Things to do with kids at the V&A Waterfront

A world of summer entertainment for the little ones this holiday season

So, you need to buy that coveted kiddies Christmas gift – on Santa’s behalf, that is – and you need to keep the little ones occupied for a while? Never fear, Cape Town shopping mecca and entertainment destination, the V&A Waterfront, is offering a host of fun, interactive events to keep the tykes and toddlers busy while you get your shopping done this December.

Over the festive season, during the month of December, expect free storytelling under open skies, a range of holiday-themed activities and a children’s programme that is guaranteed to entertain the entire family. What’s more, the newly-constructed, ocean-themed playground, which features caves, a rowing boat, a pirate ship and a lighthouse, is bound to provide hours of fun in the sun, as are other firm V&A Waterfront favourites, like the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship and Cave Golf.

Apart from the wide selection of open-air events and activities on offer, roaming string instrumentalists and carollers will also delight shoppers and kids, and lift spirits with favourite festive songs.

DECEMBER KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT AT THE V&A WATERFRONT

Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre (8 – 23 December 2012)

Rudyard Kipling, author of beloved children’s tale ‘The Jungle Book’, was a masterful storyteller who crafted an array of fanciful narratives about how everyday things came to be. The Nobel Prize winner recorded these tales and published them in a collection titled ‘Just So Stories’ in 1902. For over a century, children have been put to bed with these imaginative accounts, which include delightful content, such as the improbable explanation of how the elephant got his trunk. Kids can catch these wondrous stories at the V&A Waterfront’s newly-revamped amphitheatre every day between 11am and 12pm (midday) from Saturday, 8 to Sunday, 23 December 2012. Admission to this event is FREE!

Kids’ Playground Entertainment (8 – 23 December 2012)

The kids’ playground area boasts a mini stage where the little ones can settle down for some great fun. Zumbatomic – a high-energy, Latin dance-inspired exercise routine specifically for kiddies – will keep them fit, while the Christmas Craft Workshops will stimulate those creative juices. For the competitive spirits, an exciting game show called ‘Minute to Win It’ will be held, where contestants are given a task to fulfil within 60 seconds, and if that won’t keep them entertained, the Mouse Puppet Show certainly will! Admission to these events is FREE!

• Saturday, 8 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Zumbatomic
• Saturday, 8 December, 3pm – 4pm: Mouse Puppet Show
• Sunday, 9 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Sunday, 9 December, 3pm – 4pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Monday, 10 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Monday, 10 December, 3pm – 4pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Tuesday, 11 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Zumbatomic
• Tuesday, 11 December, 3pm – 4pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Wednesday, 12 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Mouse Puppet Show
• Wednesday, 12 December, 3pm – 4pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Thursday, 13 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Zumbatomic
• Thursday, 13 December, 3pm – 4pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Friday, 14 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Friday, 14 December, 3pm – 4pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Saturday, 15 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Saturday, 15 December, 3pm – 4pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Sunday, 16 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Mouse Puppet Show
• Sunday, 16 December, 3pm – 4pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Monday, 17 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Zumbatomic
• Monday, 17 December, 3pm – 4pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Tuesday, 18 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Mouse Puppet Show
• Tuesday, 18 December, 3pm – 4pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Wednesday, 19 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Wednesday, 19 December, 3pm – 4pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Thursday, 20 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Zumbatomic
• Thursday, 20 December, 3pm – 4pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Friday, 21 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Mouse Puppet Show
• Friday, 21 December, 3pm – 4pm: Christmas craft workshops
• Saturday, 22 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Zumbatomic
• Saturday, 22 December, 3pm – 4pm: Minute to Win It game show
• Sunday, 23 December, 12:15pm – 1pm: Zumbatomic
• Sunday, 23 December, 3pm – 4pm: Mouse Puppet Show

The Red Bull Flugtag at Jetty 1 at the V&A Waterfront (9 December 2012)

Take the family down to the V&A Waterfront’s Jetty 1 on Sunday, 9 December 2012 for an afternoon of fanciful flights as human-powered, homemade flying contraptions take off from a 6m-high jetty ramp. Self-certified pilots and three-man crews will launch innovative, environmentally-friendly, self-built flying machines into the air (and then the Atlantic) in the hopes of going the distance, while putting on an entertaining show for kids and adults alike. The crowd cheers and points are awarded for standing ovations. Admission to this event is FREE!

Carols by Candlelight (14 December 2012)

Sing favourite age-old Christmas songs at the V&A Waterfront’s Carols by Candlelight evening the newly refurbished amphitheatre on Friday, 14 December 2012. Reminisce as you introduce your children to the festive season classics performed by the 50-piece Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town and the Solid Brass Quintet. Non-drip candles will be provided by the V&A Waterfront staff, but make a note to bring along candle holders just in case. Admission to this event is FREE!

Petting Zoo at the Blue Shed (15 December 2012 – 6 January 2013)

Kiddies can get acquainted with a whole host of furry friends at the petting zoo set up at the V&A Waterfront’s Blue Shed craft market from Saturday, 15 December 2012 to Sunday, 6 January 2013. The zoo gives tykes and toddlers a chance to cuddle rabbits, ducklings, lambs and piglets. Entry is R20p/p for a duration of 20 minutes.

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