Publications
Partners
Summer is fun in South Africa, but when winter strikes SA parents turn white around the gills (literally) when they think of how to entertain the tots for the cold months.
Luckily, with the help of Traveller24 fishing out all the best - and cheapest - activities across the country in winter, you'll have a breeze keeping the young ones busy and happy this year.
Whether you're after getting the blood pumping with physical activities, or going on an educational adventure during the winter school holidays, we've got you covered.
You're welcome.
ACTIVE ACTIVITIES
Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour Winter Warmer Special – Stormsriver, Garden Route
Stormsriver Adventures is offering a Winter Warmer Special where you Pay for Three kids, and then One goes free on their iconic Canopy Tour. The offer is valid from 1 May – 31 August 2015.
This Canopy Tour is fun for the entire family, and the kids will love foofy-sliding in the forest between trees, 30 meters above the forest floor. This is a great activity for teaching the young ones (the guides are super clued about about the flora and fauna) about the abundance of indigenous ferns, flowers and trees growing in Stormsriver, as well as the birds living in those trees.
Kids 4 years and older are welcome.
Ice Skating
If you want your kids the get a taste of an Northern Hemisphere winter, but don’t have the money to go there now, this is the perfect opportunity of this often hilarious family activity.
Northgate Ice Rink, Johannesburg
Kids pay R55 entrance, R25 for skies
Forest Hill Ice Rink, Monavoni, Pretoria Grand West Casino, Cape Town Aquariums Take your kids to see a play and/or exhibition
Kids Pay R40 on half price Tuesday night
Kids pay R25 in the mini rink, or between R30 and R50, depending on times, in the big rink.
Paintball
If you have a couple of busy bodies in the house, and need to rid them of their energy, opt for paintball. This is also the perfect party idea if your kid has a birthday in the winter months. The pricing rage between R100 and R300 per kid, depending on their age and the amount of paintballs used.
Paintball Passion, Stellenbosch
Woods Paintball, just outside Johannesburg
Hillcrest Paintball, Durban
Garden Route Paintball, outside George
EDUCATIONAL OUTINGS
Red Bus Tours
These tour buses operate in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and offer a great family day out. Every South African should have at least been on one of these educational tours, and with the irresistible winter special both branch run throughout winter, you’ll be a cool if you don’t take your family on this experience.
Johannesburg
This offer sees 2 kids go free with every One paying adult on the Day Tour Red Bus Tour. The Red Bus Tour also offers specials for pensioners, so grandma and grandpa can go along on the family outing.
Gold Reef City kids go free if they have a Red Bus tour ticket, too. So be sure to make use of this special offer.
Cape Town
READ: Red Bus tours opens annual 3 for 1 Kids Special
Canal Cruises
In Cape Town, the kids special in valid on the Canal Cruise at the V&A Waterfront, too.
Winter times in Aquariums aren't as busy as the peak summer season, and thus create perfect opportunities for kids to have one-on-one encounters with animals.
uShaka Marine World, Durban
Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town
Two Oceans Aquarium will also be hosting a thrice daily Puppet show for kids. The show aims to inform young ones of various important environmental messages and interactive games. Members pay R45 for a ticket to the show.
The aquarium also hosts penguin encounters.
Bayworld, Port Elizabeth
If you're looking for an 'outdoor' aquarium that costs nothing (or next to nothing), why not take your kids to see South Africa's own African penguins, bobbling about in their natural environments at either Boulders Beach in Simonstown, or at Stony Point in Betty's Bay?
READ: 12 of the best spots to hang out with penguins in SA
Teaching the tots a touch of class can never be a bad thing. Opt for a lighter, more interactive performance to truly get them excited about the theater. This is not only a cultural investment in your children, but a perfect weekend evening out in winter.
Dino’s Alive, showing in Bloemfontein and Pretoria
Ice Age
READ: Ice Age family exhibition set to thrill in Sandton
Art of the Brick Exhibition, Rosebank, Johannesburg
GOOD, CLEAN FUN
The Cape Wheel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Get a 360° panoramic view of Cape Town from the vibrant V&A Waterfront precinct at discounted family and kids prices.
Kids, aged 4 - 15 years, pay R50 per ticket.
Families of four pay R270 each.
Markets
Markets are the best places for mom and dad to relax, while the kids can enjoy outdoor activities or other fun activities - like a play dough class - indoors.
Watershed Daily Market, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
This should be every parent's go-to play-place in the rainy winter Cape. There are plenty activities to keep the kids busy and entertained.
Bloem Boeremark, Bloemfontein
READ: The Bloem Boeremark: a family market institution
Harbour Bay Market, Hout Bay, Cape Town
READ: The Market with the Mostest
Bryanston Organic Market, Bryanston, Johannesburg
This Jozie market happens Every Thursday and Saturday and public holiday, 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, and offers an array of fun kids’ activities to keep the young ones busy while mom or dad enjoys the delicious fare. This is also a great spot to buy locally made, good quality toys for the tots.
Steam Train trip around Cape Point, Cape Town
This scenic steam train trip winds along the rugged coast of False Bay with the waves crashing on the rocks below, through villages scrambling up the steep slopes and along the beautiful coves and beaches.
The train leaves Cape Town and travels between the famous Newlands rugby and cricket grounds to Muizenburg.
The perfect family outing, but we warned to book in advance as trips are sold out weeks in advance.
Kids pay R200 each.
Jolly Roger Pirate Boat, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
The Jolly Roger is the only authentic Pirate Ship in South Africa and sails daily from Quay 5 at the V&A Waterfront, offering scheduled tours for those with a sense of adventure and a harking for a jolly good quest.
This is a great outdoor activity for young and old. Email them for package deals for the family. The V&A Waterfront also has the free Kids Ahoy! playground where kids can have fun when mom and dad need to take a break from shopping in the mall.
Zoos
Put on warm coats and head out to visit you kids’ favourite animals in the off-peak season, and a fraction of the price.
Bloemfontein zoo
Johannesburg zoo
Montecasino Bird Garden, Johannesburg
Cable Way Kidz Season
Get three kidz up the iconic Table Mountain Cableway for the price of ONE!
Please post a comment below or email info@traveller24.com. You can also share your travel experiences with us on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts.
