With summer on the way, Cape Town comes alive with activities for locals and visitors of all ages including children. From the beaches and pottery cafes to gardens and mountains, the city unfolds with so many ways to enjoy the outdoors with kids. Take a car and go exploring today…
Scratch patch
With almost half of the world’s gemstones found in South Africa, Cape Town is the perfect place to go on a gemstone hunt of your own at one of the two Scratch Patch branches in Simonstown or at the V&A Waterfront. Let the kids loose amongst the piles of glistening stones. Tiger’s eyes, amethysts, jaspers and other stones that literally cover the floor, guaranteed to give the kids hours of fun filling up their very own bags of gemstones to take home.
Photo Credit: Cat- Flickr.
Clay Café
Get the creative juices flowing at The Clay Café in Hout Bay where adults and kids alike can paint their own masterpiece on unfired bisques and take home their unique crockery. It’s a surprisingly relaxing experience and once the kids are finished their pieces, they can run wild in the garden and playground while allowing parents to sit back and enjoy a meal or coffee from the café. R30 will get you your paints and other design items while the clay pieces range from around R20 to R220 per item.
Photo Credit: www.claycafe.co.za
Company’s Garden
The options are endless when it comes to The Company Gardens, enjoy a picnic on the rolling lawns, have a meal at the restaurant, feed the pigeons and squirrels or just take a leisurely stroll through the gardens. The park is situated on Queen Victoria Street and is a best for an all-day outing as the Iziko Museum and Planetarium is also situated within the garden which is a must see if you’ve got the kids with you.
Photo Credit: Harry and Rowena Kennedy- Flickr.
Surfing lesson
Surfers Corner, Muizenberg is a favourite family weekend spot and a great spot for the kids to begin their surfing careers with beginner lessons. There’s plenty of options when it comes to choosing a surf school, all with experienced instructors that are sure to get your little ones standing in no time. Grab a coffee from Vida or Knead and watch from the shore or maybe have a little fun of your own and join in on the lesson.
Photo Credit: African Budget Safaris- Flickr.
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings Toboggan Park in Durbanville is adrenalin filled fun for the whole family as you get to speed down a 1.2 km steel-pipe track in a bob-sled. The sleds are brake controlled and very safe however kids under the age of eight need to be accompanied by an adult. The kids will love this one at R35 a ride for kids under 14 or R250 for a day pass. You’ll find it opposite Belville Veledrome on Carl Cronje Drive. +27 (0)21 949 4439
Boulders Beach
Boulders is home to its own colony of African Jackass Penguins and a firm favourite for locals and visitors. Enjoy a day at the beach at this kid-friendly swimming spot and watch the penguins waddle by. It’s a lovely sheltered spot where the kids can climb up and down the boulders and enjoy the company of these amusing critters. The best spot for viewing the penguins is the boardwalk where you can visit the information centre to learn more about the penguins.
Photo Credit: Fraeme Churchard- Flickr.
World of Birds
The World of Birds in Hout Bay holds the title of the largest bird park in Africa, home to 400 species of birds, but that’s not all this magical world has to offer, the monkeys are a definite favourite but watch your belongings as these guys are master pick-pocketers. Meerkats, mongooses, porcupines and guinea pigs are also a part of the family. Enjoy a picnic alongside the flamingos or a drink and snack at the restaurant. It will cost you R75p/p for adults and R40p/p for children to get in.
Strawberry Picking
Spend a day picking delicious strawberries at Polkadraai or Mooiberge in Stellenbosch between October and December. There’s plenty of space for the kids to run around and they’ll love the whole experience. Take home your own punnet and enjoy.
Where did you and your kids enjoy going in Cape Town?
