Things to do with kids in Cape Town
With dramatic mountains, Blue Flag beaches, and the great outdoors on its doorstep, there is no shortage of things for children to see and do in Cape Town.
Active families will enjoy the numerous hikes on Table Mountain, as well as riding the cable car. The surrounding areas, such as Tokai, False Bay, and Silvermine and Cape Point provide some excellent walking paths too. Cape Town strives to be a bicycle-friendly city, meaning there are plenty of bike trails both on and off the mountains.
Visitors can also head to one of Cape Town's picture-perfect beaches to enjoy a spot of sunshine, or picnic under the shade of a tree in the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where there is plenty of space for kids to run around. Kids will enjoy Cape Town's open-top sightseeing buses too, as they're a great way to see the city's top attractions.
On days when outdoor activities are not an option, travellers can head to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where craft markets, boat rides, and restaurants will keep the little ones entertained. The Two Oceans Aquarium is also located there and provides a fascinating and educational experience for children of all ages. World of Birds is worth visiting too.
When the sun sets on the Mother City, there are plenty of great restaurants where kids are welcome, such as the family-friendly Spur, which offers indoor playgrounds, colouring books and balloons.
Cape Town Ostrich Ranch
For fun encounters with one of South Africa's oddest and most unique animals, the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch is a great bet. The ranch is a good family attraction, but having kids alo…
Cape Town Ostrich Ranch
For fun encounters with one of South Africa's oddest and most unique animals, the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch is a great bet. The ranch is a good family attraction, but having kids along is not necessary to enjoy the experience. Although it is possible to explore the ranch independently, most people choose to join one of the organised tours, which are conducted in English, Afrikaans, German, and French. Tours in other languages may be possible if organised in advance. Tours take about 40 minutes and include the museum, the leather factory, and encounters with the various ostriches and other animals on the farm.
Website www.capetown.travel/listing/cape-town-ostrich-ranch/
Two Oceans Aquarium
The Cape sits at the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and over 3,000 sea animals from both oceans are showcased in the aquarium. They highlight the diversity of mar…
Two Oceans Aquarium
The Cape sits at the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and over 3,000 sea animals from both oceans are showcased in the aquarium. They highlight the diversity of marine life found in the waters around Cape Town. The Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the city's top attractions and visitors of all ages will be interested in the variety of exhibits. They include the Predator Exhibit, which features large sharks and rays, and the mesmerising Kelp Forest Exhibit. Animals such as seals, penguins and turtles, and thousands of different fish are on display too. It is also possible embark on dives in specific tanks. The aquarium is involved in a number of research and conservation programmes.
Website www.aquarium.co.za
World of Birds and Monkey Park
With a population of more than 3,000 birds and over 400 different species, the World of Birds is the largest bird park in Africa. Its one-hundred-plus walk-through aviaries allow v…
World of Birds and Monkey Park
With a population of more than 3,000 birds and over 400 different species, the World of Birds is the largest bird park in Africa. Its one-hundred-plus walk-through aviaries allow visitors to encounter the birds in their natural environment. The park has other animals as well. Its mammals include foxes, monkeys, meerkats, racoons, guinea pigs, marmosets, mongooses and porcupines. Monkeys are one of the highlights. Visitors will find more than 30 of them in a large walk-through enclosure, where they can interact with the animals at certain times of day. There are also some reptiles such skinks, iguanas, terrapins and tortoises. The park also serves as a conservation site.
Website www.worldofbirds.org.za