Fun Family-Friendly Things to do in Cape Town

Jan 22, 2020 | Cape Town Guides

Children hiking in Cape Town

There is no denying Cape Town is a playground for travellers and locals alike. The city is a hotspot for creativity, natural beauty, adventure and fun activities for the whole family.

From picturesque beaches beautiful parks to historic sites and fun activities, Cape town has it all!

Weā€™ve compiled a list of the best family-friendly things to do in Cape Town.

1. Lionā€™s Head hike

The Lionā€™s Head hiking trail winds its way up the mountain, offering panoramic views of the city, Table Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It usually takes 2-3 hours to complete the hike, depending on how quickly the group moves.

The best time to hike Lions Head would be at sunrise (5:30 am in summer, and 7:50 am in winter) and sunset (7:45 in summer and 17:45 in winter). Don’t forget a water bottle and sunblock!

2. Babylonstoren 

Babylonstoren features one of the best-preserved gardens in the Cape. The magnificent grounds are divided into 15 sections, consisting of vegetables, fruit, indigenous plants, fragrance lawns, ducks, chickens and tortoises. 

Spending time with the animals and walking in nature the perfect activity for kids. 

3. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch is the perfect spot for fun picnics with the kids and pleasant strolls all year round. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a haven of natural beauty with splashes of floral colours, winding paths and lush vegetation. The treetop canopy walkway is particularly popular with kids. 

Explore the gardens on our Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden tour.

4. Robben Island Museum tour

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, Robben Islandā€™s allure lies in its rich and harsh history. The tour is an incredible experience for travellers who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the countryā€™s political history. 

This is an excellent tour for people who want to start understanding more about the countries heritage. Read more about our Robben Island tour. 

5. Table Mountain cable car

Table Mountain is an iconic part of the cityā€™s identity. The flat-topped mountain offers spectacular views of the city and ocean below.

Once at the top you can explore a bit of the mountain- often being among the clouds!

6. Beach Day 

Cape Town has a wide selection of beautiful white-sandy beaches along itā€™s Atlantic and Indian Ocean seaboards. Just be warned that the water is quite cold- though, the kids still love to splash around! Some of our favourites include:

  • Llandudno beach – a lovely secluded beach 
  • Boulders beach – a spot to chill with a penguin colony
  • Clifton 1-4 – popular beaches lined with great restaurants and bars
  • Muizenberg – great for surfing 
  • Oudekraal – one of Cape Townā€™s best-kept secrets! 

7. The Companyā€™s Gardens

An oasis in the middle of the bustling city, the Companyā€™s Garden is open for tourists and locals to throw down a blanket and have a picnic or stroll through on a busy day. 

With botanical trees, a bird aviary, rose garden, and always-ravenous squirrels, the garden is the perfect spot to soak up some sun or wind down after a busy day exploring the city. 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The garden is also home to the Iziko Museum. The museum is a great place for the kids to explore the exhibitions and art on display. 

Love museums? Read our list of the top museums in Cape Town. 

8. Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome

The planetarium is an excellent family activity that is sure to keep children transfixed with mesmerising images of the night sky. 

The digital dome will educate and entertain young minds on the wonders of the universe. You can find the schedule for the planetarium holiday programme here. 

9. Kidā€™s chocolate-making classes at Lindt

Lindt offers various courses with master chocolatiers who are on hand to guide you through your chocolate-making experience. 

Each course includes a Lindt presentation, a chocolate tasting and a recipe for recreating feature desserts at home.

10. Acrobranch Constantia 

Take the kids for a 2-hour treetop canopy walkway with all the ziplines, cargo nets and obstacles a child could dream of. Assistants are available in case any of the kids need a helping hand.

11. Clay Cafe 

Both kids and parents get to spend the day painting crockery – and then get to take their creations home with them! The on-site restaurant serves delicious meals to keep everyone satisfied while theyā€™re getting crafty. 

There is a second Clay Cafe open in the CBD which is in close proximity to Cape Townā€™s top hotels and points of interest. 

12.  Blue Rock

Blue Rock Lake in Somerset West is a beautiful lake that offers relaxation and fun water activities for the whole family. It is the perfect place for waterskiing, wakeboarding, cliff-diving and Fufi-sliding. 

13. Rose Picking at Chart Farm 

The Chart Farm is one of the southern suburb’s best-kept secrets. Each year between November and June, the roses are in full bloom and guests can select and pick the roses of their choice to take home with them. Itā€™s a win-win for both mom and kids! 

14. Hout Bay Market 

Located just off the harbour, the Bay Harbour Market is home to over 100 incredible traders. Stalls include a wide variety of food, beer, organic products, local designs, unique artwork and sweet treats. 

There is something for everyone in the family. The outside area is great to enjoy the fresh air while snacking on your purchases.

15. Art Jamming 

Put on an apron, grab a blank canvas and unleash your inner artist. Art jamming is a fun way to disconnect and get your creative juices flowing. 

Art Jammers are provided with a menu of 12 different size canvases, a choice of paints, brushes and tools. This is another activity that is great for the whole family.

16. HintHunt 

Hint Hunt is an exciting game where you have to solve mysteries and puzzles in order to get out of a locked room.

This is a fun and unique team-building exercise for families with older children. 

17. Imhoff Farm 

Situated on the beautiful route to Cape Point, Imhoff Farm offers stunning views, great food and a large enclosed lawn where children can play safely. There is a farmyard next door where children can interact with the farm animals, a wooden maze, a snake park and an art studio. 

18. Two Oceans Aquarium 

With more than 3,000 marine creatures on view, including sharks, turtles, and penguins, the Two Oceans Aquarium is one of our favourite family activities in Cape Town.

Situated at the V&A Waterfront, the aquarium showcases the unique marine life of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Kids will love watching the African Penguins being fed while learning about their habitats and lifestyles. 

19. Simonā€™s Town 

Explore this quaint seaside town with the family. There is something for everyone in Simonā€™s Town, no matter what the age. Families can take a stroll down the harbour or visit the SA Navy Museum. 

Boulders Beach is a family-friendly swimming beach where the kids can climb the rocks and visit the penguin colony. 

Visit Simonā€™s Town, Boulders Beach, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope in our tour. Find out more about our tour here.

20. CityRock Indoor Climbing 

The perfect activity for a rainy day in Cape Town, CityRock is an indoor climbing centre where both kids and adults can climb over large bouldering walls without a rope or high walls with ropes. 

Indoor rock climbing is a fun and safe way to exercise and get your adrenaline pumping. 

With so many family-friendly activities in Cape Town, there really is no need for boring days on your holiday. 

We hope that you now have plenty of ideas for your next family holiday in the city! If you have any suggestions for this list, please comment in them below!

4 Comments

  2. Iflynn
    Iflynn on August 22, 2020 at 11:40

    We loved Cape Town when we went last year. A highlight was visiting Kalk Bay, a beautiful fishing village a short drive away from Cape Town. We also learned to surf at Big Bay, Bloubergstrand which has amazing views of Table Mountain! Thank you for posting this info.

    Reply
    • African Travel Canvas
      African Travel Canvas on August 24, 2020 at 06:35

      So great that you had a lovely time in Cape Town! Kalk Bay is one of our favourite places in the city!

      Reply

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