Over half of the Easter holidays have now passed and some parents may be looking for inspiration to keep young ones entertained. Fortunately there are plenty of activities across Belgium to provide excitement for parents and children. Discover our recommendations below!
Brussels
Children's animation at Parc de la Porte de Ninove
Not far from the Brussels canal lies the relatively new Parc de la Porte de Ninove, an urban playground for all ages. At the centre of this park is a project which aims to involve the neighbourhood and connect locals through various workshops and activities.
A radio project in the new park. Credit: JES Brussel
On Wednesday and Thursday during the Easter holidays, the youth organisation JES Brussels invites young people to make their own musical instruments. This free activity is open to all and encourages children to think creatively.
This free activity is organised until Friday 14 April, between 14:00 and 16:00.
Underground scavenger hunt at Coudenberg Palace
The Easter egg hunt may be over but this challenge at the Coudenberg Palace in the centre of Brussels could help kids hone their detective skills! Until Friday, Emporer Charles calls on young visitors to help him crack the code to open his treasure chest and retrieve the necklace of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Credit: Coudenberg Palace
Children are given a treasure map, costume and a torch. Those who succeed in opening the chest will be richly rewarded by the emperor. For adults, this is a unique occasion to discover the former palace of Brussels.
This activity is organised in Dutch, French and English and takes place until Sunday 16 April and costs €4 per child (and €10 for adults). It is tailored for children aged 5 to 8 and takes up to 1.5 hours. Reserve your spot here.
Farming fun at the Museum of the National Bank of Belgium
Victor the piggy bank lives on the "farm" of the Museum of the National Bank of Belgium and needs help to clean up his stables, field and vegetable garden.
Victor the Piggy Bank in his garden. Credit: NBB
Through various tasks which allow visitors to explore the museum in a new way, children can help make Victor's farm even more beautiful step by step. And who knows, at the end of the quest children might even win a present!
Victor's farm opens its doors from 09:00 until 17:00 until Friday 14 April. All animal lovers aged 4 to 6 and all farmers-in-spirits aged 7 to 12 are welcome to roll up their sleeves. The free adventure takes up to one hour.
Flanders
Circus festival in Aalst
The family circus festival CIRK!aBoem is a colourful collection of performances and workshops for the whole family during the Easter holidays.
Credit: CC De Werf
Expect more than impressive circus performances, as children can also learn to perform various acts, from unicycling to clowning about to taking part in a comic strip drawing or video art workshop.
The festival will take place in CC De Werf in Aalst until Sunday 16 April. The free events are tailored to children from the ages of 3 to 12 and their families.
Easter days in Bokrijk
The Bokrijk Open Air Museum in Limburg is always a great place to visit with children and now runs a special programme throughout the Easter holidays.
Credit: Bokrijk
On the agenda: discovering old Easter customs, learning from craftspeople such as beekeepers, shepherds, potters and leatherworkers, egg rolling, meeting young animals up close, and colouring Easter eggs the (great) grandmother's way.
Bokrijk's Easter Days will run until Sunday 16 April. The site is open from 10:00 until 18:00 every day. Tickets cost €3 for children until the age of 12.
Wallonia
Folklore and tradition
Pupils in French-speaking schools in Belgium aren't on holiday at the start of Easter as a result of the changed holiday calendar, meaning fewer easter activities are organised here. However, a whole other type of tradition is being celebrated in the region in the coming days.
Credit: FolkNam/Facebook
Visit Namur on Saturday 15 April during the 25th edition of FolkNam, its Folklore and Traditions festival, to learn about the city's folk groups or travel back in time to the Middle Ages at the medieval festivities of Binche.
