Children’s escape game in the city of Ghent Marsupilami

The fun begins at Saint Michael’s Bridge, where your family becomes part of a rescue mission instead of simply following a guide through Ghent. Bring Mr. Backalive has captured Bibi, Bobo, Bibu, and their mother, and your group must solve challenges, spot clues, and deal with allies and enemies along the way.

I like the private format for up to six people, since parents and children can work at their own pace without joining strangers. I also like the blend of a city walk and a comic-book story, which gives children a reason to pay attention to Ghent instead of treating the walk as sightseeing homework.

The main consideration is preparation. You need your own smartphone, a full battery, and the CODDY app installed before starting. Younger children may also need an introduction to Marsupilami, since the character may not be familiar to them.

Key points at a glance

• A Marsupilami rescue story: Help Bring Mr. Backalive save Bibi, Bobo, Bibu, and their mother.
• A private group experience: Your party alone takes part, with space for up to six people.
• A 90-minute city adventure: Expect a puzzle-based walk beginning and ending at Saint Michael’s Bridge.
• CODDY app required: Install CODDY before arrival and bring a fully charged smartphone.
• English-language option: The activity is offered in English.
• Flexible booking protection: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Turning Ghent into a Marsupilami mission

This activity gives you a simple family mission: the Marsupilami family has been captured by the hunter Bring Mr. Backalive, and your team must bring them home safely. Bibi, Bobo, Bibu, and their mother are not just names in a story. They are the reason children keep moving from one challenge to the next.

That story matters because city walks can lose younger children quickly. A bridge, square, or old street may be interesting to an adult, but a rescue mission gives children a clear task. You are not just walking around Ghent. You are looking for solutions and trying to overcome obstacles placed in your path.

The game combines a treasure hunt with comic-strip storytelling. The supplied information does not list every puzzle or street stop, so you should not expect a fixed museum-style itinerary with named attractions at each stage. Instead, the experience uses the city as the setting for a sequence of challenges.

You can expect some characters to help you and others to work against you. That mix gives the game a little tension without turning it into a frightening horror-style escape room. The tone is aimed at families, with the action built around teamwork and problem-solving.

Starting at Saint Michael’s Bridge

Your starting point is Saint Michael’s Bridge, Sint-Michielshelling, 9000 Gent. This is a practical place to begin a walking activity because it gives your group a clear meeting location in central Ghent.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes the outing easier to fit into a day of sightseeing. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or figure out how to return from an unfamiliar part of the city.

The bridge is also a fitting launch point for a city game. You begin with Ghent around you, rather than entering a sealed room with artificial scenery. The exact route and puzzle order are not supplied, so allow the game to guide you rather than planning a separate sightseeing route around it.

Arrive ready to walk. Good walking shoes are sensible advice, especially for a family group spending about an hour and a half outdoors. The experience is described as a fun city tour, but it is still a walking activity, not a seated show.

How the 90-minute adventure works

The stated duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. That is long enough to create a proper outing, but short enough to fit beside other plans in Ghent.

Your group follows the game through a series of challenges. You may need to solve puzzles, locate information, or respond to the story as it develops. The supplied details do not reveal the exact tasks, which is useful for preserving the game, but it also means you should not book this expecting a detailed preview of every stop.

The key feature is cooperation. One child may spot something first, another may enjoy reading or interpreting the instructions, and an adult may help organize the group when everyone has a different idea. The private booking lets you share the work without worrying about slowing down another party.

The game is not described as a competitive race. I would treat it as a family activity where solving the next problem matters more than finishing first. Give children room to lead, even if the answer seems obvious to you.

You may also find that the city itself becomes part of the puzzle. The activity is designed to show Ghent differently, using streets and public spaces as part of the story. Still, do not assume that every major landmark is a formal stop. The experience promises a city tour, but it does not provide a complete sightseeing itinerary.

Marsupilami knowledge helps

The story depends on characters from the Marsupilami comics. If your children already know the character, the mission should make immediate sense. If they do not, spend a few minutes introducing Marsupilami and the main characters before you begin.

This is one of the most useful preparation tips for families. Children who recognize Bibi, Bobo, Bibu, and their mother will have a stronger reason to care about the rescue. Without that background, the game may still work as a puzzle walk, but the emotional hook could be weaker.

The activity is offered in English. That makes it suitable for English-speaking families, but you should consider your children’s reading comfort before booking. The supplied details do not specify the reading level or whether every challenge is read aloud.

CODDY is named as the platform for the experience. Install CODDY before you arrive, and capitalize the name correctly when searching for it. You need to use your own smartphone, and the phone is not included with the booking.

Your phone is part of the equipment

A charged smartphone is essential. The phone and battery are not supplied, so charge your device fully before leaving and consider carrying a portable charger if your family uses the phone heavily during the day.

The game also includes 24/7 online support. That is helpful if you have a technical question or need assistance while using the activity. Online support is not the same as having a guide physically beside you, so make sure the adults in your group are comfortable managing the phone and app.

The experience is described as mobile-ticketed and private. You will not need a printed ticket, but keep your booking information accessible on your device.

The best setup is usually one main phone controlled by an adult, with children gathered around for clues and decisions. If everyone uses separate phones, the group may split its attention. The supplied information does not specify whether multiple devices can run the game at once, so do not rely on that unless CODDY confirms it.

Value for a family of six

The listed price is $24.17 per group of up to six people. That is a strong value if you have a full family group, since the price is not charged separately for each person under the stated terms.

For two people, the per-person value is less striking, but the private format still gives you control over the pace and atmosphere. For four to six people, the price compares favorably with many guided activities, especially since the experience combines entertainment with a walk around Ghent.

The value depends on what you want. You are paying for a structured game, a story, app access, online support, and a photo summary at the end. You are not paying for food, drinks, transportation, a personal guide, or a furnished escape-room venue.

The activity also has a long validity period of up to three years. That is useful if your plans change or you want to schedule it later, though you should still check the specific booking conditions attached to your reservation. A long validity period gives you flexibility, but it does not remove the need to confirm the selected date and operating details.

What happens after the rescue

At the end, you receive a summary of your adventure with photos. This gives the family a small record of the game rather than letting the experience disappear as soon as you finish the final challenge.

Do not expect a full professional photo session. The available details describe a summary with photos, not a dedicated photographer or a large gallery. Think of it as a playful memento of the mission.

The activity returns you to Saint Michael’s Bridge. That makes the finish convenient for continuing your day in Ghent. You can arrange lunch, another attraction, or a walk from the same central area without having to retrieve luggage or find a distant meeting place.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for families who want an active way to see Ghent and who like puzzles, comic characters, and shared challenges. It works particularly well when children need a clear purpose to keep walking.

It is also a good fit for a private group of cousins, siblings, or friends, as long as the group stays within six people. The private format means your decisions, pauses, and wrong answers remain within your own party.

The experience may be less suitable if you want a traditional guided tour with detailed commentary about Ghent. No guide names are provided, and the format centers on CODDY, puzzles, and the story rather than a live guide explaining architecture or local history.

It may also be a weaker match for adults seeking a demanding escape-room challenge. The available information presents it as a family-friendly combination of treasure hunt and comic adventure. The focus is shared fun, not an intense test for experienced escape-room players.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, which helps with arrival, but the exact transit directions are not provided. Check your route to Saint Michael’s Bridge before setting out.

Timing, opening hours, and cancellation

The activity is listed as available Monday through Sunday from 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM during the stated operating period, from November 15, 2021, through December 7, 2026. Those hours provide wide scheduling flexibility, although the midnight notation is unusual, so confirm your selected start time at booking.

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. That is useful for checking the meeting point, date, and any app instructions before your family arrives.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or make changes during that period, and the payment is not refunded. The cutoff follows local time in Ghent.

Should you book the Marsupilami game?

Book it if you want a short, private family adventure that turns a walk through Ghent into a rescue mission. The price works best for groups of four to six, and the 90-minute length fits neatly into a sightseeing day.

Prepare first: install CODDY, charge your smartphone, wear good walking shoes, and introduce younger children to Marsupilami. If your priority is a live guide, detailed local history, or a list of major landmarks, choose a conventional walking tour instead.

For families who enjoy puzzles and do not mind managing an app, this is a practical way to give children a role in exploring Ghent.

FAQ

Where does the Marsupilami game begin?

The activity begins at Saint Michael’s Bridge, Sint-Michielshelling, 9000 Gent, Belgium.

Where does the activity end?

The game ends back at the starting meeting point, Saint Michael’s Bridge.

How long does the experience take?

The activity lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

How many people can join one booking?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Do I need a smartphone?

Yes. You need to bring your own smartphone and battery. A smartphone and battery are not included.

Which app should I install?

Install CODDY before you arrive. The app is used for the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.