Ghent is a wonderful city to visit with children! From interactive museums and cozy cafés to playgrounds and boat rides, this Belgian gem has something for every family member. We’ve bundled our favorite kid-approved stops into a two-day itinerary—perfect for your next family city break. Let’s go!
Hi! I’m Helena, a Belgian mom exploring the world with my kids. Here you’ll find my honest, tried-and-tested tips for discovering cities as a family. Today, I’m sharing our favorite places in Ghent — a charming Belgian city full of surprises for little explorers. From playful museums to cozy cafés and scenic boat rides, here’s how to enjoy a family-friendly city trip in Ghent. Let’s go!
Day 1: STAM and Kina House
🏛️ STAM with Kids
We kicked off our trip at STAM (Ghent City Museum), a 15-minute walk from Gent-Sint-Pieters train station. The museum tells the story of the city with hands-on, child-friendly activities designed for kids aged 6 to 12—but even our four-year-old loved it!
Some highlights: playing shopkeeper with fabric swatches, helping build the city in LEGO, and walking across a huge aerial photo of Ghent. The verdict from our kids: “When can we come back?”
☕ STAM Café
After your museum visit, chances are you’re ready for a bite. You can bring your own picnic and enjoy it in the museum garden—or opt for a delicious breakfast or lunch at the on-site STAM Café.
No picnic packed? You can pre-order a picnic basket from the café to enjoy outside!
🧬 Kina House: Science & Nature for Kids
Next up: the Huis van Kina, a museum created especially for children. With low displays, tactile exhibits, and discovery games, this natural history museum is a fun way to explore earth’s history. Our kids (4 and 7) didn’t grasp everything, but they loved the experience nonetheless.
🛝 Time to Play — and Eat
Still have energy to burn? Head to the Citadel Park playground, just around the corner. You can wrap up your day with dinner at Lekker Gec, a relaxed, vegan buffet that also offers pasta and fries—perfect for picky eaters.
Day 2: Breakfast, Museums & a Boat Tour
🥐 Breakfast at Zelda & Zorro
Want to enjoy a warm cup of coffee while the kids are happily playing? Zelda & Zorro is your spot. This breakfast café has a cozy play area where little ones can explore while you relax. Everyone wins!
🛠️ Industriemuseum: Discovering Work & Machines
In the Museum of Industry, children aged 6–12 get a special toolbox with creative assignments to guide them through the museum. It’s a clever and fun way to learn!
🕵️ Huis van Alijn: Life as It Was
This museum focuses on daily life in the past. Kids get fun activities to complete and can also join the family scavenger hunt: “The Mysterious Disappearance of Hendrik Alijn.” A little mystery goes a long way!
🐻 Sweet Treat at UniQplanet
Need a break? Stop by UniQplanet, where you’ll find the cutest hot chocolate ever. Their drinks come decorated with 3D latte art—tiny bears, cats, and more floating in your cup. You’ll also find tasty snacks and sweets to recharge.
🚤 Canal Boat Ride
No trip to Ghent is complete without a boat tour! We recommend Rederij Dewaele, which offers 40- or 90-minute cruises through the city canals. With kids, the 40-minute ride is usually just right.
🧆 Dinner at Chapeluur
If your family loves croquettes (who doesn’t?), Chapeluur is your go-to dinner spot. Choose from over twenty croquette flavors and pair them with salad, fries, or potato croquettes. A crunchy, crowd-pleasing meal!
💬 Final Thoughts
That wraps up our two-day family trip to Ghent!
We love how this city blends culture, play, and food into such a compact, walkable experience. Got a favorite family spot in Ghent we didn’t mention? Let us know—we’d love to try it next time.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our favourite family city trips in Belgium and beyond!
