With many weeks of school holidays ahead, continuing to find ways to keep your children entertained (and away from the TV) can seem a bit daunting. You can rest assured that there are plenty things to do in Cape Town that will keep kids from bouncing off the walls. Here are some great educational and fun activities to do during the school holidays that your kids will love:
Bugz Play Park
Bugz Play Park is one of the best family attractions in Cape Town, featuring both indoor and outdoor playgrounds for entertainment, no matter the weather. The playgrounds consist of large sandpits, jungle-gyms, swings, castles, tree houses, and play equipment. A variety of token activities are available at extra costs such as trains, rowing boats, peddle carts, horse rides, and paintball practice. Friendly mascots wander throughout the park and there are magic shows on occasion. Bugz Tent Kitchen offers snacks, and Bugz Mini Market offers stalls and a large screen where adults can enjoy sporting events with an ice-cold beer. The park is open every day except Christmas Day, from 9am to 5pm. Entry fee is R25 for adults and R35 for children during the holidays.
For more info, call 021 988 8836 or email party@bugz.co.za. Address: 56 Tarentaal Street, Joostenbergvlakte, Kraaifontein.
Rainbow Puppet Theatre
For a day of laughter, visit the Rainbow Puppet Theatre at the Constantia Waldorf School. This child-friendly venue provides Christmas shows in December characterised by handcrafted glove puppets, rod puppets, and shadow puppets, complemented by live music. Pack a light lunch to enjoy in the picnic and playground area after the show. Shows are held on Saturday mornings at 10am and then again at 11:15am. The entry fee is R35 at the door for both adults and children. Bookings are essential.
For more info, call 021 783 2063 or 021 794 2103. Address: Constantia Waldorf School, Spaanschemat road, Constantia.
Cool Running’s Toboggan Tracks
Rope the family in for a day of tobogganing at South Africa’s first and only toboggan track. The 1.25km track is open as long as it isn’t raining. Please note that no food or drinks will be permitted into the park, but a kiosk is available offering snacks and refreshments. The park is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 11am to 6pm, and on weekends and holidays, from 9am to 6pm. Mondays are closed (except during holidays or large group bookings). The cost per ride is R30 for children and R35 for adults (the price gets cheaper the more rides are purchased).
For more info, call 021 949 4439, or email info@cool-runnings.co.za. Address: Mispel road, Tygervalley.
Millstone Eco-friendly Village
Millstone Eco-friendly Village is a great way to while away hours of the summer holidays with your kids. While you enjoy a cuppa at the café or browse for Christmas gifts at the farm stall, the little ones will enjoy the huge treehouse or the wagon rides around the village. A small riding school is located nearby where older kids can learn to horse-ride for R80 for an hour’s lesson. The village is open from 9am to 5pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
For more info, call 021 447 8226, or 082 407 8910. Address: Oude Molen Eco Village, Alexandra Street, Pinelands.
Art Jamming
At the Art Jamming studios, kids are provided with canvases, acrylic paints, and all the tools they need to express their creativity. During school holidays, there are classes that teach different techniques and skills. The sessions are “Jam with Art” on Mondays, Colour workshops on Tuesdays, “Fun with Foam” on Wednesdays, Landscape painting on Thursdays, and Portrait painting on Fridays. The workshops are held from 10am to 12pm, and are R155 each including all materials (except for the “Fun with Foam” workshop which is R120, including all materials).
For more info, call: Willowbridge Centre: 021 914 9224, Cape Quarter: 021 421 6129, Cavendish Square: 021 683 5050). Address: Willowbridge Centre, Tygervalley; Cape Quarter, Green Point; and Cavendish Square, Claremont.
The Scratch Patch
Your kids will love “digging for treasure” at the Scratch Patch in Simons Town. Here, kids of all ages can scratch for their favourite gemstones from a large colourful pile. The facility is open from 8:30am to 4:45pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 5:30pm Saturdays and Sundays (and holidays). Prices range from R15 for a small bag/container to R90 for a large bag/container.
For more info, call 021 786 2020. Address: Dido Valley road, Simons Town.
Higgeldy Piggeldy Farmyard
Imhoff Farm is home to an educational petting zoo where kids can get close to a number of friendly farm animals, including goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, and a pony. What makes the farm so unique is that these animals roam (almost) freely, and kids can enter the larger enclosures to pet the animals. They will learn interesting facts about each animal from the brightly coloured boards dotted around the farm. Other activities at Imhoff include horse and camel rides, a snake and reptile sanctuary, and paintball games. The farm is open daily, from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are available at the Blue Water Café for R10 each.
For more info, call 021 783 4545, or email info@imhofffarm.co.za. Address: Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie.
Clay Café
The Clay Café provides hours of fun for all ages. Choose from an array of mugs, bowls, and sculptures to paint that will preserve a memory of this fun day for years to come. Friendly staff offer advice and techniques, and there is a garden and playground for children to play in. The café is open daily, and costs R25 for the studio, plus the price of each item (from R20 – R250).
For more info, call 021 790 3318. Address: Main road, Hout Bay.
What are your “go-to” activities for keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays?
Images are from the respective websites.
