Cape Town With Kids: Summer 2020-2021 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.
Activities with Kids: Cape Town
Updated Dec 2020
After a very interesting year of uncertainty and change, we all hope for a little familiarity. We have contacted our clients to ask them what's on for families these summer holidays and we were happy to see that the below businesses have all endeavoured to provide a safe space for you to explore with your children. With school going children aged six and eight, we love to explore wide-open spaces, time in nature and thus picnics. So here is some inspiration for families with young kids in Cape Town.
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 to ensure the business is still open and operating during Covid-19 lockdown regulations as these change regularly and you are welcome to check with them individually if you need more info on what protocols they have in place.
City Bowl + Atlantic Seaboard
Southern suburbs
Northern suburbs
Winelands
Home Entertainment
Plan a getaway
(See what's on in Johannesburg, Things to do in Durban for kids this summer )
December 2020 - Feb 2021
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 families' favourite free leisure time activities.
Hit the road on a Vintage Fire Engine
If you’re looking for an idea for your next kiddies party or family gathering, why not hop aboard their vintage Mrs Doubtfire fire engine for an outing to remember? With seating for up to 12 passengers, it’s a fun idea for all kinds of celebrations and parties. Itineraries and catering arrangements for all budgets can be made when you book your trip. Rates are based on the duration of hire and start with a minimum charge of R3500 for up to 3 hours. More details on their website.
When: Available any day of the week
Where: Cape Town City Bowl & environs
Who: Our Mrs Doubtfire fire truck appeals to everyone from toddlers to seniors.
Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium during “low tide”
Cape Town’s firm favourite is open daily, come rain or shine. With strict capacity management in place, you can beat the queues by visiting the Aquarium during “low tide” – before 26 December – when most people are still busy with their Christmas shopping. From 15-24 December, the Aquarium will be giving away an annual membership to one visitor every day! Then, from 26 December-10 January, they will close an hour later so you can take advantage of a late-afternoon visit with the fish.
When: Open daily
Where: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Who: This activity is suited for babies, adults and kids of all ages
Web: www.aquarium.co.za
Enjoy a Circus Picnic in the Mother City
A Circus Picnic showcases a proudly South-African, family-friendly blend of traditional and contemporary circus, infused with humour, dance and exhilarating circus aerials and acrobatics, all while conveying a meaningful, 'feel-good’ storyline.
When: Friday, 11 December – Sunday, 20 December 2020
Where: Cape Town, Foreshore, Western Cape
Who: All ages from toddlers to teens and older
Vintage Sidecar Lockdown Special
Enjoy a 3-hour chauffeured sidecar trip from the V&A Waterfront to the charming Noordhoek Village via the scenic Atlantic Seaboard & the stunning Chapmans Peak Drive. Enjoy a stroll around the village before returning to the V&A via either the Atlantic Seaboard or the Constantia Winelands. Discounted lockdown cost is R1600/sidecar for either 1, 2 or 3 passengers. Why not book our famous sidecar pooch, Brody, to join you! Checkout our website for more details.
When: Offer available until 31 st December 2020.
Where: Cape Town and environs. Western Cape
Who: There is no age limit on their sidecars. I.e fun for the whole family from the toddlers up to the grandparents.
Things to do with kids in the Northern Suburbs (Durbanville, Tyger Valley, Brackenfell)
Durbanville is a family friendly paradise for kids, and it is not just because we stay on this side of Cape Town:) Durbanville boasts with free open space for picnics, like the Vygeboom dam and Sonstraal dam. You can also visit the Rose Garden in Durban Road. This garden provides a play park and easy Sunday stroll areas. We are also close to lovely shopping centres like WillowBridge and CapeGate.
Visit Willowbridge Shopping Centre, Tyger Valley, for educational entertainment these holidays
Join Willowbridge for an “Out of this World Kids Galaxy” in collaboration with Split Second Science and Art Jamming. Children are invited to create their own galaxy bath bombs, CO2, hand sanitiser, explore space gases helium and hydrogen and see the power of liquid nitrogen – the big bang! Drop and go tickets include an awesome Art Jamming paint session. Sign up for two hours of pure educational fun activities! Book online and save!
When: 16 - 23 December, 2 - 9 Jan 2020
Where: Willowbridge Shopping Centre, 39 Carl Cronje Dr, Tyger Valley
Who: Ages 3- 12, thus toddlers to pre-teenagers
Read the full release here.
Get active, wine, dine and play at Bloemendal Estate, Durbanville
Get active or just relax at Bloemendal Estate, an inclusive family-friendly venue. Your little ones will love the kids play area, fitted with a large outdoor jungle gym, slide, crafts tables and on-site childminders. Active families will enjoy the children’s cycling track, facilitating bike coaching and camping groups from local experts. Enjoy a specially prepared Kids Pairing at Bloemendal Wine Tasting Room or a family meal at Bon Amis. Bloemendal Market Days are hosted monthly during the season and are fun-filled with family activities!
When: Bloemendal Trail Park is open daily. The Wine Tasting and Restaurant are closed on Mondays. More info here.
Where: Durbanville Valley, just 30 minutes from Cape Town. M13 Tygerberg Valley Road, Durbanville, Cape Town.
Who: Babies, toddlers, preschoolers to teens and grandparents, everyone is welcome
Web: www.bloemendalestate.co.za
Cape Gate Shopping Centre, Brackenfell
This year Capegate will once again share the festive cheer by hosting an array of activities for the entire family. Visit the centre court on the lower level (opposite House&Home) to check it out. Take instant holiday photos and create your own Christmas card. Schedule a call with Santa or build your own furry friend at Build A Bear.
When: 16 -23 December 2020
Where: Centre court, Capegate Shopping Centre
Who: Babies, toddlers, preschoolers to teens and grandparents, everyone is welcome
More Information: See the full line-up here
All Stars Gymnastics Kids Holiday Club, Durbanville
Keep the kids entertained these school holidays in a healthy, active environment. This holiday club is for all gymnasts as well as family and friends who would like to join in for a couple of hours of tumbling, trampoline, rope skipping and much more! It’s the perfect time for moms & dads to get their Christmas shopping done while their kids have lots of fun. Bring along your water bottle and a snack. Waer fitted sports clothing or gymnastics leotards, no denim jeans, hoodies or clothing with zips please! Costs are R100 per child per session.
When: Thursday, 17th of Dec & Friday, 18th of Dec
Where: All Stars Gymnastics Club, Durbanville
Who: 9am -11 am: Beginner & Novice groups (All Ages) | 11am - 1pm: Level 1-3 Girls & Boys groups | 2pm – 4pm: Level 4 – 8 Girls & Boys groups
Contact: allstarsgym@mweb.co.za
Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch, Paarl) child-friendly activities
The Cape Winelands district is a landlocked area in-between the West Coast and the Overberg coasts, including Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Witzenberg, Breede River Valley, and Langeberg Winelands. Some of the larger towns in this region further include Somerset West, Paarl, Worcester and Wellington. Here you will see nature showing off mountains, sea, vinyards and more.
Acrobranch outdoor playpark and kids party venues (Stellenbosch, Constantia)
Acrobranch offers a great outdoor adventure for the kids and adults alike. Have fun swinging through the trees on zip lines. There are different courses available to suite everybody’s level from toddlers through to adult challenges.
Where: Stellenbosch (Winelands) and Constantia
Web: 021 201 1121 Acrobranch, Cape Town
Home Entertainment Ideas and Products
Baking most certainly is one of my favourite crafts as you can make your cake and eat it too! I love that nothing goes to waste and it is a great way of bonding with your loved ones at home. It is the ideal activity for rainy days or scorching hot days. If you are looking for more fun home entertainment ideas or perhaps some gift inspiration, take a look at our 2020 gift guide here.
Get baking with the Montagu Bake Box
Kids love spending time with mom and dad in the kitchen. The Montagu Bake Box is the perfect way to bond, keep kids entertained and even keep their bodies and minds active this holiday. The box is filled with dried fruit and nuts ingredients to bake up to five moreishly delicious recipes for young and old. Each box will have 8 Montagu recipes to choose from. Order one below and baking on those memories!
When: Valid now until 31 January 2021
Where: Available online. Nationwide shipping.
Who: All ages. This is an activity for the entire family to take part in and enjoy! Toddlers, tweens, teens and older adults.
Ps. Did we mention you can WIN one of these boxes? Read more here:
Build your own Obstacle Course
Prefer to stay at home. How about building your own little obstacle course as Tracey did during lockdown level 3.
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, as they are +-2 hours drive from Cape Town so you'll reach your destination just before the "are we there yets" start.
Visit Somerset Gift Getaway Farm, Swellendam
My family and are were blessed with a getaway to this absolute gem. We love the privacy the farm offers and we recommend staying in the lodge or manor house for bigger families. Click on the link to read our full Somerset Gift Farm review here.
Go Camping at Kam'Bati , Swellendam
Kids love camping and to add to the fun of getting out and experiencing nature with your family, Kam’Bati River Resort also offers exciting child-friendly adventures. Older children can hire a canoe and explore the river with mom and dad, or engage in a game of putt-putt. The landscaped outdoor pool area has slides of different heights and speed- with the largest of the three, offering a 6-meter drop. An exhilarating experience for young and old. Read more about camping at Kam'Bati here.
Read our Things to do With Kids under R100 in CT and Family friendly beaches in Cape Town for other ideas of what to do!
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