Things To Do With Kids this Spring on the Garden Route and Karoo
Heading for the Garden Route and the Karoo? See what’s happening along the road!
There is no time like the present to take a family getaway and enjoy all that the Garden Route and the Karoo have to offer families. Here is our guide to what's on this Spring: from activities and things to do with kids to events and excursions.
Spending time in another part of our beautiful country during this holiday? Read our guides: Things to do with Kids this Spring in Johannesburg, Things to do with Kids this Spring in Durban and Things to do with Kids this Spring in Cape Town.
For child-friendly restaurants, read Child-friendly Restaurants and Delis on the Garden Route and for a complete bucket list (of 52 activities and excursions), be sure to read: Attractions and Activities on the Garden Route.
What’s on this Spring in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo
FESTIVALS AND MARKETS
George Strawberry Festival
The George Strawberry Festival presented by Ola is set to kick the September school holidays off with a sumptuous food and family weekend of strawberries, live shows, outdoor activities, sports and adventure on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of September at Redberry Farm.
Kids can run wild in the Frogfoot Kids' Play Park and literally bounce off the walls! See Lollos on the family stage, or compete in the Kids' Strawberry and Ice Cream Eat-Off. All the regular Redberry Farm favourites such as the Redberry Express mini train, pony rides and many more will also be available on the day. Tickets available at the gate.
Adults: R55 | Kids 3 – 12: R25 | Kids 0 – 2: Free
When: 21 & 22 September 2019
Where: Redberry Farm, George
More info: 044 870 7123
Website: The Strawberry Festival
Moonlight Market (Prince Albert)
Prince Albert hosts a moonlight market every quarter where villagers and visitors gather for good food and an evening of mingling around the fires in the market square. Stalls offer a variety of freshly prepared food, deserts and non-alcoholic drinks. You may bring your own wine.
When: 20 September 2019 from 18:00
Where: 42 Church Street, Prince Albert
More info: Call 023 541 1366, email tourism@princealbert.org.za or
Website: Moonlight Market Prince Albert
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
7Weekspoort MTB & Trail Run (Ladismith)
Trail runners and cyclists get to explore the area surrounding Seweweekspoort, one of the most awe-inspiring of all the mountain ravines in the country. Carefully crafted to reveal the blooming October orchards the area is renowned for, this event through the classic Klein Karoo terrain, littered with fynbos and succulents, is a must do this spring.
10-km trail run starts at 17:00 on Friday 4 October, 29-km trail run starts at 07:00 on Saturday 5 October.
Trail run entry fee:
10 km – R120
29 km – R190
MTB entry fee:
85 km – R490
43 km – R330
29 km – R190
When: 4 & 5 October 2019
Where: Showgrounds at Shalom Academy and Amalienstein, Ladismith
More info: Call 044 279 1013, email info@dryland.co.za or visit
Website: 7Weekspoort MTB & Trail Run
George Herald Run with the Stars night race (George)
Dress up like your favourite critter of the night: a bush baby, owl, mouse, firefly, etc. and stand a chance to win a prize.
Distance and entry fee:
Pre-entries (closing 10 Sep):
10 km licensed athletes – R 62
10 km unlicensed athletes – R 102
* NO race day entries for the 10 km!
* Entries for the 3 km accepted on race day
When: 13 September
Where: Glenwood House School
More info: Call 083 376 7414, email nbrcswd@gmail.com
Website: George Herald Run with the Stars night race
Garden Route Acrobranch Play Park, George
This is for adventure lovers visiting the Garden Route. Enjoy this exciting aerial zip line adventure with fun obstacles. A great party venue with a wonderful child-friendly restaurant.
Where: Timberlake Organic Village, George
Contact: Garden Route Acrobranch
LIFESTYLE
IN BLOOM spring picnic concert (George)
Loder AMP presents IN BLOOM spring picnic concert featuring Bam Bam Brown, Josh Roxton and The Stinging Rogers at the Garden Route Botanical Gardens. Enjoy an afternoon of musical delight to celebrate the changing of seasons. Pre-order a picnic basket or bring your own.
Early bird: R90 | general admission online (www.plankton.mobi): R110 | gate price: R130 | free for children under 6
When: 1 September 2019
Where: Garden Route Botanical Gardens, Caledon Street
More info: Call 044 874 1558 or visit Facebook
Oudtshoorn Scale 50th Event Celebration (Oudtshoorn)
The longest running event for model airplanes is back and celebrating it’s 50th event! Bring the kids to see 100 model airplanes flying over the four days of the event. There will also be hobby shops, food stalls and entertainment for the children.
When: 19 – 22 September 2019
Where: Cango Flying Club, Oudtshoorn
More info: email info@cangoflyingclub.co.za
Website: Oudtshoorn Scale 50th Event Celebration
Klein Karoo Proe-Fees (Oudtshoorn)
The first ever Klein Karoo Proe-Fees at Celebratio promises to be a gastronomic festival. Come and taste your way through the best the Klein Karoo has to offer.
When: 21 & 22 September 2019
Where: Celebratio Farm between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn
More info: Call 082 802 7138, email info@celebratio.co.za
Website: Klein Karoo Proe-Fees
Leisure Isle Festival, Leisure Island, Knysna
The festival involves a Craft Market that inspires and motivates people to buy and enjoy, local. There will be many activities, food stalls, fresh produce, arts, crafts, books and more. Nobody will be bored walking around this market.
The Leisure Isle Festival in Knysna is a community event organized by a group of friends to provide local crafters and businesses a unique opportunity to showcase and sell their products, promote community spirit, and provide a venue for approved charities to raise funds.
Come and support local craftsmen and charities at the Leisure Island Festival
When: 9 November 2019 - 10 November 2019
Where: Knysna
Website: Leisure Isle FestivalLeisure Isle Festival
Plett High Five, Plettenberg Bay
The boss of adventure destinations, Plettenberg Bay, is bringing out the big guns for a season of adventure in nature. Plett is the cross-country of adventure destinations in South Africa, arguably the world.
With more than 30 adventures across the region, from the forests of Harkerville to the mountains of Tsitsikamma, Plett is the ultimate base camp from which to tackle the toughest, most insane adventures to be found. Canyoning, abseiling, zip-lining, scuba and sky-diving, swimming with seals, quad biking, blackwater tubing and, of course, leaping off the world’s highest bungy bridge provide endless exhilaration in the exquisite wilderness of Plett.
Throttle down with a select mix of unforgettable activities to balance out the thrill: horse and hiking trails, stand-up paddling, kayaking, surfing, deep-sea angling, marine safaris and animal sanctuaries.
When: 23 – 29 September 2019
Where: Plettenberg Bay
Who: All Ages
Website: Plett High Five, Plettenberg Bay
Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay
Birds of Eden are the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary.
Where: The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
Website: www.birdsofeden.co.za
Puzzle Park, near Plettenberg Bay
The puzzle Park offers interactive fun for the whole family. A 3D maze, forest puzzle walk, all activities are unique and are suitable for both children and adults.
Where: Greater Plettenberg Bay
Website: www.plettpuzzlepark.co.za
The Elephant Sanctuary, near Plettenberg Bay
The sanctuary offers interactive experiences with the elephants including, elephant back riding.
Where: The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
Website: www.elephantsanctuary.co.za
Variete Variete, George
The Greatest Variety Show on Earth
Lots of fun, fabulous costumes and circus elements makes this a sing-a-long, laugh-a-long, cry-a -long show that the whole family can enjoy. A tribute to the comedy and tragedy numbers of Broadway presented as a classic love story set against the background of a spectacular circus show.
When: 10th October 2019 - 13th October 2019
Where: George Arts Theatre
Website: Variete Variete, George
The Farm Craft and Vintage Market, Knysna
All arts & crafts, home made items, home bakes, gift makers, original Vintage Jewellery and Farm goods galore. Plenty of space for the kids to run free, see the bunnies, cycle and play.
Directions from Knysna central: turn right at the Simola traffic lights, carry on past Green Pastures turn-off and then about 300mtrs further, on your right hand side you will see a big orange board with the words, "The Farm"
When: 1 September 2019
Where: The Farm, Old Cape Road, Knysna
Website: http://bit.ly/2YZQx2o
Movie Night CrossFit Fundraiser, Knysna
2 movies will be showing - one in each factory, one for adults and one for kids. R150pp and R80 for Kids. This price includes your movie, a boerie roll and some popcorn. Bring your own drinks, camping chairs, blankets. We are raising funds to complete the renovations to the workout area. Please invite friends and family, all welcome. Tickets available from CrossFit Knysna.
When: 13 September 2019
Website: Movie Night CrossFit Fundraiser, Knysna
Outeniqua Market, George
Outeniqua Family Market is every Saturday & Entertainment for the whole family. Great Food, Unique crafts, Good Music. Kids Playground & Rides. Craft Beer & Wine Garden, Pet friendly plus smoking area.
When: Open Every Saturday from 08:00 - 14:00
Where: Opposite the Garden Route Mall
Website: Outeniqua Market, George
Things to do with Kids this Spring: Karoo
Hantam Meat Festival
An exciting family excursion offering scrumptious food, live music, market stalls and various kid-friendly activities.
When: 30 and 31 August 2019
Where: Calvinia
Who: All Ages
More Information: Hantam Meat Festival
Flower Season in the Karoo
Celebrate spring and be inspired by the gorgeous wildflower display during the 2019 flower season. This is a great opportunity to teach the kids about our country’s natural vegetation. The best viewing period is from mid-August until mid-September.
Where: Tankwa Karoo national park.
When: August / September 2019
Link: Flower Season in the Karoo
If you have any other ideas or know of an event happening in the Garden Route, please feel free to comment. You can also add an event for free onto our website.
