South Africa, KaapstadJanuary 13, 2022, by Esmée Rebel

Columnist Marcelle about how Cool Cape Town is with kids

Buddies
South Africa, Kaapstad, January 13, 2022, by Esmée Rebel

Columnist Marcelle about how Cool Cape Town is with kids

With summer approaching (yes, the South African summer), it is always a great pleasure to make a list of all kinds of fun things to do in and around Cape Town. That fun must be fun for everyone, for us and our almost two-year-old daughter.

Cape Town with kids

Cape Town with kids

Wow, two again. She was born in December 2019 (the middle of summer), and she didn't know – and we certainly didn't – that her first year of life largely consisted of being at home with her parents. Looking back on it now, this couldn't have been better. Apart from the uncertainty of work, this has been a very special time. During the lockdown, at one point we were allowed to go outside for two whole hours in the morning to walk and we took advantage of that. Every day we walked – with pram and all – along the boulevard. Our go to route? The boulevard from Waterfront to Bantry Bay - if you walk up there, you can even continue to Camps Bay. The play areas along the way are extra fun for the kids.

I can't wait to walk with my girl on a balance bike in a few years. You can also rent bicycles here with a child seat (for the complete experience) and tip: start with the bike tour in Sea Point. Next to the Sea Point Swimming pool, the bright orange bicycles are unmissable. Cycle from here to Waterfront – mega kid-proof place – and return your bike there, handy! More (child-friendly) tips? Read up Cool Cape Town Surroundings, Cool Cape Town City en Cool Cape Town Kids.

When Maartje and I wrote Cool Cape Town Kids, we enlisted the help of all friends living in Cape Town with kids, locals and international mothers. We can honestly say that the best of the best has been collected in the book. And I - now that I am a mother myself - am amazed at how child-friendly Cape Town is. Apart from visiting the beach (big favourites) and watching wildlife, the entire city, not to mention the wine countries, is completely equipped for the kids. Our big favorite plus weekend ritual is Greenpoint Park. Sonny plays football in the morning, I sit down with coffee, friends and kids in the sunny park or on the Oranjezicht Market. You will recently find an Experience Garden here, where the little ones can have water fun for at least an hour in their swimsuit or diaper with the fountains. Ice cream parlor The Creamery is adjacent to the park. Here we get an ice cream with marshmallow topping. Wonderful to start every weekend like this.

To start that weekend even better, it is nice to have good insurance. You never know what can happen in a faraway, foreign land. Health (travel) insurance is not only important if you are emigrating must Even if you have planned a trip to Cape Town as a holiday. Then please take a look OOM Insurances. This one no nonsense insurance company insures where other insurers stop. You can easily insure all unusual risks with OOM Insurance. It is clear: Bart is at heart OOM. And you – if you haven't already – will soon too!

Okay, back to that one bucketlist.. My favorite activity: a visit to the Blaauwklippen Family Market. I'm a fan of this market. Why? Every weekend, locals put out their food and drinks at Blaauwklippen Winery, where you can stroll along and pick up delicious things. Live music, check. Restaurants, check. Playground equipment, check! Put down a picnic blanket for the playground, add a bottle of wine and enjoy. Want more fun in Cape Town with kids? The Tidle Pools in St James (lunch at Folk Café) and the Tidle Pool of Camps Bay, Kraalbaai Strand in West Coast National Park, Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie, Boschendal Winery, Spier Winery, Warwick Winery, Buitenverwachting Winery, the ducks at Vergenoegd and picking strawberries at Polka Draai. And I could go on and on, because let's be honest: there is plenty to do in Cape Town and for the whole family bathroom (South African for very/very) nice!

I have known Cape Town for so long, but with a child it is a completely new world. When she is older, we will really go on a trip. You know, towards Namibia, Botswana, Drakensberg and Kruger Park. I think that would be such a beautiful place to visit when she realizes a little more in what a beautiful place in the world she was born.

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