Finally, the school holidays are here and the kids are home for the next few weeks. You might be wondering what to do with your children so they don’t end up stuck inside during the holidays. Trying to plan how the holidays are spent can be tricky, especially when keeping it new, interesting, and exciting. As kids grow older, planning their activities for the holidays may prove to be more difficult than it once was. Luckily, the City of Gold has plenty of fun activities to do with the whole family. If you need some ideas to get the ball rolling, here are our top suggestions you can enjoy in Johannesburg over the school holidays.
1. Climbing At Acrobranch
Acrobranch park in Melrose gives you and the kids a chance to climb and swing through the treetops with a choice of 4 courses and 4 zip-lines for children and adults. Children as young as 3 can have their try on a secure and safe obstacle course. Courses vary in combinations with obstacles such as swing bridges, Tarzan swings, and acrobatic bungee-style activities to name a few.
2. Check Out The Animals At The Johannesburg Zoo
Spending a day at the Johannesburg Zoo is the perfect opportunity for your kids to learn about wild animals, and see them up close. Home to over 360 wild animals from all over the world, and South Africa, you will get to see the wonders of elephants, brown bears, crocodiles, lemurs, honey badgers, lizards, and so many more. You can go on various informational tours which stop at several animal houses, at which you and your kids will get to see the tour guide feed the animals their favourite snacks. Bring a picnic basket filled with your own favourite snacks so that you don’t have to spend if your kids get hungry.
3. A day Of Thrills At Gold Reef City Theme Park
For hours of fun and 30 different rides, Gold Reef City theme park in Johannesburg offers exactly that and so much more. It is the only theme park of its kind in South Africa, and here’s why. Not only are there many thrilling rides for all ages, but there is also a 4-D cinema and 2 hotels. This theme park is situated on an old gold mine, giving your kids the chance to learn a bit of history about gold. Gold Reef City was also voted as one of Johannesburg’s most loved and coolest destinations, meaning it’s definitely worth taking your kids there during these school holidays.
4. Take A Trip To The Moon At The Johannesburg Planetarium
If your kids love stars and comets, the Johannesburg Planetarium in Witwatersrand University should be on your schedule. The Planetarium has a host of experts ready to answer your child’s astronaut questions. Quench your child’s curiosity by allowing them to explore what could be beyond the earth’s atmosphere. You’re also able to buy a telescope for your kids at the planetarium so they can practise star-gazing and begin their journey to space.
5. Cooking Glass At The Little Cooks Club
If your kids love food just as much as you do, or maybe they’re just beginning to learn about food and cooking, you could sign the whole family up for a cooking class. The Little Cooks Club has franchises all over Johannesburg offering morning classes for kids. There are Cook Clubs in Bedfordview, Fourways/Dainfern, Kyalami, Sunninghill, and Sandton. It’s not only the best way for you and your kids to learn about nutrition and the fun in cooking, but also a great way for siblings to bond by working together. Different franchises have different schedules, so it’s best to phone beforehand to check what’s cooking near you.
6. Go Quad Biking
Escape the concrete jungle and head to the Witwatersberg mountain range overlooking the Cradle of Humankind, where you will find the Segwati. Enjoy an action-packed day of quad-biking, with a picnic or braai, and perhaps some bird watching and game viewing too. Your kids can also enjoy the paintball range there, and if they are over 13-year-olds they can quad bike for the whole day. You and your kids can also enjoy Segwati on foot by exploring the picturesque hiking and walking trails. Segwati is a definite place to visit during these school holidays, and they have cottages and a bush camp should you wish to spend the weekend.
7. Stoke City Waterpark
Your kids will have hours of watersport fun at Stoke City Waterpark in Midrand. It has a 1.2km course that can be used for open-water swimming training and stand-up paddling. The AquaPark is full of adventure, it has an inflatable floating playground that is made up of connected inflatable obstacles, and your kids will get to play on swings, ramps, ladders, and climbing walls. You and your kids can experience different types of motorised water sports with water-skiing, knee-boarding, wake-boarding, and wake-skiing on offer. You can also relax on a variety of floats by the swim and chill hole swim safe area. Safety is a must as under 18s have to wear life-jackets which will be supplied.
Other fun activities you may want to add to your school holidays are a picnic at the peaceful Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, or taking your kids to build their new furry friend at Build-A-Bear Workshop. Why not have some fun on skates at the RollEgoli Rink where you can rent skates or the kids can bring their own.
We hope that these school holiday activities help you to keep your kids entertained, happy, and satisfied during their well-deserved school holiday.
