Christmas Movie and Festive movies under the stars
Where: Piazza and Grassy Area, Montecasino,
When: 12 to 17 December, Wednesday to Friday: 2pm to 9pm, Saturday & Sunday: 12pm to 9pm, Monday: 12pm to 7pm
Make the most of the warm summer nights and be part of the festivities leading up to Christmas. Go ahead and enjoy some Christmas shopping and scrumptious food, and relax with a drink in hand at the Graham Bubbly Bar while your kids enjoy open-air movies under the stars at the Piazza.
For more information click here.
Animal World Night Walks
Where: Emerald Resort & Casino’s Animal World, Vanderbijlpark
When: 14, 21 and 28 December, 6pm to 10pm
Plan a night trip to the zoo with your little one and find out what happens in the animal world when night falls. Spot your tot’s favourite animals, like wolves, chinchillas, raccoons and many more. Seeing animals in the night is a refreshing experience and you’ll beat that December heat, so take advantage of this unique experience and teach your child about the habits of the different animals, and not just the nocturnal ones.
For more information, visit emeraldcasino.co.za.
Yeesh! Fun for kids
Where: Woodmead, Johannesburg
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm (every day during school holidays)
Your little one will love this indoor play area and activity centre, centred on a giant two-storey soft-play structure that encourages active, physical play. Kids learn best through play, and with a range of activities to choose from, the possibilities are endless.
For more information, visit yeesh.co.za.
Gold Reef City Theme Park
Where: Ormonde, Johannesburg
When: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Treat your little one to a thrilling experience at this popular, fun destination that has over 13 kiddies’ rides to choose from, a Jump City Trampoline Park and so much more. Your child will enjoy getting lost in a world of fun and probably won’t want to leave.
For more information click here.
Imagine more!
Where: Cresta Mall, Johannesburg
When: 14 to 24 December
This ultimate destination for shopping and leisure will be transformed into a festive hub over the holiday season, so head to Cresta Mall to enjoy live entertainment and activities. Your tot will be excited to create memories with Santa and you can capture the moment. She’ll also have an opportunity to get creative at the crafts zones, and add some sprinkles to her own festive cookie at the Cookie Decorating Station. Her favourite characters from The Cartoon Network will also be there, so don’t miss out!
For more information, visit crestacentre.co.za.
Noordhoek Farm Village
Where: Cape Town
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Spend quality time with your little one at this picturesque venue that offers fun activities for little ones. The playgrounds are age-specific and have safety features so your mind will be at ease while you grab a bite at Café Roux, which is also child-friendly. You’ll be able to keep an eye on your child while she engages in fun activities as Café Roux borders the kids’ play area.
For more information, visit noordhoekvillage.co.za.
Toboggan Family Park, Cool Runnings
Where: Cape Town
When: Monday to Friday, 11am to 6pm; weekends and public and school holidays, 9am to 6pm
Get your adrenaline pumping and join your tot on a Tobogganing ride. Never tried it? Hop into a bob-sled and speed down the hillside on a 1.2km steel-pipe track. The speed of all the toboggans is brake-controlled and the rides are safe for children over three. Your little one will enjoy the ride so much she won’t know whether to laugh or cry.
For more information, visit coolrunnings.capetown.
Cape Town Science Centre
Where: Cape Town
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4.30pm
There’s lots to learn and discover at this dynamic venue. With more than 250 interactive science exhibits and mind-boggling puzzles, this is where fun meets science and your little one will be fascinated by the hands-on experiments, travelling exhibitions and so much more. Learning doesn’t’ have to stop just because schools are closed.
For more information, visit ctsc.org.za.
PlayDate SuperPark
Where: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
When: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Your little one will be feeling like a superhero at this indoor extreme activity play park that offers climbing equipment, towers, large Lego blocks and so much more. The play equipment will help build your tot’s coordination, and the digital activities are ideal for mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a thrilling experience, there’s something for you too.
For more information, visit superpark.co.za.
Jump 4 Joy Indoor Trampoline Park
Where: Durban North
When: Monday to Thursday, 11am to 6pm; Friday, 11am to 9pm; Saturday, 9am to 9pm, Sunday, 9am to 6pm
You can look forward to fun activities for the whole family at this indoor trampoline park. The exciting line-up of activities will have your little one jumping for joy! She’ll love the foam pit and the soft play area especially, where she can engage in stimulating activities while you keep an eye on her.
For more information, visit j4j.co.za.
uShaka Marine World
Where: Durban
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Head to the uShaka Kids World while you’re at this ultimate holiday destination and let your little one get lost in a world of fun. With Africa’s biggest jungle gym, a giant sandpit, a creative space for her to unleash her inner Picasso and a show time stage area for entertainment on the big screen you can be sure your tot’s day will be jam-packed until the sun sets.
For more information, visit ushakamarineworld.co.za.
Don’t miss…
Dolphins by Starlight “Under the African Skies”
Where: uShaka Dolphin Stadium (Sea World)
When: 7 to 13 December, Gates open at 6.30pm, show starts at 7pm
Get in on the festivities and treat your little one to an unforgettable experience under the stars. The popular annual show brings people together to pay homage to the beauty of Africa. The uShaka Sea World dolphins show is a highlight for the little ones, and they’ll be pleasantly surprised when a special guest from the North Pole makes an appearance.
For more information, visit ushakamarineworld.co.za.
Mitchell Park Zoo
Mitchell Park ZooWhere: Durban
When: Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 4pm
Make it a family outing and enjoy a day at the zoo. Your tot will be fascinated by the small animals and birds as she wanders through the aviary to get a close-up view of the birds. The venue is also perfect for picnics and braais, and your little one will enjoy playing on the jungle gyms, swings and slides on the playground. The staff will be standing by to engage you on the animal and plant worlds, so take advantage of this learning opportunity.
For more information, visit durban.gov.za.
No plans for Christmas?
Moyo Christmas Day Lunch
When: 25 December, Operating hours are franchise specific
Moyo restaurants across the country will be hosting families for a Christmas lunch buffet, so why not take a break from cooking and tuck into delicious African cuisine with a festive twist? Go ahead and create priceless memories with your loved ones in an intimate setting while soaking in the modern African ambience. And complete the experience with a mouth-watering, home-made pudding.
For more information, visit moyo.co.za.
New Year’s Eve…
Movies in the Park NYE 2018 – Movie camp out
Where: Riversands Farm, Johannesburg
When: 31 December, 2pm until late
Pack your picnic basket head to this tranquil venue for a much-deserved break. On arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to drive onto the field to set up camp, and braai facilities are also be available. The kids can look forward to a great afternoon of fun activities and cartoons, and adult shows will be only screened after dark. The events are focused on stimulating the five senses and offer a unique experience to be enjoyed by people of all ages. This is the perfect setting to usher in the New Year.
For more information click here.
Thobeka Phanyeko is mom to Oratile, 4. She is a journalist with a BA in Media studies from the University of Cape Town and has extensive experience as a journalist and content producer which she gained from Reuters, eNCA and Caxton Magazines. She is also a life coach and NLP Practitioner and is passionate about motherhood and women empowerment.