosite, Aubechies-Beloeil
- Nature & Activity Park, Natura Parc des Lacs de L’Eau D’Heure, Boussu-lez-Walcourt
- Activity Centre Le Crocodile Rouge, Boussu-lez-Walcourt
- Animal park Pairi Daiza, Brugelette
- Caves: Les Grottes de Neptune, Couvin
- The Trail of the Weird and Wonderful!, Ellezelles
- Aquacenter Water Park, Froidchappelle
- Ship Lifts, Canal du Centre, Houdeng-Goegnies
- Open air swimming & activities, Le Domaine de Claire-Fontaine, Mons
- The Sloping Lock of Ronquières
- Nature activity park Espace Nature de la Botte du Hainaut, Sivry
- Trampolining, climbing etc. Dock 79, Tertre
- Activity park LolPark, Thuin
- Ecopark Adventures, Tournai
- Virelles Aquascope, Virelles

LIEGE PROVINCE
- Monde Sauvage Safari Park, Aywaille
- Horse-trekking Libertyrando, Aywaille
- Blegny Mine, Blegny
- Various sports, Lac de Bütgenbach Centre, Wörriken, Bütgenbach
- Caves: Comblain-au-Pont
- Plopsa Coo Amusement Park, Coo
- Wildlife Park Coo
- Animal park Mont Mosan, Hoei
- Climbing wall etc., AccroPark, Jalhay
- Railbikes of the High Fens, Leykaul
- River boat trips, Liège
- Descent of the Hautes Fagnes by all-terrain scooter, Malmedy
- Tree climbing, Malmedy
- Schieferstollen Mines, Recht
- The Caves of Remouchamps
- Water sports, Lac de Robertville
- Field golf La Ferme de Gérard Sart, Saint-André
- Provincial Domain of Wégimont, Soumagne
- Climbing and Adventure Park SpaForest, Spa
- Water sports, Lac de Warfaaz, Spa
- Field golf La Ferme Monville, Stoumont
- Adventure Sports, Fun Adventure, Sy
- Animal park & forest playground Forestia, Theux
- Puzzle Planet Maze, Trois-Ponts
- Aventure playground Domain de Palogne, Vieuxville
- Maison du Parc Botrange, Waimes

LUXEMBOURG PROVINCE
- Tourist train from Aisne to Erezée
- Wildlife Park Bouillon
- Birds of prey etc., Castle of Bouillon
- Les cavaliers de Saint-Remacle (horse-riding), Cugnon
- Adventure Valley, Durbuy
- Grottes de Hotton (caves), Hotton
- Playground L’Ile de Hotton
- River interpretation centre, Hotton
- Adventure playground Houtopia, Houffalize
- Adventure playground & sports, Chlorophylle Park, Manhay
- Barefoot trail Ferme de la Planche, Montleban (Gouvy)
- Wild animal park Parc à Gibier, La-Roche-en-Ardenne
- Animation and falconry etc., Castle of La Roche, La-Roche-en-Ardenne
- La Roche-en-Ardenne Tourist Train
- Wild animal park Parc Gibier, Saint-Hubert
- Domaine du Fourneau St Michel, Saint-Hubert
NAMUR PROVINCE
- Agimont Adventure, Agimont
- Kayaks La Vanne, Alle-sur-Semois
- Parc Dinant Aventure, Anseremme
- Valery Cousin Provincial Domain, Chevetogne
- La Merveilleuse Caves of Dinant
- The railbikes of the Molignée, Falaën & Maredsous
- Helping children respect Mother Earth, summer activities La Cabriole, Fernelmont
- Des Grottes de Han (caves), Han
- Maze at Freyr Castle,Hastière
- Queen Fabiola Amusement Park, Namur
- Namur Citadelle Tourist Train
- Donkey rides & walks, Anes & Co, Walcourt
- Cave of Lorette-Rochefort
- The Bocq Valley Steam Train, Yvoir-Ciney

BRUSSELS REGION
- Rouge Cloitre playground, Auderghem
- Kids Paradise, Auderghem
- Maximilien nature and animal park, 1000 Brussels
- The Little Steam Engine, Forest
- Children’s playground Bois de la Cambre, Ixelles
- La Ferme Nos Pilifs, Neder-Over-Heembeek
- Train World, Schaerbeek
- Mini-Golf, Parc Josaphat, Schaerbeek
- Wolvendael Park, Uccle
- Tournay-Solvay Park, Watermael-Boitsfort
- Park Malou, Woluwe Saint Lambert

SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS
The list is obviously only a selection of what’s available. Elsewhere on this blog I describe 15 family-friendly walks that you might find helpful. If you think your child considers a country walk to be boring, you might like to read my tips on How to make a country walk fun for kids!
SOME OUTDOOR CHILDREN’S NATURE PROJECTS
Finally, here are some nature-based projects that I’ve written about here on this blog that may give you some further inspiration:
- Identify and count the butterflies in your garden
- Buy a child their first pair of binoculars
- Listen to the sounds of nature
- Get a child their first book on birdwatching
- Help children to make a bee hotel
- Encourage children to watch garden birds
- Teach children how to identify farm crops
PLEASE ADD YOUR OWN SUGGESTIONS!
I would be delighted if you could add to the lists above with your own discovering of children’s outdoor activities in Belgium. Just drop me a line or add a comment below and I will be happy to add your suggestion to the list. Even quicker: send me a WhatsApp message:
And remember, if you want to keep up-to-date with this list or other posts on Discovering Belgium, just add your email below to get new posts straight into your inbox.
Finally, if you have found this post useful, would you please consider supporting this blog by buying me a (virtual) cup of coffee?
Categories: Children's activities
This should keep everyone busy!
This is a nice service to visitors or inhabitants with children or grands. Maybe even babysitters or au pairs that need help on where to take their charges.
Great post with wonderful information for those traveling with children! What does Belgium offer for those traveling with German Shepherds? … just kidding! ?
Well it’s generally a very dog-friendly country Darren. When hiking I frequently come across a bowl of water outside a house for dogs.
Heerlijk om er rond te neuzen, je blog.
Pakawi Park in Olmen is also well worth a visit.
Unfortunately, they don’t do insect burgers any more
Thanks Paul: I’ve added it to the list. I’ve had a few insect bars but never burgers.
The burgers were actually quite tasty — I had them a few times.
But when Olmense Zoo became Pakawi Park, they changed the restaurant menu. Which is a pity, because that was quite a high point for me 😉
Belgium is a beautiful wonderland for kids of all ages. I especially like the playground forest in Bosland, Chlorophyll Park, and the river boats in Brussels. There are plenty of play and explore areas in the US, but the best are our many national parks. However, the Covid crisis is making travel difficult. Most folks are trying to make do with close-to-home adventures.
Thanks for your positive comment Sharon. Over here too many of these activities are curtailed or reduced in size, particularly the organized ones. Thankfully, as you point out, there are many activities in the open air for individual families to enjoy in a safe environment. I wish you and your Californian friends safety and health in such an awful situation for your state, Sharon.
Quite a line-up, Denzil!
This page is amazing! Thank you so much!!! We will for sure be using this regularly to plan our trips!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Well that’s kind of you to say so Alisha! Hope you find it helpful, and if you spot any mistakes or have anything to add, just drop me a line!