Custom Search

_{Are you seeing this in your mirror?
Then today's a good day to get out of the house!}

I call this is my personal Cape town school holidays activities 'Grab Bag' - a list of low cost (or even better, free) ideas and things to do.

To be honest, I think kids must learn to entertain themselves on their own. However, some days they squabble and fight and you just NEED a break!

But desperate times do call for desperate measures - there are the times when we even consider paid activities like theme parks :)

Share YOUR lifesavers here and do your bit to keep other moms sane.

If you aleady know all of these school holidays suggestions and have done them and are totally jaded - aarrgh!
And sorry for you :(
That's a terrible space to find yourself in!

SA Iziko Museum

Our 'local' may not be a patch on some of the world greats beyond our borders but hey, my kids love it! The whale and dolphin hall and that funky topographical model of Table Mountain (near the minerals and crystals) are both on the 'must-see'list whenever we visit. The dinosaurs are also a pretty evergreen attraction.

National Gallery and Company Gardens

If art is a family value you want to promote, the National Gallery is alos right nearby. You can round off your visits with a stop at the tea garden in the Company Gardens, or take your own packed lunch.

The Planetarium

What's your local mall up to?

MTN Sciencentre

Fry your brain answering the kids' questions! This is a fabulous mind-stretching exercise for parents and kids alike.
Bah!
Apparently the Sciencentre WILL be re-opening sometime, somewhere in Observatory, but so far we have not heard exact details :(

Aquarium

The aquarium is a great place to make use of. Enjoy the supervised activities in the kiddies' room, plus the puppet show for younger children. And follow it up with an icecream and a seal-spotting walk along the edge of the dock outside.

Cool Runnings

Go bob-sledding near Durbanville - right beside the golf driving range and Velodrome. It's wads of fun for everyone!

Picnics

We love to head out to our favourite beaches, or to Boschheuvel (behind the stone cottages near Kirstenbosch), in Kirstenbosch itself or on Signal Hill. Where's your favourite picnic spot?

Baxter Theatre and Artscape

Liliput Players always have childrens shows at the Baxter. And Artscape is good too. Both offer quality productions taht are good value for money.

Clay Cafe in Hout Bay

For as long as I can remember they have offered a holiday special package which is an excellent deal. My kids treasure their self-painted, glazed goodies.

Robben Island, Table Mountain and the Red Sight seeing bus

Generally in the winter holidays two kids get a free pass with every paying adult. That's a good deal!