Finding kids’ activities that specifically suit your family isn’t always easy. Families living along the Cape Peninsula are particularly lucky with the huge number of options on offer! We’re rounding up some of the latest and best kids’ activities along this magnificent coastline. Whether you’re looking for something outdoorsy and active, educational, or simply some easy entertainment, we’ve got you covered.
Learn to Surf at Muizenberg Beach
You can’t visit Muizenberg without trying a surfing lesson. With various options for adults, teens, and kids (from ages 6 and up) and individual and group lessons on offer, this can be a great family activity for the holidays. Rest assured, you’re in the best hands with a team of qualified, highly experienced instructors. Surf’s up!
Surfing tip: Make sure to clean the sunscreen off your hands before surfing, or your hands will slip off the surfboard.
Cost: Various; private lessons and group lessons available for different age groups. All equipment included (except towel and sunblock).
When: 6am-6pm, book a time
Where: Muizenberg Beach
Website: southafrica.learn2surf.net
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 083 414 0567
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Watch a Children’s Play at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg
The Masque Theatre hosts a lineup of fun, colourful and inspiring plays for children on a regular basis, covering a variety of themes. From modern and reinvented fairy-tales to African legends, jaw-dropping dance shows to captivating musicals, the shows at the Masque Theatre always leave audiences energised and entertained.
Cost: Varies, from R100
When: Various
Where: The Masque Theatre, 37 Main Road, Muizenberg
Website: www.themasque.co.za
Email: [email protected]
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Go swimming, climbing and hiking at Silvermine
Silvermine, which has its entrance on Ou Kaapse Weg, offers three amazing outdoor kids’ activities: hiking, climbing, and swimming. Take the children for a day out and trek to the Elephant’s Eye Cave, an easy and well-marked trail that takes roughly three hours to the cave and back. Its stunning views make the exercise more than worth it.
The option to climb here is also available for fit kids over 13 (and/or beginners), if you take a guide with you and choose the easier slopes (the slopes vary in difficulty so exercise caution). The glorious Silvermine Dam is perfect for swimming in on a hot summer’s day, and fringed by some lovely picnic spots. A pushchair / wheelchair-friendly walkway circles the dam, too.
Cost: R40 (adults), R20 (kids), various prices for SADC Nationals and International (non-South African) Citizens
When: Gate 1 is open 7am – 7pm daily
Where: Gate 1, Silvermine Nature Reserve, Noordhoek Peak, Ou Kaapse Weg
Website: www.sanparks.org/parks/table-mountain/what-to-do/attractions/silvermine
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 712 7471
Learn about Sharks at Save Our Seas (Kalk Bay)
This fascinating and wonderful educational centre on Kalk Bay Main Road is filled with incredible exhibits about the underwater world. Kids can see preserved marine items, play a game of shark bingo, become a shark scientist for the day at the touch-screen table, or even play the shark tooth wheel of fortune.
There are also several set programmes for larger groups which can involve going across the road to Dalebrook Tidal Pool and learning about the marine environment there.
Cost: Free
When: Monday-Friday, by booking only
Where: 28 Main Road, Kalk Bay
Website: saveourseas.com/sosf-shark-education-centre
Email: [email protected] [email protected]
Tel: 021 788 6694
Dance in the Day/Sway in the Sunset at Secret Sunrise (Various Locations)
Secret Sunrise is a company that offers mindful movement and dance events in beautiful locations in and around Cape Town. Each person is given a set of headphones, and a DJ (or 3!) plays music to the whole crowd. Here, kids will get to meet other kids and families, shake and jive in the fresh air, and maybe hear some classic tunes from their parents’ era for the first time.
Many of these events have special themes, such as disco hits, Springtime funk or Halloween. Dress up is encouraged and pets are welcome too.
Cost: R45 -R150
When: Various days and times
Where: Various beaches and tidal pools, including St James and Glencairn
Website: secretsunrise.com/cape-town
Email: [email protected]
Take a Boat Trip to See Whales with Simon’s Town Boat Company
Between June and November, Southern Right and Humpback Whales migrate to the peninsula, and these curious, playful creatures love to surface and say hello, or lobtail, sail and breach in the waters near the boats. A boat trip might even reward you with sight of a mother and her baby in the protected shallows – the reason they come here! This particular boat trip boasts extremely high sighting rates.
Cost: Varies, costing is given upon request
When: 10.30am and 12pm, June-November (dolphin and whale viewing); otherwise year-round
Where: 2 Wharf Street, Simonstown
Website: www.boatcompany.co.za
Tel: 083 257 7760
Explore more whale-watching activities in Cape Town
Ride Horses on the Beach (Noordhoek)(age 12 and up)
Take a 1.5 hour ride through an exquisite natural area, starting with wetlands (20 minutes) and then breaking out onto the huge stretch of Noordhoek Beach. With incredible views of Chapman’s Peak and The Sentinel, this is an adventure adults and photographers will love too.
Riders also see the historic washed-up shipwreck of Kakapo, dating from 1900. But of course for many it’s the chance to meet, interact and ride the gentle horses that provides an unforgettable experience. Beginners are welcome.
Note: This is a walking horseback trip. There is no trotting or cantering allowed.
Cost: R850 per person
When: Daily, 9am, 12pm and 3pm. Arrive 30 minutes early.
Where: Noordhoek Beach and surrounds
Website: horseridingcapetown.com/noordhoek-beach-rides
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 076 251 8584/065 532 2830
Visit the Warrior Toy Museum (Simon’s Town)
The Warrior Toy Museum is filled with 4,000 model cars, 500 dolls and teddy bears, two fully operational railroads, showcasing intricate details and craftsmanship. The museum’s collection also includes an array of toys and models, including ships and a lead soldier display, providing a broad and fascinating view of the world of toys from the charming to the grotesque.
As kids’ activities go, children will always be drawn to toys. But collectors and frankly anyone who has ever played with a toy will enjoy a visit.
Cost: R10 (adults) R5 (children)
When: Daily, 10am – 4pm
Where: 1067 King George Way, Simonstown
Website: www.museumexplorer.co.za/warrior-toy-museum
Tel: 021 786 1395
Swim with Penguins at Boulders Beach (Simon’s Town)
Boulders Beach is one of the most beautiful and safe beaches in the Cape Peninsula. With its warm waters, idyllic little coves, smooth rocks to climb over and its shallow waters, this a perfect place to bring the family for a day out.
Snorkel, swim, sunbathe, explore, take photos, and most importantly – meet the cute little characters who make this beach their home. The gorgeous penguins frolic around in the waters here, waddle across the sands and might just swim right past you! Out of the many kids’ activities on offer in the Cape Peninsula, this is definitely one parents will love too.
Cost: R44 (adults), R25 (childen),(bring SA ID for local rates)
When: Daily, 8am to 5pm
Where: Boulders Beach, Bellevue Road, Simonstown
Website: www.sanparks.org
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 712 0527
Choose Precious Stones at the Scratch Patch (Simon’s Town)
Simon’s Town’s famous Scratch Patch provides 3 different kids’ activities. Visitors can dig and delve through piles of beautiful smoothed precious gem stones, in a variety of enthralling rooms and settings both indoor and outdoor. The venue now also has two exciting new additions: Cave Golf and Mineral World.
The indoor Cave Golf meanders downwards from the back of the Scratch Patch, and weaves past incredible rock walls with mineral displays. Some sections are lit up with uv lights only, and the entire 18-hole course is both highly imaginative and superbly finished. People of all ages love it. Simon’s Town Cave Golf layout is longer and more spacious than its popular V&A sister-course.
Mineral World is a huge shop at the Scratch Patch centre, filled with jaw-dropping displays of sculpted pieces, jewellery and raw mineral rocks. This is the perfect place for kids to pick out a small trinket or gift for a best friend, while adults browse the more grown-up items.
Cost: R35 – R105
When: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.45pm; Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays: 9am – 5pm
Where: Dido Valley Road, Simonstown
Website: www.scratchpatch.co.za
Tel: 021 786 2020