Here is a comprehensive list of experiential activities we have compiled for easy reference by aupairs and parents.
Things to Do, See, Go for Children and Au Pairs
Animal Zone – Klapmuts (Just off N1 – route 44 to Wellington)
Visit this delightful interactive animal farm and see: Alpacas, birds, snakes, miniature farm animals, waterfowl, quoi (you can feed in a pond) and pets. Other Attractions Donkey cart rides, Picnic spots, bird products, and a children's playground.
Contact details: 021 875 5063
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? Open Wednesday - Monday
How much? R15 – 0 – 18 years
R15 – Students with valid ID and student card
R25 Adults
Boulders Beach – Simons Town
We have always loved this beach – it is so family orientated and cosy. Plan to spend many hours there and during season go early or you wont find a spot. See plenty of penguins around and about. The sand is great, the water crisp but wonderful – not to many waves!
Contact details: 021 786 2329 or www.cpnp.co.za
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? 8.00 – 17.00 (Monday – Sunday)
How much? R5 – Under 18 / R15 - Adults
Baxter Theatre - Rondebosch
A range of theatre experiences throughout the year. Watch out for the kiddies programs during the holidays.
Contact details: 021 858 1060 or www.baxter.co.za
Who can visit? Anyone, but various shows catering for different age groups.
Butterfly World – Klapmuts (off N1 towards Paarl)
The largest, most amazing butterfly park in South Africa. Walk through the beautiful covered gardens with butterflys all around flying freely. There are also some other interesting animals – birds, monkeys and a few surprises. Take a camera
Contact details: 021 875 5628
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? 9.00 – 17.00 (September – May) and 10.00 – 16.00 (June – August)
How much? R15 – 0 – 18 years
R28 - Adults
Cable Car – Table Mountain
During the high season summer months there are queues to deal with but during the rest of the year it’s great, with reduced prices off season. Besides the magneficient views and walks, it’s a great place to talk about geography, rock formations, nature and mountains, fynbos and dassies. Take a picnic basket
Contact details: 021 424 8181 or www.tablemountain.net
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? Times and dates dependant on weather conditions
How much? 0 – 3 years (free), 3 – 18 years (R68), Adults (R130) prices subject to change
Castle of Good Hope
This is a beautifully restored fortress built after 1665 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and it holds much of our history in its massive stone walls. It houses magnificent national treasures and is an artistic mirror of life and culture across Southern Africa. Its educational and the mere size of the old castle will be sure to fascinate
Contact details: 021 787 1260 or info@iziko.org.za
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? 9.30 – 16.00 (Monday – Sunday)
How much? R10 – 0 – 18 years
R20 – Adults
Imhoff Farm - Kommetjie
Information: 021 783 4545
Camel rides: 021 789 1711
Farmyard: 021 783 4803
Horse Riding: 082 774 1191
Snake Park: 083 643 3103
Paintball: 082 786 1610
www.imhofffarm.co.za
Planetarium – Cape Town Gardens
Established in 1958 the present planetarium houses a modern Minolta star projector in a fully equipped audio-visual theatre.The Planetarium is a unique facility for those who wish to enjoy an audio-visual extravaganza.
Davy Dragon goes to the Moon is on now.
Contact details: 021 481 3900 or www.iziko.org.za/sm
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? Shows vary
How much? R6 - 0 – 18 years
R20 - Adults
Museum – Cape Town Gardens
The Natural Science Museum is loved by so many children and is a place to go to again and again from the great whale to the fossils, insects, old tools and clothing etc – the many collections are from the past and present, crossing many cultures. Its biology , history and geography and can be the beginnings of many research projects - there is something of interest here for all the young ones.
Contact details: 021 481 3800 or www.iziko.org.za/sm
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? 10.00 – 17.00 (Monday – Sunday)
How much? R5 – 0 – 18 years
Free - Students with student card and ID
R10 - Adults
Kirstenbosch Gardens
One of the favorite places to take children into nature, where they can rome free, do rolly-pollys and enjoy the beauty and diversity of the flora. Take a picnic and do some bonding under a tree or bring books, relax and read to the children
Contact details: 021 799 8783 or www.sanbi.org
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? 8.00 – 19.00 (Summer) and 8.00 – 18.00 (Winter)
How much? Prices subject to change
Le Bonheur Croc Farm – Babylonstoren Road, R45, Simondium
Go on a guided tour across open dams via ramp ways and see over a thousand crocs housed there. The kids can hold a baby croc if they wish, and in summer they can see the feeding of the bigger crocs.
Contact details: 021 863 1142 or www.lebonheurcrocfarm.co.za
Who can play? Anyone
What time? Tours are conducted every half an hour
Monkey Town – 40km outside Cape Town on N2 to Caledon
This sanctuary for monkeys and apes gives children the chance to experience the wonderful world of monkeys and to help in preserving this wonderful species for our future generations. There are more than 230 animals and 28 different exotic species including Tammy, Ruby, and Sunny, their famous chimp sisters. There is also a touch farmyard, koi ponds, many bird species and small antelope on the premises. Yep, they will love it!
Contact details: 021 858 1060 or www.monkeytown.co.za
Who can play? Anyone
Muizenberg Toy Museum – Beach Road Muizenberg
A collection of toys from year slong gone by – steam trains, pedal cars and rocking horses etc. Toys dating back to 1890.
Contact details: 021 788 1569
Rainbow Puppet Theatre – 25 Queen Victoria Street Cape Town
It’s a puppet theatre that will keep little ones enthralled with spinning yarns and fairy stories
Contact details: 021 783 2063 www.waldorfconstantia.co.za/facilities.htm#rainbow
Who can watch? 4 years old and up
What time? 10.00 & 11.15 (Saturday)
South African Astronomical Observatory
A look into the starry sky – so many questions! Children and adults will be fascinated and awed. Check out the Southern Cross and Orion’s Belt. Perhaps look at books on stars before you go – or visit the library to take out some books on astronomy.
Contact details: 021 447 0025 or www.saao.ac.za or email: enquiries@saao.ac.za
Who can visit? Anyone old enough to be awake from 8pm – 10pm
When? Every second Saturday of the month
World of Birds – Valley Road, Hout Bay
Another favorite with children! They get to see and walk around with birds in all their magnificence. Also some reptiles and mammals
Contact details: 021 790 2730 or www.worldofbirds.org.za
Who can visit? Anyone
What time? 9.00 – 17.00 (Monday – Sunday)
How much? R35 (0 – 18 years)
R45 (Students with ID and student card)
R55 (Adults)
Seal Island – Hout Bay Harbour – Drumbeat Charters
Take a charter to seal Island – if the children aren’t the sea –sick type it will be a magnificent experience, but don’t go when the south-easter is blowing and take wind-breakers!
Contact: 021 791 4441 or email: drumbeatcharters@intekom.co.za
Who can go? Anyone
What time? About 9.15 – 13.15 (subject to change depending on weather conditions)
Offer: Seal Island Cruise – Duiker Island – 35 minute
Seal Island and Chapmans Peak – seals and caves, mountain, etc 1 hour trip
Seal Island and Shipwreck – Remains of Boss 400 wrecked in 1995 and seals
Robben Island – V & A Waterfront – Nelson Mandela Gateway
This boat trip is an experience to remember on many levels. It’s a great boat trip with magnificent views of Cape Town. It’s good to be on the island as opposed to gazing at it for years. It’s an experience to tour the prison through the eyes of the prisoners who lived there. Imagine remaining inspired through al the years as Mandela did.
Contact details:
Robben Island Museum - 021 413 4220/1 or email: info@robben-island.org.za or website: www.robben-island.org.za
Cape Town Tourism Info Centre – 021 405 4500 or email: info@tourcapetown.com
Who can visit: Anyone
When: Tours leave: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm (3.5 hour trip, 2 hours total on ferry)
How much? R180 Adults and R90 Children – under 18 years (includes, ferry, bus tour on island and walk through of prison)
Exploratorium – Dock Road V & A Waterfront
Science museum with interactive games for children
Contact details: 021 419 5957
Who can visit? Anyone
West Coast Ostrich Ranch – Van Schoorsdrif Road Off N7
Contact details: 021 972 1955 or email: info@ostrichranch.co.za or website: www.ostrichranch.co.za
Who can visit? Anyone
How much? R24 children, Free (children under 6years), R32 Adults
Two Ocean’s Aquarium - Waterfront
Hugely popular to go to again, and again, and again as the Aquarium offers unique opportunities to discover the mysteries of the underwater world – kiddies have fun with sharks, penguins, seals and beautiful fish.
Contact Details: 021 418-3823 or emailaquarium@aquarium.co.z or websitewww.aquarium.co.za
Spier
Spier, in the heart of South Africa's Cape Winelands, delivers experiences that rejuvenate mind, body and soul. It offers a wide variety of activities from horseback riding for beginners and more advanced riders, to the cheetah outreach programme, to Eagle Encounters – a bird of prey rehabilitation and education centre. Treat everyone to a lovely lunch, snack, tea next to the water.
Contact Details:021 809 1100 or email info@spier.co.za or website www.spier.co.za