You’re going to need some fun ideas to keep the kids busy these school holidays. Here’s a few that have been given kid-approval!
Gauteng
iJump
With a massive jump arena complete with trampoline dodgeball, foam pits, slam dunk tracks, extreme jumping, fitness classes and more, iJump is an absolute must visit if you’re looking for a thrilling day out with your kids. It caters for all ages, but what we love is that there’s an exciting iKidz arena for kids age 2-5 which houses over 400 square meters of trampoline and playground reserved exclusively for them.
Location
Corner Hendrik Potgieter and Christiaan de Wet, Strubens Valley, Roodepoort
Cost
During school holidays, the following rates apply:
- Kids 6 years and over – R135
- Kids 2-5 years – R75
Price excludes iJump grip socks for the trampolines, which can be bought separately for R30 a pair.
Opening times
Open daily from 9am during the school holidays
Jumping sessions start every hour on the hour. So, you’ll need to arrive 15 minutes before your jump session
For more info visit www.ijump.co.za or phone 011 086 6720.
Croc City Crocodile and Reptile Park
If your kids have a liking for things that are scaly, cold blooded, and even slither and crawl, then they’ll love the Croc City Crocodile and Reptile Park in Chartwell. This is just the place if they’re looking to do something daring (like holding a baby crocodile or touching an exotic snake) and different, like also learning about the creatures that call this place their home.
For the bigger kids, there’s also an exciting Croc FlyOver Experience designed for the brave at heart. This 150m zip line is a thrilling adventure that allows you to fly 5m above the ground over the crocodiles.
Location
Corner Cedar Road & R114 Nietgedacht 535, Chartwell
Opening times
Daily from 9am to 4:30pm
Cost
- Adults – R90
- Kids – R60
- Croc flyover – R100
This includes interaction with a baby crocodile and other reptiles with a professional guide. Crocodile feeding is on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm, and a venomous snake show is on public holidays and Sundays at 11am.
For more info visit www.croccity.co.za.
Cape Town
Waterworld Strand
With sunny days ahead, what’s not to love about visiting a family-friendly waterpark with the kids so they can splash to their heart’s content while you relax and enjoy seeing them have fun. In addition to all the slides and fun water activities, Waterworld Strand, offers solar heated pools, ample grass for sun tanning, as well as undercover tables for you to relax, protected from the wind.
There are 5 different slides to accommodate every kid, from a super tube and speed slide to a kiddies double speed slide and a mini slide and the best is that there are life guards on duty!
There’s also an adventure play park, kiddies play park, trampolines, jungle gyms, a foofy slide and even a surf school!
Location
Beach Road, Strand, Cape Town
Opening times
Daily from 9am to 6pm
Cost
- Adults and kids (from age 3): 1 hour – R95; 2 hours – R120; all day pass – R165; half day pass – R145
- Toddlers 1-2 years – R45
- Babies – free
- Spectator fees apply
For more info, visit waterslides.co.za.
Cool Runnings
As we know kids love anything that goes fast and makes their hearts race – even if it gives you goosebumps! So, taking them to Cool Runnings, a family toboggan park situated 25km from Cape Town’s city centre, is bound to be a treat and put the biggest smiles of their faces.
Your kids will love hurtling down the steel half-pipe in a bobsled, flying through the twists and curves as they race along the winding 1.25km track with you. (Kids have to be over 1.35m to ride solo).
But between all the rides, you’ll be relieved to know you can relax at one of their comfy undercover tables and enjoy something to eat and drink. A small gourmet kitchen offers great burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, fruity slush and more. There’s also a bar onsite that serves ciders, beers and wine to adults.
Posted by Cool Runnings Cape Town on Sunday, November 26, 2017
Location
Off Carl Cronje Drive, Tygervalley, Cape Town
Opening times
- Monday – Friday from 11am to 6pm
- Weekends, public holidays and school holidays from 9am to 6pm
Cost
- Free entry and parking.
- You pay per person per ride (adults – R70; kids age 3-14 – R60), but the more you ride, the cheaper it gets.
- A day pass with unlimited rides costs R450.
For mor info, visit coolrunnings.capetown.
KZN
Durban Funworld
View from the Cable Way.
Posted by Durban Funworld on Thursday, February 10, 2011
If you’re in Durbs, an outing to the city’s iconic beachfront amusement and theme park, Durban Funworld, is a must visit! You and your kids will spend hours enjoying this gem which provides safe and secure entertainment for the whole family.
Toddlers and pre-schoolers will have an absolute ball on the elephant ride, mini train, cool vintage cars and carousels, while your older kids will have fun on the Breakdance and Swingboat rides. If you have a friend or family member with you that can watch over the little ones, we’d definitely recommend taking your partner (or your tween) on the cable car for breathtaking views of the beachfront.
WE ARE OPEN! PRICES ARE REDUCED! So why not join us this Heritage Day weekend and celebrate.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀🥳 Open Thursdays to Sundays from 11am until 6pm.🥤 Refreshments available on site.💳 Card payment facilities available.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Durban Funworld- Let your FUN side run FREE 🙌More info at www.durbanfunworld.com
Posted by Durban Funworld on Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Location
Marine Parade Drive, Durban
Opening times
Thursdays to Sundays from 11am to 6pm
Cost
There’s no entrance fee but you do have to pay for the rides.
- Kids rides – R20
- Adult rides – R30
- A Cable Car ticket costs R40pp.
For more info visit www.durbanfunworld.com.
Flag Animal Farm
If your kids love getting close to animals, they’ll adore a visit to Flag Animal Farm which is home to over 1 000 animals, birds, reptiles, wolves and alpacas, most of them who have been rescued. Perfect for a day trip, it caters for kids of all ages with daily shows and interactions.
When you ask your Goat to Smile – Licorice we just adore you for trying 🤗 think she was getting into the Halloween spirit to early ❤️
Posted by Flag Animal Farm on Sunday, October 11, 2020
Your little ones will adore the Dora, Elsa, Sophia, Chase and Marshall shows, and the milking show, while the older kids will particularly enjoy the wolf interaction and reptile show.
There’s also fun pony, horse, train and tractor rides, two indoor play centres (great for when the weather turns), a jumping castle and pirate ship. There’s also an awesome bike track where they can ride their bikes as well as a fabulous splash park to cool off after a fun day of playing.
Posted by Flag Animal Farm on Friday, October 16, 2020
Location
Sheffield Beach Road, Ballito
Opening times
Daily from 9am to 4:30pm
Cost
- Adults – R52
- Babies and toddlers under 18 months – free
- Waterpark is R20 per hour per child, adults enter free
For more information, visit flaganimalfarm.co.za.
Mini Town
Like magic, your kids will be enthralled as they step into this amazing “toy land” with the cutest little mini replicas of some of Durban’s famous buildings. Let them browse around like giants and examine the city at their own pace as miniature trains and planes move around them. There’s even a harbour for boats and ships, and an airport, which makes for a great learning experience all round.
Location
Snell Parade, Durban beachfront
Opening times
Daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm
Cost
- Adults – R40
- Kids 2-13 years – R30
For more info, visit www.minitowndbn.co.za.
Content editor and writer on Living & Loving, Sonya has over 25 years experience in the media industry. She edited Living & Loving magazine for six-and-a-half years and is the former editor of Longevity magazine. She’s won numerous media industry awards and is passionate about the health and wellbeing of moms and children.
Outside of work, she enjoys trying out recipes, reading crime mysteries and thrillers, practicing yoga, and exploring new destinations.
Learn more about Sonya Naudé.