Start our adventure with a place that has delighted visitors of all ages since 1844. The Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe, located in the heart of the city, right next to the train station. This historic zoo is not only home to more than 7,000 animals representing some 950 species, but also a historic park with beautiful architecture dating back to the 19th century. Children will be delighted to meet gorillas, elephants, giraffes and rhinos, and a real highlight is the butterfly pavilion, where the colorful insects often land on visitors' shoulders, eliciting cheers from the little ones. The zoo also offers interactive animal feeding demonstrations and educational presentations where keepers share fascinating tidbits about their charges. Note the historic buildings on the zoo grounds, including the beautiful Egyptian pavilion and historic aquarium, which are works of art in themselves.

Nearby is Het Steen, the oldest building in Antwerp, dating back as far as the 12th century. This medieval castle, whose name literally means 'Rock,' served as a fortress, prison and later a museum for centuries. Although the interiors are not currently open to the public due to renovations, the building itself and its surroundings provide a fascinating history lesson for children. In front of the castle's entrance is a statue of the giant Druon Antigonus - a figure from local legend, which states that the cruel giant used to cut off the hands of sailors who refused to pay a toll to cross the Scheldt. According to the legend, a brave Roman soldier Silvius Brabo defeated the giant, cut off his hand and threw it into the river - which is where the town's name would come from (hand werpen - to throw a hand). This tale invariably fascinates children, who listen to the adventures of the brave Brabo with blazing eyes. The terrace at Het Steen also offers a magnificent view of the River Schelda, where you can watch the passing ships.

Round off the historical journey with a visit to St. Mary's Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Belgium and the Netherlands. This monumental building, whose construction took almost 170 years (1352-1521), impresses not only with its architecture, but also with priceless works of art, including paintings by Rubens. Children may find the 123-meter-high cathedral tower, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city, particularly interesting. Climbing the 514 steps is quite a challenge, but the satisfaction and views at the top reward any effort. Inside the cathedral you can also find interactive educational elements that bring the history of the place to the youngest visitors in an accessible way. Children can learn how medieval cathedrals were built, learn about the symbolism of the stained glass windows and discover the secrets hidden in the sculptures. Note the astronomical clock and the carillon consisting of 47 bells, whose melodies resound over the city.

One of the most iconic landmarks on the map of modern Antwerp is MAS - Museum aan de Stroom, or Museum by the River. This impressive building, which opened in 2011, resembles a stack of red stone boxes with glass elements, which in itself is an attraction for children. The ten-story building offers a fascinating journey through the city's history and its relationship with the rest of the world. Each floor is a separate thematic exhibition, and between floors are glass galleries with views of the city that change as you climb to the top. Children will find the pirate exploration game particularly appealing, during which little explorers, equipped with special maps, search for hidden treasures and solve puzzles related to Antwerp's maritime history. On the tenth floor there is a free observation deck that offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, the harbor and the River Scheldt. It's the perfect place for a family photo and a hands-on geography lesson. MAS also offers special workshops for children of all ages, where they can create their own artwork inspired by the museum's exhibits.

A completely different kind of experience awaits families at Illusion Antwerpen, a museum dedicated to optical illusions and 3D art. It's a place where reality mixes with fantasy, and the laws of physics don't seem to apply. Children can walk on the ceiling, hover over a chasm, shrink to the size of an ant or grow to the size of a giant - all thanks to cleverly designed installations and optical tricks. The museum offers more than 70 interactive exhibits that not only entertain, but also teach about the principles of optics, perception and how the human brain works. It's the perfect place for families with teens who love to take unusual photos for social media. Each room brings new surprises and bursts of laughter as the family discovers more illusions. It's worth setting aside at least two hours to explore this unusual place.

For families seeking a more dynamic experience, The Park Playground VR Antwerp offers unforgettable virtual reality adventures. This is a next-generation entertainment center where participants, equipped with VR goggles and controllers, can explore fantastic worlds together, fight zombies, solve puzzles in puzzle rooms or take part in space battles. The venue offers various scenarios of varying levels of difficulty, tailored to the age of the participants, so that a 7-year-old child, a teenager or a parent will find something to enjoy. Each session lasts about 30-60 minutes and can be attended by 2 to 8 people, making it an ideal activity for the whole family or a group of friends. The technology used at The Park Playground allows you to move freely in the virtual space, giving you the feeling of being fully immersed in an alternative reality. It is not only great fun, but also an opportunity to practice cooperation, problem solving and reflexes.

On the outskirts of the city, in Rivierenhof Park, is the charming Sprookjeshuis Rivierenhof, or Fairy Tale House. It's a magical place where characters from Flemish fairy tales and legends come to life. Children can stroll through an enchanted forest, explore elf houses, meet fairy tale creatures and listen to stories spun by animators dressed as fairy tale characters. The Fairy Tale House also organizes themed seasonal events, craft workshops and theatrical performances. It's the perfect place for younger children who still believe in magic and listen to stories about princesses, dragons and wizards with blazes on their faces. The Rivierenhof Park, where the Fairy Tale House is located, is also a great place to picnic and relax after a busy city tour. The expansive green spaces include playgrounds, bike paths and ponds where you can feed the ducks.

When planning a family trip to Antwerp, it's worth considering which of the described attractions are best suited to our children's ages and interests. For families with toddlers under 6 years old, the best options will be the Antwerp Zoo and the Sprookjeshuis Rivierenhof. The zoo offers easily accessible paths for strollers, numerous rest areas and fascinating animals that always capture the attention of the little ones. The Fairy Tale House, on the other hand, creates a magical atmosphere tailored to the imagination of toddlers, with interactive elements at the height of little hands. Both of these attractions also have shaded areas, which is important during the summer heat.

For families with school-aged children (7-12 years old), I recommend MAS Museum, Het Steen and St. Mary's Cathedral. Children of this age begin to take an interest in history and enjoy interactive exhibitions, such as the pirate exploration game at MAS. Climbing the cathedral tower can be an exciting challenge for children of this age, and the legends associated with Het Steen will spark their imagination. These attractions combine education with fun, a perfect combination for curious minds.

Teens (13+) and young adults will appreciate Illusion Antwerpen and The Park Playground VR, where cutting-edge technology and the opportunity to take extraordinary photos will appeal to their tastes. These venues also offer more adrenaline and challenges, which older children often seek.

As for prices, the cheapest option is to visit Het Steen (from the outside) and walk through the historic center of the city, which itself is like an open-air museum. The St. Mary's Cathedral offers tickets in the middle price range, as does the Sprookjeshuis Rivierenhof. The Antwerp Zoo and The Park Playground VR are the most expensive, but they also offer the longest play time - you can spend an entire day at the zoo, and one VR session is about an hour of intense experience.

In terms of location, the Zoo, Cathedral and Het Steen are located in the center of the city, in close proximity to each other, which makes the logistics of visiting easier. The MAS Museum is located a bit further away, in the harbor district, but still within walking distance from the center. Illusion Antwerpen and The Park Playground VR are also located in central locations. Only Sprookjeshuis Rivierenhof requires a commute to the suburbs, but the park where it is located offers so many additional attractions that it's worth a full day.

It's also worth considering the weather when planning your visit. On rainy days, the best options are MAS Museum, Illusion Antwerpen, The Park Playground VR and the interior of The Cathedral, which offer indoor attractions. On sunny days, on the other hand, the Zoo and Sprookjeshuis Rivierenhof with its surrounding park allow you to enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors.

Antwerp also offers many additional attractions that didn't fit into our list, but can be an interesting addition to the program. Worth mentioning is the St. Anne's Tunnel under the River Scheldt, which is a fascinating passage with a wooden escalator dating back to 1933. Children love this underground adventure, and the view of the Antwerp skyline from the other side of the river is worth the short trip. Another interesting site is the Central Station itself, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, with its impressive Great Hall, arches, columns and stone decor. Even if you don't travel by train, this architectural wonder is worth a look.

Whichever attractions you choose, Antwerp is sure to provide your family with an unforgettable experience, combining historical depth with modern entertainment in a way that will delight children and adults alike.