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School holiday ideas for kids of all ages
Holiday clubs, fossil park, roleplay village and 10+ more
Last updated: Thursday, 9 July 2026
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or nanny, you might be looking for things to do with the kids these school holidays. We’ve rounded up a packed list of ideas for every age group, from themed holiday programmes, to a fossil park, science centre and more. From free to affordable, here’s 10+ things to do in the school holidays.
UBUNTU BUDDIES HOLIDAY CLUB
Some of the best school holiday memories come from friends made along the way. That's the idea behind the Ubuntu Buddies Holiday Club, running weekday mornings from 26 June to 20 July at Long March to Freedom in Century City. Kids aged 6 to 15 can spend their time doing arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and adventure workbooks, surrounded by other children doing the same. Plus, for every child, one adult gets to attend free.
Ages: Ages 6 to 15
Hours: 26 June to 20 July, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm
Cost: R60 per child, snacks and a gift backpack included. One adult per child attends FREE
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Long March to Freedom | Century Boulevard | Century City | @longmarchtofreedom | Image: Long March to Freedom
GARDEN CENTRE AND PLAYPARK
Earthworx Garden World is an outing for the whole family. Whether you’re eating at the farm shoppe or browsing through the garden centre. Kids love the playpark with their ziplines, swings, climbing ropes, wild water feature and more. Plus there’s dedicated staff at the playpark so parents can freely walk around and shop.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday, 8.30am to 5pm; Sunday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Cost: R50 per play day at the playpark
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Corner of Valley Road & Victoria Road | Hout Bay | @earthworx_garden_world | Image: Earthworx Garden World
ARENA X ACTIVITY HUB
This all-in one indoor sports and entertainment hub is the perfect indoor activity and accomodates kids of all ages. There are courts for soccer, netball, basketball, table tennis, and more. The space also has Jump X trampolines and an inflatable play zone. Café X offers adults a snack while waiting and pizzas, toasties, burgers, and chicken strips for the little ones
Ages: All ages
Hours: Monday to Satrurday, 8am to 8pm. Sundays, 8am to 7pm
Cost: R150 for a 2-hour play pass
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9 Racehorse Road | Milnerton | @arenax_ct | Image: Arena X Cape Town
A “PARK” IN SEA POINT
You’ll find Prom Park between the Putt Putt Course and Blue Train Park along the Sea Point promenade. It has bicycle and kayak hire, a play area with giant bird nests that kids can climb, and adventure tours. You’re covered for food too: There’s hot dogs, bagels from Ty’s Bagels and gelato.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Daily, 7am - 8pm
Cost: Free entry
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160 Beach Road | Mouille Point | @prompark_seapoint | Image: Cape Town with Kids
PLAY VILLAGE IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS
If your kids ever wanted to play doctor, farmer or grocer this is the place to take them. The Harvest Village is a new indoor play café. There are different themed cubicles like a “medical centre” with wooden syringes and a “grocery store” with trolleys and crochet fruit and veg. Parents will appreciate the free wifi, coffee bar and tables with charging ports.
Ages: Ages 1 to 8
Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Cost: R120 per child per hour
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9b Wessels Road | Kenilworth | @theharvestvillage | Image: The Harvest Village
INTAKA ISLAND KIDS CLUB
In the heart of Century City, Intaka Island is a sanctuary for nature lovers and young explorers. Their Kids Club is the ultimate teacher. It offers kids the chance to see wildlife up close, from majestic bird species to curious reptiles and amphibians. They can also engage in hands-on activities like eco-friendly crafts, guided nature walks and more. Plus, discover over 10 more Century City events.
Ages: 7 - 12 years old
Hours: Open 7.30am to 7pm daily
Cost: R53 for a one year membership
Intaka Island | 2 Park Lane | Century City | @intakaisland | Image: Century City
REAL FOSSIL DIG SITE
This is one of the only places in the world where you can see fossils in the same ground where they were discovered. Kids can excavate bones from mock dig sites and explore the museum with the remains of African bears, sabre-tooth cats, mammoths and more. See more reasons why the West Coast Fossil Park should be on your list.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 3pm
Cost: Museum entry fee: R80 (adults), R50 (children). Museum and tour: R170 (adults), R100 (children)
R45 | Langebaanweg | Vredenburg | West Coast | @westcoastfossilpark | Image: West Coast Fossil Park
SCIENTIST FOR THE DAY
Learning doesn’t have to be a bore for your little one. The Cape Town Science Center teaches science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. Students can actively participate in hands-on experiences, see epic displays, and maybe be inspired to be the next great scientist.
Ages: 3 years and up
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4.30pm
Cost: From R45 for pensioners; R95 for kids and adults, book via Webtickets
370B Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town | @capetownsciencecentre | Image: Cape Town Science Centre
MUSEUM WITH 200+ CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES
There are more than 200 beautifully-restored classic motorbikes on display (ranging from the early 1910s to 1974) at the Helderberg Motorcycle Museum. There’s also a collection of vintage petrol tanks, helmets, signs, and pumps that celebrate motorcycling through the ages. Plus, you can dine at the restaurant on-site and kids under 12 get in free at Helderberg Motorcycle Museum.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 3.30pm
Cost: Free (kids under 12); R100 for adults, book via Helderberg Museum website
16 Old Sir Lowry's Pass Road | Helderberg Rural | @motorcycle_museum | Image: Helderberg Motorcycle Museum
SKATEPARK FOR ALL AGES & WHEELS
The Shred’s layout includes ramps, stair-sets, rails, a quarter pipe and the very popular skate bowl. This accessible neighbourhood spot welcomes all ages and wheels, including skaters, rollerbladers, bikers, and BMX riders (they give lessons too). The Eiland Eatery offers food and there are plenty of daily specials at The Shred.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Monday, 8am to 6pm; Tuesday to Thursday, 8am to 9pm; Friday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm
Cost: From R50, Whatsapp on 076 198 6268
68 Auckland Street | Paarden Eiland | @the_shred_skatepark | Image: The Shred
NATURE RESERVE WITH BOAT TOURS
Rondevlei Nature Reserve is a wetland wilderness in Grassy Park, known for its impressive birdlife. It’s also the only place in Cape Town where you can see a population of hippos. There are two viewing towers with spectacular scenery and several bird hides. You could also go on a boat tour, picnic, and fish at Rondevlei Nature Reserve.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Daily, 7.30am to 5pm
Cost: Free entry
Perth Road & Fishermans Walk, Pelikan Park, Zeekoevlei | Website | Image: @momsen_wild
GO KARTING IN THE NORTHERN SUBURBS
Kids 10 and up can race against each other at Extreme Go Karting. With posters of Formula One racers lining the walls, flags from around the world, and chequered flags, this is a great indoor activity for kids (and parents) to enjoy. Supporters can watch from the sidelines with benches and tables.
Ages: 10 years and up
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday (and public holidays), 10am to 8pm; Sunday, 10am to 7pm
Cost: From R150 for a five-minute session (no extra cost for venue hire or corkage)
Tyger Valley Shopping Centre | Mezzanine Level | Facebook | Image: Extreme Go Karting
SENSORY PLAY
The Messy Hub has various locations across Cape Town, including Newlands, Green Point, Hout Bay and Constantia. Here the littles ones can get messy and creative with sensory play. The classes are aimed at developing cognitive skills, fostering creativity and promoting independent play.
Ages: 6 months and up
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Cost: From R200, book via The Messy Hub’s website
5 Baviaanskloof Road | 7 Broughton Close | Hout Bay | @the.messyhub | Image: @kellyabrahams1
By Sarah Williams & Khadeeja Adams
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EXPLORE MORE WITH THE KIDS
See our guide, with lots of insider tips, to Killarney International Raceway.
From painting to skating, we’ve compiled 65+ kids activities.
A nature reserve with hippos, and more affordable ideas for the family.
Stay indoors but not at home with these indoor activities for kids.
There’s always something to do with this guide to the week(end).
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