Family
The good news is that Cape Town is a city for children as well as for parents. There are loads of nature-based activities, as well as exciting outings and activities on offer.
http://www.capetownkids.co.za/ (+27 21 685 7199) gives you extensive tips on where to eat, play, shop and stay with kids in Cape Town. Specializing in information for parents and kids who want to explore Cape Town and surrounds, Cape Town Kids is the online source for locals and tourists alike!
For kids with sea legs, there are boat trips from a number of seaside suburbs including Table Bay, Gordon' Bay, Simon's Town and Hout Bay (head out to Seal Island, a large seal colony). There are also boat charters at the V&A Waterfront.
While at the Waterfront, why not take the little ones to the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront (021 418 3823), (http://www.aquarium.co.za/) where they will enjoy eye-balling great whites and other predatory marine animals. For young prospectors there is the Scratch Patch at the V&A Waterfront (021 419 9429), where they can search for gems – great fun! The older kids will enjoy Cave Golf Putt-Putt (1 Dock Road, V & A Waterfront, +21 27 419 9429).
You could also take them to the Iziko South African Museum (+21 481 3800, http://www.iziko.org.za/sam/index.html) at the bottom of the Company's Gardens in the CBD. The 'Whale Well' features a life-size replica of a blue whale – definitely not to be missed!
Also in the Company's Gardens is the Iziko Planetarium (+27 21 481 3900, www.iziko.org.za/planetarium/), so you can combine entertainment and education all at the same time.
Take your kids for a walk, run or bike ride (small black bikes for toddlers welcome!) along the Sea Point promenade. Or enjoy 18 holes on the magnificently situated outdoor putt-putt (miniature golf) course (+27 21 434 6805) and let them wind their way through the Serendipity hedge maze. The tiny tots will love a ride on the "Blue Train".
For kids with adventure on their minds, why not let them ride a camel in Kommetjie, a mountain bike in Tokai forest or a surfboard at Surfers’ Corner, Muizenberg. If they're more than 1.2m (3ft 9in) tall, they can go indoor ‘grand prix’ racing on go-karts in Kenilworth (+27 21 683 2670).
Simon’s Town is a great place for families. Take the kids to see the statue of the famous Great Dane, "Just Nuisance" In this harbour town they can also see where the navy frigates dock and naval exercises are a fun attraction. The Simon’s Town Warrior Toy Museum (+ 27 21 786 1395) may be as nostalgic for you as it is engrossing for them. Of course, everyone loves the penguins at Boulders Beach (+ 27 21 786 2329).
The Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie (+27 21 783 4545) and the Adventure Farm in Phillippi (+27 21 371 5246), encourage children to feed and touch animals. The West Coast Ostrich Farm (+27 972 1955) is another great alternative.
Horse-riding in Constantia or Noordhoek, a beautiful windswept beach, is also an option. Noordhoek Farm Village is child-friendly, with a play-ground, open space for children to stretch their legs, child-friendly restaurants and regular children’s events (+27 21 789 2812).
For kids taller than 1.2m, there's an indoor ‘grand prix’ racing on go-karts at Canal Walk (+27 21 551 8570). The Green Acres Estate in Kleindassenberg is a child’s paradise, quad biking, jumping castles, waterslides, jungle gyms, trampolines and pony rides (+27 21 572 0781).
Just outside Durbanville is Clara Anna Fontein, home to 11 indigenous species, including eland, bontebok, ostrich and zebra (+27 21 975 7017).
Try ice-skating at the Grand West Ice Station in the casino complex (+27 21 535 2260). Boogaloos Skate Park (+27 21 555 2895), at the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, offers an outdoor skate boarding and BMX ramp.
The Helderberg region has 20 species of exotic monkeys at Monkey Town in Somerset West (+27 21 858 1060).
Visit the Drakenstein Lion Park (+ 27 21 863 3290) in Klapmuts, where you can view these magnificent beasts. Take a trip to the Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre (+27 21 8844506), which is home to eland, giraffe, ostriches and lots more interesting animals, birds and reptiles.
