Family-Friendly Attractions in Cape Town

As much as you’d love your kids to enjoy learning about local history, haggling in the markets, or challenging their palates with unusual delicacies, the reality of family travel is that sometimes you just need to find a family-friendly attraction. Luckily, Cape Town abounds with activities for every member of your clan.

1. Beaches

Surrounded by water, there are several great family-friendly beaches in Cape Town. St James Beach, near the train station of the same name, features a tidal pool for safe swimming. For older kids, a 2km coastal path offers views and a chance to spot seals and whales. This path leads to Muizenberg Beach, known for its colorfully painted Victorian bathing chalets. Surfboards can be hired, and lessons for kids are available. The beach has a gentle slope, making the ocean safer than in other locations along the peninsula.
Best for: Little ones, tweens, teens

A curving wooden walkway sweeps through the landscape above the botanical garden; Table Mountain makes a stunning backdrop. — The elevated walkway in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden © EcoPic / Getty Images

2. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Clinging to the back of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is a remarkable garden complete with large lawns, themed gardens, and forest to explore. Tots will love picnicking on the grass, while older kids can enjoy the treetop walkway and might relish a hike on the lower slopes of the mountain. Everyone will appreciate a slice of cake or a decadent hot chocolate in the tea room come the end of the day.
Best for: Little ones

3. Blue Train Park

This quaint park, operated by the rotary club since the 1950s, offers a miniature train that performs endless rotations around its attractions, including football pitches, jungle gyms, climbing walls, a skating rink, and a bike track. Although it can get crowded with birthday parties on weekends, the views from the ocean’s edge in Sea Point are rewarding, showcasing Lion’s Head while breathing in the fresh Atlantic air.
Best for: Little ones

A young child of five or six stands with face and hands pressed up against a massive glass wall, behind which is a sea of fish, kelp and other marine life. — Besides making hand (and nose) prints on the glass displays at the Two Oceans Aquarium, kids love the touch tank and play area © Ariadne Van Zandbergen / iBestTravel

4. Two Oceans Aquarium

Cape Town experiences a fair amount of rain, particularly in the winter months (June-August), yet offers surprisingly few wet weather activities. The excellent aquarium can keep families entertained for a couple of hours. For young ones, the touch tank is fun, while the play area with puppet shows is always a favorite. Kids over eight can meet the rockhopper penguins up close, and those over 12 can dive in the tanks, provided they have diving qualifications. Be sure to check out the feeding times for the penguins, sharks, rays, and the resident turtle.
Best for: Little ones, teens

5. Middelvlei

Numerous wineries offer kid-friendly activities, but Middelvlei stands out. Begin with lawn games, then grab a bucket of animal feed for the pigs, goats, and chickens. While adults enjoy wine tastings or blending experiences, kids can partake in a thoughtfully designed juice and candy pairing experience. Lunches here are also kid-friendly, with a traditional braai (barbecue) where youngsters can toast their own marshmallows.
Best for: Little ones, tweens

6. Massimo’s

While restaurants with kids’ play areas are common in Cape Town, finding good food combined with a play area can be challenging. Massimo’s, located in the seaside suburb of Hout Bay, offers authentic Italian cuisine along with a large outdoor play area. Parents can enjoy the stunning mountain views while kids play, all while savoring some of the city’s best pizza.
Best for: Little ones

A family with two kids at a rocky lookout over Cape Town on top of Table mountain; below the bay sweeps along to the horizon. — The fun doesn’t stop when families reach the top of Table Mountain by the rotating Cableway © BlueOrange Studio / Shutterstock

7. Table Mountain

Table Mountain is usually at the top of every visitor’s list in Cape Town, and kids of all ages should not miss it. The adventure starts with the Cableway, which rotates 360 degrees as it transports riders to the summit in just under five minutes. Once at the top, a series of flat pathways make exploration easy and enjoyable. Younger kids can count the dassies (rock hyraxes) they spot along the way, while older ones can enhance their photography skills from various lookout points. More daring kids can try a scooter tour and descend the lower slopes. The only downside is potential queues on busy days, so it’s best to buy tickets online and arrive early.
Best for: Little ones, tweens, teens

8. Springbok Experience

Whether or not your children are knowledgeable about rugby, the Springbok Experience is an enjoyable outing. Interactive exhibits allow kids to train with the national team, testing their passing skills, kicking abilities, and overall fitness. It’s a fun place for adults to explore alongside their children without feeling out of place.
Best for: Tweens, teens

A sailboat sits at a dock, with an historic lighthouse and clocktower in the background; the sky is cobalt blue. — The V&A Waterfront has plenty to offer families, from rides on pirate ships and the Cape Wheel to spotting sea lions © Ariadne Van Zandbergen / iBestTravel

9. V&A Waterfront

Families can easily spend a day shopping and dining at the Waterfront, with plenty of activities for children as well. The Cape Wheel provides a fantastic view of the area, highlighting several landmarks. After the ride, consider a Pirate Ship adventure, complete with face paint and cutlasses. The Clock Tower precinct is a great place to observe (and smell) sea lions basking on the jetty. If it all becomes overwhelming, you can drop the kids at PlayDate SuperPark – an indoor assault course – while you browse the crafts at the Watershed market. Plus, for older kids, the mall provides an exciting shopping experience!
Best for: Little ones, tweens

10. Cape Town Science Centre

While it may not compare to science museums in cities like London and New York, Cape Town’s science centre is a splendid way to spend a rainy afternoon. It features a giant Lego pit, a highly popular construction site, and numerous interactive experiments suitable for all ages. Primarily geared toward children under ten, but tweens will particularly enjoy daily demonstrations and experiments.
Best for: Little ones, tweens

11. Spier

As one of the Winelands’ most commercial wineries, Spier attracts numerous visitors for a reason. Its expansive estate is incredibly child-friendly, featuring kid-sized tables and coloring activities in various restaurants and tasting rooms. Juice tasting, impressive displays of birds of prey, and for older kids, Segway tours through the estate are available. The hotel’s kids’ club allows adults to relax while their children are entertained.
Best for: Little ones, tweens, teens