Cape Town With Kids: Summer 2023-2024 picnics, movies, science shows and craft

Summer holidays are almost here. Whether you are a family who loves active activities, obstacle courses, educational experiences, animal encounters, shows or outdoor adventures, there will be no shortage of fun experiences for kids in Cape Town, the Northern suburbs and Cape Winelands.

Have you done any awesome things for fun with your children in Cape Town? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

ps. Scroll down to find some awesome giveaways, return soon as we will be adding more!

Activities with Kids: Cape Town

Updated 23 Nov 2023

Use the menu below for a quick jump to find kids' activities in your area, or use search to find fun things to do near you. Always remember to phone in advance or secure your booking online.

City Bowl + Atlantic Seaboard
Southern Suburbs
Northern Suburbs
Winelands
Overberg
Home Entertainment
Plan a getaway

(See what's on in Johannesburg, Things to do in Durban for kids this summer  )

Cape Town City Bowl + Atlantic Seaboard Kids Activities

The Atlantic Seaboard, also known as Cape Town’s ‘Riviera’, stretches from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront north of Table Mountain all the way down the west side of the cape peninsula to Hout Bay. Taking a stroll down the promenade is one of my family's favourite free leisure time activities.

Relax, explore and learn at Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town, City Bowl)

Take your family to an awe inspiring live show with Zip Zap Circus, Cape Town

Local legends, Zip Zap Circus, are bringing back their circus extravaganza, VOOMA! to get our feet stomping and hearts racing this festive season. Aerialists will fly and acrobats will flip across the stage of the Zip Zap Dome. The latest version of VOOMA! promises all-new dance acts to get young and old boogying as well as jaw-dropping group acrobatic routines and aerial acts.

When: Showtimes are at 18h00 daily from the 7 th to the 17 th of December 2023.

Where: Zip Zap Dome, in the Artscape Founders Garden. Parking allowed in the Founders’ Garden next to the Dome.

Who: All ages from toddlers to teens and adults.  

Don't just visit the Two Oceans Aquarium during these school holidays, treat your family with an annual membership. With a Two Oceans Aquarium annual membership, you can visit the fish as often as you wish during the year of your membership. Not only that, but there are also various discounts for members, like a 25% discount on Penguin Experiences and Behind-the-Scenes Tours. Other benefits include events specially organised for and aimed at Aquarium members and special rates for au pairs, students and pensioners. Memberships are valid from the day that they are activated on-site, so they also make amazing festive gifts for individuals and families.

When: Every day, 09h30 – 18h00 during the week and 09h00 – 18h00 over weekends and holidays (Check out their longer summer seasonal hours online)
Where: Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront
Who: All ages are welcome

See Naledi's Dream Festive Show at V&A Waterfront, City Bowl

Embark on a magical journey with the stellar cast of “Naledi’s Festive Dream” – a Christmas Theatre Production. This exciting musical theatre performance caters to families of all ages, weaving a joyful African narrative of the festive spirit. Immerse yourself in a world of holiday magic, where dreams take flight, and the essence of Christmas fills the air.

When: 16 – 23 December 2023
Where: V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre
Who: All ages welcome
Nice to know: This is an indoor experience, thus likely suited for hot or rainy days

Make your day extra special by entering the V&A Naledi's Dream giveaway. Entrants stand the chance of winning a R2000 gift voucher!

Watch a Disney family favourite at the D100 Outdoor Cinema Experience, V&A Waterfront

The D100 Outdoor Cinema Experience runs from 7 to 17th December 2023 at the V&A Waterfront Croquet Lawn and Waterfall City Park at Mall of Africa. Experience the magic of Disney with six timeless stories including Disney’s The Lion King, Frozen 2, and Encanto; Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles 2 and Finding Dory, as well as The Greatest Showman. Tickets cost R100 each. A special 20% discount is offered to FNB Card Holders. Book now at TicketPro.co.za. Children are encouraged to dress up as their favourite Disney character. The Disney Outdoor Cinema with Ster-Kinekor is proudly brought to you by FNB.

When: 7 to 17 December
Where:  V&A Waterfront Croquet Lawn and Waterfall City Park at Mall of Africa
Who: Young families and Disney fans of all ages

Things to do With Kids readers also stand a chance of winning tickets to the D100 Outdoor Cinema Experience!

Things to do in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town

Towns in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town include Bergvliet, Bishopscourt, Claremont, Constantia, Diep River, Grassy Park, Heathfield, Kenilworth, Lotus River, Meadowridge, Mowbray, Muizenberg, Newlands, Observatory, Plumstead, Retreat, Rondebosch, Rosebank, Salt River, Steenberg, Tokai, Wetton and Wynberg.

For leisurely weekend strolls visit Tokai forest or Newlands forest, or have a braai at Silvermine. What I love most about this region are the picturesque mountains and lush forests. Kenilworth is also home to the oldest racecourse in the country – Kenilworth Racecourse, which hosts the J&B Met in January each year. The Cape Town Southern Suburbs is truly a lovely region to visit.

Things to do with kids in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town

Towns of the Nothern Suburbs of Cape Town include: Belhar, Bellville, Boston, Eversdal, Kenridge, Stellenberg, Blue Downs, Bonteheuwel, Bothasig, Brackenfell, Delft, Blikkiesdorp, Durbanville, Edgemead, Elsie's River, Epping, Fisantekraal, Goodwood, Kensington, Kraaifontein (Wallacedene), Kuils River, Langa, Joe Slovo, Maitland, Mfuleni, Monte Vista, Ndabeni, Norwood, Panorama, Parow, Philadelphia, Pinelands, Richwood, Thornton and Tygerberg.

Durbanville is a family-friendly paradise for kids boasting free open space for picnics, like the Vygeboom dam and Sonstraal dam. You can also visit the Rose Garden on Durban Road. This garden provides a play park and easy Sunday stroll areas. Century City offers a weekly park run and a lovely shopping centre (Canal Walk) to explore.

Enjoy Holiday Ice Slides inspired by Disney at Canal Walk
(Century City, Cape Town North)

Step into the whimsical world of the Ice Slides to enjoy three thrilling real ice slides and capture the magic at the WISH-inspired photo booth within the event area. Mini Riders can enjoy various activities such as snow play, a ball pit, junior slide and Disney-themed puzzle games.

Guests can choose from three entry options:

● Full Rider: R120 for access to all activities.

● Mini Rider: R70 for entry to snow play, mini slides, and free play areas.

● Non-Rider: R35, perfect for accompanying adults.

When: 8 Dec 2023 - 13 Jan 2024
Where: Centre Court, Canal Walk, Century City
Who: All ages welcomed

Four lucky families also stand a chance of winning tickets for the Holiday Ice Slides on 6 Jan, the 11 am timeslot

Play and stay young at Playalot, Kuils River

When last did you go to an indoor adventure park that has 3 age-appropriate play zones featuring slides, trampolines, sand, ball & foam pits, climbing walls, a Lego lounge, a high rope course, a netted maze and a ninja obstacle course, plus a 5d cinema and Skyride - all for only R140 per hour?! No extra hidden costs. Let’s not forget about their beauty salon, golf simulator, family restaurant and licensed bar that make our play park far superior to anything else you will visit in Africa. They dare you to compare!

When: Daily, Friday 14 December to 10 January 2023
Where: Playalot® Indoor Adventure Park. Haasendal Gables Shopping Centre, Kuils River, Cape Town.
Who: Ideal for primary school kids, but high school teens and adults enjoy the park as much as kids do.

No need to pre-book for playtime, but pre-registration is compulsory. Only one profile per family/group is needed.

Things to do in the Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands Municipal area includes towns like Paarl, Worcester, Stellenbosch and Wellington. This region offers many child-friendly wine farms and mountains to explore.

Opt in for some festive adventures at Acrobranch
(11 Parks Nationally)

Karina Mayer had it right when she said “Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time." Breathe, relax and connect with nature as you head out on an Acrobranch treetop adventure at one of their 11 National Parks (pssst... if you are in Gauteng with kids, check out their latest play park in Modderfontein). So go on, challenge your core and develop good muscle tone while having fun. Remember to use your coupon to save on your booking!

When: Daily, book online to avoid disappointment
Where: 11 Parks Nationwide (Stellenbosch Klein Joostenberg, Constantia and Garden Route are the Western Cape “branches”)
Who: Children aged three and up are accommodated on selected courses

Flow through the forest with Scootours (Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Franschhoek)

Go on a family adventure! (Overberg, Elgin)

Cape Canopy Tours (Grabouw, Elgin)

Get R100 off per person when you book your adventure with Cape Canopy Tours. For hours of continuous fun and time spent in nature, be sure to visit Cape Canopy Tours in the Overberg. Just enter the coupon code “WithKids100” to get R100 off each. Preschooler or teen, everyone is keen on this outdoor adventure.

When: Throughout the year
Where: Overberg, Elgin
Who: Ages 5 to 75

Home Entertainment Ideas and Products

Purchase the gift that keeps on giving from Storierak, NB Uitgewers!

Build your own Obstacle Course

Prefer to stay at home. How about building your own little obstacle course as Tracey did.

Visit a family-friendly resort or go camping

Everybody loves camping! Well, most of us do, especially since glamping became an option for spending time in nature. Read our blog dedicated to Child-friendly camping spots and Western Cape resorts for more ideas. Here are some of our favourites.