50 super cool things to do for kids

A selection of the best things to do for kids in Cape Town and surrounds

Think back to your childhood. I mean, way back when your biggest concern was Barbie's love life, or which Scalextric car whizzed around the track the fastest. Kids of today may live in a technological world of X-boxes and scooters, but they still have the same imagination, and an insatiable appetite for fun and adventure.

CapeTownMagazine.com selected some of the best things to do for kids, in Cape Town and surrounds. Forget about the mortgage and have some family fun.

1 - Kenilworth Karting
For the ultimate adrenaline rush, race a 160cc kart around a high-tech, 300m indoor track. Underage drivers can tear up the tracks in 140cc junior carts. Why not Go Karting, for Extreme Fun

10 Myhof Road | Kenilworth | Cape Town| +27 (0)21 683 2670

2 – Butterfly World
Visit the 1000 square metre green-house, to encounter 500-800, exotic butterflies, from South America and South East Asia. Experience Beautiful Butterfly World

Between Klapmuts and Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 875 5628

3 – Lets Go Bowling Stadium Bowl
Ten pin bowling is an affordable and social game that can be enjoyed by all ages. Lets Go Bowling cater for children's birthday parties.

Outlets in Bellville, Tygervalley, Claremont and Goodwood | +27 (0)21 914 8217

4 – Cool Runnings
Hurtle down a 1.25km, steel tobogan track at 40km an hour for an exhilarating ride. Go Downhill at Cool Runnings

Off Carl Kronje Drive, opposite Bellville Velodrome | Tygervalley  | +27 (0)21 949 4439

5 – The Ice Station at Grand West Casino
The Ice Station is an Olympic-sized rink, offering kids birthday parties and educational programs. Read more about Ice Skating in Cape Town

Grand West Casino | 1 Vanguard Drive | Goodwood | +27 (0)21 535 2260

6 – Two Oceans Aquarium
The aquarium showcases over 3000 living sea animals including; sharks, fishes, turtles and penguins. Discover the Two Oceans Aquarium

V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 3823

7 – The Scratch Patch
Search for colourful gemstones beneath your feet and visit the gemstone factory (Simon's Town Branch) to see how stones are tumbled, processed and polished.

Dido Valley Road | Simons Town | +27 (0)21 786 2020 / V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)21 419 9429

8 – Eagle Encounters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Centre
Visit this non-profit, bird hospital to view; Marshal Eagles, kites, buzzards, hawks and falcons in dazzling falconry displays. Read more about Rehab for Birds

Spier Estate | Lynedoch Road | Stellenbosch

9 – MTN Science Centre
Visit this interactive science centre, with 280 displays, to learn about fascinating scientific discoveries and technological innovations. Read more about the MTN Science Centre in Cape Town

Main Road 370B (near Groote Schuur Hospital | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 529 8100

10 – Boulders Beach
Spend your summers day with over 1000, fluffy South African penguins. Stay for a picnic on the beach, whilst the kids build sandcastles. Swim with African Penguins?

11 – Noordhoek Farm Village
Noordhoek farm village offers a range of free activities for kids including; craft tables, magic shows, clowns and face painting. Read more about Noordhoek Farm Village

Corner of Chapmans Peak Road and Village Lane | Noordhoek | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 789 2812

12 – Clay Cafe
Paint ceramic, clay bisques,  whilst enjoying delightful views and tucking into homemade toasties and cakes. Let us Show you the Way to Clay Cafe.

Main Road | Hout Bay | +27 (0)21 790 3318

13 – Iziko Museum Planetarium
View the stars and constellations of South African skies from the comfort of this state-of –the- art, domed museum. 0-5-year-olds will be treated to educational displays by intergalactic celebrities.

25 Queen Victoria Street | Cape Town |+27 (0)21 481 3900

14  -  Kids Junction
Kids Junction offers exciting, supervised activities for kids including; action ball, drumming workshops, storytelling and much more.

17 Willow Road | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)87 808 7958

15 – Kidz Get Wild
Adventurous kids can embark on a unique camping experience, packed with over 100 camping activities including; abseiling, rock climbing and kite making.

+27 (0)21 712 6715

16 – Atlantic Flying Club
If you and your kids enjoy soaring, or want to start flying gliders, join the experts at Atlantic Flying Club, for radio controlled slope soaring.

+27 (0)82 464 7444

17 – Company's Gardens
Take your little tykes for a picnic and a game of frisbee amongst the majestic flora and fauna of the Company's Gardens.

Company's Gardens | Cape Town

18 – Millstone Garden Cafe and Farmstall
Celebrate with a kids birthday party in a relaxing garden, with a tree house. There's even horse riding,nextdoor.

Alexandra Road | Oude Molen Eco Village | Pinelands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 8226

19 – Cape Town Lion Park
Embark on an educational day trip in the home on the white lion, to learn more about physiology, hunting methods and their life as a pride.

Vredenheim Wine Farm | Paarl | +27 (0)83 868 4119

20 – Action Pursuit Group's (APG) Home Arena
Get yourself kitted out in camouflage, arm yourself with a paintball gun and plan not to get shot down in enemy paint, in the pine trees of the Tokai Forrest. This activity is for children of 11 years and over. Read our feature: Action Paintball Means War

Spaanschemat Road | Tokai | +27 (0)21 790 7603

21 – Intaka Island Nature Reserve
Self-guided trails allow you to view the natural and educational elements of the island including; 180 species of indigenous plants and 125 bird species. Read more about Nature's Gem

Intaka Island | Corner of Summer Greens Road and Century Boulevard | Century City | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 552 6889

22 – Kindermusik with Nats
Calling all mums with tots! Kindermusik offers an early childhood brain stimulation program that integrates movement and music into a child's daily routine.

Branches in City Centre, Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, Southern Peninsula and North Atlantic Suburbs | +27 (0)76 814 7981

23 – Deer Park Cafe
Kick back with a caffeine fix, whilst your kids play on their superb, outdoor playground. Deer Park Cafe caters for children's birthday parties.

2 Deer Park Drive | Vredehoek | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 8226

24 – Sporting Chance
Sporting Chance provide 2 hour coaching sessions, with excellent sports coaches. Choose from outdoor sports including; soccer and cricket.

1 Mariendahl Avenue | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 683 7299

25 – Little Cooks Club
The Little Cooks Club provide an educational program, to introduce mothers and toddlers to new foods and a healthy diet.

Locations in Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs and Table View | +27 (0)73 227 3404

26 – Bugz Family Play Park
Bugz is the largest outdoor and indoor play park in the Western Cape and offers 2-10-year-olds the activity extravaganza of a lifetime including; sandpits, jumping castles and a train.

56 Tarentaal Street | Joostenbergvlakte | Kraaifontein | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 988 8846

27 – Warrior Toy Museum
Visit a permanent exhibition of toys, dolls, model cars and soldiers that will satisfy toy collectors and children, alike.

St Georges Street | Simon's Town | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 786 1395

28 – Jolly Roger Pirate Boat
Hop aboard the only authentic pirate ship in South Africa and set sail with a qualified sailing crew and skipper. Ahoy, me hearty's!

Quay 5 | V&A Waterfront |+27 (0)21 421 0909

29 – Planet Kids
Spend quality time with the kids at this eco-friendly, indoor activity centre, which offers holiday workshop activities and birthday parties.

3 Wherry Road | Muizenberg | +27 (0)21 788 3070

30 – Supafun Factory
Bundle party kids into the car and transport them to the Supafun Factory, which boasts a scooter, track, animal bouncers, a jungle gym and much more.

Unit 3 | Freedom Square | Corner of Freedom Way and Marinus | Montague Gardens | Milnerton | +27 (0)21 552 4776

31 – Magic Village
Visit the arcade venue at the Grand West Casino, for popular games including; simulator games, kiddies rides and a shooting gallery. There are prizes to be won!

Vanguard Drive | Goodwood | +27 (0)21 534 0244

32 – Graceland Venues
Surrounded by the Boland mountains, lies a hidden paradise with numerous family activities including; water slides, farm animal encounters and pony rides.

Klein Dennegeur Farm | Lustigan Road | Southern Paarl | +27 (0)21 863 4109

33 – The Giraffe House
Enjoy a family picnic and quality time with each other, amongst wonderful wildlife and bird species. Guided conservation tours are available.

Corner of R304 and R101 | Between Stellenbosch and Paarl | +27 (0)21 884 4506

34 – World of Birds
World of Birds is paradise for little nature lovers and photographers. Spot over 3000 bird species in landscaped aviaries, or take a stroll through the tropical, monkey jungle.

Wildlife Sanctuary | Valley Road | Hout Bay | +27 (0)21 790 4839

35 – Cheetah Sancturary
Encounter 20 Cheetahs, at the Spier Wine Estate. The sanctuary has recently adopted a cute, serval cat.

Spier Wine Estate | R310 | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 809 1100

36 – Downhill Adventures
Introduce your kids to the most exciting thing on three wheels – quad biking through tracks, trails and 4x4 courses, with expert guides.

+27 (0)21 422 0388

37 – Art Jamming
Get your juniors jamming with art, during art classes and holiday programs at Art Jamming. It's time to let your imagination take hold of the paint brush.

1 Willowbridge Centre | Tygervalley | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 914 9224 / Shop 014 | Cape Quarter | Somerset Road | Green Point | +27 (0)21 421 6129

38 – Aquila Private Game Reserve
Aquila offers child friendly safaris and an onsite play area which includes; a paddling pool, ponies, miniature quad bikes and crafts. Read more about Safaris with Aquila

Touwsrivier | Ceres | +27 (0)21 431 8400

39 – Imhoff's Snake Park
Get up close and personal with a slithery soul mate at Imhoff's reptile sanctuary. Meet interesting snakes, lizards and a mad, African grey parrot.

M65 | Kommetjie | +27 (0)21 783 4545

40 – Sleepy Hollow Horse Riding
Sleepy Hollow offers lessons and pony rides for your little 'uns, through Noordhoek Beach and the wetlands.

Sleepy Hollow Lane | Noordhoek | +27 (0)21 789 2341

41 – Sea Point Swimming Pool
The Sea Point complex consists of an Olympic sized swimming pool, two splash pools and a spring board, diving pool for thrill-seeker kids.

Sea Point Pavillion | Beach Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 434 3341

42 – Cave Golf
How about a unique, indoor putt putt experience? Cave Golf offers 18 holes with well-designed challenges and obstacles.

V&A Waterfront (next to the Scratch Patch) | +27 (0)21 419 9429

43 – Gary's Surf School
Grab a surf board, grab a wet suit, then allow bodacious waves to grab a hold of you. Gary's surf school offer equipment rental and surfing lessons.

34 Beach Road | Muizenberg | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 782 9356

44 – Blue Train
All aboard the iconic blue train, which travels along the promenade, from Mouille Point to Bantry Bay. Where else can you entertain your kids for R10 per person?

Mouille Point

45 – Bizzy Bodies
Bizzy Bodies is an indoor gym that offers an active play experience for children, of 1-12-years old. Activities include; an inflatable bouncer, obstacle courses and a large climbing structure. Get active!

23 Bell Crescent  | Westlake Business Park |  Westlake| Cape Town | +27 (0)21 702 0505

46 – Lil'drey;'s
A place where your child can grow artistically, through a series of art classes, workshops and miniature celebrations.

140 Waterkant Street | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 4414

47 – Laserquest
Select your laser pack and prepare for an exciting laser game. Older kids will have great fun finding hiding places and shooting red lasers at the opposition.

Stadium on Main | Claremont Main Road | Claremont | +27 (0) 21 683 7296

48 – Jimmy Jungles
Jimmy Jungles offers supervised, indoor play facilities, for children of 6 months and over – ideal for birthday parties.

Stadium on Main Road | Main Road | Claremont | +27 (0)21 683 0005 / Shop 905 | Tygervalley Centre | Bill Bezuidenhout Avenue | Bellville | +27 (0)21 914 1705

49 – Cape Town Model Rocketry Club
Buy a kit, or build your own rocket, and get ready for the launch. Your rocket is recovered by parachutes, so they can be used many times, and you can install GPS systems and video cameras.

+27 (0)82 746 5892

50 – Ratanga Junction
With more than 30 different attractions, for kids, families and daring, thrill seekers, Ratanga is sure to take the whole family on an unforgettable ride.

Century City | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 550 8500

By Lisa Nevitt

For more information, visit our Kids Decide section.