Kids News

Cape for Kids: Monty the Mongoose invites children to enjoy adventures around the Cape with him as he rides a dassie in a race on Table Mountain, jumps on a hippo at Rondevlei, goes surfing in Kirstenbosch and saves Portly Penguin at Boulders. These full colour books are fun, educational and include a fact section for those who want to know more. To order or find out more contact Ali on 021 7905790 or Email Cape for Kids also organises school outings.

Bizzy Bodies (Sommerset West, WCape) has the biggest indoor play gyms in Cape Town with supervision for children from the age of one to 12 years and convenient coffee shops for parents.

Boulders Beach in Cape Town with its resident penguins is one of the best beaches for young children and creates great photo opportunities. It’s very safe for swimming and the enormous granite boulders shelter the beach from the southeaster so it's great for a beach picnic.

Conveniently situated off the N1 highway near Kraaifontein and is a popular venue that boasts a giant outdoor area where kids can play, climb, slide and generally have a ball. It is also known for the quality of its Farmers Breakfasts, monster burgers and Sunday Braais. Bugz Playpark is a colourful extravaganza of sandpits, pedal cars, jumping castles, rowing boats, jungle gyms and a choo choo train, and will tire out little ones in no time.

Cafe Roux - Stylishly comfortable with a buzzing atmosphere and dedicated play area for kids. Cafe Roux is open for breakfast, lunch & teas. They offer a seasonal menu with food that is fresh, healthy, uncomplicated but edgy. For those with a sweet tooth, try a variety of beautifully presented cakes and desserts. Bordering on a playground and large grass are, kids are well looked after with their own mini-benches and dedicated menu.

City Rock (Cape Town) offers a number of different climbing options in its spacious indoor climbing area. From bouldering in the cave to a variety of climbs designed to test you at any skill level, as well as special climbing classes  for kids, City Rock is a great place to bring kids for the day. Equipment can be rented, and there is good music and friendly instructors to guide you through your climb.

Cool Runnings, Cape Town Cool Runnings brings you Africaˋs first downhill sled track. Find out what millions of Cool Runners are raving about worldwide. Hours of affordable outdoor fun for everyone.

Graceland Venues (Paarl) - host childrens parties, or visit for the day, hire the venue and enjoy the fun activities which are available. Graceland Venues is a little paradise based in the heart of the Winelands, Paarl. Our venue or lapa is available to hire for kiddies parties, private functions, school outings and day visitors.  We have 4 (32meters long) waterslides available, jungle gym, swings, and the animal touch farm. Pony rides are also available on request. Day visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the activities. The onsite cafeteria offers hot and cold beverages, snacks, chips and much more.

Higgeldy Piggeldy Farmyard (Kommetjie, Cape Town) – ideal venue for families, schools and parties to explore, feed, stroke and learn about our many farmyard animals. In addition to welcoming families, we offer educational tours and fun learning activities for various age groups. The Blue Water Café also provides an excellent venue for children’s parties, enabling you to combine the two for an extra special experience.

Kid's Cooking School (Cape Town) This is a must for all parents keen to hang up their aprons and let the kids do some cooking for a change! Hannah's cooking classes are designed for kids and really do make cooking fun, using games and engaging and colourful teaching techniques, these classes are a blast, as all who have been before can attest.

Klein Dennegeur Farm (Southern Paarl) Day Visitors R75 per adult & R65 per child under 13 years of age (Infants entrance free) (Minimum 10 People per booking) Price includes the following: * Unlimited rides on the Waterslides. * Unlimited use of the Jungle Gym. * Access to Animal Touch Farm (miniature horse, tortoises, pot-bellied pigs, geese, quackers, goats & chickens). * Pony rides are available at an extra cost of R 10 per ride.

Magic Village - For children aged 4 – 11 years. A fully supervised play area where kids, a huge jungle gym, playstations and video games. We also do parties. Book a themed party rooms - Alladin, Dinosaur, Lion King and Grand Prix.

Mineral World Scratch Patch  (Cape Town) Discover the Magic of Minerals in the "gemstone capital of the World" . Kids will also find the Scratch Patch a complete smash-hit, as you can literally wallow in piles of semi-precious stones and choose your favourite turquoises and tiger-eyes to take home. The Scratch Patch has been a Cape Town institution for many years.

Monkey Town Primate Centre is home to over 220 monkeys from around the globe. Guided tours are on offer and there’s a touch farm, play park and restaurant.

MTN Science Centre (Cape Town) Where Science comes alive: the MTN Science Centre offers wonderful activities designed to introduce skeptical kids to the wonders of science. With a wide variety of different games and experiments, the centre is guaranteed to keep even the most active children on their toes. During school holidays the centre also offers a wide variety of courses and projects, and plays host to a yearly robotics competition with children from local schools.

Neighbourgoods Market (Cape Town)  Every Saturday  - Cape Town's original gourmet market,

Noordhoek Farm Village (Cape Town) – a charming leisure destination set under the oaks, for families, friends and visitors. Kids activities every Saturday from 10h30 to 12h20

Planet Kids (Cape Town) is a large indoor play and activity centre for all children, including children with disabilities. New with outside play area as well!  Custom made jumping castles complete with climbing walls and aliens; Area for the Astronautees (under 3s); Intergalactic ball wall; Fun ramps with a space slide; Spacecabs and spaceboards Freshsly ground coffee, teas and other treats served in our Flying Saucer Cafe We host great birthday parties, with a variety of offers including themed parties and catering & additional entertainment.  We’re all dedicated to providing you and your kids with a memorable, convenient and fun experience! Email or  Tel: (021) 788 3070

Fun indoor play center for kids with Roller coaster cars, Ball Pool, 2 big slides, Climbing Wall, Fantasy dressing up castle, Life size dolls house, Ship wreck sand pit, Tube Slide, Book corner, Lego bricks, Big building blocks, Jungle gym, Baby changing facilities, Cafe serving light snacks and beverages. Free entrance for babies under 1 year old, Party Venue

Ratanga Junction This is Cape Town's playground, and a great place to bring the kids for some trouble-free parenting. Ratanga Junction is fantastic theme park with thrilling rides and a fairytale atmosphere. Ride the terrifying Cobra roller coaster, enjoy the water rides, or explore the variety of shops around the park. Additionally you can also head across the road to Century City, the largest shopping centre in Africa, to enjoy some retail therapy.

Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market -  an authentic Slow Food market consisting of producers selling products they have sourced, grown, raised, harvested, caught, preserved or transformed themselves. Customers have a chance to taste food before they buy it and bargaining and swapping of recipes is the order of the day. By trading the food grown on the urban edges the Fresh Goods market is aiming to make the food chain more sustainable and environmentally sensitive. All foods are fresh seasonal and locally grown making them simple, nourishing and delicious.

The Pamper Parlor - New Girls 'Spa' in Durbanville (behind Spur) R99 for a facial, manicure & pedicure (or party)! Bring your little princess to be pampered or bring your fairy & her friends for a pamper party

Thunder City (Cape Town) is a unique experience for any family to enjoy, with the world's largest and most diverse private jet squadron housed in its mammoth hangar. They are the only civilian operator to fly at supersonic speeds in former military jets. If you're there to fly, then choose from a variety of flight profiles: ultra high, super-fast, aerobatic, surface-hugging, formation or a combination of these. If you are just there to visit, the kids will go wild playing fighter pilots.

Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town) - We know that parents don’t want to have the hassle of cleaning up their home after a bunch of kids, nor do they want to worry about the catering and décor. The Two Oceans Aquarium, in conjunction with I&J, now provides a complete package. Dock Road V&A Waterfront Contact:  Anne-Marié Flanagan. Email 021 418 3823 or 0828900833 Visit our website

ABINGDON YARD (Johannesburg) Outdoor party venue in Beailieu, Kyalami. Swings, see-saws, trampolines, sandpit, wendyhouse, jungle gyms, animals, large covered area with table and chairs, and an indoor play area. Call 082 900 4078 or email Open Days on Tuesday, 434B Maple Road, Beaulieu, Kyalami, Gauteng

ABOUT COUNTRY PARTIES (New children's party venue in the West Rand, Johannesburg) An exciting new party venue in acres of natural grounds - obstacle courses, soccer, slip ‘n’ slide, theme parties, foefie slide, outdoor climbing wall, treasure hunts, bmx/off road biking, games, activities, US-qualified instructor.  Self catering or fully catered.  We also have a delightful restaurant, tea garden and retail store.  Call 0832890148 or email Open every day 9am to 4pm. Andries Road, Muldersdrift Visit our website

Great putt-putt range in a fantastic setting.

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary offers visitors a good opportunity to see some of the more common birds up close. The sanctuary is a great place for a Sunday afternoon family outing or a short tranquil walk.

Bester Birds and Animals Zoo Park breeds exotic birds and animals. It is open to the public and offers fun kids' parties.

Blubird Wholefood Market -  'UNITED FLAVOURS OF NATIONS.' The Food Market to be at every Sunday, between 9.00-2.00pm at the blubird Shopping Centre. All produce is freshly prepared from the most natural of ingredients. No preservatives, food colourings, no additives. An incredible journey of tastes awaits you, from Gourmet to Artisanal fare, to food for toddlers. See you on Sunday......  Blubird shopping Centre, Athol Oaklands Road, off Corlett Drive, Athol, Johannesburg, Gauteng. 083 3114768 Email or Visit our Website

Body Mind & Soul Fayre - A Spiritual and Holistic Wonderland, monthly based Festival.

Boogaloos Lifestyle Skateparks are safe environments that boast smoke free, drug free and alcohol free zones with the inclusion of constant adult supervision. These parks are safety conscious making the wearing of helmets compulsory and encourages the use of other safety gear.

BRYANSTON ORGANIC & NATURAL MARKET - Open Thursday and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. Fun craft activities for kids – candle dipping, scratch patch, sand art, monthly puppet shows and puppet-making workshops.  Delicious, healthy meals in our garden cafes and foods for people with special needs diets.  Live music and ample secure parking makes the market fun for everyone.

Maropeng and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this area of South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind is an easy drive of about an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years.

CRAIGHALL RIVER MARKET - 2nd Saturday of Every Month - 08h30 - 13h00 Art, craft, organic produce, deli items, books, clothing, bird feeders, jewellery, pony rides, bric-a-brac, tearoom and more ! WHERE? Colourful Splendour Nursery (REEA property), Marlborough Avenue, Craighall Park.  CONTACT ROY : 011 465 3413.

For steam-train enthusiasts and lovers of railway history, of all ages. Has a great programme of activities.

HEIA SAFARI RANCH - 30 minutes from Johannesburg & Pretoria, the ideal family getaway. Plenty to keep children occupied! Swimming pool, Indoor games, table tennis, chess, full sized snooker. Enjoy their meals on the patio or under thatched umbrellas, kiddies menus available. Guided game drives, relaxing canoe ride or sit and fish, watch the various water birds at the dam. Reasonable rates and ongoing specials make this a really affordable family holiday. Contact details Website Telephone: 011 919 5000 Fax: 011 919 5078 or Email

There is lots to do at the Johannesburg Zoo which is situated on Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkview, Main public entrance on Upper Park Drive Telephone: (011) 646-2000. From Holiday Programmes to Moonlight Tours. Visit the website or call Call 011-646-2000

Jozi Food Market every Saturday with a wide variety of the finest foods in a relaxed environment. Bring the kids and your friends!

Kidz Galore is a party venue inspired by a dream of creating a venue that can be enjoyed by both parents and children, a venue that is safe for children and affordable for parents.

Kidz Galore offers a variety of party packages that will cater for all your and your childs requirements, from venue hire only option, to sit back and relax, so that we can do it all for you! Our activities will keep kids entertained for hours on end, while parents can relax and enjoy the tranquility of nature, in a safe and secure play area.

Kolonnade Ice Rink (Pretoria) - Half price sessions on Wednesday evening. Closed on a Monday Evenings, during public school terms.
Day sessions 10h00 to 17h00 & Evening sessions from 19h30 to 22h30

Open to the public on the first and third Sunday of every month, Party bookings call for reservations for any other day of the week, including the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Open days entrance free and rides cost R5 each. For birthday parties and other functions price on request.
Cnr Louis Botha Ave and Golf Club Terrace, Florida Park North West Johannesburg

HOLIDAY COURSES AT THE NATIONAL ZOO – offer children’s courses during school holidays. Bookings are essential! Please contact the National Zoological Gardens’ Education Department at Tel: 012 328 3265 x 173/ 175 or Email Fax: 012 324 2728 The Pretoria Zoo, as it's more commonly known, is the largest in the country and the only zoo with national status. There's a huge collection of animals, great walks, and a cable car that traverses the length of the zoo, allowing you to see all the animals from up above. 232 Boom Street CBD, Tel: 012 328 3265 or 012 328 6020. View website.

Great putt-putt course.

Rietvlei Nature Reserve

SA Trails  (JHB North in Lanseria/Fourways) – Horse riding adventures, from beginner to experienced, the ride of a life time, every ride is suited to the individual. In  rolling hills and untamed bush, no set routes or trails, every ride is an adventure.  To book your next horse riding adventure, please contact Kati on 082 533 4545 or Email or visit the SA Trails Website Kiddies parties, pony rides for under 12’s too and Team building events.

Serendipity (Rosebank, Johannesburg) - a wonderful family venue situated in a lovely, leafy garden – facilities include climbing frames, slides, swings and ball ponds. Entertainment includes arts and crafts, cupcake decorating and more. Treat the family and enjoy a delectable light meal in a relaxing garden environment. We have a well stocked gift shop with children’s toys, mobiles and goods for mums too! Serendipity is also a superb venue for tailor-made children’s parties! Situated in leafy Rosebank, Johannesburg 011 447 7386 (phone and fax)  Email Serendipity

Swartkrans Walking Tour hosted by Maropeng - Maropeng is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its popular Swartkrans Walking Tours from May 2010. Swartkrans is a fossil-rich cave site approximately 1km to the north-west of the well-known Sterkfontein fossil site, in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

TEAK PLACE FAMILY RESTAURANT (Rietfontein Jhb) - Looking for a venue with difference – pick a veg,  trampolines /swings /jungle gyms/ sand
art / animals / bike track. Petting Zoo, Feed the animals

Extremely happening skateboard park for cool kids.

The Transvaal Museum is one of the best and oldest natural history museums in South Africa, with wonderful interactive displays, a cleverly designed walk through the story of evolution, and a great dinosaur skeleton outside ' always a hit with the kids.

Wacki Warehouse Kiddies Play Park (Pretoria) - A huge and exciting children's indoor play park, with an incredible range of activities to keep the kids entertained all day long. Particularly great for birthday parties. 

Wonderboom Nature Reserve (Pretoria) Lying north of Pretoria and straddling the Magaliesberg mountains, the Wonderboom Nature Reserve is a stunning and tranquil 200-hectare reserve.

Yeesh! (Johannesburg) is a fun indoor play place for kids up to 12 that is open every day in the holidays except Mondays for 9am - 5pm.
Mums can relax in the coffee shop while the kids are supervised. All kinds of parties are on offer and there are special activities in the holidays.
BRYANSTON: 5 Main Road, Bryanston Tel: 073 230 6531 or (011) 463 5847 WOODMEAD: Unit G6, Woodmead Commercial Park, Waterval Crescent
Tel: 083 923 2306 or (011) 656 9669 Email or  Visit our Website

Zwartkops Quad centre (Pretoria, Gauteng) - Out of the ordinary ,  fun filled quad parties for kids from age 4 onward OR daily outings for the whole family. Choose  the full party package or self catering / Braai facilities. Our  playground consists of sunken trampolines,  jumping castles,  jungle gym, swings ,slide, sandpit,  basketball ,swingball. Contact Linky: 082 6886 046    Email or  View the website

@Tap Childrens Playground - open Tuesdays to Saturday for parents & children. There is a coffee corner for parents & large safe playground for the kids. Don't miss storytime on the big screen at 10am on Saturdays.

Animal adventures (KZN) The kids can get a close-up view of wild and farmyard animals in the Valley of a Thousand Hills near Durban.

The Duck and Deck Animal Farm provides a superb and entertaining environment allowing children to touch, feel and interact with animals.

It boasts 20 different species of beautiful exotic ducks and a pair of Black swans in a landscaped garden. The aviaries are stocked with a variety of birds and pheasants. There is also "Alphie" the Alpaca and Emus in addition they also have Alpine, Dwarf and the very rare Cashmere goats as well as indigenous sheep and fowls.

Duck n Deck Animal Farm  (Durban) The animal farm is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 4.30pm and public holidays.

Giba Gorge (Durban) is a mountain bike park second to none. With 40km of single track trails, a UCI standard BMX track, and an exhilarating free ride track, Giba promises to cater for all bike enthusiasts. We offer conferencing, event and catering facilities with our delicious Giba Cafe restaurant, an organic nursery and a superb art gallery for all cultural tastes. We cater for kids parties on weekends with guided rides to the waterfall and a great family set up under the shade of the trees on our lawn. If its exciting exercise or leisurely lazing you are looking for, Giba is the place to be.  Go to our website or call 031 769 1527 for more details on all our facilities and directions.

GOLDEN HOURS FAMILY MARKET: Uitsig Road, Durban North. Market every Sunday with a variety of traders, food stalls and a large adventure playground. Venue also for hire 7 days a week with safe, off road parking, clean ablutions, a covered party hut and live music at the market fortnightly.

Minitown (Durban) - Open every day of the week, either from 9.30am to 12.30, or from 1pm to 4pm. Wander the streets of Minitown, you can braais or visit their tuck shop.

Mitchells Park (Durban) has a sand-filled playground where kids can enjoy playing on jungle gyms, swings and slides. There are also beautiful lawned areas that are perfect for birthday parties.

 Pure Venom offers:
- Guided Tours; group & school tours in English and Zulu. Shuttle services are available.
- Snake demonstrations daily, which are highly educational and lots of fun.
- Crocodile and alligator feeding on Sundays at 12H30.
- "Viper" family restaurant; a fully licensed restaurant with an a-la-carte menu. It accommodates a big screen TV, private functions, weddings, specialized kiddies parties, seminars and conferences.
- Animal farm with goats, guinea pigs, rabbits, koi, etc.
- Amazing displays of reptiles & snakes in several areas.
- "Creepy Curio Shop" with curios, special souvenirs, unique clothing, reptile sales and accessories.
- A beautiful setting on one of Izotsha's oldest estates.
- Snake handling and identification courses.
- Snake removal service. Telephone:+27 39 685 0704 Mobile:+27 82 469 5851

 

Umgeni Steam Railway - 26 September (next steam train outing) Trains run from Kloof Station (Stokers Arms) to and from Inchanga Station, on the last Sunday of each month along the edge of the picturesque Valley of a 1000 Hills. At Inchanga Station there is a picnic area with tables and chairs, food stalls and craft market, children's face painting, candle making, pony rides and model railway display (grey building at end of craft stalls), braai fires (BBQ for those visitors from far afield), are lit for the afternoon trip. There is also the popular Inchanga Station Craft Market where many hand crafted items can be found. Numerous food outlets help to satisfy the weary traveller, including braai facilities for the 12h30 train. One can also join the train for the 10h30 departure from Inchanga for Kloof where you can sit down to fine pub fare and an ice cold beer at the Stokers Arms Station Restaurant, and still be in time for the 12h30 train returning to Inchanga.

Wave House - Family Day Outing - Spend the day. It is an awesome fusion of all board-sport cultures providing the ultimate place for the cool youth to hang as well as being a great spot for a family day out. Wave House Gateways Theatre of Shopping Umhlanga Ridge

Yellowwood Café is a country restaurant, serving wholesome country food in a wonderful country setting. It is their pleasure and privilege to be able to have you as guests in this wonderful heritage site. At Yellowwood Café they serve both an a la carte menu and a snack type pub menu.  For the Kids
There is a jungle gym to keep the children amused, as well as pony rides on a Sunday over the lunch period. They encourage their customers to take a walk around the estate and enjoy the beauty of the country. The animals at Fairfell have become part of the character of the place; the two beautiful Burman cats are called Sky and Shadow. Charlotte the pony and Cherokee the chestnut are there for the children’s rides. Boris, Montana and Blue are beautiful thoroughbreds that enjoy being admired; the cockerels and chickens are too many to name. The two oxen are called Buffalo Bill and Gentleman Gerry and love to be petted  Telephone:    +27 33 330 2461   Mobile:  +27 82 575 0602

Izizwe - An African Showcase, Motseng Cultural Village,Sun City

Izizwe - An African Showcase takes place at the Motseng Cultural Village that is situated in the Sun City Resort within walking distances of the hotels. This is a spectacular African show featuring traditional dance, Marimba Band performance, Gumboots display, Poetry and African storytelling and ending off with and interactive drumming session for all guests to enjoy.

Tribal Sky (Nelspruit) For pure cosmic entertainment (Nelspruit) * Sundowners & Stargazing * Telescope viewing of star clusters, planets * Star Talk & Stories * School Groups * Corporate Events.

Algoa Grand Prix - Experience Grand Prix excitement indoors at the Algoa Grand Prix.Special features include a 40m Scalextric 4 lane indoor track with a Monaco Tunnel, 160cc Racing Karts and full safety marshalling. Helmets and clean balaclavas are supplied. For children and adults alike.

The Bayworld Oceanarium Port Elizabeth (on Marine Drive opposite King's Beach) has over 40 different species of sharks and bony fish.  Snake Park has dozens of reptiles such as snakes, crocodiles and tortoises.

Boardwalk Entertainment World - A Go-Kart racetrack, Putt-Putt Mini-Golf Adventure Course, fairground rides and bumper boats offer hours of entertainment for children and parents alike. Furthermore, a dynamite package of children's and family entertainment is offered from the Boardwalk's Amphitheatre on a regular basis.

Fresh Food Unlimited @ St Georges Park - Food Market (PE) Please join us on the 1st Sunday of each month at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth from 9am to 2 pm. We have the most exciting new stalls. For the kiddies we have a lot of fun activities like swings, jungle gym, pony rides, train rides, foam pit and surprise jumping castle.

Funtasia - A family entertainment centre which caters for people of all ages, from children to adults. The centre is divided into various sections, such as a kiddies section which features a safari train and jumping castles, another section with indoor bumper cars and the "q-deck", with first class pool tables. Other entertainment facilities include video games as well as an Internet Café.

Holmeleigh Farmyard -  off Kragga Kamma Road just outside the city, is an animal touch farm. Families can feed and care for farm animals, and learn first-hand about South African farming. There are pony rides and playgrounds as well as a tea garden and shop. All in a picturesque countryside setting.

Entrance Fee: R30 per adult, R15 per child (3 years till under 12)

The McArthur Baths Swimming Pool Complex, ideally situated along King’s Beach Promenade adjoining onto Kings Beach, is an outstanding water recreational facility. The Complex comprises two open-air warm freshwater pools, a larger swimming pool, changing rooms, a children’s waterchute and splash pool, as well as two up-market restaurants, and a boutique. Life guards are permanently on duty at the complex. The pools are open in-season, seven days a week, from September to the following April.

Sherwood Garden Centre (PE) - An indoors market us held monthly with a variety of arts, crafts and food stalls. Treat the family on the last weekend of every month.