Kids in Cape Town
Expat children generally love living in Cape Town. There is plenty of open space and natural attractions, plus all the trappings of western mall culture for those rainy days or difficult teen years.
In short, if you’re moving to Cape Town with kids you will be mercifully free of the drastic adjustments required of expats families to Saudi, Libya or China. Cultural adjustments are few, and provides you speak English your children have the advantage of being understood by the locals. Additionally there are plenty of international schools, and excellent English-speaking local schools to help minimise disruptions in your children’s education.
In short, if you’re moving to Cape Town with kids you will be mercifully free of the drastic adjustments required of expats families to Saudi, Libya or China. Cultural adjustments are few, and provides you speak English your children have the advantage of being understood by the locals. Additionally there are plenty of international schools, and excellent English-speaking local schools to help minimise disruptions in your children’s education. So how to spend your weekends in this child-friendly expat city by the sea?
Active types can choose from numerous hikes on Table Mountain, or take the cable car to the top for one of the world’s best views. Around the mountain, areas such as Kirstenbosch, False Bay, Silvermine and Cape Point are perfect for a day out in splendid nature with long walks and plenty of wildlife to appreciate. There are also lots of gentle and flattish bike tracks on the mountain and at Cape Point.
Then there are the beaches, which are scenic, clean and free! Watch out for the water, though, as it is cold by all but Eskimo standards. Another way to enjoy a hot day with the family is the head off to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which has safe and expansive lawns for children to run around on and lots of gorgeous scenery and splendid greenery. For those lacking energy, just hop on one of Cape Town's topless sightseeing buses and take in the sites in comfort.
If it’s windy (summer months) or cold and wet (winter) go to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where craft markets, boat rides and restaurants will keep the kids happy. The world-class Two Oceans Aquarium is also found here and provides a fascinating and educational experience for children of all ages.
For eating out, check out the family-friendly Spur, which combines reliable steakhouse food with indoor playgrounds, video games, colouring in books and helium balloons for youngsters.
Then there are the beaches, which are scenic, clean and free! Watch out for the water, though, as it is cold by all but Eskimo standards. Another way to enjoy a hot day with the family is the head off to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which has safe and expansive lawns for children to run around on and lots of gorgeous scenery and splendid greenery. For those lacking energy, just hop on one of Cape Town's topless sightseeing buses and take in the sites in comfort.
If it’s windy (summer months) or cold and wet (winter) go to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where craft markets, boat rides and restaurants will keep the kids happy. The world-class Two Oceans Aquarium is also found here and provides a fascinating and educational experience for children of all ages.For eating out, check out the family-friendly Spur, which combines reliable steakhouse food with indoor playgrounds, video games, colouring in books and helium balloons for youngsters.
Specific child-friendly attractions for Cape Town expats:
Boulders Beach – Simonstown
Share the boulder strewn beach with a giant colony of curious Jackass penguins.
Ratanga Junction - Milnerton
Cape Town's only theme park has some exciting rides headlined by the Cobra, and some water themed shoots that provide a welcome dousing in summer.
Butterfly World - Klapmuts
This enormous tropical greenhouse is home to thousands of exotic features butterflies flying freely in the humid interior. Tread carefully! There is also a spider room, a collection of anacondas and a reptile room.
Scratch Patch – Kalk Bay
Let the kids loose to search for precious stones, minerals and gems – they get to keep what they find.
World of Birds and Monkey Park – Hout Bay
Africa's biggest (and loudest) collection of bird and primates proves a reliable delight for young children. A well-equipped play area and good tearoom rounds out the experience.
Seal Island – Hout Bay
Head out to Duiker Island for astounding views and close -up experience of a large seal colony; also popular with Great White sharks which patrol the waters.
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