Anyone in Belgium? What activities do you do with your toddlers?

[lucymc]

My Mother lives in Belgium, about 30 mins outside Brussels, and My DS I visit her every couple of months and usually stay at least a week. There is a nice soft play centre nearby, but the only playpark we've found is a 20 min drive away. I would be really grateful for any suggestions to help a 23 month old burn off some steam.

perhaps you could post this under "living overseas" too.

Whereabouts outside Brux, Lucy? We used to live near Leuven. Can recommend Planet Kids (Wezembeek-Oppem) and Flying Kids (near Waterloo). If you want to go outside, go to the Provincie Domein Kessel-Lo near Leuven - lots of adventure playgrounds for all ages, plus a large outdoor pool. Small charge for pool, but park itself is free. Bouncy castles there in August. Can also recommend Zoetwaterpark at Oud Heverlee, near Leuven - like an adventure playground, lots for littlies to do, including a little train ride, swings, trampolines.

There is a booklet you can get (usually free in hotels or touristy restaurants) which tells you about all the things in Belgium that it is good to do with children. The provincial parks are usually worth a visit, with something for all ages.

One tip - GO IN THE MORNING - the Belgians tend not to do anything until after lunch, and we've often had the place to ourselves, finished with a picnic and gone home when everyone else is arriving.

Feel all homesick now.

thanks SSSandy2 I didn't know there was a living overseas thread, I'll seek it out know.
-Mrs S excellent advice. My Mother lives in Warvre so Leuven's not to far at all. I can feel an outing coming on.

I am thinking Flying Kids may actually be near Wavre, rather than Waterloo, now I come to think about it!

But I am sure your DS would love Zoetwaterpark.

I live in Leuven. Zoetwater park is great. Leuven itself is a lovely town to visit with lots of child friendly retaurants.

Plankendael is a big zoo, perfect for toddlers, certainly recommend it.

If it's a hot day, there is a beautiful swimming lake Domein Ter Heide in Rotselaar.

Walibi and Aqualibi are a fun park and swimming pool.

Leuven has a good swimming pool for children Sportoase at the Phillip's site. Tienen also has a child friendly pool.

You can go on a day trip to Centre Parks Erperheide which has a great pool and play areas, and resonably good value for a day trip.

The Quick restaurant at Korbeek Lo has a good indoor area for a rainy morning.

-Mrs S Just returned from Flying Kids, where we had an apéritif (how civilised) while DS wore himself out.

-Belgo really great advice, we've only got three more days left this trip, so I'm arranging a outing to Leuven asap.

Thanks again

a good restaurant in Leuven is Notre Dame on the Grote Markt, next to the Stad Huis.

at Belgo living in Belgium. Wish we were back there.

Ooh! Oooh! Have just thought of another less obvious one. Our two loved runnning round the ruined abbey at Villers la Ville (think that's what it was called).

MrsSchadenfreude - we've never been there, we'll bare it in mind!