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The June school holidays hit different. Maybe it’s the long winter mornings when the sun takes a moment to play peek-a-boo. Or that the erratic weather dictates how the rest of the day goes.
But the beauty of living in Cape Town is that everything doesn’t stop on account of Mother Nature. Which makes winter school holiday activities that much more fun.
As much as you’d rather have a lie-in, the little ones have other plans. If the rain gods allow, jump on the Robben Island ferry. The Robben Island Museum’s NextGenHeritage Free Pass gives South African children under 15 free entry to the museum when accompanied by a paying adult.
From Friday, 10 July to Sunday, 19 July, Disney on Ice lands at GrandWest. This year’s show, Mickey’s Search Party, is big on spectacle, acrobatics and flips. Be prepared to go broke with this one.
Don’t worry, if the above doesn’t tickle the kids’ fancy, we’ve got you sorted with options galore.
Bus it
City Sightseeing’s winter special comes just in time. The hop-on, hop-off bus service is offering a winter family package (2 adults, 2 juniors).
The one-day pass is valid for all three hop-on, hop-off routes. The R780 special runs until 23 September 2026. Tour your city like a tourist. Oh, and the kids will love riding on an open-top bus (weather permitting). They’ll get to see iconic landmarks like Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch and the V&A Waterfront.
The ticket allows access to the Red City tour via the Table Mountain Cableway; the Blue Mini Peninsula tour; and the Purple Constantia Valley Wine tour. There’s also a kids channel included with the on-board commentary.
Old school fun
And here you thought all the fun was happening in the CBD or the south. Funland SA has set up shop in Bellville for the school holidays.
The Winter Carnival runs into 10 August, so there’s plenty of time to save up for that R350 unlimited rider ticket. Bring cash. Lots of it. Besides the traditional carnival rides, from the Break Dancer to the Tornado and bumper cars, there are food stalls galore.
Full disclosure: these rides aren’t for the faint-hearted. Ask someone who’s been on the Mexican Hat and just about survived to tell the tale.
More info:
- Venue: Frans Conradie Drive, Bellville, opposite DF Malan High School
- When: From now until Monday, 10 August 2026, weekends, public holidays and school holidays
- Cost: From R10 entrance fee
Join Peter Pan and the Lost Boys
Every school holiday, Canal Walk puts on a theatrical show for the young and young at heart.
Brought to the stage by Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer, this year’s production of Peter Pan is a celebration of a legacy, paying homage to those who walked the Canal Walk Theatre stage as their introduction to live theatre.
The world-renowned and award-winning directing and acting duo are staying true to the source material. The story reads: “Flying through the magical world of Neverland with the Lost Boys, Peter embarks on thrilling adventures filled with pirates, fairies, and the notorious Captain Hook.”
Show info
- Venue: Canal Walk Centre Court
- When: Saturday, 27 June - Sunday, 19 July, 2026
- Cost: From R110, bookings via Web Tickets
Take me to your Bubble Planet leader
Are the kiddos into intergalactic space adventures? Willowbridge Shopping Centre is hosting a magical space-themed experience.
Filled with bubbles, foam, scents, and sweet surprises, they can create their own scented planet bath bomb and foam blower. Step inside giant bubbles. Play in an interactive bubble zone. End their cosmic journey with colourful treats from the Candy Comet Station.
Children will be supervised at all times, so you can get some shopping done while they’re playing aliens and astronauts. For ages 3-12.
Event details
- Willowbridge Shopping Centre, PNP Court
- When: Saturday, 11 July - Sunday, 19 July 2026, 10am - 2pm
- Cost: R200 per child, bookings via Quicket
Be a hero, save the city
Not all escape rooms are created equal. Take HintHunt’s Marble as a prime example. If your older kids are Avengers fans, you’ll be their favourite person for the next week or so.
Join in the fun in this immersive escape game. Up to six players. 75 minutes to escape. And with the tagline: “A vengeful villain has wreaked havoc on Cape Town after defeating the heroes who defend it,” it’s your job to save the city.
We’re not just going on vibes here. Marble was behind HintHunt’s The Best Adventure Experience in the Western Cape from KFM’s Best of The Cape Awards, and the V&A Waterfront’s People’s Choice for Best Small Business.
More info
- Venue: HintHunt, V&A Waterfront at the Watershed
- Times: Sunday - Thursday: 10am - 8:30pm; Friday and Saturday: 10am - 10pm
- Cost: From R395 per person, bookings via website
Jump around
Time to get some cardio in. Cape Town has its fair share of trampoline parks, and the best part is that most of them are indoors.
Lucky for the kids. Unlucky for you.
Rush in Claremont is running a winter promo for the June holidays at R215 per person. Unlimited Rush gets them extended jump time, while you relax in the cafe and connect to the free WiFi. Did someone say remote work?
Freedom Adventure Park has a host of indoor activities to keep the rents entertained. Pricing for the Tokai and Canal Walk branches differs (starting at R100 per hour). All bookings can be done online.
Bounce World in Stellenbosch has giant inflatable jumping castles and safe indoor play. All the play areas are supervised with a dedicated toddler section (ages 1 - 9). Unlike other trampoline parks, Bounce World takes walk-ins. The cost is R130 per person with unlimited play time.
The latest edition, 23 Jump Street at Rivergate Mall, is currently running a 1-hour jump special that includes a slushy and popcorn (R160), and half-price Tuesdays for R60.
Chill and game
OFFSCREEN gaming lounge has been flying under the radar until now. Frequented mostly by locals, the venue is a chill space for serious gamers.
They’ve got Xbox and PlayStation consoles, and can accommodate up to 20 gamers. Located inside Battle Bunker, Tygervalley shopping centre, OFFSCREEN is THE place to be during the school holidays.
You’ll find people of all ages milling around the shop, eager to test their proficiency at Street Fighter or battle each other in FIFA tournaments
For those die-hard pop culture aficionados, there’s also a collectables store.
Well, there you have it. With the winter school holidays (26 June - 21 July) firmly on our heels, it’s time to start penciling in those kiddie activities. Here’s to a healthy bank balance and sufficiently occupied kids.
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