Best Provincial Domains in Belgium
All recommendations on World Wild Schooling are independently selected by our editors. We may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through our links.
The best provincial domains in Belgium offer contact with nature and family-friendly activities. These expansive parks are ideal for weekend getaways, outdoor adventures, or a fun day in nature.
Provincial domains in Belgium are large, publicly managed parks with playgrounds, nature trails, picnic areas, farm animals, swimming pools, and more. With lush forests, scenic lakes, and even castles, provincial domains provide something for everyone.
From De Schorre in Antwerp, famous for its Troll sculptures, to Domaine de Chevetogne in Wallonia, each site is unique.
We selected these provincial domains based on facilities, accessibility, personal experience, and visitor reviews from our group. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax in nature or keep kids entertained for hours, these domains are some of the best outdoor destinations in Belgium.
What Is a Provincial Domain?
A provincial domain (in French, “domaine provincial” and in Dutch, “provinciedomein”) is a large, publicly managed park with forests, nature trails, picnic areas, farm animals, swimming pools, and even castles.
Best Provincial Domains in Belgium
There are several provincial domains in Belgium. All have playgrounds and a cafe right to the playground (yay!). Some have farm animals. Others have swimming lakes or water playgrounds.
They are all worth spending at least half a day with the family. Read on to discover the best provincial domains in Belgium..
Looking for more ideas in Belgium with kids? Our supportive community is here to help!
Join our FB group World Wild Schooling – Belgium
Hofstade
Hofstade is one of the most popular provincial domains, and for good reasons, there is a lake for swimming with a playground on its beach and a café, many playgrounds for all ages, and a café next to them. There is also an inflatable aquapark in the summer! All these are just 20 minutes away from Brussels!
Read more: Hofstade
De Nekker
De Nekker offers a lake to swim and a water playground! And also playgrounds for all ages, an indoor pool, and more
Tip
The water playground at De Nekker is shallower, so it’s better for toddlers than the one at Kessel-Lo.
Read more: De Nekker
Halve Maan
Halve Maan is one of the best provincial domains: playgrounds, animals, mini cars, mini golf, kayaks, pedal boats and a huge, shallow outdoor pool with a playground for kids (and waterslides!)
Read more: Halve Maan
Kessel-Lo
Kessel-Lo has an amazing new water playground and an outdoor heated pool. The other playgrounds are great too and there are some farm animals as well
Read more: Kessel-Lo
Huizingen
Provincial Domain Huizingen is one of the most beloved ones and is closest to Brussels. It has playgrounds, mini cars, trampolines, farm animals, a forest and a rock garden, and even a little train to take you around the domain: it has everything!
Read more: Huizingen
De Schorre
Go troll hunting in the forest! Thomas Dambo, based in Denmark, makes these trolls out of recycled materials. Searching for them is tons of fun! There is also a playground, a café/restaurant right next to it, a barefoot path, and more.
Read more: De Schorre
Bois des Rêves
Bois des Rêves means forest of dreams in French – which is precisely that for kids! It offers an excellent playground for all ages, a forest, and a café by the lake. All these are just half an hour away from Brussels.
Read more: Bois des Rêves
Château d’Hélécine
Playgrounds, jumping castles, a lake, animals, restaurants, and a puppet show – Château d’Hélécine is a great place to spend time with your family!
Read more: Château d’Hélécine
De Lilse Bergen
De Lilse Bergen is a great place with a lake for outdoor swimming and lots of playgrounds by the lake.
Read more: De Lilse Bergen
Domain Tivoli
Domain Tivoli has a big toddler area and a kids’ farm. It’s perfect for younger kids!
Read more: Domain Tivoli
Zilvermeer
Save this
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.
There are so many playgrounds in Zilvermeer! You can swim in the lake, play at the water playground right next to it, or enjoy the water slides.
Read more: Zilvermeer
De Ster
De Ster has a lake where you can swim, water slides, and an inflatable aquapark. There is also a big playground and a petting zoo. The huge air trampoline is pretty cool, too!!
Read more: De Ster
Blaarmeersen
At Blaarmeersen, you can swim in the lake and have fun at the water slides or at the playground next to the water. There is also a separate small lake for younger kids.
Read more: Blaarmeersen
De Gavers Harelbeke
You find awesome playgrounds and you can swim in the lake in the summer at De Gavers Harelbeke!
Read more: De Gavers
Chevetogne
Chevetogne is a vast domain of 600 hectares with playgrounds, sports facilities, forests, lakes, gardens, a farm for kids.. There are also outdoor swimming pools.
Read more: Chevetogne
Puyenbroeck
Puyenbroeck is a provincial domain with indoor and outdoor swimming pool, playgrounds for all ages and a lake. There is also a fun water playground!
Read more: Puyenbroeck
Bokrijk
Bokrijk has a huge playground! The Open Air Museum and the Arboretum are also worth a visit. Don’t miss Cycling through Water!
Read more: Bokrijk
Brielmeersen
Brielmeersen is a park with animals and a playground. It’s smaller than the other provincial domains in this list, but still fun with little ones.
Read more: Brielmeersen
De Averegten
De Averegten has a playground with a cafe next to it, as all provincial domains. What sets it apart is a great natural playground – if your kids love playing in mud, this is the right spot! There’s also a tractor kids can ride, another hit!
Read more: De Averegten
FAQ
What Are the Best Provincial Domains near Brussels?
The best provincial domains near Brussels are Huizingen, Hofstade, De Schorre, Bois des Rêves, Kessel-Lo, De Nekker and Château d’Hélécine. While they are all worth a visit, they are also different from each other.
Read more: Best Provincial Domains Near Brussels
In Which Provincial Domains Can You Swim?
You can swim in several provincial domains, such as the lake in Hofstade and De Nekker or the swimming pool in Kessel-Lo.
Read more: Where to Enjoy Water in Belgium
Which Provincial Domains Are Best for Toddlers?
All provincial domains have toddler playgrounds, so they are all suitable for all ages.
Here are our favorite provincial domains for toddlers:
Zilvermeer has a big toddler area but is far from Brussels. De Nekker has a big shallow water playground that is perfect for toddlers. Tivoli has a big toddler area and a kids farm. Château d’Hélécine has farm animals.
Which Provincial Domains Are Best for Older Kids?
All provincial domains have playgrounds for older kids, so they are all suitable for all ages.
Here are our favorite provincial domains for older kids:
De Schorre – don’t miss troll hunting and the barefoot path there. Hofstade has a large selection of playgrounds, including a playground on the beach. Zilvermeer has tons of playgrounds and water slides. Lilse Bergen has great playgrounds. Chevetogne has tons of playgrounds and water playgrounds and is a huge domain.
Recommended
Best Provincial Domains Near Brussels
Read on for the best provincial domains within half an hour from Brussels and practical tips on how to visit to make the most out of it.
Read more: Best Provincial Domains Near Brussels
Brussels with Kids
Here are the best things to do in Brussels with kids, where to stay, and practical tips from a local to make the most out of it!
Read more: Brussels with Kids
Indoor Playgrounds in Brussels and Around
Here are the best indoor playgrounds in Brussels and around. You will also find a section with indoor play areas suitable for toddlers at the end of the post.
Read more: Indoor Playground in Brussels
Best Kid-Friendly Cafes in Brussels
Here are the best kid-friendly cafes in Brussels and around.
Read more: Best Kid-Friendly Cafes in Brussels
