Things to do in Westende and Middelkerke with kids: 18 local tips

Westende isn’t the loudest seaside town on the coast. No kilometre-long pier, no theme park on the promenade, no row of souvenir shops. And that is exactly why it works so well for families with young children. Wide beaches, kilometres of dunes, a car-free holiday park, and no traffic jams to the beach. Quiet enough to breathe, lively enough to never get bored.

We spend a lot of time here ourselves with our family, and every visit we rediscover how much there is to do, even without driving far. Below we’ve gathered everything we recommend as parents: the beach, the park, Middelkerke, day trips to Nieuwpoort and Ostend, and a few rescue tips for when it rains.

On the beach and in the dunes

The beach at Westende is wide. At low tide it stretches out far, giving you all the space for beach games, sandcastles, and simply running around without constantly looking out for other beach-goers. Young children love it: more space, more sand, less crowding.

Tip 1: Build a sand fort at low tide. When the tide is out you literally have hundreds of metres of sand in front of you. Bring a bucket and some shovels and let the children build. They’ll be happily busy for an hour or two. No extra cost, no queues.

Tip 2: Walk through the Schuddebeurze. Right behind the beach lie the dunes of the Schuddebeurze, a large protected dune area. Clearly marked walking paths, suitable for little legs too. The transition from beach to dune to polder landscape is beautiful, and you’ll regularly spot rabbits and even deer. Free, accessible, no booking required.

Tip 3: Look for shells and crabs. Kids can’t get enough. Bring a small bucket and let them search at the waterline. In summer you also often find small crabs in the pools left behind by the tide. A magnifying glass is always a good idea.

Tip 4: Use our beach gear. In our houses you’ll find beach towels, a beach bag, and toys for the children ready to go. So you don’t need to drag everything from home. If you arrive on foot or by bike, you’ll notice straight away how much easier this makes things.

Cycling and moving in and around the park

Marinapark Westende is car-free in daily use. On arrival you drive up to your house to unload your suitcases, but after that you park at the entrance and the car stays there for the rest of your stay. That sounds like a small detail, but for parents with young children it makes a big difference. The children can play outside without you having to watch them constantly. They cycle and scoot freely, and you can have a coffee on the terrace in peace. That feeling of freedom, for them and for you, is something many guests only realise how good it feels once they’re here.

Tip 5: Cycle to the beach. From our park you’re ten minutes by bike from the beach. The route runs along cycle paths through the dunes, away from traffic. Bring your bikes from home or hire them locally. Bike rental in Westende and Middelkerke. The coast tram stops nearby too, handy when little legs get tired.

Tip 6: Cycle the polder route. Behind Westende lie open polders with flat, quiet roads. Perfect for families with children on bikes. The Belgian coast has excellent signposted cycle routes via the node network. Download the node map from Westtoer or pick one up at the Middelkerke tourist office.

Tip 7: Play in the park itself. Marinapark has space for children to play and plenty of room to move. Little ones can cycle, scoot, play with a ball, and explore the area. The park is calm and easy to oversee, so children get a little more freedom than at home.

Activities in Middelkerke

Middelkerke is within cycling distance of Westende and has a lot more to offer than meets the eye. The centre is welcoming, there are good places to eat, and for children there are a few must-do spots.

Tip 8: Adventure Park Middelkerke. This outdoor play park on the promenade is a real hit with kids aged 3 to 12. Trampolines, climbing frames, a water zone, and plenty of adventure. The park opens during the season and school holidays, but not all year round. Always check opening days first via Visit Middelkerke.

Tip 9: Mini-golf in Middelkerke. There are several mini-golf courses on and around the Middelkerke promenade. A classic for a reason: everyone can join in, from the youngest to the oldest, and there’s always something to laugh about. Most courses are open in spring and summer. Ideal for a late afternoon when the beach has become too hot.

Tip 10: De Kegel Middelkerke. Bowling with the kids at De Kegel is a steady favourite. Especially handy for an activity that works across different ages, and that’s always a good idea on less sunny days too.

Tip 11: Casino Kursaal Middelkerke. Not for gambling, but the Kursaal is an eye-catcher on the promenade and the building has a rich history. In summer there are also events and family activities on the promenade. Have a look at the events calendar at Visit Middelkerke to see what’s on that week.

Day trips to Nieuwpoort and Ostend

Westende is centrally located: Nieuwpoort is about 15 minutes by car, Ostend about 20. Both cities are worth a day trip. With the coast tram you can comfortably reach both without the car, which children also love.

Tip 12: Nieuwpoort-Bad and the harbour. Nieuwpoort has one of the largest yacht harbours in Europe. With kids it’s lovely to walk along the boats and watch the locks. There are also good terraces by the harbour. The fish market is active on Friday mornings and shows a very different side of seaside life from the typical tourist promenade.

Tip 13: Ostend and its beach. The beach at Ostend is wide and the city centre is lively. For children there’s the playground at Leopoldpark, accessible all year round. In summer there are also organised activities on the beach. The coast tram runs frequently and the ride itself is already an adventure for the little ones. Check timetables at the coast tram website.

Tip 14: Plopsaland De Panne theme park. A bit further towards De Panne lies Plopsaland. Less than 30 minutes by car from Westende. Not for every day, but if you want to give the kids a day full of roller coasters and rides, this is the place. Book online in advance for the best price.

For when it rains

On the coast the weather can change quickly. Every seasoned coast-goer knows that. But a rainy day doesn’t need to be a lost day. We always keep a list at hand for these moments.

Tip 15: Board games at the house. In our houses there are games ready to play. A quiet rainy afternoon with a game and a hot chocolate can sometimes become the loveliest memory of the whole holiday. No plans, no schedule. Just together.

Tip 16: De Grote Post culture centre in Ostend. For older children, De Grote Post is an interesting venue for exhibitions, performances, and workshops. Check the programme on their website for what’s on that week.

Tip 17: Mu.ZEE, Ostend’s art museum. The museum building on the promenade in Ostend has a permanent collection and changing exhibitions. More info and opening hours at muzee.be. For slightly older children who are curious about art, this is a nice half day. And a stroll along the promenade afterwards for a waffle or an ice cream rounds it off.

Tip 18: Bake cookies and relax. This may sound too simple, but working parents miss this so often at home. The children helping in the kitchen, making something together, without having to rush to the next activity. The kitchens in our houses are well equipped. Bring a baking mix or pick something up at the local shop. Sometimes the unexpected afternoons turn out to be the best.

From ello you’re never far

Everything you’ve just read is within cycling or short driving distance of Marinapark Westende. The beach in ten minutes by bike. Middelkerke in a quarter of an hour. Nieuwpoort and Ostend in half an hour. And in between, you return to a quiet, car-free park where the children can play outside and you can take a breath.

We rent two houses next to each other in this park, each ready for arrival so you’re instantly on holiday. Read more about our story and approach, or have a look at our houses: Westende 52 and Westende 53. Any questions? Reach out via our contact page. We’re happy to help.