Things To Do With Kids in SA

School holidays are for fun in the sun as a family! No matter where you find yourself in South Africa, there are exciting places offering hours of family enjoyment right on your doorstep.

Eastern Cape

• The Boardwalk: Movie houses, gaming centres, restaurants, a casino, and a theme park can be found at The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World - a popular family attraction along Gqeberha’s bustling beachfront promenade.
  
  
• Holmeleigh Farmyard” Let the kids get up close and personal with domesticated animals at Holmeleigh Farmyard, the little farm with a big heart in Gqeberha. This family attraction also offers bites to eat and plays host to birthday parties.
  
  
• Addo Elephant National Park: Witness the majestic African elephant in all its splendour at Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa’s best safari attractions and definitely something amazing to do when visiting the Eastern Cape as a family.

Western Cape

• Rotary Blue Train Park: Kids will love riding the train and cycling on the dirt track at Cape Town’s The Blue Train Park. There are also slides, an obstacle course, and a 30-metre zipline!
  
  
• Two Oceans Aquarium: A family visit to Cape Town would not be complete without a walk through the breath-taking Two Oceans Aquarium. Enjoy live ocean exhibits, an underwater tunnel, and an African penguin colony.
  

• Freedom Adventure Park: Nothing says “fun” quite like an indoor trampoline park! Freedom Adventure Park is home to padded trampolines, a foam pit, and a rope course. There’s also a place for adults to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

KwaZulu-Natal

• uShaka Marine World: A wet and wild paradise describes Durban’s uShaka Marine World, home to a world-class aquarium, enthralling dolphin shows, restaurants, retailers, and a water slide park. While you’re there, why not take some surfing lessons?
  
  
• Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market: Saturday mornings in Durban are dedicated to visiting the Shongweni Market, where you’ll find craft beer, woodfire meals, live music, fun activities for the kids, and vendors selling all sorts of interesting goodies.
  
  
• Shakaland Zulu Cultural Village: Shakaland is a kid-friendly, educational tourism attraction where visitors learn about the way of life of the isiZulu nation. There is also hotel accommodation and a very nice restaurant.

Free State

• The National Museum: A fascinating walk through the history of South Africa’s indigenous peoples can be found at Bloemfontein’s National Museum. There is a fun children’s museum section, a staged historical street scene, and a shop to sit and enjoy refreshments.
  
  
• Naval Hill Planetarium: Bring a neck pillow, recline in your chair, and soak up the vast wonder that is outer space. Naval Hill Planetarium offers a breath-taking immersive digital experience that the whole family will remember.
  
  
• Gwen Bali Water World: Enjoy sunny Bloemfontein days in your costumes with a visit to the Gwen Bali Water World. Bring your own refreshments or buy on site, and be sure to try out the kamikaze slide!

Gauteng

• Gold Reef City: A theme park built on gold - literally! Gold Reef City was built on a gold mine that closed in 1971. It’s considered South Africa’s best theme park attraction, offering world-class accommodation, entertainment, and dining experiences.
  
  
• Honeydew Mazes: Get lost in a maze of family fun at the Honeydew Mazes. There are mazes of different sizes, so you can start small and work your way to the big one! You can also do moonlight mazes for an added thrill.
  
  
• Carnival City & Entertainment World: Carnival City is all about family fun. From the moment you step inside, the magic unfolds in every corner with a kaleidoscope of entertainment suitable for people of all ages.

Northern Cape

• The Big Hole: Visit the place where the world’s largest diamond was found, and witness the biggest hole you’ll probably ever see in your life, at The Big Hole in Kimberley. There’s also a diamond mining museum and places serving delicious meals.
  
  
• Bushwhacked Outdoor Adventures: Definitely reserved for older kiddies and adults! The Northern Cape’s Orange River is home to Bushwhacked Outdoor Adventures. They take families on thrilling rafting adventures for a day of water-based fun in the sun!

• Williston Mall: There’s so much interesting stuff to see at Williston Mall, you’ll have to book another visit soon. This is one of South Africa’s premier art retreats and a stylishly-appointed collection of discarded belongings that have been repurposed.

Mpumalanga

• Riverside Mall: Visit Nelspruit at any time of year and find the Riverside Mall a haven of family-fuelled fun and entertainment. Visit during summer and kids can enjoy the exciting outdoor waterpark with slippery slides!
  
  
• Sudwala Caves: Take a trip to the Mpumalanga lowveld and treat the family to a walk through the iconic Sudwala Caves. Take the crystal tour, or zip-line through the ancient caves. PS: kids under four years get in free!
  
  
• The Vaal Dam: Looking for the perfect family picnic spot in Mpumalanga? Witness the incredible man-made feat that is the Vaal Dam and picnic beside the dam for a day of boating, rowing, water sports, and full-on fun.
  
  

Limpopo

• Mhangela Animal Touch Farm: Want to get some nature therapy while on a family trip to Tzaneen? Mhangela Animal Touch Farm is the perfect outing for children to interact with animals while playing their hearts out in the playground.

• Mall of the North: Mall of the North is THE SPOT for family fun times when visiting Polokwane. Attractions include a movie cinema, a gaming centre, fast food outlets, sit-down restaurants, and regular pop-up exhibitions.
  
  
• Hippo Jessica: How would you like a once-in-a-lifetime experience when in Limpopo? Hippo Jessica lives with her family near Hoedspruit. Visitors are welcome to come and feed Jessica while learning lots about hippos!