Top things to do with teenagers in Cape Town

From embarrassing parent to cool best friend

"You're so embarrassing. Go away. I hate you," sounds the familiar cry. It's difficult to communicate with someone whose only concern is the opposite sex, their next tattoo, their road to Hollywood stardom and their hatred of anyone over 23-years-old. It's even more difficult to imagine that these are the people who will look after you in your old age. But it's time you started insuring yourself.

Teens who love adventure:

Gary's Surf School
If you're not one of those parents who threw their baby into the ocean whilst the umbilical cord was still attached, you have some making up to do. Gary's surf school could have your 15-year-old up and riding in one lesson.
34 Balmoral Building | Beach Road | Muizenberg | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 788 9839

Downhill Adventures
For speed junkie teens, there is nothing quite like zipping down the awesome Hangklip Dunes in Betty's Bay.
Orange Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 0388

Liquid Grace Adventures
How about an adrenaline-filled holiday in the heart of the Garden Route? Challenge the family with wake-boarding, bungee jumping, abseiling, game drives and other fun activities.
Sedgefield | Garden Route | +27 (0)44 343 3245

Teens who love to give something back:

The South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB)
Nature loving volunteers can learn about the life-cycle and conservation of the African penguin, as well as being taught how to catch, hold and feed them.
22 Pentz Drive | Table View | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 557 6155

Cycling townships with AWOL & BEN Bicycle Township Tours
Open your teen's eyes to Capetonian culture and tradition. You'll visit a traditional healer, a vibrant gospel church service and a pre-school. Read our Peninsula township insights.
Muizenberg | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 788 1256

Teens who love to dream:

Artee Parteez
Indulge budding pop stars and friends with three and a half hour recording sessions, a photo shoot and a professionally mixed CD to take home.
Claremont | Cape Town | +27 (0)84 207 0180

Helen O'Grady Drama Academy
Teens who want to improve confidence and speaking ability, or dream of a theatrical career will benefit from classes including; improvisation, character analysis, theatre games and monologues.
St Peters Church Hall | Park Avenue | Camps Bay | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 674 5386; Andrews Road | Hout Bay | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 674 5386

Teens who love to be entertained:

Canal Walk
This planet-sized shopper's heaven features over 400 stores, 30 restaurants and 17 Nu Metro cinemas, sure to test the bank of mom and dad. Shop the world at Canal Walk.
Century Boulevard | Century City | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 529 9799

Cape Town Stadium Tour
Soccer mad teens can visit the iconic, 68 000-seater stadium that hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The tour includes a behind the scenes look at the stands, players' changing rooms as well as the prison cells that rowdy fans get locked up in.
Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 430 7346

Bowling at Grand West Casino
The whole family will enjoy this ten-pin-tastic overdose of UV lights, cheesy pop, fizzy drinks and bizarre bowling shoes. It's also great for corporate teambuilding.
1 Vanguard Drive | Goodwood | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 535 4582

A Hudson's burger
Fact: teenagers can eat obscene amounts of food without putting on a single pound. We can rest assured that their time will come; they might as well make the most of it and sink their teeth into a juicy, ostrich burger with beetroot salsa.
69A Kloof Street | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 426 5974 ; Corner of Somerset & Portswood Road | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 433 1496

By Lisa Nevitt

Read our top things to do with mom and top things to do with 20'somethings.

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