Photo courtesy NiklasPlutte

The Mother City is not just a dream destination for tourists of the grown-up kind – the city has a never-ending list of exciting activities for our special little visitors, too. With everything from ice-skating to face-painting, and bowling to theme park rides, Cape Town’s got you covered for family fun this summer!

Under the sea

Finding Nemo and his beautifully coloured and varied friends at our world-renowned Two Oceans Aquarium is the ultimate summer experience for kids. They can get up close to a penguin, be enchanted by an aquatic puppet show, feed the fish or have a whale of a time at the aquarium’s awesome play centre.

Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
+27 (0)21 418 3823

All aboard

Riding the Blue Train, the only miniature train in Cape Town, is a cool activity for the little ones. The trip offers an amazing view of the ocean, passing ships anchored in the bay and the iconic Robben Island – and your kids can enjoy the safe, upgraded playground, jumping castle and jungle gym at the Mouille Point promenade after the ride.

The Blue Train, Mouille Point Beachfront
+27 (0)21 434 4297

White Christmas in Cape Town

Hijinks in soft, white snow and ice-skating along the oceanfront will make this an unforgettable summer for the kids.

Ice Rink by the Sea, V&A Waterfront
+27 (0)21 408 7500

Snow at Canal Walk, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Century City
+27 (0)83 915 8000

Horse-riding on the beach

Horsing around has never been this much fun! At Noordhoek, children aged 12 years and up can enjoy equestrian pursuits under the watchful eye of experienced teachers.

Imhoff Equestrian Centre, Noordhoek
+27 (0)82 774 1191

The ride of their lives

If yelling at the top of their lungs and spending hours on adrenaline-rush rides sounds like the perfect day out for your offspring, then Ratanga Junction Theme Park is the place for them. The park has more than 30 attractions and 23 rides, as well as live entertainment and great restaurants, so you’ll never have to hear the words, “Mom, I’m bored!”

Ratanga Junction, Century City
+27 (0)86 120 0300

Survival of the fittest

For action-packed activity at the city’s largest indoor survival game centre, take your kids to LaserQuest in the Southern Suburbs. With the best club music around and a smoke machine to cloak them from their opponents, this laser-tag game is a must for kids aged eight and up.

LaserQuest, Stadium on Main, Claremont
+27 (0)21 683 7296

Surf’s up

Huge waves, sunshine and bonding with friends ... Roxy Surf School’s summer lessons are a great way to entertain your girls this season.

Roxy Surf School, Muizenberg
+27 (0)72 562 8687

Strike out

For a fun and affordable family outing that will get you on your feet and cheering, try some of the awesome 10-pin bowling venues in Cape Town. This is a great activity choice for those rare rainy days.

Let’s Go Bowling Stadium Bowl, Stadium on Main, Claremont
+27 (0)21 671 1893

Grand West Casino, 1 Vanguard Drive, Goodwood
+27 (0)21 535 4582

Learning is fun

The Iziko Museums and Planetarium in the city centre make education exciting and teach our special young visitors all sorts of interesting facts about technology, this amazing city and the world. Explore unknown galaxies at the Planetarium or check out the prehistoric dinosaur fossils at Iziko.

Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens
+27 (0)21 481 3840

Little thespians

Theatre treats are not just for grown-ups. The Baxter Theatre Centre in Rondebosch and Artscape Theatre in the city centre are presenting fantastical retellings of beloved fairytales, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Baxter Theatre, Main Road, Rondebosch
+27 (0)21 685 7880

Artscape Theatre, DF Malan Street, Foreshore
+27 (0)21 410 9800

Furry delights

Introduce your little ones to South African mammals, birds and reptiles at the Tygerberg Zoo, Cape Town’s only zoo. See lions, tigers, zebras and more in the zoo’s large enclosures.

Tygerberg Zoo, off Klipheuwel Road, Tyger Valley
+27 (0)21 884 4494