Summer is here, and the holidays are quickly approaching. Soon, kids will be free of their daily school routine and cries of boredom will mount.
Luckily, the Mother City is full of fun and inexpensive activities to keep your little ones entertained without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas:
Battery Park:
View this post on Instagram
Battery Park is an urban park that forms the gateway to the V&A Waterfront and integrates Cape Town’s CBD and the V&A Waterfront through a series of pedestrian routes, including one alongside the canal. You’ll find activities that will keep your kids entertained for hours, and entrance is free!
It features a park which consists of a jungle gym, swings, rocking horses and a scooter path. The skate and scooter park offers a combination of various skate and scooter elements including a bowl with spine and pump hump, quarter pipes, layback bank, gaps, a small plaza with hubbas and rails, a frame set and a long ledge and rail.
It also has a multicourt for general basketball and or mini soccer games, with adjustable hoops to make it accessible for younger players.
Imhoff Farm:
View this post on Instagram
Situated on the Cape Point route, Imhoff Farm is one of the Cape Peninsula’s original farms (dating back to 1743) and its unique location, natural beauty and talented tenants have attracted visitors for decades. While entrance to the farm itself is free, individual activities are charged at low prices.
Get lost in the Milkwood Maze, an exciting and educational 3D experience. Take a tour of Southern Africa, travelling to the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique – each destination is represented by a flag. Look out for different animals and learn all about African animal conservation along the way. Entry for children and adults is R50. Open Saturdays, Sundays, school and public holidays from 9am to 5pm, weather permitting.
Get to know domestic farm animals including ponies, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, emus, rabbits and a variety of feathery friends at the Higgeldy Piggeldy Farm Yard R20 per person entry is charged. If they’re not walking yet, entry is free.
The Giraffe House, Stellenbosch:
View this post on Instagram
The Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness centre in Stellenbosch provides access to some of Africa’s wonderful wildlife and bird species. Focusing on African wildlife, Giraffe House aims to provide a place for people to enjoy the outdoors, whilst experiencing and learning about animals and why they are special.
Their interactive creepy crawly encounters are held at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on weekends and during school holidays. It gives the visitor the opportunity to meet and hold some interesting creatures.
There is also a play area which consists of three jungle gyms and a lawn area.
Entrance is R60 per adult, R45 for seniors and R40 for children aged 2-15. Open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.
Winelands Light Rail:
View this post on Instagram
Winelands Light Rail in Stellenbosch offers train rides and general park facilities for you and your family. Their park is aimed to create fun memories to parents and children by sharing an exclusive outdoor experience.
Take a trip on the steam train then spend the day sprawled out on the lush lawns. Kids can enjoy the play park all day long. Visitors may bring in their own picnic baskets, but there are food vendors to provide visitors with a selection of food to choose from.
It costs R50 per person for one train ride and access to the park and all its facilities. You can also pay R100 per person for unlimited train rides and access to the park and all the facilities. Tickets are sold at the entrance of the park. Pensioners enjoy a 20% discount.
Bugz Family Playpark:
View this post on Instagram
Bugz Family Playpark in Kraaifontein is the perfect place for energetic children. This activity-filled park features a massive outdoor playground as well as an indoor play area. Pedal cars, jumping castles, dolls houses, a mud kitchen, a splash zone, rowing boats, swing horses, mini tractor rides, a choo choo train as well as free play areas, horse rides and magic shows will keep your little ones entertained all day. There is even a petting farm open on weekends, which costs R20 per person.
No outside food may be brought in, but they do offer a kiosk in the park which sells food and beverages.
Adults and teenagers over the age of 13 pay R50 entrance fee each, while pensioners get in for R45 and kids under the age of three enjoy free entry.
Open on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays & Public School Holidays from 10am -4pm.
View this post on Instagram
Put your kids to work and let them have fun by “scratching” for your favourite tumble-polished gemstones from thousands of polished stones that quite literally cover the floor at the Scratch Patch at the V&A Waterfront or in Simon’s Town.
You can purchase one of three sizes of plastic bag or a cup and can fill your bag or cup with your favourite gemstones. A small bag (approximately 140 grams) costs R25, a medium bag (approximately 300 grams) costs R42, a large bag (approximately 1200 grams) costs R130, and a cup (approximately 630 grams) costs R85.
Kids can also head to the Cave Golf course at the V&A (at the Scratch Patch, near the Aquarium) or the Simon’s Town Cave Golf to enjoy a 18-hole mini-golf competition. It requires a refundable deposit of R20 per player. A round of golf costs R30 per player and groups of 10 pay R25 per player
Open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4.30pm and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9am to 4.30pm.
ALSO READ: Top Cape waterparks to take your kids this summer
Picture: Instagram/Bugs Family Playpark
