Family friendly activities when staying in Cape Town

If the headline above grabbed your attention, you probably have your family accommodation in Cape Town lined up, and now you’re doing some research on some fun activities that can you can enjoy during your stay.

So with that in mind, we’ve made it easy for you, and have curated some great activities and things to do, which should appeal to you, the little ones (and the not so little ones).

1) Enjoy an Ocean Kayaking Experience

This is a 2 hour trip along the Atlantic Seaboard, where you’ll depart from the beach at the Sea Point Promenade and then either kayak along the Sea Point coastline to Bantry Bay, or go in the other direction towards the V&A Waterfront.

Fun and incredibly safe (the tours are guided, so staff are always on hand should you run into any difficulty), you’ll get to see nearby shipwrecks, bump into (not literally) some dolphins and penguins, maybe even a seal or two.

It’s a great, way for your family to enjoy Cape Town.

You can find out more and make a booking over here.

2) Spend the day at Boulders Beach

Cape Town is blessed with an abundance of amazing beaches. One of these is the ever-popular Boulders Beach, situated in Simon’s Town.

It’s incredibly family-friendly, ideal for kids of all ages, and is one of the few places in the world where you can get up close to the resident African penguins, even getting to swim with them.

The unique layout of the beach means you’re quite sheltered from wind and strong currents, with very gentle waves, and it’s a great spot for sandcastle building, swimming, as well as day-long picnics. (just remember to pack your sunscreen)

You can find out more and get a day pass to Boulders Beach over here.

3) Spend a day exploring Kirstenbosch Gardens

With over 7 000 species of flora, indigenous birds and animals, Kirstenbosch Gardens is a hugely popular destination for families, where you can enjoy a relaxing – and educational – day out.

Situated on the slopes of Table Mountain, you an enjoy scenic strolls and relaxing picnics in tranquil surrounding. Within the gardens, you’ll find a range of different attractions and activities to enjoy, including the Boomslang Canopy Walk, the Garden of Weeds, Garden of Extinction, as well as a cycad forest, to name but a few.

During the summer months, there are also regular music concerts on Sunday evenings, so it’s a great destination to add to your itinerary during your holiday.

You can find out more and get a day pass to Kirstenbosch Gardens over here.

4) Take a tour along the Spice Route

If you’re looking for a fun-filled daytrip destination that the whole family can enjoy, you’ll want to pay a visit to the Spice Route.

Situated just 45 minutes outside the city in the foothills of the Paarl mountains, it’s a village setup giving you an authentic Cape Winelands experience.

Here, you can enjoy wine-tasting, craft beers, gin as well as chocolate delights.

If you’re feeling particularly active, there are also hiking and mountain-biking trails to enjoy, two playgrounds for the kids (including a clue-solving treasure hunt around the property), as well as a carefully curated range of shops and eateries.

Find out more about the Spice Route over here.

5) Spend a morning (or the afternoon) at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Home to more than 8 000 (and counting) sea creatures, the Two Oceans Aquarium is a hugely popular destination for families, and can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Here, you can get up close to a variety of sea life, including kelp forests, exotic fish, stingrays and even sharks.

Kids will also enjoy the popular penguin exhibit, as well as the daily puppet shows, together with marine-themed arts and crafts activities.

You can get your day pass, or sign up for a membership, over here.