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Fun House in Cape Town
The delightful new kiddies’ play place and café now open in the Durbanville Winelands
With the March 2013 opening of charming new play place-cum-coffee shop Fun House in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs, it’s now perfectly possible for kids to frolic and frisk around safely while parents sit back, relax and refresh.
Nestled on Mountain View Farm on the pretty Durbanville wine route, the rustic recreation centre – it sprawls across three wooden cottages on the wide, open property – was born in part out of single mother and founder Natasha Potgieter’s frustration at finding no similar Mother City spots at which to unwind with her own little one.
“There was no place like this in Cape Town,” asserts the bubbly owner, who also wanted to escape the cold corporate world where she worked as a sales manager for several years. “The city really lacked a great outside party venue [for little ones].”
Her family-friendly haven boasts indoor and outdoor play areas, and the centre comes complete with everything from slides, jumping castles and jungle gyms to sandpits, blow-up boats and arts and crafts tables (ideal for distracting the kiddies on those icy, rainy days). What’s more, Natasha has a small team on hand to lead fun-filled children’s activities, like face painting, picnics and treasure hunts.
As another highlight, the scenic Winelands play park, which has a large grassy alfresco area, also claims a space specifically devoted to hosting customised kids’ parties, and the passionate founder will gladly organise every tiny detail of a themed birthday bash.
But Fun House isn’t merely a safe spot for kids to clown around while grown-ups take a breather, it’s also a vibrant outlet for its proprietor’s creativity.
“It’s been my lifelong dream to open a little place where I can express my artistic side,” says Natasha, a self-proclaimed DIY doyenne (she even made all the venue’s tables herself).
Her long-dormant imaginative flair has thus sprung to life in the vintage on-site café and adjacent boutique, both of which are home to her own personal creations. Thanks to the addition of these spaces, while the little ones entertain themselves, adults can sip on piping-hot lattes, tuck into fresh homemade sweet and savoury treats – think carrot cake, Cremora and berry tart, muffins, scones, quiches and artisan sandwiches (there are children’s options too) – and browse through a medley of cute, carefully handcrafted kids’ clothes, accessories and homeware odds and ends.
Needless to say, this unique Durbanville venue is set to be not only a wonderland for tots and toddlers, but a welcome retreat for wound-up mamas and papas.
Note: Fun House is not a crèche, and hence, moms and dads cannot just drop their little ones off to be looked after – the focus is on quality family time, and thus each child must be accompanied by a parent.
The Bill: All children under the age of 16 are charged an entrance fee of R40 for an unlimited time in the play area; moms and pops can visit for free. Customised kids’ parties cost anywhere between R130 and R150 per child. Café prices are relatively reasonable: coffee and milkshakes go for between R15 and R20, cakes cost R25 and sandwiches and quiches will set you back between R25 and R30.
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Friday: 10am – 5pm; Saturday: 9am – 5pm; Sunday: 9am – 2pm
Mountain View Farm (next to the Big Barrel Pub) | Tygerberg Road | Durbanville | Cape Town | +27 (0)82 770 3286
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Seeking a fine spot to dine while the little ones are kept entertained? Have a look at our overview of kid-friendly restaurants in Cape Town.
Keep the kids entertained with this fairy workshop at Bugz Playpark.
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