10 Things to do in Cape Town with Kids

There are cities that have all the elements for family enjoyment and Cape Town, South Africa is an ideal destination for travelling with children, offering a wide variety of attractions and activities for everyone. From paradisiacal beaches to nature reserves, museums and aquariums. There are options for all tastes and ages.

Among the best things to do in Cape Town with children is a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium to see tropical fish, white sharks and other marine animals. There's also the Wildlife Sanctuary and more adventures like penguin watching and sightseeing bus rides. Here are my favourites.

If you want a fun and educational activity to learn about marine diversity with your children, a good option is to tour the Two Oceans Aquarium. It's one of the many options to learn about the wonders of the ocean without getting wet.

The Two Oceans Aquarium is located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Its name comes from the fact that it exhibits species from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, located at the southern tip of the African continent. Here, adults and children can see more than 3,000 animals, including penguins, sharks, jellyfish, crabs and seaweed.

With tickets to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium you will have a unique and unforgettable experience for the whole family. Children will be able to enjoy the different exhibition rooms and observe the animals up close to learn about their habitats, feeding, reproduction and threats. They can also participate in interactive activities, such as touching starfish or feeding the penguins.

This aquarium is not just about entertainment; it is about education and conservation. Its aim is to make visitors aware of the importance of caring for the environment and respecting marine species. In addition, visiting it is a way to teach children about research projects and species rescue, as well as the actions they can take to contribute to the protection of the ocean.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee for adults is around €8.
• Opening hours: from 09:30 to 18:00 every day of the year.

For one of the best views of Cape Town and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, you can't miss the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. This impressive, flat-shaped mountain is the symbol of the city and an ideal place to visit with children, as they'll love the experience of riding up in a rotating cabin and observing nature from above.

It's also a fun, comfortable and safe way to experience one of South Africa's most iconic landmarks. It is also an opportunity for children to learn about the history, geology and ecology of this unique mountain.

The Table Mountain Cable Car takes you from the base of the mountain at 363 metres above sea level to the summit at almost 1,100 metres in just three minutes. Along the way, you can admire the scenery of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, Robben Island and the neighbouring mountains of Lion's Head and Signal Hill. The slowly rotating cabin gives you a 360 degree panoramic view.

So if you're short on time and want to enjoy Cape Town in 3 days with the little ones, this is a great way to see and explore the city from different angles. You can also hike to discover the rich flora and fauna of Table Mountain National Park, which is home to more than 8,700 species of plants.

Useful information

• Price: The most expensive round-trip ticket is around €23; children under 4 are free.
• Timetable: The first trip departs at 8am and the last trip is between 6pm and 9.30pm, depending on the month.

The Wildlife Sanctuary & Monkey Park is an ideal destination to enjoy with children, as it offers the possibility of interacting with animals in contact areas, where children and adults can feed them with vegetables. In addition, children can learn about the diversity and conservation of species.

The Wildlife Sanctuary & Monkey Park is an adventure for nature and animal lovers. It is located in Hout Bay, a suburb of Cape Town. The park is home to more than 400 species of animals, including some 330 species of birds.

With tickets to the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary & Monkey Park in Cape Town you and your children can see a variety of penguins, rheas, waterfowl, eagles, owls, pelicans, flamingos, pheasants, parrots, hornbills, turacos and weavers. Most of the birds are exhibited in walk-through aviaries, allowing you to see them up close and in their natural habitat. In total, there are more than 100 aviaries covering an area of 4 hectares.

In addition to the birds, the park is also a good alternative to visit with children because there is a diversity of mammal and reptile species, such as monkeys (baboons, marmosets and tamarins), meerkats, porcupines, green iguanas, monitor lizards and turtles. If this experience appeals to them, consider joining one of the safari tours in Cape Town, which are another way to learn about and explore nature with children.

For a unique and fun experience with your children, I recommend a tour of the Cape Peninsula and a visit to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. This is one of the most popular attractions in Cape Town, allowing you to observe these cute animals in their natural environment and learn about their biology and conservation.

Visiting the Cape Peninsula and Boulders Beach is an ideal activity to do with children and one of the best excursions from Cape Town because it will allow them to experience the natural and cultural richness of this region of South Africa. You'll also get to interact with penguins and learn about their behaviour, diet, threats and ecological importance.

At Boulders Beach you will be able to see more than 2,000 penguins waddling, swimming, feeding and breeding. You can get close to them on wooden walkways that respect their space and tranquillity.

For its part, the Cape Peninsula is an area of great natural beauty, where you can enjoy spectacular scenery, such as:

• The Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point of the African continent.
• The Cape Point Nature Reserve, where you can see antelopes, zebras, ostriches and baboons.
• Cape Point Lighthouse, from where you will have breathtaking views of the ocean.

An African adventure without leaving the city is to visit and interact with wild animals at the Aquila Game Reserve. This is an ideal activity to do with children, allowing them to get up close and personal with the 'Big Five' - lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards - as well as other species such as giraffe, zebra, hippo and ostrich.

AquilaGame Reserve is the closest game reserve to Cape Town, home to Africa's most iconic wildlife. It is located about two hours from the city in the semi-desert Karoo region. It also has more than 10,000 hectares of land where the animals live in freedom and harmony.

To visit this complex, you can join a family safari tour to Aquila Game Reserve. Most of these experiences include transport, lunch and a safari guided by an expert ranger. The best part is that it is done in an open vehicle, which allows you to have a privileged view of the animals and hear their sounds.

It is also an opportunity to learn and have fun with your children, who will be able to see, touch and feed some of the animals in the contact areas. They can also enjoy other activities such as horse riding, quad biking or relaxing by the pool.

If your children enjoy cycling, a bike tour is one of the different, healthy and eco-friendly ways to get to know Cape Town. This way, you will have a family ride through the most emblematic places and you will live an unforgettable and fun experience with your children.

Moreover, touring Cape Town by bike is a way to discover the history, culture and nature of this South African city, which combines colonial charm with cosmopolitan modernity.

There are several tour options, from renting one on your own to hiring an expert-guided tour. Some of the most popular tours are as follows:

• The historic centre route: takes you through the oldest and most representative buildings of the city. For example the Castle of Good Hope, the Town Hall, St George's Cathedral or the Parliament. You can also visit the District 6 Museum.
• The promenade route: enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain. You will be able to see the famous Cape Town Stadium, where the 2010 World Cup was held, the Two Oceans Aquarium and the V&A Waterfront food and craft market.
• The Cape Peninsula Route: will take you along the south coast of the city, where you can admire spectacular scenery, such as the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, and more.

A guided tour of Cape Town will allow you to see the city's main attractions and is an ideal activity to take the kids and enjoy as a family, offering fun, education and adventure.

If your trip is planned to spend at least 5 days in Cape Town, with this activity you can discover its charms, learn about its history and experience in a short time the mix of cultures, landscapes and flavours with the little ones of the house. A guided tour of the city is a fun and enriching experience that will allow you to see the most emblematic and fascinating places.

Some of the main attractions of the city are:

• Table Mountain: It is a table-shaped mountain that dominates the skyline. You can ride a revolving cable car to the top and enjoy spectacular views of the city and the ocean.
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden; one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, where you can admire the native flora and walk along an elevated walkway through the treetops.
• Cabo San Lucas Arch: a natural rock formation where you can see the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. In addition, you will be able to spot marine animals.

Children love to watch animals and be in touch with nature, so if you're travelling with the little ones, don't miss the opportunity to take a boat tour from Cape Town and admire the incredible diversity of marine life that inhabits the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

It's an ideal activity for the whole family to enjoy, as both children and adults will be fascinated by the species they will see, such as whales, dolphins, penguins, seals, sharks and many more. In addition, it is a unique experience that will allow them to get to know the marine ecosystem up close and learn about its conservation.

You will also be able to appreciate the beauty of the South African coast and its landscapes, such as the famous Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point of the African continent, or Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

There are different options for boat tours from Cape Town, depending on your preferences and budget. You can choose between a boat tour, or a private fishing tour, which will give you the opportunity to catch your own dinner.

Discovering the sights of Cape Town on a sightseeing bus tour can be quite an adventure with the kids. This is because the city is one of the most beautiful in the world and, if you're going as a family, it's a cost-effective way to get to know the city in a fun and dynamic way.

Children will enjoy hopping on and off the double decker bus as many times as they want and as many times as you allow. They will also be able to explore the city's most emblematic sites at their own pace. There are three different routes for the tour: the red route, which will take you through Cape Town's historic and cultural centre; the blue route, which will show you the spectacular coastline of the Peninsula and Table Mountain Nature Park; and the purple route, which will allow you to sample the best wines of the Constantia Valley.

The bus also has an audio guide in several languages, so children can learn about the history and interesting facts about each place. It's a way of getting to know the city that you and your family will love. You will discover the cultural, natural and gastronomic richness of this wonderful South African city and take away unforgettable memories as a family.

Useful information

• Price: the price per adult starts from around €15 and for children from around €7.
• Duration: depends on the line. The shortest journey is estimated at 30 minutes and the longest at around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

If you're looking for an activity to do with the kids and the family, I suggest a trip to the Cape of Good Hope from Cape Town. This is an adventure that combines culture, nature and fun, and that will allow you to discover one of the most emblematic places in South Africa. It is also an ideal week-long getaway and a way to discover Cape Town in 7 days.

The Cape of Good Hope is a place steeped in history, having been explored by Portuguese and Dutch navigators in the 15th and 16th centuries. It is also a nature reserve that is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including ostriches, antelope, baboons and penguins. On the tour, you'll see South Africa's spectacular Atlantic coastline, with photo opportunities and stops at places of interest. Highlights include:

• Hout Bay Harbour; known as Forest Bay is a stunning natural site with a diversity of wildlife.
• Camps Bay Beach; one of Cape Town's most beautiful and popular beaches.
• Chapman's Peak; a beautiful tourist road with 114 bends in 10km.

There is also the Cape Point Lighthouse and Boulders Beach. At each stop you can admire the views, take photos, interact with the animals and learn about the culture and history of the country.