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Children on the Kiwanis Children's Wheels Ferris wheel
Kiwanis Children's Wheels · Antwerp · Brussels · Ghent Kiwanis Children's Wheels

High above their worries.
Close to wonder.

Kiwanis Children's Wheels gives vulnerable children in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent an unforgettable day: on the Ferris wheel, with caring support, a festive atmosphere, doughnuts, boat rides and a smile that lasts.

One unforgettable day on the Ferris wheel, full of warmth, wonder and happy little faces.

Antwerp10 December 2026
Brussels16 December 2026
Ghent16 December 2026
Register an organisation I want to help Become a sponsor
1.500+children reached
3cities
120+volunteers
Since 2023active
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What are you looking for?

I am...

An organisation

School, non-profit, care centre or youth services? Register vulnerable children for a free day full of experiences.

Register →

Volunteer

You don't need to be a superhero, just a warm heart. Choose your role and make a difference on one unforgettable day.

Join in →

Sponsor or partner

Put your brand behind something real. Concrete, visible and heartfelt, and every euro goes directly to the children.

Become a partner →

Kiwanis club

Bring your club into the network and help organise the day in your city. Local impact, concrete action, visible results.

Join with your club →

Journalist or media

A story about real impact, local heroes and smiling children. We give you all the ingredients.

Press kit →
Our initiative

"Every year, more than a thousand children go home with something they never had before: the memory of a day that was made for them."

Kiwanis Children's Wheels invites vulnerable children to a day full of warmth, fun and wonder. A free ride on the Ferris wheel, a boat trip, doughnuts and a goodie bag. But above all: a day on which they can simply be children.

Supported by local Kiwanis clubs, volunteers, sponsors and partners who share one goal: real impact, one child at a time.

Read our story Register as an organisation

A ride on the Ferris wheel

High above the city, with a big smile. A moment of pure wonder for every child.

Boat trip on the canals

A magical trip through the wintry city, enjoying a unique perspective together.

Atmosphere & doughnuts

Strolling around the Christmas market, doughnuts, goodie bags and a carefree day to enjoy.

Warm support

Volunteers provide a safe, warm and personal setting for every child and every accompanying adult.

1500+ Children reached
3 Cities
120+ Volunteers per edition
40+ Partners & sponsors
Real impact

Stories that stay

Behind every number is a moment. Here are three of them.

"For some children, this is the first time they see their city from above. Not in a photo. For real. With the wind in their hair and their eyes wide open."

C
The child 6 years old, Ghent

"My pupils are still talking about it weeks later. Not about the wheel itself, but about how it felt. About how someone had really seen them that day."

G
The group leader Special needs teacher

"I thought I was the one giving something. But I went home deeply moved. An eight-year-old girl looked at me and asked: 'Are you happy too?' That stays with you."

V
The volunteer Antwerp, 2024 edition
What a day like this looks like

A day full of wonder

From the first warm welcome to the last smiling goodbye: this is what the children experience.

01

A warm welcome

Children and their accompanying adults are welcomed personally by volunteers who are ready with a smile. No cold check-in, but a real welcome. Every child feels it straight away: today, we are the most important people here.

02

The Ferris wheel: the big moment

For some children, this is the first time they see their city from above. Not in a photo. For real, with the wind in their hair, the city lights below them and their eyes wide open. Thanks to The View and René Bufkens, we can give this gift again every year.

✦ The beating heart of the day
03

Boat trip on the water

In Ghent, the group boards a boat for a calm, magical trip along the wintry canals. The city seen from the water: a unique perspective that few people know. Children seeing the city's bridges up close for the first time. Accompanying adults relaxing and laughing along.

Ghent only
04

Christmas market & atmosphere

Walking together among the lights. Doughnuts in cold little hands. A warm drink, music, the smell of cinnamon and spiced cake. Not as a group outing, but as a real experience. Every child at their own pace, surrounded by volunteers who are there when needed.

05

Goodie bag & surprise

Every child goes home with something tangible: a goodie bag with sweets, small gifts and a personal thank-you note. But what they really take home is invisible: the memory of a day that was made for them.

06

Going home together

The day ends with photos, stories and children who keep talking about it for a long time. Volunteers who smile and know it was worth it. Accompanying adults who discover that their pupils are still talking about it weeks later. And someone who whispers: "Are we coming next year too?"

Three cities, one heart

Choose your location

Children's Wheels takes place every year in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. Each with its own atmosphere, date and local organisation.

Antwerp

Ferris wheel on the Scheldt

In the heart of Antwerp, at the impressive Christmas market, every child experiences a day full of magic. The Ferris wheel towers above the city and, for a moment, above all everyday worries too.

10 December 2026
Grote Markt, Antwerp
200 places

Ferris wheel

The iconic Ferris wheel at the Christmas market. Every child gets a free ride with a view over the city.

🏰

Christmas market

Walking together, soaking up the atmosphere, eating doughnuts and enjoying the wintry ambiance of the city centre.

🎁

Goodie bag & surprise

Every child leaves with a lovely goodie bag full of sweets and an unforgettable memory.

Register for Antwerp
Illustration: the Ferris wheel in Antwerp

Antwerp

Ferris wheel on the Scheldt

Brussels

Magic in the capital

In Brussels, Kiwanis Children's Wheels brings a day full of light, warmth and smiles, in the middle of the capital's beautiful Christmas atmosphere. A day the children will never forget.

16 December 2026
Grand-Place, Brussels
200 places

Ferris wheel

The biggest Ferris wheel in the country, in the heart of Brussels, with a view that takes your breath away.

Winter wonderland

The Brussels Christmas market is one of the most beautiful in Europe: a perfect setting for a magical day.

🇧🇪

Heart of the country

Kiwanis clubs from Brussels and the surrounding area join forces for a day that touches children's lives.

Register for Brussels
Illustration: the Ferris wheel in Brussels

Brussels

Magic in the capital

Ghent

Wonder along the Leie

In Ghent, Children's Wheels combines the Ferris wheel with a magical boat trip on the Leie, through the atmospheric winter canals of one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium.

16 December 2026
Korenmarkt, Ghent
450+ children reached

Ferris wheel

The beautiful Ferris wheel on the Korenmarkt, high above Ghent's towers and medieval rooftops.

Boat trip on the Leie

A unique boat trip through Ghent's wintry canals, to enjoy the city from the water together.

Doughnuts & atmosphere

Christmas market, doughnuts, hot drinks and a day full of smiles. In December 2024 we reached 450+ children.

Register for Ghent
Illustration: the Ferris wheel in Ghent

Ghent

Wonder along the Leie

Our story

How it all began

Kiwanis Children's Wheels was conceived by Michel Van Looveren, the driving force and inspiration behind this project. The idea took shape within a special friendship with René Bufkens, the man behind the Ferris wheel that has been bringing people together for years on squares and at Christmas markets in several Belgian cities. Two people, one shared conviction: that every child has the right to a moment of carefree happiness.

Together they brought the Kiwanis motto "Serving the Children of the World" to life, not as a slogan, but as a concrete act. The Ferris wheel became the symbol. René Bufkens and The View became the experience partner that helps make all of this possible. Kiwanis clubs in three cities became the driving force.

2023

The beginning in Brussels

On 27 September 2023, Children's Wheels launches for the first time in Brussels. A dream comes true.

2023

Growth to Antwerp & Ghent

Antwerp follows in November, Ghent in December. Three cities, hundreds of smiles, one mission.

2024

450+ children in Ghent alone

The second edition in Ghent reaches more than 450 children. The initiative grows quickly thanks to the commitment of clubs, volunteers and sponsors.

2025

More cities, more impact

Further expansion and deepening: more clubs, more partners and even more children who shine.

🌍
Kiwanis Children’s Wheels

Serving the Children of the World

Kiwanis is a worldwide organisation of more than 600,000 volunteers dedicated to children and communities. Children's Wheels gives that motto a face: tangible, local and sincere.

The team

Michel Van Looveren · Michel Van Gastel · Elie Meuleman · Bart Vyncke · Geert Vyncke

Warmth

Every child is welcomed personally and supported with attention and respect.

Wonder

Magical moments that stay with children long after the day itself.

Togetherness

Clubs, volunteers, sponsors and partners serving one shared goal.

Impact

Concrete action, one child at a time, one community at a time.

Apply to take part

Register your organisation

Schools, non-profits, care centres and other organisations can register vulnerable children for free participation in Kiwanis Children's Wheels. Places are limited.

1
Organisation
2
Contact
3
Participation
4
Confirm

About your organisation

Tell us who you are. That way we can tailor the day perfectly to your group.

Contact details

Who should we contact?

Participation details

Help us organise the day well for your group.

Almost done!

Confirm your application and we will contact you as soon as possible.

📋 We will send you a confirmation email as soon as your application has been received. The local organising team will then contact you personally to arrange the details. Places are limited, so don't wait too long.

Thank you! Your application has been received.

We will contact you personally as soon as possible. You will also receive a confirmation email.

See you soon! Together we'll make it an unforgettable day. 🎡

Help out

You don't need to be a superhero, just a warm heart

Volunteers are the heart of Children's Wheels. Without them, there's no magic. Choose your role and make a child happy.

Reception & welcome

Welcome children and their accompanying adults with a warm smile. You are the first face they see, so make sure it's a good one.

More info →

Supervision & safety

Walk along with the groups, keep things orderly and safe at the Ferris wheel and help children have a great experience.

More info →

Atmosphere & entertainment

Create the magical atmosphere with music, games and interaction with the children. You make the day unforgettable.

More info →

Photography & video

Capture the most beautiful moments. Respectfully, creatively and with an eye for privacy. Your images tell the story.

More info →

Logistics & set-up

Take care of the practical side: set-up, materials, goodie bags and transport. The unsung heroes of the day.

More info →

Caring support

Help children with special needs: mobility, communication, emotional support. Empathy comes first.

More info →

Ready to take part?

Sign up as a volunteer. We'll contact you with more information and planning details.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you want to know about volunteering with Children's Wheels.

Do I need experience to become a volunteer?
No, not at all. What we ask for is enthusiasm, reliability and a warm heart. We provide a good briefing and support on the day itself.
How long does the volunteering take?
Expect a full afternoon, from about 12:00 to 18:00. There is also a short briefing before the start. Exact times per city are shared when you sign up.
Do I need to be a member of Kiwanis?
No. Children's Wheels welcomes everyone who wants to help: Kiwanis members, family members, friends and supporters. Would you like to become a member after this year? We'll be happy to help!
Can I volunteer as a group?
Absolutely! Companies, sports clubs, student associations and other groups are more than welcome. Get in touch for a group registration.
Will I receive a volunteering certificate?
Yes. Afterwards, all volunteers can request an official volunteering certificate through Kiwanis, valid for school, a CV or other purposes.
Show your support

Become a partner of Children's Wheels

Your support gives vulnerable children an unforgettable day. As a sponsor or partner, you become part of something real: visible, warm and impactful.

Would you like to sponsor in kind (goodie bags, materials, catering, transport...)? Get in touch, because that is more than welcome too!

Our partners & supporters

Experience partner
The View
Ferris wheel & experience
Makes the Ferris wheel moment possible in three cities
🏆 Main sponsors
+
Become a main sponsor
Maximum visibility
Your logo here, in three cities, for 1,500+ children
Get in touch →
Local support partners
ANT
Antwerp
Partner wanted
Register →
BXL
Brussels
Partner wanted
Register →
GHE
Ghent
Partner wanted
Register →
Image partners
Photographer wanted
Capture the most beautiful moments
Contact →
Atmosphere partners
Doughnuts, catering & goodie bags
In-kind sponsorship
Become an atmosphere partner, in-kind support welcome too
More info →
Experience partner, the beating heart of the initiative

The View & René Bufkens

The Ferris wheel is the beating heart of Kiwanis Children's Wheels. The concept comes from Michel Van Looveren: giving vulnerable children a day on which they see their own city from above for the first time. Thanks to the support and commitment of The View and René Bufkens, the man behind the Ferris wheel that has been bringing people together for years on squares and at Christmas markets in several Belgian cities, that idea also became achievable.

René Bufkens was the first to believe in the plan. When Children's Wheels was no more than an idea of Michel Van Looveren's, he said yes. Since then, his Ferris wheel, his team and his network have formed the foundation on which the initiative rests. Not as a commercial sponsor, but as someone who believes that children deserve more.

Visit The View Read the founding story
The Ferris wheel of The View
The Ferris wheel of The View
Founding Partner

The View

Every year, René Bufkens and his team make the Ferris wheel available to Kiwanis Children's Wheels at three locations in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent.

"The Ferris wheel turns for everyone. But today it turns for the children who deserve it most."
René Bufkens, The View
Kiwanis clubs

Your club makes it possible

Children's Wheels is supported by local Kiwanis clubs in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. Clubs play a key role in local organisation, fundraising and supervision. Would your club like to take part too?

Local impact

Direct action in your city, with visible results for the community.

Collaboration

Work together with other clubs and organisations across club boundaries.

📣
Visibility

Showcase your club as an active partner in a warm, shared project.

Concrete action

No abstract goals, but children who shine on a day you help to organise.

How does your club join?

1

Get in touch

Send a message through our contact form or write directly to the Children's Wheels team.

2

Introductory meeting

We schedule a conversation to discuss your club, your city and the possibilities.

3

Role and tasks

Together we decide how your club can contribute best: logistics, fundraising, supervision or a combination.

4

Getting started together

Your club joins the network and helps create an unforgettable day for vulnerable children.

Press contact

For journalists & media

Kiwanis Children's Wheels is a warm and impactful initiative that grows every year. We welcome press and media who want to share this story: a story about collaboration, hope and the power of a smile.

"Every child deserves a day on which they can simply be a child: free from worries, full of wonder, surrounded by warmth."
Michel Van Looveren, founder
1500+
Children reached since the start
3
Cities active in 2025
2023
Launched in Brussels
120+
Volunteers per edition
📦

Download press kit

Logos, photos, press releases and key figures: everything you need for quality coverage.

Press contact

Michel Van Looveren

pers@childrenswheels.be

+32 (0)...

Press releases, interviews and images available on request. We welcome enquiries in NL, FR, EN and DE.

Follow our adventures

Smiles that stay

See the most beautiful moments from previous editions and follow us on social media for the latest news.

Photographers & image partners

They capture the moments that words sometimes cannot express. With respect for privacy and consent, our photographers portray the warmth and smiles of Children's Wheels.

Become an image partner →
Your name here
Photography · All cities
Become an image partner →
🎬
Videographer wanted
Film the day from the inside
Get in touch →
🔒

Images of children are only published when the necessary consent has been given. We handle every image carefully and respectfully. Social media is shown below as an example. Real posts are loaded after you give your consent.

Get in touch

We'd love to hear from you

Do you have a question, would you like more information, or do you just want to say hello? We'll reply as soon as possible.

Contact details

✉️
Email info@childrenswheels.be
pers@childrenswheels.be (for press)
Initiative Kiwanis Division Antwerp
📘
Social media Facebook: Kiwanis Children's Wheels
Instagram: @kiwanischildrenswheels

"Every child who goes home beaming proves that small actions make a big difference."

The Children's Wheels team

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