Is Cape Town a Kid-Friendly Destination

With its abundance of activities and sights to explore, Cape Town is one of the best and most sought after places to visit with kids of all ages.  I have very close friends who travel yearly from all over to come and visit our beautiful mother city with their families. Because It is such a popular destination it is very safe all year round as you will be surrounded by tourists and locals alike on your excursions.

Travel in and around Cape Town

Take a day trip along any coastline or head out towards the Winelands from anywhere in Cape Town. Rent a vehicle for your stay and explore it at your own leisurely pace. This way you can manage your time and the naps of the younger kids around your excursions and won’t feel bound to the schedule of a group tour or outing. If you feel more comfortable exploring with a driver who knows the area, most hotels and lodges will be more than happy to arrange this for you. You may also already be familiar with the City Sightseeing bus (also known as the Red Bus) that will take you to Cape Town’s must-visit attractions and you’ll be able to hop-on or hop-off at your own pace.

Activities

Cape Town has such a vast range of activities and places to visit, I’d probably need to dedicate a few pages to cover all it has to offer. The ones that stand out for me and that I’ve found has been great to keep the kids entertained are the Two Oceans aquarium, the majestic Table Mountain, Penguins at Boulders Beach, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Giraffe House, and the Cape Town Science Centre. The V&A Waterfront also makes for a great day out with plenty to keep the family busy.  Do try a boat trip on the Pirate ship if you have younger kids, it will entertain you as much as them.

Accommodation

Most hotels cater to families and I’d suggest asking your travel agent to assist you with these. They will also be able to help in obtaining accommodation with adjoining rooms where you can enjoy some well deserved quiet time while still keeping a close eye on the kids.

Restaurants

Cape Town has so many restaurants, takeaways and food stalls that will leave you spoilt for choice. Some of my favourite family-friendly restaurants where you can enjoy a glass of wine and a good meal while the kids can keep themselves entertained is Ons Huisie in Blouberg, Bon Amis at Bloemendal, and Blue Water Cafe at Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie. Imhoff farm also offers Camel rides, animal encounters, and horseback beach rides.

Safety tips

Yes, crime does exist, as in any city in the world, so you still need to be sensible when travelling. Don’t venture out at night on your own or head into unfamiliar rural areas. Keep your car doors locked and your valuables safe. You can also enquire about a GPS  when renting a car if your phone doesn’t have this option available which will help in navigating your way around our beautiful city.