Wondering how you are going to keep the children busy these holidays so that you too can enjoy your December holidays? Well look no further than the Mail & Guardian Holiday Fun List for kids. We list interesting and exciting activities available for children of all ages in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. And if you are one of the unfortunates who will still be going to work, we’ve included day care options too.
- In the Forest Adventure Holiday Programs
In the Forest Adventure Holiday Programs promises loads of activities, sports, crafts and time to just hang out under a tree. Children are supervised constantly and staff is trained in basic first aid. Breakfast and an outdoor lunch is also served and children can get their hands dirty while they help to prepare their meals. Lunch can include braais, salads, pizzas, burgers and much more.
Dates: December 13–17, January 3-7
Venue: In the Forest, Eikenhof
Time: 7am–6pm
Cost: R175 per day (including breakfast, lunch, snacks and all supplies); R150 per day (if child is booked in for 5 consecutive days or more)
Age: 6–13 — primary school children
Contact: Kyle/Erin: 076 035 4038; [email protected]
- African traditional music holiday workshop
The African traditional music holiday workshop allows your child to learn about traditional African music, singing and games this holiday. The workshop introduces your child to traditional instruments like the mbira, jembe, udu drum and more. The workshop can also come to a venue of your choice.
Dates: December 10–January 12
Venue: Calabash Creations venue, Norwood
Time: Morning session: 9am–12pm; afternoon session: 1–4pm
Cost: R120 per session including a snack
Age: 6–15
Contact: Calabash Creations: 078 261 6675
- Magalies Introductory Fly fishing Clinic
Looking for an escape from the city? Then pack the children in the car and drive off to a safe and eco-friendly environment within the Magalies River Conservancy ideal for both children and adults. The fly fishing retreat includes fishing equipment and tuition.
Dates: Every Sunday
Venue: Sundowner Adventures Farm, Magaliesburg
Time: 9am–12:30am, but guests are welcome to stay behind, relax and fish at leisure for the rest of the day.
Cost: Fishing adults R250, fishing kids R100, non-fishing adults R50
Age: 5+
Contact: Wayne: 011 3154503, 0834140391, [email protected]
Patrick: 0827685378
- Octopus Crèche Holiday Care
Still going to work and have no one to leave your child with during the holidays?
Octopus Crèche Holiday Care looks after your child or children while you are at work, stimulating them with activities during the school holidays.
Dates: December 1–3, December 6–10, December 13–17, December 20–23
Venue: Octopus Crèche, Roodepoort
Time: Full day: 5.30am–6pm, half day: 5:30am–2pm
Cost: Full day R120, half day R80
Age: Birth–6
Contact: Hilda: 072 018 0906
- Precious Poppets Holiday Care
A whole lot of supervised fun in a relaxed environment. Activities include arts and crafts, baking, sports, jumping castles and many other games.
Dates: December 1–3, December 6–10, December 13–16
Venue: Precious Poppets Pre-School, Fourways
Time: 7:30am–4:30pm
Cost: R100 per day including breakfast, snack, lunch and tea
Age: 1–5
Contact: Darylanne Horsten: 082 573 5798, [email protected] Durban
- Sugar Bay
Sugar Bay is a luxury private holiday resort for children and teens. Based on the American-style summer camp concept, Sugar Bay runs camps throughout the year. They operate on a free-choice system of over 90 different activities, purpose-built 16-acre resort, stunning seaside location and luxury log-cabin accommodation. Adherence to international safety standards and a staff to child ratio of 1:3 means that, not only will your children have an amazing experience, but will be in the safest possible hands.
Dates: December 4–11, December 11–18, December 18–23, December 27–January 2, January 2–9
Venue: Zinkwazi.
Cost: Prices start at R3275.00 — R4, 975 per child
Age: 7–17
Contact: Booking office: 032 485 3778, 082 525 9503
Holiday Camps: [email protected]
Group Bookings: [email protected]
- Safari sleepover at the ScienCentre
Gather your safari gear and sleeping bag and head off to the Old Mutual MTN ScienCentre for a unique overnight adventure. School’s out and the ScienCentre has something extra special planned for kids to kick start the holidays. Safari enthusiasts will be divided into camps where the children challenge each other in an array of activities themed around being out on a South African safari.
Date: Friday 10 December
Venue: ScienCentre, Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Time: 6pm–9am
Cost: R200 per child includes: sleepover in safe, secure environment. Interactive safari activities, dinner, snacks, breakfast and safari themed goodie bags for each child.
Age: 8–12
Contact: 031 566 8040, [email protected]
- Sandy’s Aftercare and Holiday centre
During Holiday Care the children enjoy a day filled with free play, stories, art activities such as ceramics, cooking, shows and more. In the past children at the Aftercare and holiday centre have had talks given to them by the SAP on topics such as stranger danger and bullying. A mid morning snack of muffins and juice is served to the children at 9am. Lunch is then served at 12pm. Parents have the option of either providing lunch for their children or they can order a warm home cooked meal from the centre. Children are served another snack at 3:00pm.
Date: December 13–17, December 20–23, January 10–14
Venue: Sandy’s Holiday Care Centre, Cowie Hill
Time: Monday to Friday from 7.30am–5pm
Cost: Full week: R300 per child, casual rate per day: R70 per child
Age: 3–12
Contact: 082 406 5603, [email protected]
- Bruce’s 5-day boot camp for kids
Do you want your child to get fit these holidays, at least before they indulge in your holiday cooking? If so, enroll them for a fitness boot camp with celebrity fitness trainer, Bruce Classen who is best known as the winning red team trainer from eTV’s Biggest Loser SA. Upon registration — which takes place on December 11 — each child will receive a t-shirt, water or energy drink, snack bar, magazine or other novelty item. Each boot camp time slot is 45 minutes and Bruce will be there every day at every time slot, assisting with the boot camp and training every step of the way.
Date: December 13–23
Group A — 13, 15, 17, 21, 23 December
Group B — 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 December
Venue: Morningside
Time: Training starts at 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.30am
Cost: R500 for five days
Age: Primary school and high school children
Contact: Laura or Simine: [email protected], [email protected]
Cape Town
- Cool Runnings Toboggan
We all know the 1993 movie Cool Runnings based on the Jamaican bobsled team. Well Cool Runnings Toboggan is the summer version of the winter sport in Cape Town — on steel. An ideal outdoor activity for older kids to ride the 1,25km long bob-sled track in a steel half pipe and reach speeds of 40km per hour. The track has only been open for a couple of years and therefore is still modern and is well maintained.
Date: Monday to Sunday 9am–6pm
Venue: Tygervalley
Cost: Prices range between 14–R240
Age: 8+
Contact: 021 949 4439
- Clay Cafe
The Clay Cafe makes for a memorable day of creativity and recreation for children and parents alike. Choose from an array of unfired bisque and colourful paints to create crockery where children can spend a leisurely day painting in a relaxed environment, while staff members are at hand to assist with painting techniques. A garden and playground await the children outside so that after they are finished painting, there is still plenty to explore. During the holidays Clay Café will be holding workshops on Mondays and Thursdays at 9.30am. Booking is essential.
Date: Open everyday, except on Christmas and New Year
Times: 9am–4pm
Venue: Oakhurst Farm Stall, Hout Bay
Cost: Holiday special: R85 a child
Age: 4–7, 8–12, 12+
Contact: Fereal: 021 790 3318
- Tots n Pots
Tots n Pots is a fun, hands-on workshop dedicated to providing moms, dads or granny’s some valuable time with their little ones as well as the opportunity to create memorable moments. The workshops allow your child to be creative whilst having fun and the best part is that you don’t have to worry about the mess.
Date: December 13, 15 and 17, December 20, 22 and 23
Times: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 2pm–3pm; Tuesday 10–11am; Saturday 9–10am
Venue: Daisies Coffee Shop, Constantia
Cost: R345 per week
Age: 2–10
Contact: Chene Coordt: 083 6497405
View more highlights of the year that was in our special report here: