The Mother City is one of many destinations perfect for spending quality time with family. Cape Town has so much to offer, which can make planning a bit overwhelming with so many options choose from. Where do you start? This list of family-friendly things to do in Cape Town should help take the load off of planning.
This list accommodates all family members. The animal enthusiasts, the adrenaline junkies, that one athletic family member, the competitive cousins, the art connoisseur, and even those who simply just want to relax.
Giraffe House
If visiting a zoo is on your bucket list, make Giraffe House your first stop. The Giraffe House Wilderness Awareness Centre offers some of Africa’s incredible wildlife and bird species, including lemurs, black crows, tortoises, ostriches, meerkats, and more. This zoo focuses on providing a platform for people to enjoy the outdoors while experiencing and learning about African wildlife.
Exotic Animal World
Formerly known as Butterfly World, Exotic Animal World has a range of miniature animals and invertebrates. Housing animals such as chinchillas, guinea pigs, meerkats, and more, this world of animals also includes a restaurant where you will be treated to meals, hot drinks and cakes.
Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures
Offering crocodile ponds, snake exhibitions, as well as fishing, rowing and cycling, Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures makes for a perfect family spot. With the expert guided crocodile tour, your family will have the opportunity too see and learn about Africa’s largest reptile. Featuring a collection of local and exotic snakes, the self-guided snake exhibition is a great sight for sore eyes, while the tranquil dam is great for fishing and rowing, but if you’re not fond of the water, cycling on the cycle track is always an option.
Hint Hunt Cape Town
If you enjoy mind games and solving puzzles and riddles, HintHunt offers a thrilling interactive experience. Teams of friends, families, or colleagues are locked away in a themed room and challenged to work together to solve riddles and puzzles in 60 minutes in order to escape. This makes for a great family activity as it promotes teamwork and tests mental agility.
Cool Runnings Cape Town
Situated on the slopes of Durbanville, this activity is perfect during sunny skies and warm temperatures. Cool Runnings toboggans run on a stainless steel track, and seats one or two people. You and your family will experience an exhilarating ride down a grassy slope. The park also offers a covered terrace with food and drink facilities, making it the perfect spot for family outings.
Total Ninja
This one is more for the athletic and competitive family members. Total Ninja is a supervised activity and fitness venue inspired by the TV series ‘Ninja Warrior’. Being the largest inflatable obstacle course in Africa, Total Ninja offers climbing, balancing, jumping, and swinging across different obstacle courses. It is a great place for family activities and for keeping fit.
Scratch Patch and Cave Golf
Together with your family, you can enjoy a treasure hunt and a round of indoor golf at Waterfront’s Scratch Patch and Cave Golf. Suitable for all ages, the scratch patch involves hunting for gemstones and other beautiful polished stones.
Grandwest Casino and Entertainment
As a popular destination, Grandwest provides a range of family-friendly activities to choose from ranging from bowling, ice-skating, the arcade, and more.
Iziko South African Museum
The Iziko South African Museum caters to history connoisseurs and those who are interested in the study of planets. The museum offers visitors natural history, social history and art collection, along with the planetarium and digital dome offering a virtual experience of the universe with a unique experience of animation in a 360 degree cinema.
Zeitz MOCAA
At Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) engage in various art exhibitions. Aside from the array of art work, the museum offers restaurants, a bookshop, reading rooms and a rooftop sculpture garden. Zeitz MOCAA collects, preserves, researches, and exhibits 21st century art.
Boulders Beach
This beach is far from a regular beach, keeping the entire family entertained. This coastal location is where the family can meet some African penguins, explore rock pools, scale boulders, and an opportunity to swim in the clear False Bay water. However, you won’t see the penguins at Boulders Beach, heading to Foxy Beach will offer you a closer look at the penguins.
