Things to do with kids in Cape Town

Big local park that has a fenced toddler area, bigger jungle gyms deeper in, and is dog-friendly. You can also occasionally get a coffee, ice cream and some snacks from a local vendor on the bottom school field.

Huge, free and beautifully kept: multiple playgrounds, biodiversity garden, outdoor gym.

Beloved Victorian park with giant shady trees, a fenced dog park, a playground and summer 'Concerts in the Park'.

The gold-standard family beach — long, gentle, lifeguards, shark spotters and a playground, with the Galley restaurant right next to the beach for ice creams or basic meals afterwards.

Food

Yes · on site

Great family-friendly beach where you can surf — warm water, shallow, gentle waves and surf schools that do kids' lessons, with the famous colourful huts for photos.

The iconic huts plus a small sandy beach with a tidal pool — lovely family spot that gets busy.

Shady indigenous-and-pine forest on the mountain's slopes — gentle walks, streams and a dog-walking favourite.

Arboretum and pine forest with wide, mostly pram-friendly paths, picnic spots and easy trails at the foot of the mountain.

Flat, leafy riverside walking trail through Constantia — shady, easy and a much-loved dog-walking route.

Local library where you can borrow books and access other resources.

Local library where you can borrow books and access other resources.

Local library where you can borrow books and access other resources.

Free, hands-on museum for little ones. It has a small playground outside too.

Setting

Indoor museum with outdoor play

Free maritime museum filled with ship and submarine models, naval equipment, torpedoes and reconstructed control rooms.

Setting

Indoor museum

The nearby SAS Assegaai display area is free, but guided tours inside the submarine cost extra.

Hours

Mon–Sun 9:30–3:30pm

Free aviation museum with historic aircraft, engines, uniforms and military-aviation displays. Saturday morning is the best family visit because the main aircraft collection is inside the secure part of the base.

Setting

Indoor hangars & displays

Phone ahead because access to the aircraft hangars is controlled by the active air-force base.

Hours

Wed–Fri 7–3pm · Sat 8:30–12pm

Open-air beachfront restaurant strip with a sheltered jungle gym, grassed recreation area and Table Mountain views across the bay. Free underground parking.

Food

Yes · on site

Historic wine estate with wide lawns, walking routes, a duck pond and two restaurants. The grounds are easy to explore as a family; paid visitor experiences include the Manor House museum, Cloete Cellar and cellar tours.

Setting

Outdoor

Working harbour where you can watch the seals and the fishing boats come in. Has restaurants you can eat at too.

This historic estate combines daily tastings and dining with a bike park, pump track and children's play area. The weather-dependent family market adds food stalls, live atmosphere and changing children's sensory-play activities on Saturdays and Sundays. Read more

Food

Yes · Market food & estate dining

Can I see them?

Lawns and play areas surround De Blaauwe Kitchen

Play fee

R100 entry · bike park pass is 2 hours · play areas ages 2–12

The market is weather permitting and no pets or outside food are allowed.

Hours

Estate: Mon–Sun 10–5pm · market Sat–Sun 9–5pm

Booking

Book De Blaauwe Kitchen directly · market is walk-in

This large estate combines gardens, lawns and cycling routes with restaurants and a seasonal weekend market. The Millhouse Kitchen has access to a children's play area, while the market adds food stalls, live music and an interactive fountain. Read more

Food

Yes · Restaurants, cafés & weekend market food

Hours

Market seasonally Fri 5–10pm · Sat–Sun 11–4pm

Booking

Check the market calendar · book restaurants directly

A free-entry farmers' market in its purpose-built Granger Bay home, with more than 100 traders, fresh produce, baked goods and a huge choice of breakfast and lunch food. The new timber market hall is wheelchair-accessible and remains family- and dog-friendly. Read more

Setting

Indoor market hall & outdoor areas

Hours

Wed 4–9:30pm · Sat 8–2:30pm · Sun 8:30–2:30pm · Wed except Jun–Jul

Seasonal outdoor public pool beside Muizenberg Beach, with a calmer swimming option than the open sea. The 2026/27 City tariff is R9 for adults and R3 for children under 16; children under 3 enter free.

Setting

Outdoor pool

The City currently lists Muizenberg Pool as closed. Check the official swimming-pool schedule before travelling.

Hours

Currently closed · check the live City pool schedule

Large outdoor public pool in Newlands. While infrastructure repairs continue, the 2026/27 City budget keeps the community-pool tariff at R9 for adults and R3 for children under 16; children under 3 enter free.

Setting

Outdoor pool

The City currently lists Newlands Pool as closed while infrastructure work continues. Check the official swimming-pool schedule before travelling.

Hours

Currently closed · check the live City pool schedule

Heated indoor historic baths in the city centre — one of the City's currently open year-round swimming options. The 2026/27 day tariff is R40 for adults and R23 for children under 16; children under 3 enter free.

Setting

Indoor heated pool

Hours

Open · check the live City schedule for current hours

Swim beside African penguins and follow the boardwalks through their protected colony. The local conservation fee is R55 for adults and R26 for children aged 2–11 until 31 October 2026; bring proof of South African residency to claim it. Read more

Setting

Outdoor beach & penguin boardwalks

Hours

Daily · gate times vary seasonally

A full Peninsula day with wildlife, fynbos, picnic and beach stops, the Cape of Good Hope and lighthouse viewpoints. The Flying Dutchman Funicular removes most of the uphill walk from the main car park towards the old lighthouse. Read more

Setting

Outdoor national park, viewpoints & funicular

Bring SA ID for local rates. Baboons are present, parking becomes busy and the beaches have no lifeguards; do not swim at Diaz Beach because of strong rip currents.

Hours

Daily · gate and funicular times vary seasonally

A sheltered coastal picnic and braai site tucked among granite boulders, with small coves, clear water and views back towards the Twelve Apostles. Until 31 October 2026, SA residents pay R44 per adult and R22 per child aged 2–11.

Setting

Outdoor coastal picnic, braai & swimming

No lifeguard; swim at your own risk. No alcohol, music, gazebos, freestanding braais or gas cookers, and bring your own braai grid.

Hours

Seasonal daily access · check before travelling

A sanctuary providing lifetime care to lions and other rescued big cats from abusive captive situations. Families view the animals without touching or performances; the sanctuary does not breed, trade or allow visitor-animal interaction. Read more

Setting

Outdoor big-cat rescue sanctuary

A genuine sanctuary visit: observation only, with no cub petting, breeding, performances or direct interaction.

Hours

Mon–Sun 9:30–5pm · closed 25 Dec

A working farm with 300+ alpacas, a petting zoo (llamas, dromedaries, donkeys, angora goats), a weaving studio, a jungle gym and a coffee shop with Table Mountain views.

Setting

Indoor & outdoor farm visit

Hours

Mon–Sun 9:30–5:30pm · closed 25 Dec

Free-to-visit sanctuary for rescued farm animals where families can wander the property, pick up a food tray to connect with the animals, see artworks by Pigcasso and Baanksy, and stop at the plant-based café or wine tasting.

The official site currently gives both 9–4pm and 9–5pm closing times; confirm before a late-afternoon visit.

Pedal boats on the V&A canal — a gentle paddle for little skippers. Daytime Pedal: R100 per person (30 mins of canal cruising). Little Adventurers: R50 for kids under 4, free on your birthday. Summer (Oct–Apr): open daily 10am–6pm. Read more

Setting

Outdoor canal activity

Weather-dependent; winter opening also depends on demand.

Hours

Oct–Apr daily 10–6pm · May–Sep weekdays 11–5pm, weekends 10–5pm

Three operators run short cruises from Hout Bay Harbour to the Cape fur seal colony at Duiker Island. Trips take roughly 40–45 minutes and are suitable for a quick family outing, although all departures depend on weather and sea conditions. Read more

Setting

Outdoor boat trips

Hours

Daily departures · operator and weather dependent

The original operator, running since 1972, and the only glass-bottomed boat from Hout Bay. R130 adults (14+) · R65 children (up to 13). Bookings via WhatsApp.

Setting

Outdoor boat trip

Hours

Daily departures · times vary

Ride a wheeled toboggan down the 1.25km rail track, controlling your own speed. Rides start at R100 and children under 3 may not ride.

Setting

Outdoor toboggan track

Closed when raining.

Hours

Mon–Fri 11–6pm · Sat & Sun 9–6pm · public & school holidays 9–6pm

Treetop obstacle courses and zip-lines in the forest, graded from little-kid easy to properly hard. Acro-Twigs (ages 3–6) R170; Monkey Moves (7+) R210; Swinging Tarzan R250; High Flying (9+) R310–R360; combos with the 100m big zip R260–R300; zip only R110.

Setting

Outdoor treetop courses

Hours

Wed–Sun 9–6pm Sep–Apr · 9–5pm May–Aug

An 18-hole outdoor putt-putt course at Lourensford Wine Estate, alongside the estate's restaurants, weekend market and other family activities — a relaxing afternoon under the trees.

Setting

Outdoor putt-putt course

Those are the summer trading hours — phone ahead in winter.

Booking

Book on 082 560 3866

A hands-on hub with more than 250 interactive science exhibits under one roof.

Setting

Indoor science centre

Hours

Mon–Sat 9–4:30pm · public holidays 10–4:30pm · closed Sun

A vast museum of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora inside the converted Grain Silo, with dramatic architecture and changing exhibitions across multiple floors. Admission is R265 for adults and free for under-18s with ID. Read more

Setting

Indoor contemporary-art museum

Hours

Mon–Sun 10–6pm · last entry 5:30pm

Gemstone spot where kids sift through thousands of polished gemstones and fill a bag with their favourites.

Setting

Indoor gemstone experience & Cave Golf

Hours

Mon–Fri 9–4:45pm · Sat & Sun 9–5pm · public holidays 9–5pm

Gemstone spot where kids sift through thousands of polished gemstones and fill a bag with their favourites.

Setting

Indoor gemstone experience & Cave Golf

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30–4:45pm · Sat & Sun 9–5pm · public holidays 9–5pm

This combines ceramic painting with a landscaped garden and outdoor playground, so children can move between a table activity and active play. The R45 studio fee includes three paints, tools, glazing and firing, and you then pay for the ceramic item you choose. Read more

Setting

Ceramic-painting studio, garden & outdoor playground

Hours

Mon–Sun 9–5pm

Booking

Essential at busy times

Large indoor trampoline and activity park with foam pits, dodgeball and a ninja course. One-hour access is R160; the parent-and-toddler ticket is R200, and activity-specific height rules apply. Read more

Setting

Indoor

Hours

Term: Tue–Thu 11–7pm · Fri–Sat 9–8pm · Sun 9–6pm

PlayStation by Rush suits ages 2–12 and is one of the bigger indoor options, with a little city, climbing, slides, a high-line course, a pump track and trained staff watching the play areas. There is a full family restaurant where you can sit down for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Read more

Setting

Indoor

Supervision

Trained staff monitor the play areas

Can I see them?

The café has a clear line of sight to the play areas

Hours

Term: Mon–Fri 10–6pm · Sat 9–6pm · Sun 9–5pm

Booking

Recommended · book ahead for weekends and holidays

Large indoor ninja-warrior obstacle park with a dedicated Mini Ninja area for under-4s and the main course for ages 4+. One-hour entry is R80 for Mini Ninja and R160 for Total Ninja. Read more

Setting

Indoor

Hours

Mon–Fri 10–6pm · Sat & Sun 10–5pm

It has big open lawns for playing and is great for picnics. The tree-shaded picnic lawns slope down to the lake, with pre-booked adult, vegetarian, braai and children's baskets, while the Manor House restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Read more

Food

Yes · Restaurant, pre-booked picnics & braai baskets

This listing is for the lawns and picnics, not a confirmed dedicated play area. No outside food, drinks, cooler boxes or pets are allowed on the picnic lawns.

Hours

Restaurant: Mon–Sat 7:30am–11pm · Sun 7:30am–5pm · summer picnics 12–5pm

Booking

Essential for picnics · restaurant booking recommended

Tables at Nitida is a relaxed family bistro with a spacious lawn, a designated kiddies' play area and children's menus. Read more

Food

Yes · Restaurant, children's menu & lawn picnics

Setting

Outdoor kiddies' play area & lawn

Supervision

Adults supervise · no childminder advertised

Can I see them?

Lawn and picnic seating are beside the play area

Play fee

No separate play fee, check menu before going

Booking

Book ahead for lawn or picnic seating · weather-dependent

Mooiberge is the iconic scarecrow farm, where you can pick your own strawberries, visit the farm stall and eat at the Thirsty Scarecrow restaurant. Picking runs from Oct–early Jan on weekends and public holidays from 9:30–4:30pm, and daily during the December school holidays. Read more

Seasonal strawberry picking with tractor and pony rides, mini golf and play activities. Picking runs roughly September–January, daily 9–4pm, with entry from R60. Read more

Setting

Outdoor farm

Strawberry picking is currently closed until around mid-September 2026.

Hours

Picking season daily 9–4pm · bike park daily 9–4pm

Farm shop selling fresh blueberries, smoothies, coffee and blueberry products on the Back family's Sonop farm. Read more

Setting

Outdoor farm & farm shop

U-Pick is seasonal; the official website does not state that picking is currently available.

Hours

Shop: Mon–Fri 8–4:30pm · listed U-Pick hours Sat–Sun 8–4pm