You can say it out loud. Shopping isn’t your thing. In fact, you HATE shopping. Luckily, Galleria Arbour Town in Amanzimtoti has loads more than endless rows of clothing shops and glittering jewellery stores threatening to empty your wallet. Here are some exciting things to do with the kids while the Mrs shops to her heart’s content.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Fun Company

Round up the kids and spend a few hours at this family friendly oasis. There’s plenty to keep you busy with bowling, bumper cars, a 4D XRider, and games arcade. Get competitive at the 9-hole glow in the dark mini golf with its exciting underwater theme, or tackle the laser maze – the first of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal. A sports bar in the centre has pool tables and large screens where dad can catch up on sport.

Cost:

• Play cards: R10
• Bowling: R50
• Bumper cars: R30
• Mini golf: R30
• Laser maze: R40
• 4D XRider: R40

Shop S16, Second Floor| Open daily, 12:00 – 23:00 | +27 (0)31 904 5770 | galleria@superbowling.co.za

Ice skating

Galleria has the largest ice rink in Durban and is the perfect place for kids (and brave parents) to become ballerinas on ice. The ice rink is used for recreational and professional figure skating. Please note that the rink is closed for maintenance until 6 February 2015.

Cost:

• R40 entrance
• R20 for a pair of skates

Shop S02, Starwalk Entertainment level | Open: daily sessions 10:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 17:00, 19:30 – 22:30 (23:00 Friday and Saturday)| +27 (0)31 904 1156 | icerinkinfo@arbourtown.co.za

Go karting

Dare the kids to dice, drag, and speed their way around the Epic Karting track. Children need to be at least 10 years old to race.

Cost:

• 5 minutes: R70
• 10 minutes: R110
• 15 minutes: R140
• 20 minutes: R170

Mezzanine parking level at the Woolworths entrance | Open Monday to Thursday: 11:00 – 21:00, Friday: 11:00 – 22:00, Saturday: 09:00 – 22:00, Sunday: 09:00 – 21:00, school and public holidays: 09:00 – 00:00 | +27 (0)31 904 5470 | galleria@epickarting.co.za

Get your Wi-Fi fix

Mugg & Bean has free Wi-Fi! Catch up on the news, check your emails, or share your Instagram selfies with us at @LekkeSlaapsa, all while enjoying some fantastic coffee and cake!

Shop F24, First Floor | Open Monday to Saturday: 09:00 – 19:00, Sunday and public holidays: 09:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)31 904 2499

Movies

With 11 Nu Metro theatres (2 of which have 3D capability), the only thing you’ll have to worry about is which movie to watch! Check what’s showing.

Cost:

• 2D films: R62 per adult and R43 per child and student (R38 with Clicks Clubcard on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday)
• 3D films: R75 per adult and R55 per child and student (R55 with Clicks Clubcard on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday)

Shop S18, Second Floor | Open daily, times dependent on shows | +27 (0)31 904 5177 | galleria@numetro.co.za

Kiddies’ holiday programs

A Fun Zone caters for kids during the school holidays. Activities include a jumping castle, ball pond, Xbox, PlayStation games, foosball, air hockey, a mini pool table, basketball arcade, and arts and crafts. Child minders will look after kids, aged 3 – 16 years old, while you shop.

Cost: free

Fun Zone | Open daily during school holidays, 09:00 – 17:00 | anusha@word4word.co.za

FOOD AND DRINKS

Milkshakes & beer

Mugg & Bean, Spur, Panarotti’s, Circus Circus, John Dory’s, Café Gitano, and Ocean Basket all have liquor licenses. The kids can enjoy milkshakes while dad has a beer. It’s a win win situation.

Mugg & Bean (F24), Ocean Basket (F21a), Spur (S01), Panarotti’s (S19) | Open Monday to Saturday: 09:00 – 19:00, Sunday and public holidays: 09:00 – 17:00

Snacks

Nothing makes kids happier than a little sugar rush. Pick up some baked goods from the Muffin Club, have an ice cream at Freddo and Bella & Boo, or savour sundaes, milkshakes, cake, pancakes, and waffles at Milky Lane.

Muffin Club (G47a), Freddo (F71), Bella & Boo (S17), Milky Lane (F72) | Open Monday to Saturday: 09:00 – 19:00, Sunday and public holidays: 09:00 – 17:00

Lunch time 

Grab a bite to eat with the kids at Wimpy, Mugg & Bean, Juicy Lucy, Nandos, Mochachos, or Mivami. Spur and John Dory’s both have kiddies’ playgrounds.

Locals on the gram!

We asked a few locals to share their favourite pastimes at Galleria Mall. Check out their Instagrams and share your own with us!
1. “I’ve only been to Galleria once, but I had a great time!”

2. “My daughter enjoying her lunch at Spur. I love the vibe at Galleria and the people in it. I stay in Durban North but I’m willing to travel on the weekends just to spend some time at Galleria with my family.”

3. “Bella & Boo is the place to go for some sweet treats! I love ice skating and bowling at Galleria.”

4. “We spend a lot of time at the ice rink as our daughter trains there for figure skating. When she’s done for the morning, we usually head to Mugg & Bean for breakfast or the old Funland for some fun with the kids.”

5. “The best thing about Galleria is definitely the froyo at Bella & Boo!”

6. “I love indulging in waffles at Milky Lane.”

7. “I love bowling with my boys.”

8. “Enjoying some McDonalds with the kids. It’s the little things in life.”

Mall information

• Trading hours: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 – 19:00
• Sunday and public holidays: 09:00 – 17:00
• Address: Corner Moss Kolnik and Arbour Road, Amanzimtoti
• GPS: -30.033267, 30.899412
• Contact: +27 (0)31 904 2233 (centre management)
• Baby changing facilities are available on each floor

So the next time your wife or significant other drags you out, you can go to Galleria with a smile.  What are your favourite things to do with the kids at Galleria?