Fun Ideas For Kids. Around Cape Town

INTRODUCTION

There’s no shortage of things to occupy the kids when the sun’s shining, but what about when the weather won’t play along? Before everyone starts climbing the walls, head under cover for some adrenalin-charged action-climbing and ice-skating, with some educational bits in between.

In case you’re travelling in other directions, we have included more options along the N1, around the Cape Peninsula and along the N2 in Somerset West, plus some outdoor stuff for when the weather’s being more obliging. All these venues are guaranteed to banish adult boredom as well. So go on, release your inner child...

Siyabona Africa Travel recommends these fun activities for Kids in Cape Town

TIME:
One day

DISTANCE:
About 45km

BEST TIME TO GO:
Any time, but busier during local school holidays in December, January, June and July.

THE ROUTE:
Indoor fun for rainy days, with ideas around the Peninsula and Somerset West for when the sun comes out. Ice-skating (or whatever!) at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. Mind-boggling stuff at the MTN ScienCentre in Canal Walk, Century City. Indoor climbing at City Rock, Observatory. If your kids are too young to climb, head back to the Waterfront for fun at the Two Oceans Aquarium, Scratch Patch, Telkom Exploratorium, Cyberworld.

Before you go,this route is geared for children aged five years and older, with no upper age limit. City Rock is closed in the mornings (although this may change, so phone to check). No kids under five at City Rock, for safety reasons.
GrandWest’s ice-rink has morning and afternoon sessions, but is closed daily 12:00–14:00 for resurfacing and private training. The Magic Castle is normally closed Mon–Thurs, but opens during school holidays.

Waterfront to GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World – 20min

From Waterfront turn left, following signs for N1 Paarl. At 7km, take Exit 10 to Sable Road, Century City. Keep straight past Century City, following signs to N7 Goodwood. At 11km, take Exit 13B to Goodwood – the road curves around to join the N7 highway. Go straight through three traffic lights. At 15km take exit to Thornton, Epping, then turn left at the traffic lights into casino.Mention a magic village of Barbie Doll World, LegoWorld and Lion King World and kids will feel they’ve hit the jackpot. This is fantasy land for both adults and kids; it’s fake but fun.

Best of all is the Olympic-size ice-skating rink, and a separate mini-rink for the very small ones, with tables all round so you can keep an eye on them. Boots for hire start with bob skates (a skate with double blades, strapped to the shoe) at baby size eight and go up to adults’ sizes. A vast games arcade leads you to The Magic Castle, which has mini Putt-Putt and loads of fairground attractions like bumper cars and a carousel, as well as a go-kart track if you’re 1.5 metres or taller. (Children under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult.)

The Magic Village has themed ‘worlds’ and a monstrous jungle gym, where kids are supervised and entertained. Note that children are not allowed near the gaming areas, so if you want some kid-free time while you try your luck on the tables and machines, there is a crèche for children under four years, or supervised care and extra security in the Magic Village, where sensors are clipped to the child’s clothing, and the entire area is covered by closed-circuit TV.

GrandWest to MTN ScienCentre, Canal Walk – 25min

Leave GrandWest and turn right under the highway to join it (N7 Malmesbury). At 4km, take Exit 13A, N1 Cape Town. At 6km take Exit 10 Sableweg, turn right at the lights and cross over the highway. Ratanga Junction will be on your right. At 8km, turn right at the traffic lights into Century Boulevard. Aim for Entrance 5 of the Canal Walk shopping centre and park on the roof. The ScienCentre is situated in Shop 407.

If you’ve ever wondered what you’d weigh on Mars, the answer’s at the MTN ScienCentre, an awesome, hands-on playground where you can do some really cool stuff, like experience what it’s like to walk (or rather boiing) around on the moon, or play a symphony on a laser harp with no strings. You can land a satellite in the space simulator, watch yourself in a zero-gravity mirror, and find out why wheels don’t have to be round.

This is fun stuff for all ages and even three-year-olds will enjoy the construction site.
The space race spawned a variety of handy gizmos we know today, such as tinfoil, cordless drills for EVA (extravehicular activity) and digital watches. NASA also developed a space pen, so that American astronauts could write upside-down and in zero gravity. The Russians simply used pencils!