What to do with the kids these school holidays

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

To book, click here.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.