The school holidays are upon us and keeping the kids busy has never been this easy. Here are 16 places to visit these school holidays.
1. Go tobogganing in Durbanville
Image by John Macgregor
Take the kids tobogganing at Cool Runnings Toboggan Park in Durbanville for some outdoor fun. Tobogganing Cool-Runnings-style involves planting your bum on a bob-sled and speeding down the hillside on a 1.2-kilometre steel-pipe track. The speed of all the toboggans is brake-controlled and the rides are very safe for children. Little ones under the age of eight have to be accompanied by an adult. One ride for children costs R50 (age 3-14) and one ride for adults costs R60, with an unlimited day pass costing R360.
Contact: 0219494439 / [email protected]
Visit: coolrunnings.capetown
2. Visit Cape Town Science Centre, Observatory
For indoor family fun, the Cape Town Science Centre in Observatory is a great place to indulge your kid’s inner nerd. The Centre’s exhibits are both mind-bogglingly cool and informative. Who says the holidays can’t be educational? They have an extensive holiday programme filled with educational activities that can be viewed here. The iCafe has a basic menu of filling and healthy options. There’s also free Wi-Fi. Entry to the Science Centre costs from R65 for adults and children aged 3-18. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Contact: 0213003200, [email protected],
Visit: ctsc.org.za
3. Clay Café, Hout Bay
The Clay Cafe in Hout Bay makes for a day of creativity and recreation for children and parents alike. Choose from a vast array of unfired bisque and a wide selection of colourful paints to create crockery that is both personal and unique. Spend a leisurely day painting in a relaxed environment with friendly staff at hand to assist you with any painting techniques that you might wish to make use of. There is a garden and playground outside so once children are finished painting there is still plenty to explore. Also a great idea for children’s parties! R40 studio fee, plus the price of whichever item you decide to paint, ranging from R20 to R300.
Contact: 0217903318, [email protected]
Visit: claycafe.co.za
4. World of Birds, Hout Bay
The World of Birds in Hout Bay is billed as the largest bird park in Africa, but most kids prefer the naughty squirrel monkeys who sit on your head and rifle through your pockets, while the meerkats, mongooses, porcupines and guinea pigs also have their devoted fans. The Robin’s Nest offers drinks and snacks as well as light meals. Adults R120, Kids R45. Pensioners and students (with card) pay R65.
Contact: 0217902730, [email protected]
Visit: worldofbirds.org.za
5. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
A sunny day will find many Capetonians lazing on the immaculate lawns of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the finest gardens in South Africa. A raised walkway, named The Boomslang, takes walkers aboce the Arboretum, between the Protea Garden, Cycad Amphitheatre, the Dell, Mathews Rockery and the Concert Lawn. The boardwalk raises visitors to over 12m above ground, and winds like a snake, dipping through the trees. Adults – R70, kids (aged 6-17) – R20, kids under 6 years of age – free. Students (with card) – R40.
Contact: 0217998899, [email protected]
Visit: www.sanbi.org
6. City Sightseeing Bus, Cape Town
Nearly everyone has seen the big red City Sightseeing Bus, but actually going on it is so much fun (be a tourist in your own city). You can sit and watch the world go by and hop on and off at various places of interest. If you actually listen to the commentary, you will learn a lot about the city we live in and there’s a kid-friendly version too (that’s actually very clever, informative and amusing). One day pass: Adults – R200, Kids (aged 5-15) – R110 (when you buy online). Kids under 5 – free. To book tickets online, click here.
Contact: 0215116000, [email protected]
Visit: citysightseeing.co.za
7. Company’s Garden, City Centre
The Company’s Garden is a great free spot for families. You can picnic on the grass, play ball games and feed the squirrels and (inevitably) the pigeons. Be aware though that squirrels have sharp little claws! I have seen a few children burst into tears when one of the cute little critters decides to scramble up their bare leg in search of peanuts. The Company’s Garden Restaurant in the park also serves good food, and the outside section is full of interesting things to keep kids busy. You’ll find The Company’s Garden in Queen Victoria Street, at the top end of Adderley Street.
Contact: 0214002521
Visit: thecompanysgarden.com
8. Iziko Museums, Cape Town
Image by Mike Coghlan.
One of the major perks of living in Cape Town is that both the South African Museum and the South African National Gallery are conveniently situated in the City Bowl, around the Company’s Gardens. The Museum and the Gallery – both falling under South Africa’s national heritage institution Iziko – are ideal for a more peaceful, contemplative family day-out. The Museum boasts everything from dinosaur fossils to rock art. The National Gallery houses an impressive range of contemporary artworks, traditional beadwork and textiles and is ideal for the culture vultures in your family. Entry to the South African Museum costs R20 for Kids (aged 6 to 18 years) and R30 for adults. Kids under 6 get in for free. The same prices apply for the South African National Gallery. During the school holidays tickets are half price R7.50 for kids and R15 for adults. This special is valid for adults when they visit the museum with their children.
Contact: 0214813800, [email protected]
Visit: www.iziko.org.za.
9. Butterfly World, Klapmuts
Take a drive out of Cape Town on the N1 to Butterfly World, where you will find a fluttery paradise with butterflies from all over the world. When the kids get bored of the beautiful flying insects, there are meerkats, ducks, goats and chickens to look at. Along with iguanas, scorpions and spiders. Adults – R88, kids – R49.
Contact: 0218755628, [email protected]
Visit: butterflyworld.co.za
10. The Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium is hands-down one of the best places in Cape Town for indoor fun (great for rainy days). Apart from the dazzling glimpses it offers into the underwater world, the aquarium also has several activities that will delight young and old alike. Be sure to schedule your trip to the time of day when the penguins, sharks and other fish are being fed. Don’t miss the Touch Pool which allows you and the kids to interact with anemones, starfish and seaweed. Adults – R175, children (aged 4-13 years) R85, children under 4 are free and children aged 14-17 are R130.
Contact: 0214183823, [email protected]
Visit: aquarium.co.za
11. Artjamming, Cape Town
Create a masterpiece (or mess) on a blank canvas, while listening to funky music. Artjammers are provided with a menu of 12 different size canvases, easels, a selection of non-toxic acrylic paints, brushes and tools to freely express themselves. Great idea for children’s parties! You’ll find Artjamming studios at the Cape Quarter, Cavendish Square, The Paddocks, V&A Waterfront and the Willowbridge Centre. From R185 a canvas, although combo deals are also available.
Contact: 021-9149224
Visit: artjamming.co.za
12. Noordhoek Farm Village
Noordhoek Farm Village, is the ideal children’s destination to entertain the kids, with its free, fun activities, age-specific playgrounds and child-friendly restaurants. The playground has been designed to accommodate various age groups with suitable activities and safety features. Parents can enjoy laid-back breakfasts and lunches from Café Roux, while keeping an eye on the little ones – it borders the kids’ play area – Café Roux also offers a kiddies’ menu and hosts birthday parties.
Contact: [email protected]
Visit: noordhoekvillage.co.za
13. Green Point Park
Entrance is free, so pack a picnic and take the kids out for the day. There are play areas for littlies and for bigger kids, so everyone has a good time. Adults can give the outdoor gym equipment a go, or just sit on the lawn or at a table and relax. Leashed dogs and bicycles (or tricycles) are welcome too.
Contact: 0214170120, [email protected]
14. The Scratch Patch
The Scratch Patch is an inexpensive and fun place for all ages. Kids (and adults) can sort through mountains of gemstones and pick out tiger’s eyes, amethysts, jaspers and more. There is a Scratch Patch located in the V&A Waterfront as well as in Simons Town. Both outlets have an adjoining Cave Gold which is a cave version of putt-putt has some tricky ramps, sharp corners and deceptively difficult holes. Operating hours: The Scratch Patch – 9:00 to 18:00, Cave Golf – 9:00 to 17:00. Price per game at the V&A are R25 per player and a refundable deposit of R20 must also be paid. Groups of 10 will pay R20 per player. At the Simons Town course the refundable deposit is R20, the round of gold per player costs R30 and groups of 10 will pay R25 per player. For Scratch Patch, visitors can purchase either a small bag (R22), medium bag (R38) or large bag (R120) or a cup (R77).
15. Intaka Island, Century City
Intaka Island covers 16 hectares of wetland, birds and flora in the middle of Century City and makes for a good day out if the sun is shining. Catch a ferry ride and take a stroll along the 2km of footpaths, (or get one of the experienced field rangers to lead you). There are special kiddie programmes during the holidays too. For day visitors ltaking a boat ride, entrance fees are Adults – R65, Kids (under the age of 12) and Pensioners – R55.
Contact: 0215526889
Visit: www.intaka.co.za
16. Bugz Play Park, Kraaifontein
Bugz Family Playpark is an activity-filled park with a huge outdoor playground and an impressive indoor play area suited for children from 2 to 10 years old. There are pedal cars, jumping castles, rowing boats, swing horses, mini tractor rides, a choo choo train as well as free play areas, horse rides and magic shows. When tummies need filling, there’s The Bugz Tent Kitchen and Bugz Too Restaurant. Open from 09:00 to 17:00 every day (except Christmas Day). They also host birthday parties. Adults R40 on weekdays and R60 on weekends, public and school holidays. Kids R60 on weekdays and R70 on weekends, public and school holidays (excluding rides). Note rides ar eonly open on weekends, public holidays and during the school holidays.
Contact: 0219888836, [email protected]
Visit: bugzplaypark.co.za
Image source: John Macgregor
You may also like
Related Posts
China’s National Health Commission has published a list of controversial coronavirus treatments that have animal...
read more
Warmer sea temperatures in the summer months, especially in February, were recorded and are believed...
read more
The latest report indexing the world's happiest countries has highlighted the important role of...
read more
