Republished with permission from agaaain.com
As the days get warmer, kids are itching to splash in the water. But parents don’t always want to spend the whole day at a water park or swimming pool, and – we believe – the best venues cater to both adults and children. That’s why combining a relaxed al fresco lunch with fun water play for kids is such a winning option. Fountains and water features not only provide hours of entertainment, they stimulate kids’ imagination and creativity, too.
Here’s our selection of the best restaurants with water features in Cape Town and the winelands. Go, have fun and don’t forget to bring a towel, a bathing suit or a change of clothes!
Spier
The Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery at the Spier wine farm has a colourful new mosaic water feature at its back – perfect to splish and splash in on sunny days. Reserve a table on the back veranda if you want to supervise your kids playing in the water. Otherwise, the restaurant has a generous lawn out its front, with lots of trees and rocks to climb. It also offers colouring in activities.
Location: R310, Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch
Website: www.spier.co.za
Little Stream
This cosy, rustic restaurant and coffee shop is surrounded by seven acres of lush gardens on the Constantia hills. As its name promises, it has a little stream in which kids can splash on hot days and catch the odd tadpole. We love the picnic spots, ropes and climbing nets hidden in the enchanted forest-style garden and the long, fairy tale swing in the massive old oak.
Location: Klein Constantia Road, Constantia
Website: www.littlestream.co.za
Boschendal
This wine farm has lots on offer for families, and its awesome water features are just one of the many child-friendly aspects. Near the country-style Werf restaurant and the casual Deli, kids will find a fun Splish-and-Splash play area, with water running along wooden shafts on varying levels. There is also a little watercourse and a fountain in the organic gardens. And if that isn’t enough, the Tree House nature-themed playground, a small pipe track and a maze will ensure hours of fun.
Location: Pniel Road, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek
Website: www.boschendal.com
Val du Charron
Nestled at the foot of the Groenberg Mountain, this wine farm offers a big, fenced-in jungle gym area and a fantastic kids’ water playground that splashes water out of various fun contraptions. For even more water play, they pump up a slip’n’slide on hot days. Two family-friendly restaurants – the more upmarket Grillroom and the laid-back Italian Piza e Vino eatery – ensure nobody goes hungry.
Location: Bovlei Road, Wellington
Website: www.vdcwines.co.za
Battery Park
Located inside the V&A Waterfront’s new Canal District, the lower level piazza of this urban park has an awesome water fountain where kids can cool down in summer. Parents can relax over a cup of coffee and a bite to eat at the Balmoral Deli, while watching their little one’s run through the spouting water. For a fee, families can also stand-up paddle board or kayak along the canals.
Location: V&A Canal District. Entrances on Dock Road, Fort Road, Ebenezer Road and Alfred Street
Website: www.waterfront.co.za
Lourensford
Situated in the heart of the Helderberg, this wine farm has expansive rolling lawns with a big, fountain-style water feature that children can run through on warm days. There are also three wooden jungle gyms to clamber on, while the family-friendly Millhouse Kitchen serves fresh, simple and seasonal food and has a yummy special menu for kids.
Location: Lourensford Road, Somerset West
Website: www.lourensford.co.za
Warwick
This wine farm is highly rated for gourmet picnics that are served in several family-friendly areas on the beautiful grounds. For the kids, a highlight is without a doubt the water fountain, which opens up into a water course and ends with fountain-style sprayers at the lawn area at the other end. Children can also play a game of boules or climb the three jungle gyms.
Location: R44, between Klapmuts and Stellenbosch
Website: www.warwickwine.com
Eagles’ Nest
Located on the crest of the Constantia Nek pass, this family-owned boutique vineyard is a perfect place to unwind with children. A small stream with a wooden bridge and adjacent forest offer lots of space for kids to run wild and have fun in nature. The restaurant serves delicious antipasti, cheese and meat platters and unpretentious wines.
Location: Constantia Main Road, Constantia
Website: www.eaglesnestwines.com
Mondeor
This rustic restaurant at the foot of the Helderberg mountains has a big outside play area which includes two large jungle gyms with swings and slides, a jumping castle, small sandpit and a soft play area for little ones. But the highlights are a shallow splash pool and slip-and-slide that promise endless fun on sunny days. Parents get a chance to relax at the shaded tables on the veranda or lawn, which all have a good view on the playground and pool.
Location: 22 Mondeor Street, Somerset West
Website: www.mondeorrestaurant.co.za
Visit www.agaaain.com to find more family-friendly activities and events.
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