Things to do with your toddler (Winter School Break)

It’s been a week into the school winter break and our son is already looking bored.

Have you found anything interesting to do around Joburg?

I asked our friendly search engine for some help and these are some of the options.

Sniffles and coughs, our son still needs to stay active and entertained this winter school break. He is loving that he doesn’t have to go to school, so relishing that he is able to stay in bed iPad on hand or a bit of “My Little Pony or Puss in Boots” the cartoons. Our helper has strict instructions that this is not to be the scene at home the whole day. Remember how we played outdoors and couldn’t wait to pick up from where we left off the previous day back in our youth?

WINTER BREAK IDEAS FOR YOUR TODDLER …

Take them to the theatre?

Fairy tales are a part of a child’s life. Most children will have heard a story told by a parent, grandparent of a parent figure at one time in their life. On stage at the moment is Disney’s Cinderella Kids and Puss in Boots. I recently shared my reviews here and here. These two performances were our son’s first experiences to the theatre and he totally enjoyed it. I was amazed that at his tender age he was able to take out a profound lesson from Cinderella Kids, that bullying ain’t cool! When we attended the Puss in Boots play this past week, the music took his experience to another level. He was bobbing about on his seat and even dancing to the wonderful, toe-tapping music.

Fun with nature?

In my search for things to do with our son these holidays, I came across a super website. Big City Kids Joburg a great resource to have bookmarked.

Big City Kids Joburg focuses on sharing alternatives for the family to do instead of sitting at home behind technology or going to the usual suspects and adding to the crowd numbers.

The reviews shared here are those of a mom (Kira) who also happens to be the owner of the websites, so reviews are based on her family visits to these venues. I just thought this touch added to the authenticity of the reviews.

I found through them Cherry Tomatoes gardening club, in the heart of Bryanston (Joburg). Ideal for kids 3-10 years, it’s a great opportunity for them to learn about the food chain in a fun hands-on way and maybe even have some converts for those fussy eaters. Booking is essential and classes are held every Saturday morning 09h00 – 11h00.

Another possible adventure for you and the kids is the Lavender Moon Animal Farm. Who doesn’t love feeding bunnies? This is another fun educational opportunity for the kids to interact with farm animals. Besides feeding the animals like the bunnies and the ducks, if the kids want they can also go for pony rides. They are open Fridays & Saturdays 09h00 – 16h00, Sundays, Public Holidays and School Holidays 09h00 – 14h00.

I didn’t put on a pair of skates, blade or roller until I was an adult. Scary as my first attempt was in the early ’90s, I loved the experience. RollEgoli is a safe roller skating facility based on Main Road, Bryanston, that allows you to roller skate in any weather and feel free. They are open 09h00 – 18h00 Tuesday to Thursday, Sundays and Public Holidays, 09h00 – 21h00 Friday and Saturday. If you’re keen on lessons, they cater for that too.

They have many venues listed, all personally reviewed by the team behind Big City Kids Joburg. If you happen to own a venue that isn’t on there yet, give Pam a call on 065 801 1505 or via email member@bugcitykids.co.za 

Some fun on two … or four wheels?

PWC Bike Park out in Bryanston provides enough challenge for the young and those young at heart spend at least two hours and have the best time. Cost: R20 for Non-Riders and R60 for under 15 years of age, if older  R80. If you arrive early you may find a shaded area with a fixed table and benches to relax while you watch your child have fun and spread out the delicious snacks and drinks, but if it’s all taken why not spread out your picnic blanket and relax. Alternatively, you can also order a pizza from the restaurant.

Like2Bike host a children’s mountain bike event in conjunction with Centrum Kids as they believe that getting outdoors and being part of Like2Bike is “Simply Kids Being Kids”.

The next Centrum Kids Like2Bike event is happening on the 23rd July 2017 at the Cradlemoon Conservancy, Muldersdrift. The series consists of 6 events, this is the 4th one in the series. If your child participates in a minimum of 3 of these events, they will earn their ‘Centrum® Kids series champion shirt‘ at the end of the year. All pre-entries receive a goody bag, and all children, a medal after their ride.

All pre-entries receive a goody bag, and all children, a medal after their ride. These fun kids cycling and duathlon events are hosted at child-friendly cycling venues across Gauteng. Distances range from a 2km (recommended age 2-4), 5km (5-7 yrs), 10km (8 + yrs ), 15/20km (9 + yrs). Whilst this is a fun series, the aim is to entrench good riding etiquette while fostering a love for the sport. Cost: R130 online and R170 for the 10 & 15km timed race.

Kidical Mass An unofficial “Critical Mass” bicycle ride for the family at a leisure pace around the suburb of Berario.

These rides are held on the last Sunday of the month.

July’s ride is scheduled for the 30th July 2017.

Everyone meets at the Berario Recreation Centre and you have a choice of one or two 5km loops around the suburb. It’s loads of fun for the kids and even the parents enjoy the ride to the sounds of their clubbing days coming from the “Boom Box” hooked to one of the leading marshall’s bikes.

Reefsteamers if like our son your kids are into trains at the moment, these guys seem like the ideal solution. You can catch the Gautrain to the Rhodesfield Station, then from there basically jump off the modern speed train and onto the steam train from an era gone by. The ride promises to be a relaxing experience to Irene. Ideally, book in advance, schedule on their website, the price is two way. Departs Rhodesfield at 10h00  and departs Irene at 14h00. Costs Adults is R240.00 and Children 4-12 years R180.00, for those 3 years and under it’s Free.

Showing at the movies

We’ve been to watch CARS 3 in 3D with our son and he LOVED IT! If you’ve watched the other two movies in the series you …yes you .. will enjoy this one just as much.

DESPICABLE ME 3 is another movie from a series, the first two came out in 2013 and 2015 respectively. This one has the popular rapper Eminem contributing with a catchy tune called So Bad.

Have fun … remember to have some wine too 

EKL

Photos and information sourced from each venue’s website or Facebook page.