Schools are closing, festivities are approaching and the working year is winding down. Family homes are filling up and with the sun out, it’s a great time to gather everyone up and head on an outing.
Here are some family-friendly outings to enjoy in Cape Town this festive season:
Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, is known for its botanical wonders and gorgeous location. With its dedicated family-friendly sections, interactive displays and seasonal events, Kirstenbosch Gardens promises a lovely experience for parents and children.
Check out the events coming up, attend a Kirstenbosch Sunset Concert or pack your own picnic and just enjoy relaxing on the lush lawns.
- Location: Rhodes Dr, Newlands
- Times: Every day, 8am to 7pm
- Website: sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch
Image credit: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden / Facebook
Cape Town Science Centre
The Cape Town Science Centre is a spot for exploration and discovery. Designed as an educational space, it offers interactive exhibits, engaging events and activities for the whole family.
For families seeking an enriching yet entertaining experience, the Cape Town Science Centre provides an inviting platform to both learn and have fun at any age.
- Location: 370B Main Road, Observatory
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm
- Website: ctsc.org.za
Image credit: Cape Town Science Centre
Galileo Open Air Cinema
Enjoy a movie under the stars at the Galileo Open Air Cinema. Offering a diverse repertoire of over 100 timeless movies catering to all tastes and ages, the line-up has weekly screenings in beautiful locations across Cape Town.
Weekday screenings are held at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, with select Friday events at Central Park in Century City. Meanwhile, Saturdays are enjoyed at renowned wine estates in Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
Check Cape {town} Etc regularly for every week’s line-up and chances to win tickets.
- Website: thegalileo.co.za
Image credit: Galileo Open Air Cinema
Two Oceans Aquarium
Enjoy an oceanic adventure at Cape Town’s Two Oceans Aquarium. Explore diverse marine life from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
From penguins to sharks, the aquarium offers a fascinating glimpse into underwater worlds. It’s a fun, educational experience perfect for families, showcasing marine wonders while highlighting the importance of ocean conservation.
- Location: Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- Times: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 6pm | Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm
- Website: aquarium.co.za
Image credit: Two Oceans Aquarium
Strawberry picking at Polkadraai
From September to January, visitors are welcomed to Polkadraai Farm daily to enjoy the delightful ritual of strawberry picking. This experience requires no advance booking for individuals or families. Upon arrival, you purchase a container from the farm’s store.
Guided by the farm’s staff, you will walk through rows of vibrant strawberry plants, plucking the ripest, juiciest ones. The simplicity of the process – pick to your heart’s content and pay for what you gather – adds to the charm of the experience. Typically lasting around 20-30 minutes, the picking adventure is a brief yet fun experience, perfect for families.
- Location: 7603 Stellenbosch Arterial Road, Kuils River
- Times: Every day, 9am to 4pm (closed on Christmas Day)
- Website: polkadraaifarm.co.za
Image credit: Polkadraai Farm
Cape Point Nature Reserve
Take a family adventure to Cape Point Nature Reserve, where nature impresses everyone at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. You can walk or hike scenic trails, spotting local wildlife along the way.
Don’t miss the iconic Cape Point Lighthouse with its panoramic views of the meeting oceans. And you can finish off your day trip by grabbing something to eat at the reserve’s restaurant.
- Location: Cape Peninsula, Simon’s Town
- Times: Every day, 7am to 5pm
- Website: capepoint.co.za
Image credit: Cape Point
Cape Town Ziplines
Experience a more exhilarating outing at Cape Town Ziplines. After a safety briefing at the Silvermist Estate base, embark on a thrilling 4×4 ride into the mountains above Constantia, showcasing stunning Cape Town vistas.
Glide through 12 platforms, enjoying panoramic city views. The expert guides ensure a safe and unforgettable adventure, with ziplines reaching up to 155 metres high. The minimum age requirement is 6 years old.
- Location: Silvermist Estate, Hout Bay, Main Rd
- Times: Every day, 9am to 4pm
- Website: saforestadventures.co.za
Image credit: SA Forest Adventures
Clay Café Hout Bay
Clay Café in Hout Bay is a great spot to explore creativity and have fun in a colourful setting. Here, you can join an interactive pottery painting experience perfect for all ages.
Upon arrival, you will choose from a range of unfired pottery pieces, from mugs to figurines, and then paint and personalise your chosen piece. Indulge in delicious treats at the café while the whole family makes handcrafted pieces.
- Location: Main Road, Hout Bay
- Times: Every day, 9am to 5pm
- Website: claycafe.co.za
Image credit: Clay Café Hout Bay
Glow-in-the-dark mini golf
Experience a fun twist on traditional mini golf at Glowing Rooms. With specially imported 3D glasses, ordinary 2D images transform into vivid 3D illusions. Make your way through an 18-hole course, crossing each glow-in-the-dark hole.
Whether you’re playing or spectating, there’s an affordable fee for everyone, making it an enjoyable outing for all ages.
- Location: 1 Turf Club Dr, Milnerton
- Times: Saturday, 10am to 8pm | Sunday, 10am to 4pm
- Website: glowingrooms.co.za
Here are some family-friendly outings to enjoy in Joburg this festive season:
Johannesburg Zoo
The Joburg Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in the leafy northern suburb of Johannesburg, with visitors coming from far and wide. The Zoo spans over 55 hectares of land and is home to over 320 species of animals, that equals 2 000 animals. The Joburg Zoo is open to the public 364 days a year, including Christmas, New Year’s and Easter holidays.
- Location: Shop U 30 Keyes, Jellicoe Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
- Times: Every day, 8:30am to 5:30pm
- Website: jhbcityparksandzoo.com
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Sci-Bono is a world-class science centre that supports maths, science and technology education and offers innovative, dynamic learning experiences that contribute to building South Africa’s science, engineering and technology capacity.
- Location: Corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph (formerly Newtown | Helen Joseph St, Johannesburg
- Times: Weekdays, Saturdays and public holidays: 9am – 4:30pm | Sundays: 9am – 3:30pm
- Website: scibono.co.za
Image credit: sci-bono discovery centre / Facebook
Rosebank Sunday Market
Rosebank Sunday Market has something for everyone with a large selection of craft stalls, live music, kids’ entertainment and food vendors. The Rosebank Mall offers stunning views of the Johannesburg skyline and sunsets and every Sunday the rooftop parking transforms into a family-friendly market, you don’t want to miss. The Rosebank Sunday Market has something to offer patrons of all ages.
Here are some family-friendly outings to enjoy in Durban this festive season:
uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World is an entertainment theme park with water activities fit for the whole family. It is a popular tourism destination located on Durban’s Golden Mile and contains 10 000 animal species. It features Wet n Wild, Africa’s highest slide waterpark and Sea World, Africa’s largest aquarium.
- Location: 1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban, 4001
- Times: Everyday, 9am – 5pm
- Website: ushakamarine.com
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Isithumba Adventure Centre
Isithumba Adventure Centre offers a series of facilitated adventures. With the natural attractions in the surrounding area, Isithumba offers a fun-filled adventure for the whole family. Especially popular, visitors can enjoy canoeing, rafting and guided nature hikes. iSithumba Rock offers abseiling and rock climbing, as well as 4×4 trails – a three-hour round trip on the dirt roads, bush tracks and quarries.
- Location: D1004 Phumekhaya Road, Isithumba, 3720
- Website: isithumba.co.za
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A version of this article was published in Cape{town} ETC.
