Cape Town (and surroundings) with kids: get the most out of it with these tips
There are people, more than enough people in fact, who find it tiring to go on holiday with kids. For that reason, people often choose the 'take it easy' option; a holiday park, something close to home, everything in one place... And a trip to Cape Town, a 'touring country' par excellence, is certainly not an option. Shame? Rather! Why? Because Cape Town is an ideal holiday destination with children: there is no time difference (daytime jet lag) and life is lived during the day (bye bye FOMO). Furthermore, it is still the vibrant city trip with an unforgettable nature and foodie holiday. The city and its surroundings are oohs and aahs for the whole family and 'family first' is an unwritten rule in South Africa that should not be messed with. The wonderful natural beauty, the cheerful people and the impressive animal kingdom ensure that you give your kids (and yourself) a priceless memory - the holiday of a lifetime. The best of South Africa is also outside and those kids prefer to be there now. If you are still hesitant, let us convince you with the tips below: Cape Town (and surroundings) with kids, that's fun!
Want even more tips? We've gathered them in our (e)guides, the guide to your holiday.
First tip: rent a car anyway! DiscoverCars.com is honest and reliable
We're incredibly proud of our Cape Town ebooks. So proud that we don't share every single one of them here on the site. Sure, we share a lot, but if you'd like more (we understand!), then check out Cool Cape Town City and Cool Cape Town Surroundings.
Just over two hours east of Cape Town, just outside Stanford, you'll find the traditional stone cottages and boathouses of Coot Club.
Now, we don't necessarily believe there are truly accommodations where the world slows down or where you can simply unwind just by being there. But still... At Coot Club, the birds sing their first song. when we wake up, and everything here revolves around the ultimate outdoor life. But it's anything but boring! After all, we also want a bit of action. when in (and around) Cape Town. Especially when we have the kids have to entertain… In comes Coot ClubThe accommodations here are the perfect combination of lazy luxury living versus active outdoor living. The boathouses are built with a nod to the sailing and have a stunning view over the lagoon and the mountains. The Stone Cottages are locatedHidden in the woods. No sagging volleyball nets, broken trampolines, or dull bingo nights here, but local wine for the parents and playing in nature for the kidsOutdoor enthusiasts can get their fill of watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding. Hiking trails are excellent on the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. Does Coot Club really have it all? Absolutely: everything is beautiful, and the food is remarkably good throughout the day, with dinner as the highlight: an hour before sunset, they ring the ship's bell and welcome guests for dinner.
If you have the time (take your time!), make the trip to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, if only for the mythical aspect of the place (and the cable car which is very popular with children), the ostriches on the beach and a chance encounter with an antelope or a zebra near Platboom Beach.
Wednesday is for Noordhoek, Thursday is for Cape Point Vineyards. That's when Cape Point Vineyards hosts the Noordhoek Community Market: tempting goods at various stalls and a breathtaking sunset from the lawn in front of the restaurant. A glass of CPV sauvignon blanc in one hand, a crispy pizza in the other. Or the crispy edo sushi with salmon. Born and raised In Jo'burg, Jason and his mother sell these at markets throughout the city. Another day? Arrange a picnic basket and aunwooded Chardonnay. Grass beneath your backside, your head under a white parasol, and the same view of the aforementioned sunset – perfection. Every meal here is a celebration: breakfast, lunch, picnic, dinner, or a wine tasting overlooking Long Beach. But it's definitely not just for a romantic moment with your sweetheart. No, no. There's also a fun playground.
The skilled organization of the restaurant at the vineyard has not won several prizes for nothing.
And then we move from an old favorite to The Ladder.
The daytime business diagonally across from Clarke's (you'll notice, Clarke's is also really a black) is spacious, light and fresh, both in looks and atmosphere as well as the hospitality of the staff. Are you with kids, then not going is not really an option: the spacious layout of the shop makes it quite asshole proof (and running kid-proof) and the play corner at the back of the store is really nice (and you have it as a guest without kids (really no 'trouble' at all in the front). That's also why it's the perfect place to open your laptop: you can work here for hours without feeling self-conscious, the WiFi is lightning fast and they love it digital nomadsThat adds nicely to the international character of the place. Recommendations? The coffee, definitely: you get a cappuccino in a ceramic soup bowl (no lie). And the Chai Tea Latte is so, so, so delicious! Work mode on due.
Cape Town and its surroundings are a dream destination for families. But it is also a long journey, far from home with a different climate and different traffic rules. That is precisely why it is best to arrange a few things before departure, so that once you arrive, you can focus all your attention on the adventure. And with a long-distance trip with the family, things are just a little different than with a week in the South of France. Ten points for the travel insurance for the whole family from Interpolis (and their tips), with which you insure everyone at the same address at once.
What you should particularly pause to consider:
- Your coverage. South Africa is outside Europe, so you need worldwide coverage. Don't have this yet? No problem, you can easily upgrade it at Interpolis all year round.
- Medical assistance: Even while traveling, you may fall ill or have an accident requiring immediate care. Interpolis is happy to explain. which insurance covers which medical costs during a holiday abroad.
- Save the emergency center number in your phone: the Interpolis number is available 24 hours a day, and it is best to call it before you incur unexpected costs.
- On the road with the children. If you are heading out with a rental car, make sure you have good child seats and keep in mind that they are in South Africa drive on the leftThat certainly requires extra concentration, especially at the beginning. Good to know: damage to a rental car is not covered by your travel insurance, not even with Interpolis. You insure that with the rental company itself.
- Valuable items. Naturally, make sure to lock everything properly and never leave valuables unattended during your trip. Additionally, it is wise to take out supplementary baggage coverage; you can check the Interpolis website to see in which cases you are insured.
This way you go on an adventure well prepared and there is more time left for the .
Look, there you have it again, one of those so-called local gem Where you rarely encounter a tourist. Cape Town residents love this small, relatively unknown park and set up camp there at any given moment. That is, a family member settles in for a relaxing Sunday breakfast or a birthday party. Throughout the day, people drop in and out. There's a playground with a view of Table Mountain and—importantly—the café has a nice, spacious terrace where you can keep a close eye on your children. They serve the most delicious snacks and drinks, and the staff is simply lovely. The main reason we're raving is that you can order a healthy menu for little ones. A cozy cup of fruit and a salad with cream cheese dip, for example. Delicious, filling, and finally something different from the usual spaghetti bolognese, toasted sandwiches, chicken, and fries. That's also on the menu, by the way, should you fancy it. For yourself, the falafel salad, the butternut squash wrap, and the chili popper starter are highly recommended.
A place that's a bit reminiscent of Playhood in Amsterdam, but a bit smaller. Very nicely done, with a great atmosphere. One minor point: the coffee shop can be a bit cramped at times. Our tip: if you see an open table when you walk in, grab it right away, otherwise you'll have to squeeze in with the others. If you want the kids to really let loose, Play Shed in Pinelands is a must. Hysterical? Absolutely. But it's well-designed: from dress-up clothes to slides in ball pits, from scooters and bikes to a playground, it's all there. Sometimes you just need a place where they can burn off some energy and you can take a breather. We're not exactly thrilled about that.
Another great new addition for the little ones: Imagine, a mini-village designed for children and much more spacious than the one above. A mini-market stall, a café, a police station, a construction site, and a veterinary clinic: all child-sized. Here, kids can play and learn endlessly, and you can relax. It's all about imagination, collaboration, and discovery, and the space was designed in collaboration with educators. For the very youngest (up to 2 years old), there's also a separate baby and toddler corner with soft, safe sensory materials.
“No, we're definitely not going on a long trip because we have a baby/small kids and it's such a hassle…” Wrong! Then you have never heard of the South African Anew Leasing. Without exaggeration, a life saver For anyone traveling to Cape Town and the surrounding area with the little ones. You can rent absolutely everything your little one needs for long or short periods (even a few days). Stroller (for any age)? Check. Baby bath? Check. Playpen or crib? Check, check. Baby carrier (yes, even one of those beautiful Artipoppe ones!), breast pump, car seat? Check, check, check!
And it gets even better: communicate your travel dates and location(s), and the people behind Anew Leasing will make sure everything arrives on time and is picked up again when it's time to leave. And yes, they even deliver to the airport, which is very convenient for that car seat, of course. It's child's play, because they have everything ready for that too.
