30 minutes from Brussels
Science in real life, at a child’s level
À Technopolis, près de Malines, vos enfants ne regardent pas la science… ils la manipulent.
Tout est interactif : expériences à toucher, jeux à tester, zones à explorer. No dusty shop windows, but experiences to be lived in real life.
They can, for example:
- test paragliding in virtual reality,
- try a square-wheeled bike,
- interact with Rob-e the robot,
- explore new technologies in the ON/OFF exhibition (VR, stop-motion, augmented reality),
- discover the AI zone dedicated to artificial intelligence,
- Launch into space, light, and digestive system in the Doolhoofd space for ages 4 and up.
Science shows (with fire and smoke effects), live demonstrations and free workshopscomplete the visit, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
An ideal outing to give a taste for science… without feeling like they were at school.
Technopolis in 5 points
- A large interactive science centre
Technopolis is the Flemish centre for science and technology, with hundreds of manipulations to understand the world around us while playing. - Zones by age
- Doolhoofd (from 4 years old): travel through space, light, the human body and digestion.
- ON/OFF (from 8 years old): VR, video, stop-motion, augmented reality, new technologies.
- An AI temporary zone to discover artificial intelligence.
- Shows and demonstrations
Electricity demonstrations, live experiments, science show on weekends and during the holidays (with fire, smoke, visual experiences that impress children and adults alike). - Workshops during the holidays
In the Lab and the Atelier, free workshops are organized during the school holidays: perfect to occupy a full half-day. - A place accessible to all
The site is wheelchair accessible, with facilities designed for all audiences.
The highlights of this activity
- 100% interactive : you touch, you test, you try, you make mistakes… everything is done to experiment.
- Top from 4 to 14 years old (and up): areas dedicated to the youngest, facilities that make teenagers think, and experiences that also entertain parents.
- Perfect in bad weather : large indoor centre, heated, to visit all year round.
- About 30 minutes from Brussels : easy to access by car, with on-site parking.
- “Wow” effect guaranteed : scientific shows, robots, VR… We learn without realizing it.
- Designed for families : spaces for the little ones, facilities for the older ones, cafés/restaurants on site.
The team’s opinion
Technopolis is a great classic of scientific outings in Belgium, and this is no coincidence.
With your family, you can easily spend half a day or even the day there, letting the children move from one experience to the next at their own pace. The youngest marvel at the giant installations, the older ones challenge themselves, test, compare, experiment… and ask a lot of questions.
It’s a great idea for an outing:
- for a weekend away from Brussels,
- during the school holidays,
- or plan B in rainy weather.
An activity that we particularly recommend for 6-12 year olds and curious teenagers, but where the whole family learns something.
Practical information
- AGE: For everyone, but ideal from 4 years old. Very suitable for 7–12 year olds and teens.
- DURATION OF VISIT: Plan at least 3 to 4 hours on site (or even during the day if your children like to take their time).
- OPENING HOURS : In general, every day from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Wednesdays during school periods : open from 12 noon to 5 pm. During the Flemish school holidays : often open until 6pm (check depending on the period).
- ADDRESS : Technologielaan 1, 2800 Mechelen (Mechelen).
- ACCESS FROM BRUSSELS : By car: approx. 30 minutes via the E19, exit Mechelen (Mechelen). Free on-site parking
- ACCESSIBILITY : Wheelchair accessible site.
- ON SITE: Cafeteria/restaurant, areas to take a break, shop.
- LANGUAGES: Explanations mainly in Dutch, but a lot of the content is visual or intuitive, sometimes with support in French and English
Questions
The site is accessible to all, but we recommend it especially from 4 years old :
– the little ones enjoy the fun facilities,
– 7–12 year olds are in the ideal target,
– teenagers really have fun with the VR, AI, ON/OFF zones, the more “scientific” experiments.
Allow at least 3 hours.
If you do the shows, a few workshops and let the kids explore at their own pace, you can easily spend a full day there.
Yes, Technopolis is entirely indoors : it’s a great outing in bad weather, in autumn or winter. Some outdoor activities may exist in summer, but most of the visit is done in the shelter.
Demonstrations and activities are offered during the day, and a scientific show is usually planned on weekends and during school holidays. For the workshops in the Lab and the Workshop, the program depends on the periods (holidays, special events).
A stone’s throw away, you will also like…
TOY MUSEUM MECHELEN:
A few minutes from the centre of Mechelen, the Toy Museum is a real life-size toy box: toys from yesterday and today, interactive games, a fun trail with a connected bracelet… A very nice visit to do with children, to extend the day after Technopolis.
ZOO PLANCKAENDAEL:
Also in Mechelen, the Planckendael ZOO takes you on a journey from one continent to another: bonobos, orangutans, lemurs, koalas, Tasmanian devils… with large playgrounds for children. An excellent idea for an outdoor outing to combine with Technopolis over a weekend.
