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Things to do with kids that parents will enjoy too
In- and outdoor adventures for kids between the age of 0-100
Last updated: 16 January 2023
Kids love adventure. Sure their adventure looks like battling it out on a pirate ship or swinging from the branches like Tarzan, but funnily enough, Cape Town offers all that and more. See everything from penguins and alpacas to lions and exotic birds, or visit indoor and water parks, or even go scuba diving.
WATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS
The Galileo is magical. It's where parents treat and bond with their kids, and every year they make sure there are movies that are appropriate for all ages. You can get comfy seating (there are various ticket options) and buy snacks, including popcorn and drinks at the venue. Find out more about the Galileo Open Air Cinema and book tickets online.
Hours: October to April; doors open 6pm on weekdays and 5pm on Saturdays
Price: From R129, see the schedule
Various locations | 071 471 8728 | Instagram: @thegalileo | Image: Galileo Open Air Cinema
THE WEEKEND EVEN PARENTS FEEL LKE KIDS AGAIN
A weekend festival that’s all about kids, that parents (and aunts, uncles, grandparents and guardians) actually want – and love – to be part of? That’s Wolfie Familie Festival, happening this year from 24 to 26 February along the banks of the Olifants River in Citrusdal.
There’s endless entertainment for children of all ages, plus beautiful scenery to swim, walk, run, explore and get lost in. Find out why you should get tickets immediately, while you still can. Our team's top recommendation: Wolfie; South Africa's truly awesoe kids festival where even parents feel like kids againl.
Wolfie Familie Festival | Wolfkop Camping Villages, Citrusdal | howl@wolfie.co.za | Instagram
PLAY ON THE BEACH AND BUILD WAFFLES
The Waffle Shack in Onrus is a kiddie haven. Situated right on Onrus Lagoon and the beach, this spot is the perfect place to visit after (or before) a beach day. There’s a store selling beach toys like spades and buckets and the kids can build their own waffles or chow down on loaded hotdogs.
1 Atlantic Drive | Onrus River | 028 316 1516 | @milk_onthebeach | Image: Milk on the Beach
TAKE THE KIDS TO A VINTAGE HAVEN
Let the kids play like it's the 90s. They can also see farm animals, like goats and chickens, roaming the grounds. Parents can take in all things vintage, from old petrol pumps and road signs to clothing and sewing machines from the 1900s, even what beauty products looked like way back then. There's a coffee shop that serves South African favourites, such as bobotie pies, “ouma se kerrie vetkoek”, jaffels. Plus, you can drink “moerkoffie” in a tin cup at Toeka Stoor.
Ages: All
Hours: Wed - Sun, 9am to 4pm
Price: Free entrance (show your support by visiting the coffee shop) 
Toeka Stoor & Coffee Shop | Domaine Brahms Wines | Paarl | Image: Simone Strydom
SPEND THE DAY AT THE WATERFRONT
With the marimba bands, sunshine and crowds of families, the V&A Waterfront is a great spot for all-day family fun. If you're looking for a budget-friendly activity, try Take The Stage (a series of concerts by emerging artists) or admire the festive decorations inspired by African hope and heritage. For a fun day out that'll cost a little extra, participate in HintHunt's Amazing Race style competition. There's plenty to do at the Waterfront - discover more activities.
Ages: All
Hours: V&A Waterfront is open daily, 9am to 9pm
Price: Some events free
V&A Waterfront | 021 408 7600 | enquires@waterfront.co.za | Instagram | Image: V&A Waterfront
ACROBRANCH ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Let your kids live out their Tarzan fantasy by swinging through trees and dangling from branches (with strict safety measures, of course). Acrobranch Tree-Top Adventures offers great adventures, from ziplines to tree-top activities; parents can join in too.
Ages: 3 - 12 years (depending on activity)
Hours: Daily, 9am - 6pm
Price: Between R30 - R280, book here
R304 | Muldersvlei Road | Stellenbosch | 086 999 0369 | Instagram: @acrobranchza | Image: Bongi Hill
SET SAIL ON SOUTH AFRICA’S ONLY PIRATE BOAT
Gather yer mateys, get dressed up and set sail for Neverland. You can sail the seas any day of the week, any time of day. Hang out with the pirate crew, enjoy entertaining shows and have your face painted on The Jolly Roger Pirate Boat.
Ages: All
Hours: Morning, lunchtime, afternoon and sunset cruises
Price: From R140 for kids; R220 for adults. Sunset cruise is R250 for kids and R380 for adults
Yacoob Yachts | 7A 5 W Quay Road | V&A Waterfront | 021 421 0909 | Instagram: @yacoobyachts | Image: Jolly Roger Birate Boat
KEEP ROLLING AT THIS INDOOR PARK
Grab your knee guards and have some family fun at Rollercade. This is the first indoor roller-skating park in Cape Town and it is jam-packed with fun, music, neon lights and good ol’ roller skating. Important: bring socks with!
Ages: 3 years and up
Hours: Daily, time slots vary. Check sessions here
Price: R150 for 2 hour session (including skates and safety gear); R80 (bring your own); R40 for spectators; book here
V&A Waterfront | Alfred Street | 072 064 3963 | Instagram: @rollercadeza | Image: Rollercade
BLOW OFF STEAM AT A BIKE PARK
The newly launched Bike Park at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate is the perfect spot for little devils. It features a Velosolutions Pump Track and a state-of-the-art kiddies play area with a cycling track and a massive jungle gym. You can host a kiddies birthday party there too.
Ages: All
Hours: Daily, 9am to 5pm
Price: R75 per rider; book here
Strand Road | R44 | Stellenbosch | 021 880 0133 | Instagram: @blaauwklippen | Image: Sibulela Bolarinwa
CRAFT YOUR OWN CERAMICS
Get messy with your kids and paint masterpieces on readymade pottery pieces. Kids can run around in the garden and playground or join in the painting fun. During or after playtime, enjoy a peaceful lunch at the Clay Café.
Ages: All
Hours: Daily, 9am to 5pm.
Price: R40 per person for three colours of paint, firing and glazing
4080 Main Road | Hout Bay | 076 810 5120 | Instagram: @theclaycafe_houtbay | Image: Clay Café
BOARD A MINIATURE STEAM TRAIN
Jump onboard a little steam train in the heart of the winelands. This picturesque journey can be enjoyed by little ones and adults alike. One train ride lasts approximately 7 minutes and takes you on a 760m journey at the Winelands Light Railway park.
Ages: All
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 9am - 5pm. Open daily during school holidays
Price: R60 for one ride, R120 for unlimited rides. Tickets sold at the entrance.
R304 | Stellenbosch | 062 206 1906 | Instagram: @winelandrail | Image: Carla Visagie
PLAY AT A PARK FOR ALL AGES
Playing is an essential part of a kid’s childhood, so let them go crazy at this family play park. From a worm train and swinging horses to toddler tractors and pedal bikes, Bugz Family Playpark has something for kids of all ages.
Ages: All
Hours: Daily, 10am - 4pm
Price (all day access): R150 for kids between 3-12 (includes all rides); R50 for 13+ (includes trains, no rides)
56 Tarentaal Road | Joostenberg Vlakte | Cape Town | 021 988 8836 | Instagram: @bugzplaypark | Image: Bugz Family Play Park
JUMP AROUND WALL-TO-WALL TRAMPOLINES
From trampolines, dodge-ball, cube foam pits, basketball courts and more! Enjoy a day of trampolining, with snacks and coffee at Rush Indoor Trampoline Park.
Ages: All
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am - 7pm; Friday & Saturday, 9am - 8pm; Sunday, 9am - 6pm
Price: R130 for scholars; R150 for adults; R200 for adult + toddler; book here
Stadium on Main | 104 Main Road | Claremont | 021 683 3841 | Instagram: @rushclaremont | Image: Rush
GO ON A KIDDIES BIKING TOUR
Bring your kids and their mountain bikes for an unforgettable exploration with the Kiddies Bike San Tour. The children will collect materials and make their own traditional bow and arrow. They will also learn how to shoot arrows and track animals at !Khwa ttu Nature Reserve.
Ages: 6 - 12 years
Hours: Every weekend, starts 9am
Price: R75; includes cold drinks and refreshments
Grootwater Farm | R27 | Yzerfontein | 022 492 2998 | Instagram: @khwattu | Image: !Khwa ttu
PUTTER UP WITH A GAME OF 3D MINI GOLF
Experience an outer-space wonderland with glow-in-the-dark mini golf. Play 18 holes with 3D glasses and glowing golf clubs at Glowing Rooms SA.
Ages: Ideal for kids 6 years and up
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am - 6pm; Saturdays, 10am - 8pm; Sundays, 10am - 4pm
Price: R110 per player
1 Turf Club Drive | Milnerton | 021 551 2244 | Instagram: @glowingroomssa | Image: Glowing Rooms SA
LEARN TO SCUBA DIVE TOGETHER
The Two Oceans Aquarium is now a registered PADI dive resort, which means you’ll be certified to dive around the world. Children from the age of 10 can begin their certification. You also get to dive in some of the tanks, which will give you a taste of what being in the open water is like.
Ages: From 10 years old
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
Price: From R1 585 per person; book here
Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | 021 418 3823 | Instagram: @2oceansaquarium | Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
YOU CAN MEET TINKERBELL HERE
The Riding Centre in Hout Bay is an outing the whole family can enjoy. Stop by to meet Henry, the sheep; Tinkerbell, the miniature horse, and other animals. You can also learn to ride or let the kids stop by for some pony playtime.
Ages: all ages
Hours: Monday, 1:30pm - 5:15pm; Tuesday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.15pm; Saturdays, 8.15am - 4pm
Price: R70 per child for pony ride
Main Road | Hout Bay | 021 790 5286 | Instagram: @theridingcentrehoutbay | Image: The Riding Centre
SEE AFRICAN PENGUINS ON THE BEACH
Home to Africa’s only penguin colony, take a scenic drive to Simon’s Town and visit the sheltered Boulder’s Beach. Pack a beach bag and spend the day with these fluffy creatures.
Ages: All
Hours: Daily, 8am - 5pm
Price: R42 per adult; R21 per child with an SA ID
Kleintuin Road | Simon's Town | 021 786 2329 | Image: Alessandro Novero
GO STAR GAZING
View the stars and constellations at the state-of-the-art Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome. The planetary dome shows take place twice a day during the week, with three shows on the weekend. Discover more of what Iziko has to offer.
Ages: All
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm
Price: Kids 17 & under R30; Adults R60
Planetarium | 25 Queen Victoria St | Cape Town City Centre | 021 481 3800 | Instagram: @izikomuseumssa | Image: Iziko Museums
MEET AND GREET AN ALPACA
Go on a barn tour or a guided walk, accompanied by aAlpacas, in Paarl. You can feed and play with these fluffy animals before havingenjoying a slice piece of cake at the coffee shop. There is also a jungle gym at Alpaca Loom.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Daily, 9:30am - 5:30pm
Price: Free for kids under 3; R70 for kids; R100 for adults (includes entry to the petting zoo. No need to book.)
Suid Agter Paarl Road | Paarl | 084 793 3666 | Instagram: @alpacaloom | Image: Inge du Plessis
PRACTISE YOUR MUSICAL SKILLS
Let your kids unleash their inner rock star at one of the workshops and courses at the School of Rock. Workshops include lessons on harmonies, musicianship, stage performance and more.
Ages: 3 to 17
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am - 7pm; Friday, 9am - 5.30pm; Saturday, 9am - 3pm
Price: Programme rates differ depending on the course; more information online
24 Protea Road | Newlands | 021 671 9580 | Instagram: @schoolofrockclaremont | Image: School of Rock
PLAY WITH PAINT
Kids can enjoy a painting experience and learn creative skills where they can express themselves in a carefree environment. Let the kids’ imaginations run wild by giving them canvases and a rainbow of colours to create their own artwork at Artjamming studios.
Ages: From 8 months upwards
Hours: Open Monday to Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Price: R160 per person (includes all materials, plus the studio’s artists on hand. Prices vary depending on the size of canvas).
Breakwater Blvd | V&A Waterfront | 021 425 5050 | Instagram: @artjammingsa | Image: Artjamming
GO FOR A SLED RIDE
Take the sled ride of your life down a curvy 1.2km track. It’s fast, it’s exhilarating and a great adventure for the whole family. Try South Africa’s first tobogganing track at Cool Runnings.
Ages: 8 years and up can ride their own sled, anyone younger with a guardian.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11am - 6pm; weekends, 9am - 6pm; closed on rainy days
Price: R70 (kids between 3-14); R80 for +15; book here
Off Carl Cronje Drive | Tygervalley | 021 949 4439 | Instagram: @coolrunningscpt | Image: Cool Runnings
TRY YOUR LUCK WITH THESE SPORTS
Aspiring Springboks, Bafana Bafana and Proteas players can spend the holidays taking part in rugby, cricket, soccer and hockey workshops run by Sporting Chance.
Ages: 4 to 13
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Price: Prices vary according to the workshop; find out more
Unit D4 | 1 Westlake Drive | Westlake | 066 250 4437 | Instagram: @sportingchance | Image: Sporting Chance
SEE A WETLAND IN THE CITY
In the middle of the Century City development is 16 hectares of wetland that’s home to an abundance of birds and other fauna and majestic flora. Kids can also participate in holiday programmes at Intaka Island.
Ages: All
Hours: October - April, 7:30am - 7pm; May - September, 7:30am - 5:30pm
Price: Day visit: R26 for adults, R16 for kids under 12. Boat ride: R80 for adults, R70 for kids under 12
Park Lane | Century City | Cape Town | 021 552 6889 | Instagram: @intakaisland | Image: Katleho Mohale
TAKE THE KIDS TO THE TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN
The swift ride in the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway takes you 1 089m above Cape Town. The view is majestic, and you can easily spend hours up there.
Ages: All
Hours: Daily, 8am - 6pm
Price: R100 for kids; R200 for adults.
Tafelberg Road | Gardens | 021 424 8181 | Instagram: @tablemountainca | Image: Table Mountain Cableway
MEET THE KING OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
Visit a lion sanctuary and see lions, including a rare white lion. You can also spot chimps on a day visit to the Drakenstein Lion Park in Paarl.
Ages: All
Hours: Daily, 9:30am - 5pm
Price: R45 for kids; R90 for adults
Old Paarl Road | Paarl | 021 863 3290 | Instagram: @drakensteinlionpark | Image: Drakenstein Lion Park
SHOOT YOUR MATES (WITH PAINT)
Looking for a way to keep active kids busy? Let them participate in a faux battle complete with colourful ammo at Action Paintball and LaserTag.
Ages: Kids older than 11
Hours: Daily sessions, 9:30am - 1pm + 1:30am - 5pm.
Price: R170 per person, which includes a gun, face mask, throat protector, jacket and 100 paintballs
Area 51 | Imhoff Farm | Kommetjie | 082 388 7148 | Instagram: @imhofffarm | Image: Imhoff Farm
PICNIC AT A WATERPARK
From swimming pools and slides to a fantasy play area for toddlers, there’s plenty to keep active kids busy at the Water and Kids Playground at Graceland Venues.
Ages: All
Hours: Sunday to Friday, 10am - 4pm; Saturday, 9am - 4pm
Price: Free for kids under 3; R50 for kids under 17; R60 for adults
Lustigan Road | Paarl | 072 264 4009
EXPERIENCE GAMER HEAVEN
Looking for indoor entertainment? Keep kids busy with arcade games, lazer tag, ten-pin bowling and ice hockey at GrandWest’s Magic Arcade area.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 12pm - 8pm; Friday, 2pm-11pm; Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am - 8pm.
Price: ost varies depending on game and token
Grandwest Casino | Denneboom Avenue | Goodwood | 021 534 0245 | Instagram: @grandwestsa
HANG WITH GIRAFFES
Home to the tallest animal in the world, you’ll also find antelope, monkeys, meerkats, zebras, reptiles and more at the Giraffe House.
Ages: 2 years old and up
Hours: Daily, 9am to 5pm
Price: R65 for adults; R50 for children between 2 - 15 years
Giraffe House | Corner R304 and R101 | 021 884 4506 | Instagram: @giraffehousesa | Image: Giraffe House
HUNT FOR HIDDEN TREASURE
Kids can take part in a treasure hunt in the quest to find the shiniest crystals and prettiest gems. There is an array of gems and crystals to pick from at The Scratch Patch.
Ages: All
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am - 4.30pm
Price: R25 for kids to fill up a small bag and R130 for a big bag
1 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | 021 786 2020 | Instagram: @scratchpatchsa | Image: The Scratch Patch
HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH A CHEETAH
Give your cubs the chance to encounter baby cheetahs (and adult cheetahs) at the Cheetah Conservation and Outreach Centre.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Daily, 10am – 5pm
Price: R10 per person in the week; R5 per person over the weekend
De Beers Avenue | Firgrove | 082 872 4007 | Image: Cheetah Conservation and Outreach Centre
LEARN HOW TO SURF WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY
Spend a fun day out in the ocean and learn how to surf at the oldest surf school in the country, which also offers holiday camps for children, at Gary’s Surf School.
Ages: 5 years and up
Hours: Daily, 8am - 5pm
Price: From R350 per person
34 Beach Road | Muizenberg | 021 788 9839 | Instagram: @garysurfschool | Image: Gary’s Surf School
SEE OVER 8 000 WEIRD AND WONDERFUL CREATURES
See giant sea turtles, adorable clownfish, sleek and streamlined predators, waddling penguins and so much more at one of Cape Town’s top attractions. It’s an unforgettable and enchanting escape for adults and kids alike at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Ages: All
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 9:30am - 6pm; Thursday & Friday, 9am - 7pm; Saturday & Sunday, 9am - 6pm
Price: Rates vary (note that it’s free entry on your birthday) so check out its website.
Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | 021 418 3823 | Instagram: @2oceansaquarium | Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
SPOT LEOPARDS AND OTHER BIG CATS
See one of Africa’s most beautiful wild cats. Just two hours outside Cape Town you can see lions, cheetahs, leopards and Bengal tigers at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary.
Ages: All
Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays). April to September, 10am - 3pm; October to March, 10am - 4pm
Price: R170 for kids under 13; R340 for adults
GGVJ+WQ | Stanford | 071 182 8368 | Instagram: @pantheraafricasanctuary | Image: Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary
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DISCOVER MORE FAMILY-FRIENDLY ADVENTURES
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Taste mead, the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, at Cape Town Meadery.
Get over the midweek hump with a HintHunt escape game.
Take the family out to enjoy a host of budget-friendly activities for kids.
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Update your bucket-list with these 50 adventures.
Discover +7 things to do this weekend.
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