Autumn has officially swept in, so winter is but a hop, skip and a jersey behind. When sun-drenched picnics and trips to the beach are off the cards, how do you entertain little ones? Here are our favourite activities for a rainy day in Cape Town.
JUMP AROUND TRAMPOLINE PARK
While one trampoline is good, wall-to-wall trampolines? Better. At Jump Around, kids can burn off all that energy from being cooped up inside with anything from free jumping to bouncing basketball, soccer and dodgeball. Don’t miss Super Sundays, when kids get to jump around with their favourite superheroes!
Cost From R120 per jumper
CLAY CAFE
At Clay Cafe in Hout Bay, kids can unleash their inner artist painting a variety of unfired clay bisques. Snacks and light meals are available, plus there’s a jungle gym and jumping castle outside if the weather turns nice.
Cost Studio fee R35 pp (includes paints, firing and glazing). Bisques are between R20 and R250 each.
STORY TIME AT THE BOOK LOUNGE
Saturday mornings are story time at our favourite independent treasure trove of the written word, The Book Lounge. Good news for parents – you can get a decent cappuccino while your little one listens, spellbound.
Cost Free
CITY ROCK
If your little ones have outgrown the jungle gym and are ready for new heights, try City Rock in Observatory. Colourful climbing walls and a rope-free bouldering area provide a variety of fun and physical challenges. Plus there’s a yoga studio if mum or dad needs a little me-time while the kids are in the harness.
Cost R145 for day pass and gear rental. Please note this does not include an instructor.
BUTTERFLY WORLD
Step through the doors of Butterfly World into a warm, tropical paradise. Here you’ll find butterflies of every size and colour, but also birds, iguanas, guinea pigs, giant tortoises, marmosets and a host of other fuzzy and crawly critters.
Cost R72 for adults, R41 for children, R185 for a family ticket (two adults and two children)
TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM
From the tiniest sea horse to fearsome ragged-tooth sharks, Two Oceans Aquarium is the place to see and learn about life under the sea. Explore the exhibits, get tactile in the touch pools, watch the penguins and sharks being fed, then enjoy lunch in the kid-friendly Shoreline Cafe.
Cost R124 for adults, R96 for children, R60 for under-fours
CAPE TOWN SCIENCE CENTRE
Budding scientists will be enthralled by the more than 250 exhibits at Cape Town Science Centre. From a human gyroscope to mind-bending puzzles, it’s educational fun all the way. Special holiday programmes are also available.
Cost R45 per person
PLANETARIUM
Travel to the most distant reaches of the galaxy from the comfort of your seat at the Planetarium. Once the little ones have had their fill of up-close star-gazing, they can explore the adjoining museum, with its recently upgraded dinosaur exhibit.
Cost Adults R40, children R20
ART JAMMING
Fancy letting the kids get creative – without having to clean up after them? Take them to art-jamming, where they’ll be provided with a canvas, paint, brushes and stencils to let their inner Picasso shine.
Cost From R95, depending on canvas size