Spring in Belgium is a time of renewal, with blossoming flowers and (finally!) warming weather. This brings young families like us outdoors after a cold, wet and grey winter.
For parents with little ones, we get you! Finding kid-friendly parks or routes is key to enjoying this beautiful season. Getting together outside and having fun as a family without spending that much money is always a good plan, isn’t it?
Here’s a guide to 3 of the best routes across the country that are perfect for families to explore with (little) kids and at the end our 5 best tips to be well for the adventure!
1. To do with toddlers – stroller friendly 😉
Step into a fairy-tale at Drongengoedbos where an enchanting walk awaits your family. Witness majestic grazing animals that roam freely, a delightful surprise for the kids. The great diversity of plants and trees also makes this route attractive as a learning activity for young children.
Near the Drongengoed farmstead starts the two-kilometer-long Kabouterpad. Based on ten signs with tips, facts and hands-on tasks, preschoolers are introduced to the forest in a playful way. When the play is done, the local Drongengoedbos farm invites you to relax with a tasty meal. After a day out like this, you know your kids will sleep well 😊
📍 Drongengoedweg 1, 9910 Ursel
🗺 Complete route for toddlers is 2 km.
👉🏼 Link to more information (info points, paved or unpaved paths, parking…): https://www.routen.be/en/drongengoedbos-hiking-route
2. To do all ages – free nature
Beautiful forest walks with the whole family? That’s done at Het Leen, a former military domain with paved hiking trails and unpaved paths. The paved walking paths ensure that even with a wheelchair or stroller you can comfortably enjoy nature. Would you rather just browse around? No problem! Scattered inside the domain are numerous playgrounds where your offspring can let off steam.
If you still have energy after hiking and playing, you can venture onto the 21-meter-high viewing platform. An exciting one, as it hangs above the trees and has a floor you can see through. Very cool for those who dare!
📍 Gentsesteenweg 80, 9950 Eeklo
🗺 Complete route for the whole family is 5 km
👉🏼 Link to more information (info points, paved or unpaved paths, parking…): https://www.routen.be/en/het-leen-small-hiking-route
3. To do all ages – with activities
The butterfly walk in the Lommel Kattenbos is just beautiful. Through this walk, little children learn about the developmental stages of the butterfly through play and art. You’ll encounter along the way works from Artist Will Beckers that are accompanied by educational explanations and kid-sized assignments.
New at this location for the bigger kids is that you can participate in the “next queste”. You can help the pharaoh search for the golden garden. To find this golden garden you must first complete 24 quests (=geocaches). A very fun adventure for older children with scavenger hunts and mysteries to solve!
(Note) For those who do not yet know Geocaching: Geocaching is a game and leisure activity using a GPS receiver or phone with this function to find a so-called cache somewhere in the world. There is an app for it 😊 And yes, you can find these “treasures” all over the world. Wonderfully engaging game that encourages walking and discovery in nature, following the coordinates on the phone and still being present in the environment! Really motivating for the whole family!
📍 Kattenbos, 3920 Lommel
🗺 Complete route with geocache is 7,2 km
🗺 Butterfly route for little ones is 3,8 km
👉🏼 Link to more information (info points, paved or unpaved paths, parking…): https://toerismelommel.be/zienendoen/de-gouden-tuin-van-de-farao/ (only in Dutch)
Our 5 best tips to be well prepared
Going on adventures in the woods with kids can be a magical experience. Here are five top tips to ensure your forest wanderings are both enjoyable and hassle-free:
- Pack smart snacks: Keep energy levels high with healthy snacks. Our Yummy Bags are perfect for carrying treats like trail mix, fresh fruit, or granola bars. They’re reusable, easy to carry and keep food fresh.
- Stay hydrated: bring always refillable water bottles with you, double check if water fountains along the way are potable safe water.
- Dress for success: Layer your clothing and pack waterproof gear. Forests can be damp and cool, even in spring, so it’s best to be prepared for any weather.
- Safety first: Always have a Band-Aid on hand. You never know when you might need one. I personally carry one in my wallet and in every side pocket of every bag so I have one with me anytime, anywhere. Also be sure to regularly check that your first aid kit at home and in the car is still complete. Don’t forget to agree with your kids in advance what to do if they get lost.
- Leave no trace: Teach your children the importance of preserving nature. Bring along a bag for any trash, and make sure to leave the forest as untouched as possible.
Remember, the key to a successful forest adventure is preparation and embracing the journey with an open mind. Enjoy the wonders of nature together and come home with the best memories ever.
Lots of love,
Sarah
