What is a Speelplein?
A speelplein (short for speelpleinwerk) is a uniquely Belgian holiday program where children spend the day playing, making friends, getting creative, and enjoying the outdoors under the guidance and supervision of trained young volunteers. Unlike many holiday camps, there is no fixed theme or skill to master. The philosophy is simple: giving children the freedom to play.
What makes speelpleinen special?
All about play
The core philosophy of speelpleinen is non-stop, structured but free play, games, and outdoor activities. With the unofficial slogan often being “vuil worden mag” (“getting dirty is allowed”), playing simply for the fun of it, with no hidden objectives, is what defines the identity of speelpleinen and what makes them so unique.
Activities
The activity programs are varied, ranging from sports and group games to arts and crafts or outings, and much more.
The daily program also depends on children’s input. They can choose from different activities prepared by the animators, or they can choose to engage in free play, using the material and terrain of the speelplein, with the animators watching them and making sure they are safe.
Accessibility
Speelpleinen are accessible to everyone, regardless of language, origin, or disability. If a child requires more extensive support, the animators work together with the caregivers to find a suitable solution.
As they are highly subsidized by local municipalities and the VDS (Vlaamse Dienst Speelpleinwerk) organization, speelpleinen are a much more affordable and accessible option than other private camps. Among all forms of youth work, speelpleinen reach the broadest and most diverse group of children. They are particularly inclusive, welcoming everyone from preschoolers to teenagers, as well as children with disabilities and those growing up in financially vulnerable households.
Volunteer animators
Speelpleinen are organized by young volunteer animators (ranging from 15 years old upwards) who not only look after the children but also prepare all the activities, ensuring an active and varied program. In Dutch, they are called animatoren or monitoren, and they are often supported by trained head leaders called hoofdanimatoren.
Therefore, speelpleinen are a youth work and sociocultural initiative aiming to provide children with a fun holiday and to give young people an environment in which they can grow personally and professionally. If you are interested in becoming an animator, you can read more about it here and find information about training courses on this page (both in Dutch).
From toddlers to teens
Children aged 2.5 to 15 are welcome to join the speelpleinen fun. The upper age limit is 15 because from that age onwards they can become animators themselves.
Speelpleinen are open at least in one holiday period of the year, and they often welcome the largest number of children during the school summer vacation period and fewer during the Easter holidays. They operate similarly to daycare in terms of schedule, usually going from 9 AM to 5 PM. Overnight stays are considered an exceptional activity and are not often done.
More Than a Summer Camp: A Belgian Tradition
Speelpleinen have a long history in Belgium. The first programs emerged in the early twentieth century, as a way to provide children with safe places to play during the long summer holidays. Over the decades, they gradually evolved from supervised activities into a distinct form of youth work centered around one main idea: children learn, grow, and thrive through play.
Today, speelpleinwerk is recognised as a unique form of youth work in Flanders, set apart by its focus on free play rather than following a rigid program. According to the umbrella organization of speelpleinwerk, the Vlaamse Dienst Speelpleinwerk (VDS), this freedom allows children to become more engaged, creative, and independent while ensuring that every child can enjoy their holiday in their own way. The philosophy behind the organization is that children’s holidays should prioritize freedom, choice, and imagination, rather than structured lessons or fixed schedules. You can read more about their vision here (in Dutch).
All the Information You Need: Summer 2026
All the information below has been translated to English from the content appearing on the Stad Leuven website (in Dutch).
Who is it for?
Children aged 2.5 to 15 years (born between 2011 and 2023).
Toddlers must be potty-trained and already attend school.
When and where?
When
Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10, 2026
Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17, 2026
Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24, 2026 (4 days, excluding Tuesday, July 21, 2026)
Tuesday, July 27 to Friday, July 31, 2026
Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026
Monday, August 10 to Friday, August 14, 2026
Monday, August 17 to Friday, August 21, 2026
Where (in Leuven)
Speelplein Heverlee: Paul Van Ostaijen Park, Paul Van Ostaijenlaan 28-58 in Heverlee. See location
Speelplein Kessel-Lo: Free Primary School Boven-Lo/Scouts Boven-Lo, Heidebergstraat 266 in Kessel-Lo. See location
Speelplein Wilsele: Hertog Karel Primary School, Hoogveldweg 5 in Wilsele. See location
Program
Daily schedule
8 to 9 AM: Registration and early drop-off
9 to 12 PM: Activities
12 to 1:30 PM: Afternoon childcare
1:30 to 4:00 PM: Activities
4 to 5:30 PM: Check-out and after-care
Please register your children before 9 AM. This allows the animators to start the activities on time. Doors close promptly at 9 AM.
You can find each week's program for all three speelpleinen in Leuven on this page (updated weekly).
What do children need to bring to a speelplein?
A packed lunch and drinks (afternoon snack is covered!)
Wear clothes suitable for playing.
Prices
For Leuven residents:
Base price: €10 per day.
Large family (3 or more children): €9 per day.
UiTPAS with reduced rate: €2 per day.
Increased reimbursement from your health insurance fund (discount varies per health insurance fund).
For non-Leuven residents:
Base price: €15 per day.
Large family (3 or more children): €13.50 per day.
UiTPAS with reduced rate: €3 per day.
Increased reimbursement from your health insurance fund (discount varies per health insurance fund).
Certificates
If you need a certificate for your health insurance fund or employer, you can download them online in your parent zone (ouderzone). Certificates for your health insurance fund will be available one week after the camp.
Cancelling registration
To cancel a registration and request a refund, send an email to jeugddienst@leuven.be including the following information:
Account number and the account holder
Name of the child
Date(s) of attendance
Find more information about refunds following cancellation here (in Dutch).
How to Register
Step 1: Sign up
This step is only necessary if you are registering for the first time in 2026.
You will receive a verification code to validate your email address.
Create a profile for each child.
If you have a UiTPAS with a reduced rate, enter your child’s UiTPAS number on the form. This way you will receive the discount and earn UiTPAS points.
You can register together with friends if all children and parents involved are already signed up.
For the parents who are not doing the registration: Sign up and create a profile for each child before registration opens.
For the parents doing the registration: Before registrations start, add the friends to your account using their national register number.
Step 2: Register for a speelplein program
You can register online until 9 AM on the Wednesday before the camp starts or until the camp is full.
If the camp is full, you can sign up for the waiting list.
Payment is done immediately online. You will receive a tax certificate.
Registering with friends: Information for the parents completing the registration
First, choose a camp, and then the children you want to register.
You have two options for payment.
Pay only for your child: The other parents will receive an email with a payment invitation. Every parent will receive a tax certificate.
Pay for all children: You will receive all tax certificates.
The children will only be registered together once all payments have been completed.
If you need help signing up or registering online, contact the Jeuggdienst (Youth Service).
Interested in learning about other options? Check out this IHL article covering different holiday and summer camps.