Keep the little people and some big people entertained with these fun activities all over the Mother City. Whether you like it chilled and relaxed, educational, sporty or action packed and adrenalin pumping there’s something to suit everyone. Keep the kids and yourselves entertained with these fun things to do in Cape Town.
Updated August 2023
Go Ninja crazy at Total Ninja in Observatory
The Total Ninja park is a supervised activity and fitness venue inspired by the global phenomenon TV series Ninja Warrior. They are the largest inflatable and obstacle course in Africa. You can climb, balance, ump and swing across different obstacles using and developing your Ninja skills, plus they have the Warped Wall for every aspiring Ninja to conquer! A great place for family activities and for keeping fit. The Cape Town branch has been open since May 2022 and in December Total Ninja opened in Stoneridge, Edenvale in Johannesburg. Both venues have halaal certified cafés.
Read our full review of the Johannesburg Stoneridge branch here.
Tel: 021 745 3089, https://totalninja.co.za/
Rush Indoor Trampoline Park
Rush indoor trampoline park in Claremont is home to 1700 square meter of interconnected wall-to-wall trampolines, two dodgeball courts, three basketball slam dunk lanes, two long trampoline lanes perfect for doing flips and a battle beam (a ledge on which two participants battle it out using beams over a foam pit).
Sessions are R160 for 1 hour or R260 for 2 hours. Jumping socks are mandatory and if you don’t have a pair it costs R40.
Find them at Stadium on Main, 104 Main Road, Claremont,
Tel: 021 683 3841 www.rushsa.co.za
Read our full review here.
Image source: www.rushsa.co.za
These have been listed April 2018. Please confirm latest pricing with venues.
Go Tobogganing in Tygervalley
Toboganning sounds like something you’d do in the snow? But Cool-Runnings inTygervalley have been around for years with their nifty bob-sled which sends you speeding down the hillside on a 1.2-kilometre steel-pipe track. The toboggans’ speed is brake-controlled and the rides are safe for children. Little ones under the age of eight have to be accompanied by an adult. One ride for children costs R45 and for adults costs R55, with an unlimited day pass costing R360. They have a kiosk selling food and drinks (not halaal) but you can buy snacks.
Tel: 0219494439 / ops@cool-runnings.co.za
www.coolrunnings.capetown
Image source: www.coolrunnings.capetown
Glow in the dark Mini Golf
Welcome to South Africa’s very first space themed Glow in the Dark 18-hole mini golf 3D space adventure. Glowing Rooms offers 18 exciting holes of mini golf played in the dark under UV lights whilst wearing their special 3D glasses. Great fun for the whole family. Cost is R130 per person including the 3D glasses. There are no kids discounts.
Open Tuesdays to Thursdays – 10:00 till 19:00
Fridays and Saturdays – 10:00 till 20:00
Sundays – 10:00 till 16:00
Tel: 021 551 2244, info@glowingrooms.co.za
www.glowingrooms.co.za
Image source: www.glowingrooms.co.za
This is a popular outdoor play park near Cape Gate just off the N1. You can take the kids here for a whole day of non stop rides and fun. Pricing is reasonable and many of the rides are free. I bought a VIP ticket which was a complete waste as my little guy was only interested in the free rides. They have an indoor play area as well with face painting and other activities. Their indoor snack shop is not halaal but they have a kiosk outside which serves only halaal food.
Please note: this kiosk is not certified halaal but stocks only halaal products. Their management tells me they have a separate kitchen area where they stock and prepare the halaal food but they are not halaal certified.
Find them at 56 Tarentaal Street, Joostenbergvlakte, Kraaifontein
Tel: 021 988 8836, party@bugz.co.za
www.bugzplaypark.co.za
This could easily be a whole day outing with time for the adults at a lovely food and craft market and a fabulous play area for the kids. They have a separate section where you pay to enter and the kids can enjoy. They don’t call it World of Adventure for nothing. For R80 the kids get access to everything for the whole day and R10 for each accompanying minder. Mini golf, ball pen and a snazzy play gym was just the start. And different areas for up to five years and another for older kids. Peddle cars, sand pit, slip n slide and the piece de resistance, the zip line. It will keep them busy all day and tire them out completely by the time you go home.
Find it at Audacia Wines R44 & Annandale Road Stellenbosch. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am till 4pm.
Tel: 021 300 3935
www.root44.co.za
You may also like: Kid friendly restaurants with halaal food.
Enjoy a family outing with the Red Bus
Families always win with City Sightseeing and the red bus. Besides being the best way to explore Cape Town’s top attractions, it’s also a great activity for families on a budget. They have a 3-for-1 Kids’ Special, two kids (under 18) hop on for free with every adult on the one-day, open-top bus or Harbour Cruise tours. All family members will receive their own sets of earphones to listen to the commentary on board, which is available in 15 languages and includes a special channel for children. The 3-for-1 Kids’ Special is also valid for the Johannesburg City and Green Tours. Hop on this weekend!
Adult tickets cost R170.
Tel: +27 861 733 287
www.citysightseeing.co.za
Image source: www.citysightseeing.co.za
The Blue Train Park at Mouille Point
My little guy is a complete train fanatic. So when we discovered this park has a train that the kids can ride on we jumped at the chance to see his face light up with excitement. For R20 you get entry to the park and 1 train ride. For R30 you get 2 train rides.
There’s a little tuck shop where you can buy some snacks. Very basic though. The park seems a little rough when you get there but it’s actually pretty well equipped and has plenty of space. They have about 5 areas where you can set up your very own party. You need a minimum of 15 people and they charge R15 a head. They reserve the location and time-slot that you want and they sort you out with umbrellas, tables and chairs. This basic package will cost R600 for 15 people. Additionally, you can order a jumping castle or water slide as extra. They even do party packs if you need that. And no alcohol is allowed in the park.
Find them at Beach Road, Mouille Point, just before the lighthouse.
Tel: 084 314 9200 or info@thebluetrainpark.com
www.thebluetrainpark.co.za
Helderberg Farm
A great family friendly place located on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. You can book an area either at the playpark or elsewhere (morning or afternoon slots available). Fees are applicable. There is free entry to the Playpark and Farmyard. Kids can experience a real old farm with the chickens, bunny’s, ducks and goats.
Find them at: Klein Helderbergpad Rd, Cape Town, 7129, South Africa
Tel: 021 855 4308, Cell: 083 381 5331, helderbergplaas@mweb.co.za
www.helderbergplaas.co.za
Miniature Steam Trains, Parow
An absolute joy to discover was the miniature steam train track located literally up the road from where I live. They are open for rides every first Saturday of the month from 12.30pm till 4pm. Entrance to the grounds are free and rides cost R4 a pop, so cheap as chips. There are some areas where you can bring your own tables, chairs and picnic stuff and set up your own kids party. These spots go very quickly though and there’s no formal booking system so you have to come early to get a spot.
Find them at: Bertie Genade Street (off Frans Conradie Drive) Parow
Tel: 021 7882539 (Chairman, Ian) 083 4549468 (Chairman, Ian) email Adriaan Roux: editor@wpls.co.za
website: https://sites.google.com/a/steamtrains.co.za/wpls-co-za/running-days
Cape Town Science Centre, Observatory
The Cape Town Science Centre in Observatory is a great place for the kids to get a little nerdy. Who says the holidays can’t be educational? During holidays they offer programmes that consists of an assortment of workshops and activities that challenge young scientists to explore, discover and learn. There’s also science shows, family bingo evenings and even mom stuff. The is a café on site (not halaal) where you can buy snacks and drinks.
Cost: R55 | Seniors R25
Tel: 021 300 3200
Contact: 0213003200, info@ctsc.org.za,
www.ctsc.org.za
Artjamming, Willowbridge and V&A Waterfront
Unleash your individual creativity and create a masterpiece on a canvas. Choose your size easel and go to town with the array of paints, brushes and tools provided. Assistants are on hand to give you some tips and advice if you’re a novice. Look out for the splash booth where you can have fun with splash effects on your canvas. Great idea for children’s parties!
Price is from R135 a canvas for a 2 hour session.
Waterfront: Tel: 021-4255050 Email: waterfront@artjamming.co.za
Willowbridge: Tel: 021-9149224 Email: info@artjamming.co.za
www.artjamming.co.za
Image source: www.artjamming.co.za
Clay Café, Hout Bay
The Clay Cafe in Hout Bay offers creativity and recreation for children and parents. Choose from a vast array of unfired bisque and a wide selection of colourful paints to create crockery that is unique to you. Spend a relaxing day painting in a chilled environment with friendly staff at hand to assist you. They also offer a menu of meals and coffees you can order from while you paint. Their website says they are halaal friendly and use separate pans and utensils to prepare halaal food. But they also serve bacon and alcohol (your choice). There is a garden and playground outside so once children are finished painting there is still plenty to keep them busy. You will need to go back to Clay Cafe 2 weeks after to collect your baked and finished item.
Cost is R35 studio fee, plus the price of whichever item you decide to paint, ranging from R20 to R250.
Find them at 4080 Main Road. Opposite Bokkemanskloof Estate, Hout Bay
Tel: 076 810 5120, info@claytcafe.co.za
www.claycafe.co.za
Image source: www.claycafe.co.za
The Playshed at the Oude Molen Eco Village, Pinelands
The Play Shed is an indoor play centre, which offers a friendly environment for both adults and children (under the age of 10 years). It’s bright and tight with modular play units crammed into the length and breadth of a house sized building. There is a coffee shop at one end (not halaal) where you can watch the kids play and keep an eye on them. If the weather is good, there are more play areas outside. As the playshed is situated at the Oude Molen Eco Village you can also take them for a walking horse ride afterwards for the staggering sum of a whole R10!
Prices at the Playshed are from R30 for half and hour or R40 per hour depending on age.
Tel: 021 801 0141, playshedparties@gmail.com
www.theplayshed.co.za
Image source: www.theplayshed.co.za
Acrobranch, Constantia & Stellenbosch
Acrobranch is a treetop experience dedicated to offering children and adults alike a unique adventure as they move from tree to tree in lush, green forests. This is a fantastic holiday activity for the entire family if the weather is good. The Acrobranch park in Constantia consists of three courses, each one equipped with zip lines, sing bridges and Tarzan swings. The courses are family-friendly and safe for children as young as three years of age.
Open 9am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday. R140 to R280 depending on the course.
Tel: 086 999 0369
www.acrobranch.co.za
Image source: www.acrobranch.co.za
Kenilworth Karting, Kenilworth / Century Karting, Canal Walk
Get the adrenaline pumping with the rush of go karting. Kenilworth Karting now also has a branch at Canal Walk. This indoor go-kart racing course features a 310m race track and a choice of 160cc karts and 140cc GP Junior karts for the little ones. Racers are provided with helmets. There are different racing options and a minimum height requirement of 1.5m and up.
Prices start at R160 per person. It’s best to book ahead of time, as there are height restrictions on the ‘Arrive and Drive’ options.
Tel: 0216832670 and 0216836950 – Claremont | 021 525 1720 – Canal Walk
info@karting.co.za
www.karting.co.za
Image source: www.karting.co.za
The Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront is a great place for bad weather and rainy day fun. It offers glimpses into the underwater world and the aquarium also has several activities that will delight young and old. The Touch Pool allows you and the kids to interact with anemones, starfish and seaweed. For a little bit extra, you can buy tickets for the Penguin Encounter.
Prices ranges from R85 for children to R175 for adults. Kids under 4 years old are free.
Tel: 0214183823, aquarium@aquarium.co.za
www.aquarium.co.za
Butterfly World, Klapmuts
On the way to Paarl from Cape Town on the N1 you’ll find Butterfly World, a fluttery paradise with butterflies from all over the world. When the kids get bored of the beautiful flying insects, there are meerkats, ducks, goats and chickens to look at. Along with iguanas, scorpions and spiders. Adults – R80, kids – R45.
Tel: 021 875 5628, bfwtropicalgarden@gmail.com
www.butterflyworld.co.za
Bounceworld Milnerton
It is the largest inflatable play area in South Africa. Not only is it a great place for kids and adults of all ages to visit but also a creative birthday party venue in Cape Town. They have a warehouse full of jumping castles at varying degrees of complexity. It’s gonna be really difficult for the kids to get bored here. The onsite café is not halaal but good for snacks and drinks.
Open on weekends only from 9am to 6pm and on school and public holidays from 9am till 3pm. Times may vary. Always check with them before you go.
Find them at: 15 Montague Drive, Montague Gardens, 7441
Tel: +27 551 5220 Cell: +27 552 3165 info@bounceworld.co.za
www.bounceworld.co.za
Seasonal Activities
Stop and smell the flowers
By October the best of the flower season is usually past. You can still try the West Coast nature reserve, and the Citrusdal route on a bright, sunny day. But some great places to catch the variety of new blooms of the season are Kirstenbosch Gardens on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the Harold Porter Botanical Garden just outside Betty’s Bay and the Columbine nature reserve on the R27 about 2 hours out of Cape Town.
Whale watching (Jun – Nov)
Whale watching season begins in June and continues until November, head to Hermanus to watch these majestic creatures frolic in the coves of Walker Bay – it makes for an easy day trip or an ideal weekend getaway. Hermanus is a bustling coastal town and a perfect whale-watching destination. The town has restaurants, art galleries, shops and a very popular Saturday craft market. So there’s something for everyone. You’ll find a KFC and a Nando’s for halaal food but no other fully halaal restaurants. A great opportunity to a pack a picnic and enjoy the outdoors.
You may also like: Great Picnic spots in Cape Town
Excellent, some new activities I was not aware of.