Free and Budget-friendly Activities for Kids

Plan something fun for the family every day without breaking your budget

Last Update: 14 December 

Free visits to the space agency, birthday experiences on the house, skate parks, rose picking, and other budget-friendly experiences for the whole family to enjoy. For more kids activities by age group, from cooking classes to a foam-dart battle, explore things to do with kids.

VISIT SMALLER BOTANICAL GARDENS

Like Harold Porter in Betty’s Bay. Although smaller than Kirstenbosch, it is a riot of unrestrained coastal fynbos and more conservative beds of indigenous flowers, flowing between neatly manicured lawns. 
Price: adults R26, kids under-6 free; students R16, scholars R12; pensioners free on Tuesdays
Hours: Monday–Sunday 8.30am-4.30pm

Corner of Clarence Drive and, Broadwith Road, Betty’s Bay | Harold.Porter.NBG@sanbi.org.za | +27 (0)28 272 9311, sanbi.org/gardens/harold-porter/

GO BIRD SPOTTING

The Plattekloof Duck Pond park is an open park and pond with plenty of birds, from guinea fowl to Egyptian Geese. Set up a picnic at one of the tables or under a tree on the lawn while the kids climb the jungle gym. Note: there are no restrooms at this park.
Price: Free entry
Hours: All hours

Olifanthout Avenue, Plattekloof, contact.us@capetown.gov.za, +27(0)860 103 089, website

ENTER THE SPACE AGE(NCY)

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) centre in Observatory invites school groups to enjoy their interactive exhibits. Make an appointment and arrive before 11am on a Wednesday to join a group. Also check out the website to find out about its holiday programme for 6-12yr olds.
Price: Free. Best for kids age 10 and up
Hours: Wednesdays 11am–12 noon
Hospital Street, Hermanus, events@sansa.org.za, +27(0)28 312 1196, website

 

MEET AN ALPACA

Play with and feed an Alpaca and take a barn tour at the Alpaca Loom in Paarl.
Price: Barn tour R70 for children; R100 for adults and includes entry to the petting zoo.
Hours: Daily 10am–5pm except on 25 December

The Alpaca Loom Coffee Shop and Weaving Studio, Suid Agter Paarl Road, Paarl, info@alpacas.co.za, +27(0)84 793 3666, website 

A GARDEN CENTRE WITH MORE THAN PLANTS

The Joostenbergvlakte branch of the Cape Garden Centre boasts a large grassed area for picnicking, a jungle gym, and horse-and-cart ride around the dam. Plus, there's a restaurant, brewery and shop (with the Joostenberg Deli on hand).
Price: Free entry
Hours: Monday–Sunday 9am–5pm
56 Tarentaal Road, Joostenberg Vlakte, Cape Town, info@capegardencentre.co.za, +27(0)21 988 4137 website

SAY HELLO TO THE TALLEST ANIMAL IN THE WORLD

As the name suggests, this is the place to visit to get up close and personal with giraffes – but you can also see antelope, monkeys, meerkats, zebra, reptiles and more at the Giraffe House.
Price: From R35
Hours: Monday–Sunday: 9am–5pm every day except on 25 December

Corner R304 and R101, giraffehouse@gmail.com, +27 (0)21 884 4506, website

 

SPEND THE DAY AT THE CARNIVAL

A kids area, candy floss and build-a-pizza station, this wine farm is a haven for kids – did we mention entry is free to the carnival area at Weltevreden Estate?

 

PLAY WITH THE FAIRIES IN SWELLENDAM

Go on a magical adventure and explore toadstools and fairy houses at Swellendam’s Fairy Sanctuary.
Price: Children under 13 R10; adults R20
Hours: Wed-Sat 9:00am-4:30pm; Sunday 10-4pm

WATCH A KIDDIES’ SPACE SHOW

Take your little (and not so little) ones to an animated show at the digital dome at the planetarium – the most advanced in Africa. Shows are an hour long, and run Tuesday to Friday with three shows on the weekend at the planetarium.
Price: R30 for kids under 18, adults R60

EXPLORE CAPE TOWN BIODIVERSITY IN AN URBAN PARK

Explore the biodiversity garden and let the kids run free at the impressive playground at the Green Point Urban Park. 

 

DISCOVER A HIDDEN PARK IN THE SUBURBS

This suburban hideaway in Newlands is home to a towering treehouse and plenty of things to set your child’s imagination alight. There’s a reason locals love Paradise park. 

 

TAKE THE FAMILY ON A MOONLIGHT MEANDER

Join a free, socially-distanced moonlight walk in Muizenberg (donations welcome) with the Muizenberg Moonlight Meander.

 
Surfer’s Corner | Beach Road | Muizenburg | +27(0) 21 788 2909

SOAK UP THE MARKET VIBE

From December the Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay is re-introducing their kids programme so your kids can be entertained while you browse a host of local goods. Find out what else is on offer at other markets in Cape Town.

CYCLE THE PROMENADE FOR FREE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

Take in the scenery along the Sea Point promenade on a Dutch-style single-speed city bike. Ride for an hour free on your birthday when you bring along your SA ID. Child seats and kids bikes are also available at Up Cycles.
 

VISIT THE AQUARIUM FOR FREE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

Bring your valid SA ID and enjoy a free birthday visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium.

 

GET ACTIVE IN BATTERY PARK

This urban park is designed with fun in mind, from a free skate park, to a basketball court that doubles up as a soccer field and a BMX facility. Pack a picnic and make a day of it at Battery Park.

 

TAKE A BOAT RIDE AROUND THE HARBOUR 

Take a 30-minute guided tour (and spot a few seals) of Cape Town's working harbour in Tommy the Tugboat.
Price: R50 for adults; R25 for kids 
Hours: Monday–Sunday; 10am–7pm

 

 

 

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Shop 7, Quay 5, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape, info@tigresse.co.za, +27 21 421 0909, website

 

AN ARRAY OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

With an array of activities for kids, from the popular indoor and outdoor play area, The Playshed, to pony rides and a community garden with a free kids garden day every Thursday from 3pm–5pm, there’s so much to experience at Oude Molen Eco Village.
Price: Free entry to Oude Molen Eco Village
Hours: Monday–Sunday 8:30am–6pm

 

 

 

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Oude Molen Eco Village, Alexandra Road, Pinelands, prodevservices@oudemolenecovillage.co.za, +27(0)21 448 0526, website 

 

DISCOVER ISLAND WETLANDS

Go for a self-guided or guided trail walk or boat trip in the natural wetlands and man-made islands at Intaka Island in Canal Walk.
Price: From R13
Hours: October–April: 7:30am–7pm; May–September: 7:30am–5:30pm

2 Park Lane, Grand Central District, Century City, info@centurycity.co.za, +27(0)21 552 6889, website

 

BROWSE A HUGE COLLECTION OF TINY THINGS

There’s enough to enchant inquisitive kids for a solid hour or two with an assortment of vintage playthings and a wonderland of tiny replicas at the Stellenbosch Miniatures Museum.
Price: R5 for children 2-16 (R15 for 17yrs and older)
Hours: Monday–Saturday: 9am–-5pm; Sunday: 10am–1pm April-August; 10am-4pm September - March

 

Market Street (behind the Information Bureau), Stellenbosch, villagemuseum@stelmus.co.za, +27(0)21 887 2937, website

 

TRY OUT NATURE’S POOLS: THEY’RE PUBLIC, TOO

What’s a visit to a coastal city without a visit to the seaside? If you’re not a fan of the waves, discover new swimming spots at one of these natural pools or tidal pools.
Price: Free and from R7 for children (from R14 for adults)
Hours: Various

 

SPLASH IN THE POOL

Most of Cape Town’s public pools come with splash pools and, in some cases, playgrounds too. If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, check out these public pools in Cape Town.
Price: From R2 for children and R6 for adults
Hours: Various

 

THE SEA IS A FREE-FOR-ALL

The Western Cape has kilometres of coastline and beaches to discover. Whether you visit the penguins at Boulders, or build sandcastles, explore one of these many Cape beaches.
Price: Boulders: with a South African ID: R20 per child (R40 per adult); with SADC passport: R42 per child R85 per adult; general conservation fee (foreigners): R85 per child, R170 per adult.
Hours: Boulders: April–September, 7am–5pm; December–January, 7am–7:30pm; February–March, 8am–6:30pm; October–November, 8am–6:30pm

 

GO STRAWBERRY PICKING

Take a drive to George and fill up on fresh strawberries. Plus there’s a giant maze, a playground and pony rides on offer at Redberry farm.
Price: R25 for small container of strawberries; R40 for large container

GO FRUIT PICKING IN A MAGICAL GARDEN

Celebrate sustainable living with a day exploring the beautiful gardens and picking fruit at Franschhoek’s Babylonstoren.
Price: R20 entrance fee

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Cape Town is home to a host of activities both parents and kids will love.

In Cape Town, you can celebrate for free when it’s your birthday. 

Take the family out to enjoy a host of budget-friendly activities for kids.

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