School holidays have a way of running parents dry on ideas by day three. Cape Town keeps opening new play spots though, so there are fresh options beyond the usual jungle gym rotation this July.
Here are seven recent additions worth working into the holiday programme, from a role play village in Sea Point to a real ice rink in Somerset West.
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1. Mini Ninja SA, Paarl
This soft-play adventure space opened in May 2025 at Winelands Square with soft mazes, mini ninja courses, ball pits and trampolines designed for newborns through to seven-year-olds. The compact setup keeps energy high without overwhelming younger kids, making it a solid option for the Cape Winelands leg of the school holiday circuit.
- Location: LG 02, Winelands Square Shopping Centre, Cnr Sandwyk Street and Old Paarl Road, Paarl
- Times: Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 7pm | Friday and Saturday, 9am to 8pm
- Cost: Ages 0 to 3 (plus one adult), R250 per hour or R340 for 2 hours | Ages 4 to 7, R160 per hour or R250 for 2 hours
- Tip: The space is compact, so it fills up during peak school holiday times, arrive mid-morning or mid-afternoon to avoid the 11am and 2pm rushes.
2. be.UP pop.UP Park, V&A Waterfront
This pop-up opened on 1 November 2024 and is booked to run until January 2027. Tucked into the Watershed next to the Two Oceans Aquarium, it gives kids a maze, climbing structures and a toddler-only Little Town, while parents grab a coffee or squeeze in some shopping nearby.
- Location: The Watershed, 17 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm | Sunday, 10am to 5.30pm
- Cost: Under 4s, R80 per hour (Little Town only) | 4 years and up, R120 per hour or R205 for 2 hours
- Tip: Play sessions start on the hour, so arrive a few minutes early to avoid missing the start of a slot.
3. Arena X, Milnerton
This multi-purpose activity hub pairs sport courts for soccer, netball and dodgeball with Jump X, a dedicated soft-play and inflatable zone for younger kids. It works well for families with a wider age spread, since teens and adults have their own corners to burn energy in too. No confirmed opening date turned up in official channels, though it’s referenced consistently as a recent addition to the Milnerton scene.
- Location: 9 Racecourse Road, Milnerton
- Times: Jump X, Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm | Full arena, daily, 9am to 11pm
- Cost: R150 for a 2-hour Jump X pass | R250 for full-day access to all zones
- Tip: Combine a Jump X session with a sport court booking if older siblings are tagging along.
4. Roar Around, Somerset West
Roar Around opened at Rola Motor City, behind Padel X, with play zones spanning six-month-old babies to young teens, including soft-play and sensory corners for toddlers and a maze-style obstacle course with a small zip line for the older kids. Coverage of the park only started appearing from around September 2025, but no official opening date was confirmed.
- Location: Somerset Crossing, Somerset West
- Times: Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 6pm | Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 6pm | Closed Mondays, except during school holidays
- Cost: Hourly and 2-hour play sessions, priced on booking | Grip socks, R45 per pair
- Tip: One adult needs to stay on site throughout the visit, as it isn’t a drop-off facility.
5. SM Ice Rink, Somerset Mall
Somerset Mall has set up its first real ice rink for the school holidays, complete with a disco-inspired theme in the undercover parking area near Entrance 4. It’s open to skaters aged three to fifteen, with trained promoters on hand to guide beginners around the rink.
- Location: Undercover parking, Entrance 4, Somerset Mall
- Times: 24 June to 19 July 2026 | Sessions from 10am, last entry 6pm (Monday to Saturday) or 4pm (Sunday)
- Cost: R100 per 50-minute session
- Tip: Dress warmly underneath, as the undercover setup still gets chilly once the ice cools the air around it.
6. Giggles & Grow Play Studio, Sunningdale
This toddler-focused studio opened in October 2025, with a play kitchen, dress-up corner, ball pit and climbing wall built for newborns through to eight-year-olds. Mommy & Me classes run for babies and toddlers up to three years old, alongside open play sessions for older kids.
- Location: Sunningdale, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm
- Cost: R180 per child for a 2-hour weekday session | R260 on weekends
- Tip: Workshops such as Messy Play start from R280 and are worth booking ahead, as they tend to fill up over the holidays.
7. Level Up Indoor Play Arena, Paarl
Level Up brings ninja courses, a 5.1-metre circle climb, a double-lane zip line and a free-roaming VR arena to Paarl, with a smaller ninja course built specifically for younger kids. It’s aimed at ages six and up, making it a solid option for families with older children who’ve outgrown the toddler play parks. Unfortunately this will be their last season. They’re closing down on the 20th of July.
- Location: Paarl
- Times: Closed Mondays | Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm to 6pm | Friday, 12pm to 8pm | Saturday, 9am to 8pm | Sunday, 9am to 5pm
- Cost: Off-peak, R100 per hour or R170 for 2 hours | Peak, R130 per hour or R230 for 2 hours
- Tip: VR shootout and zombie battle games are reserved for teens and adults, so plan younger kids’ time around the ninja courses and grid games instead.
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8. Imagine Cape Town, Claremont
This role-play village opened in 2025 with a play kitchen, dress-up corner, ball pit, climbing wall and sandbox designed for newborns through to eight-year-olds. The Sensory Pod is dedicated to under-twos, and the parent-friendly coffee bar serves award-winning, locally-roasted coffee.
- Location: 1st Floor Cavendish Close, 11 Warwick Street, Claremont
- Times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm
- Cost: Weekdays, R120 per hour or R150 for 2 hours | Weekends, R180 for 2-hour slot | Sensory Pod, R100
- Tip: Drop-in play is welcome on weekdays (Monday to Thursday), but bookings are recommended for weekends as slots fill up quickly.
9. Melkbossie Farm Animal Sanctuary
Looking for a slower-paced family outing? Melkbossie Farm Animal Sanctuary offers children the chance to meet rescued farm animals in a peaceful countryside setting just outside Cape Town. Young visitors can feed friendly goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, donkeys and ponies while learning about animal welfare. The sanctuary also features a playground, pony rides, putt-putt and a coffee shop, making it an easy day out for the whole family.
- Location: Cape Farms, Melkbosstrand
- Times: Daily, 9am to 5pm (hours may vary during holidays)
- Cost: R20 per person (animal feed available to purchase separately)
- Website: https://www.melkbossie.co.za
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Also read:
7 wild and wonderful school holiday outings for Cape Town kids
Picture:RDNE Stock project / Pexels
