Holiday fun, who needs the sun?

Pop the kettle on and breathe a sigh of relief, mom and dad, as all your holiday anxiety vanishes...

While it’s true that kids need a break from school and its related activities, this now means that mom and dad have their plates full with keeping the kids occupied. Bless the rains down in Africa, but this now means outdoorsy activities are off the table. So, what to do? Are there fun, family-friendly activities you and your kids can enjoy this winter holiday? Absolutely! Get ready for some holiday fun with science, nature, slides, jumping castles, theatre and more!

It’s physical, chemical, and fun!

Located in Observatory, Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC) is a treasure trove of learning and fun. They boast more than 250 interactive science exhibits and SciCafe serves nutritious meals so you won’t have to pack a lunch. As Albert Einstein said, “Play is the highest form of research”, and this winter CTSC is hosting two camps: Let’s Code Holiday Camp (17-21 July) and Winter Science Camp – Science that changed the world (18-21 July). These camps (for ages 8+) encourage children to explore their own creativity and partner with technology, while exploring the wonderful and mysterious world of science.  

Learning in nature...

Kirstenbosch has a few great programmes during the holidays that allow kids to interact with nature in a fun and informative way. The Biodiversity and Waste holiday art workshop (19 July) is fit for ages 10-12 and educates children on what happens to litter and waste. They will then make something useful out of waste material to take home. The day after (20 July), Kirstenbosch will also be hosting Nature’s Treasure Box holiday art workshop which is perfect for ages 6-9. They’ll tread through the gardens on a guided tour and then plant seeds in a box that they’ve decorated.

School’s out, let’s play!

• Located in Muizenberg, Planet Kids is a child and parents dream. Known as one of the most inclusive and safest play centre’s for children (even down to the environmentally-friendly paint), Planet Kids boasts incredible indoor activities such as jumping castles, climbing walls, an intergalactic ball-wall, ramps and slides. Children of all ages and abilities are welcome and there are plenty of healthy goodies to snack on at the Flying Saucer Cafe. Mom and dad could also grab a coffee while they wait, or arrange for the kids to be dropped off.

• Located in Pinelands, UP Park is a family-friendly play park impressively equipped with a trampoline zone, a variety of climbing walls, a large kids’ maze and a fully equipped cafe. be.UP Park is also handicap accessible and moms and dads can connect to their Wi-Fi.

• At Bounce World, there’s nothing but airborne fun! Your little people can tucker themselves out in the largest inflatable play-area in South Africa. They also have a separate toddler area for ages 1-4. Bounce World is open until 23 July.

• Bugz Play World has activities for kids aged 3-12 such as peddle carts, horse riding, mini-tractors, the Worm and Choo-choo trains and even a petting farm with geese, goats, ducks, goats, rabbits and more! Bugz Play World is perfect or those days where there’s a spot of sunlight, but they also have indoor play areas for those rainy days, a Snack Shack and the Bugz Big Bite Restaurant for those hungry tummies.

Just a little drama!

• It’s a little-known fact it seems that Cape Town’s theatres cater to little people, when in fact they certainly do! Stagecraft Drama Studio presents More Adventures of Noddy. A much beloved Enid Blyton story will be brought to the Artscape’s stage until 15 July. Children aged two and older are encouraged to dress as their favourite Noddy character and join in the festivities.

• The Lilliput Children’s Theatre Company’s ever popular, Pinocchio will be hitting the Baxter Theatre’s stage will a lovable cast and a modern twist. The play is suitable for the whole family and runs until 8 July. Booking is essential for both plays to avoid disappointment.

• Canal Walk shopping centre never disappoints when it comes to kids’ entertainment. Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys will be hitting CW’s centre court until 23 July. Join the forever-young gang on their adventures aboard the Jolly Roger as they try to escape the clutches of Captain Hook

*Despicable Me’s Gru and Minions will be visiting CW on 8 July. The kids can meet & greet, and snap some pics with these lovable characters.

*The Toys R Us BirthYAY Festival from 23-31 July (at CW) is fun an entertaining for the whole family with character appearances, exciting activities and freebies!

Indoor tropical sanctuary...

Some people are sceptical about the need for zoo’s, but Butterfly World Zoo not only houses thousands of free-flying butterflies. It’s a haven for a variety of exotic animals who were previously pets, from the South American Green Tree iguana to the local Vervet monkey. The entire family can explore their indoor tropical jungle, or catch one of the live animal shows that run twice daily during the holidays.

Contact details:

Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC)

ctsc.org.za

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

sanbi.org/events

Planet Kids

planetkids.co.za

be.UP Park

beuppark.co.za

Bounce World

bounceworld.co.za

Bugz Play Park

bugzplaypark.co.za

Artscape Theatre

artscape.co.za

Canal Walk shopping centre

canalwalk.co.za/events

Baxter Theatre

goo.gl/JF9zAt

Butterfly World

butterflyworld.co.za