Keeping the kids entertained can be challenging, both on the brain and on the pocket. Johannesburg doesn’t have as many free outdoor options like in Cape Town and indoor activities are usually paid for. But we’re here to help. Here is our list of places to go and things to do including some free or at least reasonably cheap.
Greenstone
Total Ninja – Stoneridge Centre
The Total Ninja park is a supervised activity and fitness venue with the largest inflatable and obstacle course in Africa. You can climb, balance, jump and swing across different obstacles using and developing your Ninja skills. This branch has a halaal certified cafe area with ample seating and a great view out of floor to ceiling windows over the Joburg horizon. While the kids played their hearts out we enjoyed a really good cappuccino. They have a decent menu of sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pizza and waffles & ice cream. The cost of play is R160 per hour for adults and kids over 4 years and R80 for mini ninjas under 4 years.
Rush Trampolene Park – Greenstone Shopping Centre
A massive indoor trampoline park with 1500-2500 square meters of adventure, challenges and fun. There are wall to wall interconnected trampolines, dodge-ball courts where they have extreme dodgeball sessions, a cube foam pit, slam dunk basketball hoops, battle beam and a 4 meter high climbing wall. It has a cafe if you’re not jumping but it’s unfortunately not halaal. Cost of jumping is R160 per hour and toddlers can jump with an adult at R200 for both.
Roadhouse Roller Rink – Eastgate Mall
Roadhouse Roller Rink is a pop-up roller skating rink for kids and adults. They move around and are currently at Eastgate Mall. The entrance fee with skate hire works out to about R150 a person.
Compu-Kart go karting – Stoneridge Centre
Perfect for a family day out, kids go-karting birthday party, team building events and more. Challenging 300m circuit with plenty of room for speed and overtaking. Starts from R150 for 10 minutes.
Adventure Golf – Stoneridge Centre
Takes mini golf to the next level. The courses are more challenging with multi levels and a whole lot more fun. Tickets are for 3 Games at a time | One Ticket Per Player | Tickets Never Expire and are Valid at all their locations. Prices from R80 for kids under 7, R110 for scholars and R140 for adults.
Supreme Karting – Greenstone Mall
Indoor go-karting where you can get racing at an affordable price based on the amount of laps you do and not time on the track. From R130 per 10 laps.
Johannesburg North
Military Museum – Saxonwold
Located next door to the Johannesburg Zoo in Erlswold Way in northern Johannesburg, the Museum of Military History was originally opened in 1947. This large museum contains mostly military-related records, journals, weapons and photographs that depict the nation’s participation in large-scale conflicts. Tickets are At R30 for kids and R50 for adults, and comes in under R50! Or you can book a private tour from R70.
Artjamming – Melrose
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 R185 a canvas and includes all paint, brushes and tools.
Huddle Park Golf & Recreation – Linksfield
A a great space for nature lovers. They have a driving range, Putt Putt, Acrobranch, Zip Lines, Fives Football and Bike and Walking Trails. Ticket prices can be found on their website.
Iceskating at Northgate Ice Rink.
This is perfect for the whole family! Pay standard price of R105 entrance fee and R50 for the skate hire. Take advantage of their specials: Half price Tueday and Sunday Maddness where you pay R95 entrance fee and FREE skate hire!
Johannesburg Central
The Gold Reef City Theme Park is an unmissable experience if you’re visiting Joburg with kids. You’ll need plenty of time for this huge venue to enjoy a day filled with fun rides and amusement. Tickets cost R265 per person.
Origins Centre Wits – Braamfontein
This museum is a great learning and exploring center for kids and adults. Origins Centre is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the history of modern humankind and learn about the culture, language and trans-inducing ceremonies of the San people. You’ll need about 2 hours to explore this venue. Adult R80, child under 12 R40.
James Hall Museum of Transport
The James Hall Museum of Transport in Johannesburg is the largest and most comprehensive museum of land transport in South Africa. It’s amazing for kids who love cars. Children will be in awe of the museum’s collection of animal-drawn carts, ox-wagons, bicycles, coaches, motorbikes, steam locomotives, electric cars, fire engines and other self-propelled vehicles. There is no entrance fee but please consider leaving a donation.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
Get back to nature by where the kids can run on wide open lawns and where there’s an abundance of hiking trails and picnic areas. Don’t miss the gorgeous waterfall Kids get in for R25 (if you’re under 6 it’s free) and adults are charged R80. They often have family events so keep an eye on their Facebook page for coming events.
East Rand
Skate World – Boksburg
Skate World is a safe, friendly & fun roller skating facility in Boksburg. Skate World gives you that fun 80’s feeling complete with disco ball and neon lights. It’s great fun and an energetic escape for a few hours. Operates on weekends in 3 hour sessions. Prices are from R150 per person including skates. R100 if you have your own skates. R40 if you are just a spectator.
WiJump – Carnival City
This new and unique trampoline park is the biggest on the East Rand of Johannesburg and the first (and currently only) one in to have a colossal rainbow slide. Prices start from R120 per person per hour.
Pretoria
Ditshong – National Museum of Natural History
The musem is the custodian of South Africa’s natural heritage. The collections and exhibits include hominid fossils from the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and associated fauna, including Mrs Ples [the nickname attributed to a fossil skull believed to represent a distant relative of all humankind]. There is so much to see and there is also a section made for littlies, where they can explore with their senses. At R30 for kids and R50 for adults, it comes in under R50! They also have dinosaur skeletons in the garden which makes for a fun, educational day out.
Hennopspride Lifestyle Resort, situated next to the Hennops river, gives you a feeling of being out in the country. The park at present has 9 swimming pools, 20 water slides, huge shady picnic spots, off road scenic trail, volley ball, jumping pillow, train rides, jungle gyms and a 5km hiking trail to our caves. This trail is also suitable for mountain biking as well. You can do overnight stays or day visits. Prices from R150 per person.
Acrobranch, Walking Trails and Cycling at Create Red Barn – Irene
This venue is a great choice for cycle enthusiasts, walking trails and has Acrobranch on site as well. If you’re looking for family activities this place has you spoilt for choice. They have walking trails in the forest of various lengths, mostly flat which I loved from R40 per person for a day pass.
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 courses are family-friendly and safe for children as young as three years of age. Prices from R65 to R350 depending on the course. There are more branches in Melrose and Modderfontein.
Clay Cafe Red Barn – Irene
A fun and creative way to spend your day. Choose your clay piece, grab your paints and create your own masterpiece. Clay Cafe in a restaurant setting but it’s unfortunately not halaal. You don’t have to order anything though if you just want to paint. It can be a little expensive as even the smallest piece such as a mug costs at least R100 and a large bowl up to R300 or more.
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