Keep cosy, active, and sane over the winter holidays with our favourite kids’ activities and events in and around Cape Town. From arts and crafts to extreme sports and more, these picks are sure to entertain the little ones of all ages and give you a breather.
The Little Mermaid at Canal Walk
The Canal Walk Children’s Theatre is presenting a captivating performance of The Little Mermaid during the school holidays. In this enchanting classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, an 18-year-old mermaid dreams of living on land.
Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer, a world-renowned and award-winning directing, production, designing, and acting duo, produce and direct the production. A percentage of each ticket sold and proceeds from programme sales are donated to the CHOC Foundation in support of the families of children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.
Cost: R110 (standard ticket) | R100 (for purchases of 4+ tickets only). Book via Webtickets or from the on-site box office during event days
When: Running from 15 June to 7 July. Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) | 11am, 12.30pm, & 2pm
Where: Canal Walk Centre Court, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, 490 Century Blvd, Century City
Rush Extreme Sports
Kids jumping off the walls? Let them do it safely (or take yourself for some fun indoor exercise!) Rush Extreme Sports offers:
- Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course: Test your balance, strength, and endurance as you navigate hoops, monkey bars, and platforms, and try not to fall into the foam pit below.
- Sparring beams: Battle each other over safe airbags using padded batons.
- Climbing walls: Choose your level (from ultimate beginner to advanced). On the main wall, which is see-through, climbers can race the person on the other side of the wall if they want to.
- Trampoline area: Try out the extra bouncy trampolines in all sizes and jump off the walls, parkour style.
- High dive area: Dive into a pit of pillows and “swim” your way out or even race in the large foam “pool.”
- Trampoline dodgeball: Pit the kids against each other in this unique take on dodgeball (definitely more difficult!). A very involved referee keeps a level of order.
- Toddler time: yes, there’s even something for the little ones aged 4 and under (to be accompanied by an adult) – this one’s more about social interaction than sports. Learn more here
Cost: R160pp (one hour all access ticket); R200pp (one hour parent and toddler all access ticket), R100pp (additional hour all access). Explore more options here. Book here
When: Tuesday to Thursday, from 11am – 7pm, Friday & Saturday, from 9am – 8pm; Sunday, from 9am – 6pm.
During school holidays: Mon – Thurs: 9am – 7pm | Fri & Sat: 9am – 8pm | Sun: 9am – 6pm
Where: Stadium on Main, corner Main Rd and 25 Stegman Rd, Claremont, Cape Town
Benguela Cove Adventure Mini Golf
Looking for kids’ activities outdoors in the fresh air? Try the adventure golf experience at Benguela Cove Wine Estate. It’s a great excuse to take the kids along on your Walker Bay Winelands adventures. The Pirate Adventure Golf Course is home to an 18-hole open air Adventure Golf Course where you’ll easily stay the better part of the day for some playful competition.
Putt your way through caves, over footbridges and under cascading waterfalls, all amidst a fun-filled atmosphere, tropical landscaping and enchanting pirates.
Individual ticket rates:
- Babies under 6 months – Free
- Mini Pirates (Under 4) – R50
- Young Pirates (Under 11) – R70
- Pirates (Ages 12+) – R90
- Family Ticket (5 People) – R280
- Senior Pirate (Ages 60+) – R75
- Spectator – R50
Group booking rates:
Groups of 12 adults or more – R85 per person
Schools: Groups of 12 children or more – R60 per person
Bookings: 087 357 0637 | golf@benguelacove.co.za
When: Friday to Sunday, Public Holidays, and School Holidays from 10am to 6pm
Where: Benguela Cove Wine Estate, R43, Botriver Lagoon, Walker Bay, Hermanus
Bubbles Tea Making & Cookie Decorating at Willowbridge Shopping Centre
Willowbridge Shopping Centre is hosting a fun Galaxy Kitchen holiday programme where kids can learn how to craft their own bubble tea and space-inspired cookies. These hourly sessions are fully guided, Halaal-friendly, and run daily from 15 to 26 June. The event is open to children aged 3 to 12 years.
Each ticket includes:
• 1 Bubble Tea per child (includes a selection of teas, Boba Pearls, and Bubble Tea Syrup Grape Escape, with Litchi Popping Boba OR Berry with Blueberry Boba Pearls)
• 1 Candyfloss Glitter Bomb per child
• 2 Tessa’s Bakery Cookies per child
• 4 Tessa’s Bakery Royal Icing per child
• 1 Rice Paper Astronaut per child
• Stardust to decorate the cookies
• Tools
• An apron
• A chef’s hat
Cost: R150 per child, book via Quicket
When: 15 to 26 June. Sessions run at 45 minutes, at 10am, 11am, 12pm, and 1pm
Where: Willowbridge Shopping Centre (opposite Pick n Pay), 39 Carl Cronje Dr, Bellville, Cape Town
Table Mountain Cableway Kidz Promo
Table Mountain Cableway’s Kidz Season is here with a promotion to keep away winter blues. The little ones will get the chance to encounter one of the wonders of the world and discover the Mother City’s most iconic landmark.
Two kids can ride for free when a South African adult ticket is purchased online or at the ticket office at the Lower Station (note that a South African ID is required for adults). A Kidz Activity Book is also included for free in the package, helping them learn about the plants, animals and unique ecosystems on the mountain.
Cost: R490pp for one adult; two free kids’ tickets are included. Book here or at the ticket office at the Lower Station. Note that a South African ID is required for the offer
When: Running until 14 July 2024. First cable car goes up at 8:30am, last car up at 5pm, and last car down at 6pm
Where: Table Mountain Cableway, 5821 Tafelberg Rd, Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town
Capegate Shopping Centre Ice Rink
Capegate Shopping Centre’s Ice Rink is all set to greet happy young feet (ages 3 to 13 years only) these winter school holidays for what one young skater last year described as “the best place in the world”.
The rink is 15 x 8 metres and is made with real ice. Family members can relax and watch the fun from the nearby seating area or assist the little ones on the ice.
Cost: R70 per 50-minute session (includes skate hire). Book through Webtickets
When: 14 June to 7 July | Mon to Sat, 10am to 7pm | Sun, 10am to 5pm
Where: Situated in Bridge Court near Entrance 4, Capegate Shopping Centre, De Bron Road, Cape Gate
Kraftalot Workshops: Arts and Crafts Activities for Kids
Each workshop in this series features a 30-minute facilitated arts and crafts workshop, followed by a 90-minute play session. Over the three weeks, the kids get the chance to pick from a wonderful variety of craft activities with all supplies provided by Playalot.
Monday workshops are dedicated to making cupcake art, Tuesdays are for slime making, Wednesdays feature a tie-dye activity (kids are to bring their own white shirt to decorate), Thursdays are for rock painting, and Fridays are for playdough making.
Cost: R195pp (excluding compulsory safety grip play socks for R50 a pair)
When: 17 June – 5 July | Mon to Fri, 10am to 12pm
Where: Playalot, Shop 33 Haasendal Gables Shopping Center, Kuils River, Cape Town
Special Offers and Unique Experiences at the Two Oceans Aquarium
Did you know that the Two Oceans Aquarium is running several special offers over the holidays? Here’s a great way to stay out of the cold while experiencing nature up close!
Free birthday entry: Enjoy a free visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium on your birthday or six days thereafter. Bring your SA ID along to show your birth date.
After 3pm Special: Buy your ticket at the aquarium ticket office after 3pm for entry on the same day, and you’ll qualify for a discount – find out more here.
Cape Town Unlimited City Pass: This is an affordable bundle of entries providing access to more than 70 top local tourist attractions in Cape Town. Find out more here.
Normal entry cost: General entry R250 (adults), R185 (pensioners, students, and children 14-18), R115 (children 4 – 13). FREE for children under 4. Book general entry here. Annual memberships are priced at just over the cost of two visits, and allow for unlimited visits, plus benefits.
When: Daily, 9.30am to 6pm
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
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