Christmas lights, glühwein, wine tasting & kids zone
School holiday ideas for kids of all ages
Fossil park, science centre, role play village and 15+ more
Last updated: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or nanny, you might be looking for things to do with the kids these school holidays. We’ve rounded up a packed list of ideas for every age group, from a motorcycle or aircraft museum, to a fossil park, role play village, educational activities and more. From free to affordable, here’s 18 things to do in the school holidays.
NEW “PARK” IN SEA POINT
You’ll find Prom Park between the Putt Putt Course and Blue Train Park along the Sea Point promenade. It has bicycle and kayak hire, a play area with giant bird nests that kids can climb, and adventure tours. You’re covered for food too: There’s hot dogs, bagels from Ty’s Bagels and sorbet from Island Way which comes in real fruit shells.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Daily, 8am - 5pm
Cost: Free entry; Sorbet from R35
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160 Beach Road | Mouille Point | @prompark_seapoint | Image: Cape Town with Kids
ROLE PLAY VILLAGE IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS
If your kids ever wanted to play doctor, farmer or grocer this is the place to take them. The Harvest Village is a new indoor play café. There are different themed cubicles like a “medical centre” with wooden syringes and a “grocery store” with trolleys and crochet fruit and veg. Parents will appreciate the free wifi, coffee bar and tables with charging ports.
Ages: 1 - 8
Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Cost: R100 per child per hour
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9b Wessels Road | Kenilworth | @theharvestvillage | Image: The Harvest Village
REAL FOSSIL DIG SITE
This is one of the only places in the world where you can see fossils in the same ground where they were discovered. Kids can excavate bones from mock dig sites and explore the museum with the remains of African bears, sabre-tooth cats, mammoths and more. See more reasons why the West Coast Fossil Park should be on your list.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 3pm
Cost: Museum entry fee, R50 (adults), R30 (children); dig site tour, R100 (adults), R50 (children)
R45 | Langebaanweg | Vredenburg | West Coast | @westcoastfossilpark | Image: West Coast Fossil Park
TRAIN RIDE THROUGH THE WINELANDS
This miniature train park has a seven minute train ride that spans across 760m, and its flagship locomotive, Doreen, is one of only two steam engines in the world to hold a world record. Winelands Light Railway also has a pet-friendly park and shaded lawns for picnics. You can buy coffee, cold drinks and snacks at the Tractor Shed.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Open for school holidays (29 March - 6 April), from 9am to 5pm
Cost: R70 - R120
Winelands Light Railway | 1941 R304 | Stellenbosch | @winelandsrail | Image: Winelands Rail
SCIENTIST FOR THE DAY
Learning doesn’t have to be a bore for your little one. The Cape Town Science Center teaches science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. Students can actively participate in hands-on experiences, see epic displays, and maybe be inspired to be the next great scientist.
Ages: 3 years and up
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4.30pm
Cost: From R40 for pensioners; R80 for kids and adults, book via Webtickets
370B Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town | @capetownsciencecentre | Image: Cape Town Science Centre
KIDS CAN PLAY (WHILE THE PARENTS WORK)
Playstation by Rush is an indoor play park with an adventure maze, four-metre high line course, bike pump track, rock climbing walls, and a pitch for soccer and cricket. There’s also a restaurant and work areas with wifi for parents who work remotely.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday, 9am to 10pm
Cost: R200 per person, book via 021 683 3841
10 Honeywell Road | Retreat | @playstationrush | Image: Playstation
MUSEUM WITH 200+ CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES
There are more than 200 beautifully-restored classic motorbikes on display (ranging from the early 1910s to 1974) at the Helderberg Motorcycle Museum. There’s also a collection of vintage petrol tanks, helmets, signs, and pumps that celebrate motorcycling through the ages. Plus, you can dine at the restaurant on-site and kids under 12 get in free at Helderberg Motorcycle Museum.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 3.30pm
Cost: Free (kids under 12); R100 for adults, book via Helderberg Museum website
16 Old Sir Lowry's Pass Road | Helderberg Rural | @motorcycle_museum | Image: Helderberg Motorcycle Museum
KIDS CAN BUILD CHOCOLATE BARS
Choco-o-lattes, flash nitrogen ice cream, and build-a-bar experiences… This is what you’ll find at the colourful chocolate store on Buitenkant Street. They’ve got “bon bombs” in flavours like pomegranate molasses in a purple pyramid and pop butter in a tiny pink croissant (filled with a surprise). Plus, you can make your own chocolate bar at Rapt in Cape Town.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Monday, 9am to 6pm; Tuesday to Saturday; 9am to 9pm; Sunday, 9am to 4pm
Cost: Bon bombs starting from R20
39 Buitenkant Street | Cape Town City Centre | Cape Town | @raptindulgence | Image: Lindsey Appolis
SKATEPARK FOR ALL AGES & WHEELS
The Shred’s layout includes ramps, stair-sets, rails, a quarter pipe and the very popular skate bowl. This accessible neighbourhood spot welcomes all ages and wheels, including skaters, rollerbladers, bikers, and BMX riders (they give lessons too). The Eiland Eatery offers food and there are plenty of daily specials at The Shred.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Monday, 8am to 6pm; Tuesday to Thursday, 8am to 9pm; Friday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm
Cost: From R50, Whatsapp on 076 198 6268
68 Auckland Street | Paarden Eiland | @the_shred_skatepark | Image: The Shred
MAGICAL PIXIE AND FAIRY VILLAGE
This wholesome fairy “village” along the West Coast has become a popular destination among both young and older folks, due to its affordable entry price (it’s’ only R30 for adults and R20 for kids). You can see fairies and pixies scattered around mini castles, and take a seat in a big mushroom at the Pixie and Fairy Village in Jacobs Bay.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Open daily, 9am to 5.30pm
Cost: R30 for adults; R20 for kids and pensioners
Plot 307 Main Road | Jacobs Bay | @pixie_and_fairy_village | Image: @joannecwilliams
NATURE RESERVE WITH BOAT TOURS
Rondevlei Nature Reserve is a wetland wilderness in Grassy Park, known for its impressive birdlife. It’s also the only place in Cape Town where you can see a population of hippos. There are two viewing towers with spectacular scenery and several bird hides. You could also go on a boat tour, picnic, and fish at Rondevlei Nature Reserve.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Daily, 7.30am to 5pm
Cost: Free entry
Perth Road & Fishermans Walk, Pelikan Park, Zeekoevlei | Website | Image: @momsen_wild
EXHIBIT WITH LIFE-SIZED BRONZE STATUES
You might’ve seen this before, but don't know what it is. Close to Canal Walk Shopping Centre is an exhibition with 100 life-sized bronze statues of South African struggle figures (the largest of its kind in the world). Long March to Freedom offers guided tours that bring the stories of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and more to life.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm
Cost: Children under 6, free; South African citizens unguided tour R20; Guided tour R75; book via Webtickets
Century Boulevard | Century City | @longmarchtofreedom | Image: Long March to Freedom
RESIN ART WORKSHOP
Enjoy arts and crafts at this resin workshop where you can mix, colour, pour and create your own resin art. your own designs. Using epoxy as a coating, you can make items like jewellery holders, a cake stand, cheese board, and more. Pretty Bits hosts workshops at various locations, such as Wetton, Goodwood, and more; be sure to check their socials for updates.
Ages: TBC
Hours: Varies
Cost: From R390, book via 083 441 1311
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Various locations | @prettybits_serve_in_style | Image: Pretty Bits
ACTIVE WEEKEND IN GRABOUW
It’s only an hour from Cape Town and is the first bike hotel in Africa. Trail's End Bike Hotel has something for every age, like biking, trail running, swimming, wellness treatments, a climbing wall, Bicycle Museum, hiking trails, and more at Trail’s End Bike Hotel.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Daily, 8am to 5pm (day visitors)
Cost: From R1 650 per night, book via Trail’s End Bike Hotel website
Worcester Street | Swannie River | Grabouw | @trailsendbikehotel | Image: Trail's End
GO KARTING IN THE NORTHERN SUBURBS
Kids 10 and up can race against each other at Extreme Go Karting. With posters of Formula One racers lining the walls, flags from around the world, and chequered flags, this is a great indoor activity for kids (and parents) to enjoy. Supporters can watch from the sidelines with benches and tables.
Ages: 10 years and up
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday (and public holidays), 10am to 8pm; Sunday, 10am to 7pm
Cost: From R150 for a five-minute session (no extra cost for venue hire or corkage)
Tyger Valley Shopping Centre | Mezzanine Level | Facebook | Image: Extreme Go Karting
BABY SENSORY PLAY
The Messy Hub has various locations across Cape Town, including Newlands, Green Point, Hout Bay and Constantia. Here the littles ones can get messy and creative with sensory play. The classes are aimed at developing cognitive skills, fostering creativity and promoting independent play.
Ages: 6 months and up
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Cost: From R200, book via The Messy Hub’s website
5 Baviaanskloof Road | 7 Broughton Close | Hout Bay | @the.messyhub | Image: @kellyabrahams1
ROCK CLIMBING WITH 16M HIGH WALLS
This is one for the kids and adults to enjoy together. Try your hand at climbing 16m high walls, 5m bouldering walls, a speeding wall and more at CityRock. There’s also a dedicated kids section, introductory classes for beginners (or anyone wanting to brush up on their climbing skills), and yoga and pilates classes.
Ages: 5 years and up
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11am - 9pm; Friday to Sunday, 9am - 6pm
Cost: R180 for an adult day pass; R140 for a child day pass (gear extra rental), book via CityRock.co.za
The Island | 9 Milner Street | Paarden Eiland | @cityrock_cpt | Image: City Rock
FREE AIRCRAFT MUSEUM
For kids and parents who love all things aviation, visiting the Air Force Museum should be on your school holiday to-do list. You can see old aircrafts, uniforms, and a library filled with aviation books and magazines. If you go on a Saturday, it’s free. Plus, there are free tours on Saturdays at the Air Force Museum.
Ages: All ages
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm; Saturday, 9am to 2pm
Cost: Free entrance on Saturdays
Piet Grobler Street | Ysterplaat Airbase | Cape Town | Image: @chloehuttonxx
By Sarah Williams & Khadeeja Adams
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EXPLORE MORE WITH THE KIDS
From painting to skating, we’ve compiled 65+ kids activities.
A nature reserve with hippos, and more affordable ideas for the family.
Stay indoors but not at home with these indoor activities for kids.
There’s always something to do with this guide to the week(end).
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