Some kids need constant entertainment. It’s hard to keep it new and interesting all the time, especially during the School Holidays 2023 in Johannesburg. So, we’ve decided to help you out with this list of things to do with your kids during the end-of-year holidays if you’re in Johannesburg.
1. Get swinging at Acrobranch
Acrobranch gives you and the kids the chance to unleash your inner ape and go swinging through the treetops. The Acrobranch park in Melrose consists of four courses (two for kids, two for adults) and is equipped with four zip lines, swing bridges and Tarzan swings. The courses are family-friendly and safe for children as young as three years, and there’s a lot of variety, from acrobatic bungee-style adventures to obstacle courses and even combination courses. This also features in Daddy’s Deals blog on Things to do in Johannesburg. And if you’re looking for a new school for your child, compare price expectations with this look at the most expensive schools in South Africa!
Image credit: Acrobranch.
Price: From R150 to R280 per person depending on which course you’re doing.
Acrobranch operates cash-free, so book online or make use of the card facilities on site.
Contact: 0869990369, acrobranch.co.za
2. Red Bus City Tour
The Red Bus City Tour is a hop-on, hop-off excursion which takes you to over 20 of the most interesting attractions in Joburg, from Gold Reef City to the James Hall Transport Museum, with a special audio commentary channel for kids. Keep your eye out for specials which often run over the school holiday period.
Credit: City Sightseeing South Africa
Price: One-day tickets for adults start from R245, and kids’ tickets (ages 5-17) are R100. Kids under 4 are free (online prices). These prices are for a one-day ticket; you can find a number of combos and multiple-day tickets too.
Contact: 0215116000, citysightseeing.co.za
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3. Peoples Theatre
The Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex in Braamfontein puts on at least four productions a year, and they each run for 4-6 weeks – so there’s no excuse not to pop in. In the upcoming holidays, they’re putting on a Seussical – a Dr Seuss musical featuring iconic characters and storylines, as well as another musical dramatisation of the famous animated film, Madagascar.
The company has been around for two decades and celebrates the joy of capturing young ones’ imaginations.
Image credit: Unsplash
Price: Ticket prices range from R100 for kids who are members (R120 per year) and accompanying adults pay from R125 a ticket.
Contact: 0114031563/2340, peoplestheatre.co.za
4. Visit the Cradle of Humankind
Get out of the city and head to the Cradle of Humankind in Maropeng for a family trip that promises to be as fun as it will be educational. The Learner Centre is interactive and informative and will be a hit with both young and old. The main attraction, however, is the underwater boat ride that guides you through the history of Earth’s creation in a visceral, awe-inspiring way. If the fossil display piques your interest, take a tour through the Sterkfontein caves—the home of the historic ‘Mrs Ples’.
Both Maropeng and Sterkfontein are open from 9am-5pm, but the last tours of each day start at 4pm. Please note: the caves are sometimes closed to the public, so it’s best to call them beforehand to check if they’e open.
Image by Lisa Johnston.
Price: Admission to the Maropeng Visitor Centre is free for children (under 6) and R100 for everyone. Admission to the Sterkfontein Caves is free for children and R100 for everyone.
Contact: 0145779000, [email protected], maropeng.co.za
5. Go quad-biking
Escape the urban jungle and hit the Segwati quad trails on the slopes of the Witwatersberg mountain range overlooking the Cradle of Humankind. Combine your quad-biking trip with a picnic, braai or maybe even some game-viewing or bird-watching. There’s also a paintball range here. Kids have to be over 13 years old to go quad-biking. You can experience Segwati on foot as well—it has lovely hiking and walking trails. Segwati also has cottages and a bush camp if you plan on turning your quad-biking trip into a weekend away.
Price: The price depends on how long the trip is; customers can do one-hour, one-and-a-half-hour or two-hour trips. Please contact Segwati for its latest prices.
Contact: 0824129823, [email protected], segwatigetaways.co.za
6. Visit Kloofendal Nature Reserve
Friends of Kloofendal is a conservation NGO that offers guided nature tours through the Kloofendal Nature Reserve in Roodepoort. These tours give you a chance to learn about and interact with the reserve’s plants, animals and insects. From bird-ringing to panning for gold, there are interesting events happening almost every weekend. You can have a look at the reserve’s event line-up here. If you feel like doing your part for nature conservation, you and the family can join the Friends of Kloofendal team on one of its invasive alien plant ‘hacking’ sessions.
Price” The costs of various activities ranges from R50-R185, check the site for the latest details.
Contact: 0116742980 or 0796935608, kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com
7. Attend a cooking class at Little Cooks Club
If you and your kids are foodies or simply want to learn more about cooking, why not sign up for a family cooking class? The Little Cooks Club has franchises throughout the city and will be offering morning classes for children during the school holidays (excluding Easter weekend and public holidays). Each franchise has a different schedule, so it’s best to phone and check what’s on offer at the club nearest to you (there are clubs in Bedfordview, Fourways/Dainfern, Kyalami/Sunninghill, and Sandton).
It’s not only a great way for kids to learn about nutrition and the joys of cooking but also a chance for you and the little ones to work together and bond. Added bonus: your dinners at home can only benefit from the cooking skills you’ll acquire and the easy, yummy recipes you’ll learn at these classes.
Price: Prices depend on the activity and the age of your child, so head over to Little Cooks’s site or drop Christine from the head office a line.
Contact: 0835563434, [email protected], littlecooksclub.co.za
8. Play paintball at Woods Paintball
Feeling trigger-happy? Try out paintballing at Woods Paintball’s range, conveniently situated 10 minutes from the Fourways Shopping Mall in a forest environment. It’s open 7 days a week and offers a number of different playing fields.
Price: Prices start at R180 per person for standard and low-impact courses. The cost for a three-hour session includes your paintball gun, 100 free field-range balls and protective gear. Prices for additional balls start from R80 per set of 100.
Contact: 0793874217, [email protected], woodspaintball.co.za
9. Explore the night skies at the planetarium
If stars, constellations and comets are your kid’s thing, the Johannesburg Wits Planetarium should be at the top of your holiday itinerary. Their experts are on-site to answer astronomy questions and stoke your child’s curiosity in what lies beyond the earth’s atmosphere. Added bonus: telescopes are also for sale at the planetarium which means you can take star-gazing into your own hands. Attend the planetarium’s public shows this holiday season and consult the site for its show diary.
Image credit: David Menidrey
Price: Adult tickets for regular shows cost R55 and senior and kids tickets R40. Public show tickets are available online on Webtickets.
Contact: 0117171390, [email protected], planetarium.co.za
10. Paint your own pottery at Pottery Junxion
Pottery Junxion in Edenvale is a great place to get your hands dirty and have something to show for it at the end of the day. Check into its studio and paint and decorate your own plates, bowls or tea sets. All tools, products and ceramics are available on site. Ages 7 and up can try one of the painting or mosaic workshops.
Credit: @Potteryjunxion
Price: From R95 for a three-hour session, excluding the product. Check out Pottery Junxion’s site for more details. Booking is essential.
Contact: 0837070693, [email protected], potteryjunxion.co.za
11. Get lost in a Maze
Honeydew Mazes’ latest Bee Maize Maze is now open and its 12th maize maze, designed in the shape of a honeycomb, has a whopping 3.5km of pathways and includes an eight-station general knowledge quiz which can be enjoyed by the whole family.
It is open on weekends and most public holidays from 10am-5pm (no bookings required). Booking by email, however, is required for any special events such as kids’ parties. If you wish to host a large group or a birthday party, please refer to Honeydew’s website for more information.
Image credit: Honeydew Mazes.
Price: R150 for adults and R120 for kids.
Contact: 0737952174, [email protected], honeydewmazes.co.za
12. Adventure golfing for a school hols-in-one
Gather a team of four and head down to the green. The Adventure Golf branches in Stoneridge, Randburg and Fourways take miniature golfing to another level and are great for parties, too. SA golfing legend Dale Hayes gives it a thumbs-up.
Image credit: Adventure Golf Fourways
Price: Three-game tickets for seniors and kids under 7 are R75, tickets for scholars are R95 and tickets for adults are R120. Special adults and kids packages are available as well.
Contact: 0104429600, [email protected], adventuregolf.co.za
13. Boating at the Zoo Lake Baths
Rent a rowboat at Lions Boating Club and head for some fun on the water. There’s an enclosed play area too for some post-picnic activities.
Credit: Pixabay
Price: Entry is R7.50 for adults and R5 for kids. Rent a rowboat from the club for R10 per boat.
Contact: 0116466245, [email protected], zoolake.org
14. Roll Egoli
Roll up, or rather roll on down to the Roll Egoli Rink for some fun on skates. Egoli is great for kids’ parties too as there are loads of other activities and amenities to keep everyone, young and old, busy as long as they can last. The rink is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am-6pm.
Price: Limitless skating costs R95 per person; spectators enter for free. Bring your own skates/blades or rent them from the rink for R40.
Contact: 110832329861, [email protected], rollegoli.co.za
Please note: the prices are subject to change at the organisers’ discretion. It’s best to give them a call or check on their website before travelling.
For deals and specials check out the things to do in Johannesburg from Daddy’s Deals.
Be sure to check out Top 15 Boarding Schools in Gauteng.
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