Arranging a family outing or holiday can feel like navigating a maze -thankfully, Cape Town has a host of fun activities to entertain the whole family. With an array of attractions and activities waiting to be explored, boredom will be the last thing on your mind!
Here is our list of family-friendly things to do in Cape Town Central City and surrounds:
Art Jamming
Spend a day at Art Jamming at the V&A Waterfront. Here, you can create your own art masterpieces, whether you want to splash some paint around with artistic flair or draw one-of-a-kind artworks. Grab some paintbrushes and choose your canvas, select your paint colours, and let your creativity flow. Your little ones will also enjoy the newly introduced SlimeTime, where they can prepare and decorate their own slime. Art jamming also hosts events like Paint & Sip, art classes, kids’ holiday classes, and creative workshops.
Website: artjamming.co.za/
The Company’s Gardens
Known as the oldest garden in South Africa, The Company’s Gardens offers many open spaces for children to run free. You can also purchase a bag of peanuts from vendors at the entrance to feed the squirrels (be sure to maintain a safe distance as they may bite). Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens and stop for refreshments at the Company’s Garden restaurant or opt to pack a picnic basket to relish on one of the lawns.
Website:www.thecompanysgarden.com
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Clay Cafe
Can you believe Clay Cafe started at an old dairy farm? It has since expanded into eight franchised outlets around the country. The City Centre branch is perfect for all ages, merging art, food, and good company. Choose from 180+ items, select your colour palette, and get creative. Once you’re done, your masterpiece will be put under fire and yours to collect a few weeks later.
Website: claycafe.co.za/
HintHunt
This is a fun and unique way for families with older children to bond and work as a team. This exciting live escape game is perfect for groups of three to five people. You are in a room for 60 minutes and you must solve mysteries and puzzles to get out. The minimum age of HintHunt is 9 years if coming with parents or 15 without. They also introduced the Amazing Race experience where teams race around the V&A Waterfront, navigating many of its iconic landmarks, while completing tasks and challenges.
Website:www.hinthunt.co.za
Cape Town Science Centre
Children are naturally inquisitive, so a trip to the Science Centre will prove very enlightening for them. There are interactive displays, a fun building site where kids can build houses, puzzles to solve, insights into gravity, brainwaves, and so much more!
Website:www.ctsc.org.za
Cave Golf
The Cave Golf course at the V&A Waterfront (at the Scratch Patch, near the Aquarium) features an 18-hole mini-golf layout that is fun to play. Despite being relatively short and compact, it’s well-designed and challenging enough to be enjoyed even by regular golfers. The best part is that it is indoors and can be enjoyed in any weather.
Website: www.scratchpatch.co.za/cave-golf/
Scratch Patch
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The Scratch Patch and Mineral World, located at the V&A Waterfront, is a fun way to dig for your own beautiful gems. You get to emerge yourself in all the stones that quite literally cover the floor, then visit the gem exhibitions and shops afterwards.
Website:www.scratchpatch.co.za
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Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome
Love stars and planets? The Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome is one of the most advanced digital planetariums on the African continent. This world-class, multifunctional facility serves as a hub for innovation and discovery, where art, science, and entertainment meet. Not only does the Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome offer an immersive multi-sensory edutainment platform for artistic production, but it is also utilised for cutting-edge scientific research, enhancing South Africa’s eResearch and data visualisation capabilities.
Website:www.iziko.org.za
Oranjezicht City Farm
The farm is a non-profit project, connecting the community through food, culture and urban farming. Visitors are welcome from Monday-Saturday, from 8am-2pm. Families can shop for fresh produce together and enjoy some of the cooked foods at the communal tables. The market is open on Saturdays, from 8.15 – 2pm, and on Sundays, from 9am – 2pm, throughout the year.
Website: www.ozcf.co.za
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The Blue Train Park
The Blue Train Park with its miniature blue train captures the youthful fantasies of both young and old. Operated by the Sea Point Rotary Club and around for 60 years, this fun train trip offers some incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lion’s Head, and Table Mountain.
Website: www.thebluetrainpark.co.za
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
This award-winning destination is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and offers unparalleled views of Cape Town. Flanked by Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head, this iconic attraction makes up the northern end of the Cape Fold Mountain range. Take up the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to explore the many hiking routes, free walking tours, shopping and foodie experiences, and the best sunsets in the Mother City.
Website:www.tablemountain.net
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Jolly Roger Pirate Boat
The Jolly Roger pirate boat at the V&A Waterfront is the perfect port of call for the youngsters to play out the ultimate adventure on the high seas. Operating seven days a week, the Jolly Roger offers morning, lunchtime, afternoon, and sunset cruises. Private charters are also available.
Website:www.yacoobyachts.co.za
The Pottery Camps Bay
Get crafty in Camps Bay with a range of ceramic items and paint at The Pottery. Merging food with art, families can let their hair down and get creative. While you create, you can order one of their famous wood oven pizzas along with a few of their signature cocktails. Kid-friendly beverages and meals are also available.
Website: campsbay.thepottery.co.za/
Two Oceans Aquarium
With more than 3000 marine creatures, including sharks, turtles, and penguins, the Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the world. Situated at the V&A Waterfront, the aquarium showcases the unique marine life of the Atlantic and Indian oceans which lie on either side of the Cape of Good Hope.
Website:www.aquarium.co.za
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Green Point Urban Park
A unique space in the middle of an urban environment, the Green Point Urban Park is a fantastic, family-friendly place for a picnic, walk, run, or for simply lazing around. There is an outdoor gym, a play park, adventure park, and outdoor labyrinth. Access to the park is via Bill Peters Drive, Bay Road or Helen Suzman Boulevard.
Website:www.capetown.gov.za
