23 Fun activities for Kids #budgetactivity
We at Things to do With Kids have put together a list of budget friendly activities for the whole family. Activities that range from free to affordable. The list of things we have been up to may contain some activities from way back, so if there are costs involved, these may have changed.
Looking for more budget friendly kids activities? Then look no further than Things to do With Kids under R100 in Cape Town, under R100 Johannesburg and under R100 Durban.
1.Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Today we are sharing our very first family-fun free budget activity. We went for a quick outing, to walk the dogs and feed the ducks, at the local park near Sonstraal dam in Durbanville. The Western Cape model boat club sails boats on the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s of the month at 10.30-14.00. This is always something fun to watch! Are there parks close to you?
2. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
My Bean is obsessed with anything transport themed; if it has any form of tyre, my son wants to look at it in detail! So, we decided to take a trip to Lanseria airport and have a coffee / milkshake at the Wiesenhof coffee shop situated at the airport viewing deck. .
From the deck, we could see aircraft taking off and landing (who knew this could be so fascinating?) while happily sipping on our refreshments. We also feasted our eyes on a fuel vehicles and luggage carriers :)
They are currently expanding which meant we could expand our transport viewing options to cranes and construction equipment too. .
And did you know that tractors pull the light aircraft into hangars? Bean was in 7th Heaven!
Total outing cost: less than R150.00!
3. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A trip on the Gautrain!
Yes, another transport themed activity because my Bean just loves anything with transport!
My mom came to visit last week and so we decided to indulge Bean and take a return trip on the @gautrainlinks from Sandton to Rosebank. We always choose this route as it is cost effective and the Rosebank station is situated at The Zone so at least we can grab a treat once there, before heading back.
This week we timed it exactly right to coincide with the @hamleys_south_africa train ride times and so we got to take another mini train ride through the mall! Before heading back we indulged in some yum yum yum doughnuts at @krispykreme_za and Bean could watch the production process through the window while I relaxed with a cup of Chai Latte (my absolute favourite).
Cost:
Gautrain tickets: R56.00 per adult (kids under 3 ride for free)
Hamleys Train: R25.00 per person
Alexa, Jozi
4. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Be mesmerized by the wild flowers along our west coast!
The Postberg section of the West Coast National Park is only open during the months of August and September. Try to get there really early or during the week to avoid long queues and see how the land is transformed into a flower wonderland. Round the day off with a picnic or a walk along the beach.
This budget-friendly activity is free if you own a Wild Card or R77 per adults and R39 per child (RSA citizens). Barbie and Ken came along for the trip and enjoyed the scenery too :)
Tanya, Cape Town
5. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Jess and her family visited the Scratch Patch at the V&A Waterfront the other day and she was super impressed with this inexpensive, yet fun, family excursion.
The kids loved hunting and collecting their own treasure while scratching through a large patch of semi-precious stones.
The moms loved all the pretty sparkly jewelry, of course, and realised that starting a jewelry making hobby with their daughters might just be an amazing idea.
Cost: Between R22.00 and R120.00 per container of stones collected (prices depending on the size of the bag / container).
6. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A lunch date at Subway!
Every now and again, Wessel and I like going for a sneaky, 'just us' lunch date while the kids are at school. It gives us that extra bit of time where we can chat about just us, a time to reconnect as a couple.
Wessel is a big Sub fan, so this week we went to @canalwalk Subway to try their new Chicken Cordon Bleu Sub (complete with our favourite toppings). We chose a table next to the romantic canal and shared the sizeable Footlong (which was ready in 5 minutes!). Due to the quick service, the delicious food and the incredible price (R70.00), we walked away happy and content and within our lunch hour time limit.
Visit the @SubwaySouthAfrica FB page for more info on their yum yum yum Subs and be sure to make time in your day-to-day for a quick picnic style date lunch at #SubwaySouthAfrica!
7. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Science Lab Workshop at CapeGate Shopping Centre in Cape Town!
Last Friday, we were the first visitors to enjoy Capegate’s Science Lab Workshop – and what a fun and educational experience it was for everyone – even I learnt lots of new things!
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On arrival to the workshop, which takes place in the Centre Court of the shopping centre these October school holidays, we were impressed with the display and the kids were highly excited to get into their relevant age-appropriate workshop. As requested we arrived 10 mins earlier to complete the registration and indemnity forms. We recommend you book in advance, however, if sessions aren’t booked out, tickets will be available at the door (no cash sales allowed).
The workshops are divided up as follows to ensure the kids gain the most out of their experience:
Junior Workshop is for children aged 3-5 years old. It costs R35 for a 20-minute class.
Senior Workshop is for children aged 6-12 years old. It costs R55 for a 30-minute duration class.
As you can see it is a great budget-friendly outing for kids and everybody walks away with a happy smile :) Jess
Capegate Shopping Centre is always hosting exciting events, so make sure to check their page often.
8. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
The annual @ludwigsroses rose festival is on this weekend and it is an absolute must if you live in Gauteng: entrance is free!
The play area is one of the best play areas I have been to in a while. It offers a variety of jungle gyms, large sand pits with toys, a play house and, best of all, it has real grass and plants and trees and so much fresh farm air. The Rose Kitchen situated next to the play area serves delicious rose-inspired food and drinks and the food is really good.
Just a word of warning: take some pocket money as you will want to buy roses and other beautiful and yummy things! A large bunch of cut roses only costs R85.00 and they smell a-ma-zing; if you love gardening, there are so many beautiful roses to chose from and the Rose Shop sells everything rose-inspired you can think of: think rose fudge, shortbread, the best rose and quince jam ever (trust me you have not lived until you have tried this) and scatter cushions, incense and so much more...
All in all this festival promises a fun and memorable family day. Alexa
9. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
An afternoon at @lifestylegardencentre in Randpark Ridge, JHB.
One of my favourite affordable outings with the kids is visiting the Lifestyle Centre! We always start our outing at the pet store section where we look at the fishes, then we meander through the nursery (something my mom used to do with us when we were kids) and we end up at the play and entertainment areas (as you all know Bean loves transport, so we always end up riding the train at least once)...
Entrance to Lifestyle (as well as to the play area) is free and the rides at the entertainment area cost R20.00 per person per ride. The age-controlled play area is next to the Silver Birch restaurant, as well as a frozen yoghurt parlour called the Chill Zone, so we often grab a coffee or a frozen yoghurt while there (note that the use of the play area does however not depend on this).
The play area itself is really lovely as it is divided into two age-related, enclosed sections, it is shaded and has recently been renovated. There is also a childminder on duty.
The centre is also home to a large book store (with a great variety of kids’ books), a child-friendly hair salon, a food market section, @westpackstores and more) Alexa
10. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A family hike up Lions Head, Cape Town!
The sun was sun-shining over the weekend , so Tanya and Wessel decided to hike up Lions Head mountain with the kids and to have a picnic once at the top. The weather changed suddenly and the mountain was shrouded in clouds, so for safety reasons, the picnic was held half way up instead of right at the top.
The views however were still magical and the kids were fascinated by the changes in vista when the sun did break through the clouds, illuminating the sea below.
Cost: entrance to Lions Head is free. The picnic goodies were bought at a supermarket (ie regular supermarket prices apply).
11. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A visit to Boulders Beach!
I remember visiting this magical beach for the first time when I was probably about 11 years old. The sheer beauty of the pristine natural environment struck me...and then a real life penguin popped into view! I was, of course, awe-struck...here we were relaxing on the beach and taking a swim with penguins right there next to us (not behind a fence)!
This fascinating beach is open to the public and entrance costs R35.00 per adult and R10.00 for kids under 12. While there, be sure to teach your kids about conservation and how to take care of nature and our animals. Alexa
12. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Exploring the outdoors!
Radloff Park in Somerset West is a firm favourite amongst Tanya’s circle of friends as it has a beautiful rivulet and water puddles for the kids to jump and play in.
Entrance is #free. Simply pack a picnic basket of treats and enjoy a relaxing family day or have a Peter Pan adventure for some extra fun.
More great picnic spots in Cape Town
13. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
An indoor glice skating experience!
The Summer Glice Rink will be at Capegate Shopping Centre from 24 November – 13 January 2019 (except Christmas day) and is most suitable for kids between the ages of 5 – 12 years old. The experience costs R50 for 40mins and it starts on the hour each hour – I would recommend getting there earlier to make sure you get tickets, and so they can match you with the correct size ice skates. .
As a first timer on the Glice rink, Jess’s son used one of the whales provided for support which assisted him in gaining confidence on the ice rink. He was assisted by one of the supervisors who showed him how to use the whale and the best way to approach skating. It took him a while to pick up the technique to go forward as he kept crossing his skates over but once he found his groove he was more self-assured and gained some speed. .
All-in-all a memorable experience Capegate Shopping Centre
14. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Exploring Clarence Drive at Sunset!
The Western Cape has some stunning coastal mountain passes which are ideal for a slow afternoon drive. What we love about this specific route though is that it has some phenomenal spots to explore by foot as well! Clarence drive spans between Rooi Els and Gordon’s Bay.
Cost: free (except your fuel of course :))
15. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
We explored Oudtshoorn, revisiting the magnificent @cango_caves and @wilgewandel holiday farm. I have to confess I choose this cool indoor activity as we expected a scorching 38degree day! The kids were in awe of this underground wonderland.
The R48 burger sign en route convinced us to turn in at Wilgewandel. They offer numerous #budgetfriendly activities starting at R10 per activity. Activities last about 10minutes so R100 will keep everyone entertained for a while.
16. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A visit to Company Gardens in Cape Town! Jess took the kids to this cool park. They chased squirrels and pigeons and enjoyed playing on the small chess board..
Entrance is free and the park is situated opposite the planetarium which makes this an awesome spot to visit before seeing Izikio Museum Life of Trees show!
17. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Jess and her kids got rid of some cabin fever by using this awesome new gym equipment at Eden on the Bay in Cape Town! The perfect #free activity for #januworry while the schools are still on holiday :)
Plus, have you seen those views?
18. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Elgin Market. Jess and her family visited one of their favourite #familyfriendly spots in the Western Cape while they were exploring the beautiful Overberg town of Elgin, the @elginrailwaymarket . This unique and authentic market has loads of #yum food and drinks stalls and craft stalls available. .
One of the highlights for the kids is definitely the climbing wall (scroll to the right to see it).
Costs: Entrance to the market is free. Use of the climbing wall costs R20.00 for 10min. .
19. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A visit to Vredenheim Animal Farm, Stellenbosch
Jess took the kids to this fun animal touch farm last week. They have a variety of farm animals ranging from chickens and rabbits to cows and goats, who are all tame , as well as a play area.
Cost: Babies (0-12 months) Free / Kids R40.00 / Adults R20.00
Note that although this party and play venue opens daily for school groups, it is only open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00 and 16:00...
20. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Spending the day at Stodels Garden Centre in Bellville! .
This garden centre has an amazing play area for the kids as well as train rides, sand art and animal feeding...leading to enough fun and smiles and happy kids.
Cost: R20.00 per train ride / R20.00 per sand art session and R10.00 for the animal feed. .
21. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A visit to the beach! Yesterday we shared a blog detailing how important being surrounded by nature and trees really is for our health (and for the physical and mental health of our kids).
To me, the sea has a similar effect! They don’t call it ‘getting in some much-needed Vitamin Sea’ for nothing, after all! Raising Healthy Kids, surround them with trees.
22. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
A Family picnic at Delta Park in Jo‘burg! We spent the morning at this beautiful park last weekend and the kids were blown away by the large play area! I loved all the big trees and shade as these lend themselves perfectly to a relaxing family picnic and for some adventurous exploring)
Entrance to the park is free! And so is use of the play area...how cool?!?
23. Fun Activities for kids: #budgetactivity
Tracey discovered this hidden gem at @eastgateshoppingcentre in Bedfordview. Iplay entry fees are R70 per hour, socks included and the kids had a blast!
