What animals live in Belgium?

Belgium is a small country in Europe, but it has some interesting wildlife! You can find red foxes, wild boars, and roe deer living in its forests. The Ardennes region in the south is especially good habitat for these animals, with thick woodlands and quiet river valleys. Belgium also has plenty of birds to watch for, like the common kingfisher, which flashes bright blue and orange as it dives for fish along streams. White storks sometimes nest on rooftops and chimneys in Belgian villages. God packed a lot of variety into this little country — and it reminds us that the Creator has been generous everywhere on earth!

What do kids eat in Belgium?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Belgium love waffles — not the frozen kind, but thick, warm, golden waffles eaten right off the street, often topped with powdered sugar or strawberries. Belgian chocolate is world-famous too, and kids there grow up treating it as an everyday snack, not just a holiday treat. Rusty wants to add that Belgian kids also eat a lot of frites — that's French for fries — served in a paper cone with mayonnaise for dipping, which surprises many visitors from other countries. A cozy family meal might include stoofvlees, a thick beef stew often served right on top of those golden frites. Food is a big part of how Belgian families spend time together, and that's something kids everywhere seem to enjoy.

How do people say hello in Belgium?

Great question! Belgium actually has three official languages, so 'hello' sounds different depending on where you are. In the French-speaking south, people say 'Bonjour' (bone-ZHOOR). In the Dutch-speaking north, they say 'Hallo' or 'Goedendag' (HOO-den-dahg). And in a small eastern region, people speak German and say 'Guten Tag' (GOO-ten tahg). That mix of languages tells you something important about Belgium — it is a place where different cultures live side by side, sometimes with real tension between them. Missionaries and Belgian Christians who want to share the gospel there have to think carefully about language and culture, just like the apostle Paul did when he traveled to new places. God's good news about Jesus can be told in every language, and that is worth remembering!

What sports or games do kids play in Belgium?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Belgium are absolutely wild about football — what Americans call soccer. Nearly every town has a pitch where kids kick the ball around after school, and Belgian players have become some of the best in the world. Cycling is huge too, since Belgium hosts famous races like the Tour of Flanders. Rusty wants to add that Belgian kids also enjoy a traditional street game called 'balle pelote,' where players hit a small ball against a wall with their bare hands — it takes real skill! Board games and card games are popular indoors, and many kids play basketball and tennis in clubs. Sports are a great way missionaries and Belgian Christians can build friendships and share the gospel with families in their neighborhoods.

What's the weather like in Belgium?

Belgium has what explorers call a temperate maritime climate — that means it gets a little of everything. Winters are cool and damp, summers are mild, and rain can show up pretty much any time of year. If you visit Brussels in July, you might need a light jacket by evening! The weather in Belgium comes mostly from the Atlantic Ocean to the west, which keeps temperatures from getting too extreme in either direction. Snow does fall in winter, especially in the hilly Ardennes region in the south, but it rarely piles up very deep near the coast. Belgian people are pretty used to grey skies and umbrellas — it is just part of life there.

Tell me a fun fact about Belgium.

Belgium is a small country in Western Europe, but it punches way above its weight when it comes to chocolate and waffles — two things it actually invented! Belgian chocolate makers are known around the world for their careful craft, and a fresh Belgian waffle with toppings is a real treat at street markets across the country. Here is something that might surprise you: Belgium has three official languages — Dutch, French, and German. That means a kid living in one part of the country might not understand a kid from another part without a translator! Belgium is also home to people from many different backgrounds, which means there are lots of people there who need to hear the good news about Jesus in the language they understand best.

What is school like for kids in Belgium?

In Belgium, most kids start school around age 2 or 3 in preschool, and they go to school six days a week — including Saturday mornings! School is taken very seriously there, and children study subjects like French, Dutch, or German depending on which part of Belgium they live in. Belgium actually has three main language regions, so a kid in Brussels might learn in French, while a kid in Ghent would learn in Dutch. Belgium has a long history of both government schools and Christian schools, and many families choose Catholic schools that have been around for hundreds of years. Even so, many Belgian children grow up without a close relationship with Jesus — church attendance has dropped a lot in recent decades. That means there is a real need for believers in Belgium to share the gospel clearly with their neighbors, classmates, and friends.

Who are the unreached people in Belgium?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Belgium is a country in Western Europe known for waffles, chocolate, and medieval stone cities — but spiritually, many people there have drifted far from the gospel. The biggest unreached groups are Muslim immigrants, especially Moroccan and Turkish communities, who often live in cities like Brussels and Antwerp. Many of them have never heard a clear explanation of who Jesus really is. Rusty wants to add this: there are also many secular Belgians — people who grew up in a country with old church buildings everywhere, but whose families stopped believing the Bible generations ago. For them, Christianity feels like an old museum piece, not living truth. Both groups need someone willing to be a friend, share a meal, and tell them that Jesus is not just history — He is alive, and He came to save them personally.

How can I pray for the people of Belgium?

Belgium is a country in Western Europe known for its waffles, chocolate, and beautiful old cathedrals — but most people there do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Many Belgians have grown up around church buildings their whole lives yet never heard the true gospel, the good news that Jesus died and rose again to save sinners. That makes prayer really important. Here are some things to bring to God for Belgium: Pray that Belgian people would hear the gospel clearly and trust Jesus as their only Savior. Pray for the small churches there to grow strong and bold in sharing their faith. Pray for missionaries serving in Belgium to have open doors and courage. And pray that children and families across Belgium would come to know Jesus personally — not just as a name on a old building, but as the living Lord who loves them.

What is a holiday or celebration in Belgium?

One of the biggest celebrations in Belgium is Carnival, especially in the city of Binche. Every year before Lent — the weeks before Easter — the town fills with music, costumes, and a famous parade of performers called Gilles who wear tall feathered hats and throw oranges into the crowd. It has been happening for hundreds of years! Belgium also celebrates National Day on July 21st, marking the day their first king took his oath back in 1831. Families gather for fireworks and outdoor concerts across the country. What Herman and Rusty find most interesting is that even in a country with such long traditions, many people there have not yet heard the good news about Jesus — which is why missionaries still work hard to share the gospel right there in the heart of Europe.

What language do people speak in Belgium?

Belgium is one of those places that surprises people — it actually has three official languages! In the northern part called Flanders, people speak Dutch. In the southern part called Wallonia, they speak French. And in a small region near Germany, some people speak German. The capital city, Brussels, is right in the middle and most people there speak both Dutch and French. Sometimes that mix of languages causes disagreements between the different groups, which means Belgium has some interesting challenges as a country. It also means missionaries there need to be ready to share the good news of Jesus in more than one language!

What's a famous place to visit in Belgium?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Belgium is the city of Bruges. It has hundreds of old stone buildings, winding canals, and cobblestone streets that look almost exactly as they did five or six hundred years ago. People sometimes call it a 'living museum' because so much history is still standing right there. Rusty wants to add that Bruges has a famous tall tower in the middle of the city called the Belfry — it is over 800 years old and you can climb 366 steps to the top to see the whole city spread out below you. Belgium is a small country, but it is packed with places like this where history feels very close. Many of the people who built these places long ago were Christians, and their old churches and chapels still stand as reminders that faith shaped much of what Belgium became.

Belgium — Kids Missions Explorer

Belgian Hare

Despite its name, the Belgian Hare is actually a domestic rabbit bred in Belgium to look strikingly like a wild hare, with long legs and a deep chestnut-red coat.

White-tailed Eagle

This massive bird of prey, one of Europe's largest eagles, has been slowly returning to nest in Belgium's wetlands after disappearing from the region for many decades.

European Hedgehog

The European Hedgehog is a beloved nighttime visitor to Belgian gardens, where it snuffles through fallen leaves searching for beetles, worms, and slugs.

Belgian Waffles

Belgian waffles are thicker and crispier than most waffles you may have tried, with deep pockets made for holding fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Moules-Frites

Steamed mussels served alongside a heap of crispy fried potatoes is considered Belgium's national dish and is eaten in homes and restaurants across the country.

Belgian Chocolate

Belgium is famous worldwide for its smooth, carefully crafted chocolate, and chocolatiers in cities like Brussels and Bruges have been perfecting their recipes for centuries.

Belgium

Things you should know about Belgium

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Belgium

Missions in Belgium

Pray for Belgium