Exciting Kids’ Summer Activities

With the Summer holidays on the rise, parents hope to come up with fun and entertaining ideas to keep the kids out of their hair. These kids’ summer activities and venues offer precisely that but also grant kids the opportunity to learn new information or skills while having fun and developing.

Have we missed any of your favourite spots? Please let us know in the comments below or email [email protected]

SA Bone Marrow Registry Hosts a Fun Movie Night Fundraiser at Kirstenbosch Garden

SA Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) is making the most of balmy summer nights with another edition of their popular open-air movie night at Kirstenbosch Gardens. This family-friendly event in Cape Town runs on Tuesday, 17 December 2024 and also includes an evening filled with live entertainment by the Ambience Band, lawn games for the children and a pop-in by Santa Claus.

Gates open at 6pm, and the screening starts at 8:30pm. Picnic baskets are welcome at the event but food can be ordered from food and drink vendors in the evening. All ticket prices include backrest, no chairs or umbrellas are allowed. Should the weather not play along in the evening, the event will be postponed.

When: Tuesday, 17 December 2024, from 6pm. Movie starts at 8:30pm
Where: Marquee Lawn, Gate 2, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town

Candy Land Express: A Gingerbread Safari Adventure for Kids at Willowbridge Shopping Centre

This December, Willowbridge Shopping Centre is transforming into a magical safari wonderland, inviting little adventurers to hop on board the Candy Land Express.

From 14 to 21 December 2024, kids can join Santa’s Game Rangers for a safari-inspired, hands-on experience in building and decorating their very own gingerbread houses. Each child will receive a complete kit filled with goodies to create their gingerbread masterpiece

Cost: R150pp | Tickets available via Quicket

When: Running from 14 to 21 December 2024, various days from 10am to 3pm | Sessions available at 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, and 2pm
Where: Willowbridge Centre, 39 Carl Cronje Dr, Tyger Valley, Cape Town

Naledi’s Dream: V&A Waterfront Offers an Exciting Festive Show for the Entire Family This Year

V&A Waterfront is keeping both kids and grown-ups entertained over the summer holiday break with Naledi’s Dream, an exciting new live musical show running at the popular destination in Cape Town from 16 to 23 December 2023. This production will be staged inside a purpose-built theatre over the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre for an immersive indoor theatrical experience.

Naledi’s Dream follows the story of Naledi and along her local adventure, you’ll meet some of Santa’s helpers all the way from the North Pole. You won’t want to miss this extravaganza of dance, music and a whole lot of magic that is guaranteed to keep your little (and big) ones entertained.

Cost: R100pp, book via Webtickets

When: Running from 16 to 23 December 2023, daily at 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm
Where: Amphitheatre V&A Waterfront, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Paws and Adventure: Eight Below

Bring your four-legged friend to this special screening of Eight Below, a heartwarming tale of loyalty and survival. This heartwarming tale of loyalty and survival is sure to melt your heart as sled dogs brave the Arctic together. Join us at Central Park for a paw-sitively delightful night under the stars—your pup will thank you for it.

Date: 22 November
Venue: Central Park, Century City
Doors Open: 18:00
Movie Starts: 20:00
Genre: Animal Adventure Drama (A)

EXPLORE THE OCEAN ON LAND

The Two Oceans Aquarium is the crown jewel in South Africa’s recreational relationship with the ocean. Open since 1995, this aquarium offers more than thick glass and turtles. Walk through the exhibit in an immersive experience where you see penguins and stingrays and can snap a picture together with some clown fish.

Kids are great company as they’re discovering and the aquarium is the ideal place for them kids of all ages to discover. You can step away from the main tour and enjoy a scuba diving or penguin experience, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour to give you an insight into what it takes to run the Two Oceans Aquarium.

The dive school offers PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Discover Scuba Diving course for an introduction to those with an interest in exploring the ocean. Jump in for an experience available to children aged 10 and up and costs R1850 per person. Those parents looking for something with their family’s feet more firmly on the ground can explore the penguin experience from R600 per child 8-17 and R750 per adult. Behind-the-scenes tours happen daily at 10am and 1pm, and last just over an hour as you’re shown through the aquarium like most guests never see – R470 per child 8-17 and R590 per adult.

When: Open daily 9.30am – 6pm
Where: Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Cost: Children under 4 free | Children (4-13) R100 | Children (14-17) R160 | Adults R210 | South African pensioners and students R160

Website: https://www.aquarium.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 418 3823
Facebook: @TwoOceansAquarium | Instagram: @2oceansaquarium

THE LITTLE GYM

The Little Gym is the ideal place to build your child’s self-confidence and social skills from a young age. The school uses their entertaining and clever techniques to teach the kids new skill sets and age-appropriate gymnastics while simultaneously allowing them to have tons of fun.

From four months to 12 years old, this international curriculum enables children to work and learn in a positive environment and creates opportunities to try new things.

What does the curriculum entail, you ask? Well, their classes are based on the Three-Dimensional Learning system. Essentially this focuses on three key points;

Get Moving – developing flexibility, strength, balance and coordination.
Brain Boost – Nurturing listening skills, concentration and decision-making.
Citizen Kid – Promoting sharing, teamwork, cooperation and leadership.

See here to learn more about the various classes on offer.

Where: The Little Gym Sea Point, The Regent, Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
When: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm | Sun: 9am – 12pm

Website: thelittlegym.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 060 601 7991 (WhatsApp)
Facebook: @thelittlegymseapoint | Instagram: @tlgseapointcapetown

ARTICHOC CREATIVE CAFÉ

The ArtiChoc Creative Café is a new creative and activity hub that also serves as a restaurant, located in the evergreen Stellenbosch Vineyards.

ArtiChoc Creative Café provides the opportunity for children and adults to participate in various walk-in classes and activities. These range from painting on items such as ceramics or t-shirts to educational classes or workshops that teach individuals how to make their own artisanal candles. Most importantly, as the name suggests, ArtiChoc teaches guests how to make and pour their very own chocolate.

These classes are open for groups, seven days a week. Bring your kids and let them get in touch with their creative side as they play and learn while making delicious, heavenly chocolate.

Where: Stellenbosch Vineyards, R310 Baden Powell Dr, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch
When: Wed – Thu: 9am – 5pm | Fri – Sun: 9am – 6pm

Website: artichoc.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 881 8054
Facebook: @artichoc.za | Instagram: @artichoc.za

PLAYALOT

Playalot is a cleverly designed, travel-themed, indoor family adventure park that caters for children and adults of all ages. The venue offers state-of-the-art interactive learning equipment that keeps kids entertained and active in both a mental and physical sense.

What makes Playalot stand out from other kids’ activities? Well, their facilities include several differently themed zones specifically designed to grant different skill sets to different ages. From exciting wave and spiral slides, trampolines, ball and foam pits, to mazes and challenging obstacle courses, this venue caters to all ages.

If you find yourself in need of sustenance, there is a family-friendly restaurant on the premises. Or, if you would like to try different activities while the kids are running around and having a ball, some facilities include a 5D cinema, climbing walls and a sky ride, and many more in the vicinity.

Where: Cnr Saxdowns and Bottelary Rd, Kuils River, Cape Town
When: Sun – Thu: 9am – 5pm | Fri – Sat: 9am – 7pm

Website: playalot.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 087 138 7529
Facebook: @playalotza | Instagram: @playalotza

LE BONHEUR REPTILES AND ADVENTURES

Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures offer reptile experiences like no other. This Winelands wildlife destination strives to provide engaging experiences that nurture respect for the African Nile crocodile and other reptiles.

You can get up close and personal with the reptiles on a guided tour of more than 200 crocs, ranging from hatchlings to adults. The family-friendly space primarily focuses on creating conservation awareness in the next generation. They achieve this by teaching interesting facts about amazingly adapted reptiles in a fun and interactive way.

Le Bonheur offers educational school tours and kids’ birthday parties where little ones can spend the rest of the day enjoying the spacious kids’ play area, tranquil catch-and-release fishing dam, and wood-fired pizzas.

Other activities and experiences include an intimate touch opportunity with an ambassador snake, a thrilling croc cage dive, a dip in the croc pond, or a self-guided tour of the snake exhibit which features an impressive collection of local and foreign snakes.

Where: Simondium, Suider Paarl
When: Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm | Fri – Sat: 9am – 8:30pm | Sun: 9am – 5pm

Website: lebonheuradventures.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 863 1142
Facebook: @lebonheurreptileadventures | Instagram: @lebonheuradventures