Keeping Kids Active

Cape adventures

If you’ve heard those “I’ve got nothing to do” complaints from the kids just as you’re leaving another trampoline park visit, fret no more; there’s more than just the usual adventures in and around Cape Town (that won’t mortally wound your budget).

It’s all downhill really

Pack the car, again, and head off to the downhill tobogganing track at Cool Runnings in Tygervalley. Here, your kids (above three years of age) can hurtle down a half-pipe in a bobsled, flying through the twists and curves as they race along the 1.25km track. It’s basically just like surfboarding down your house staircase, but faster … and safer.

The tracks are steel with wheeled bobsleds. There’s a lift that hauls you to the start of the course while you sit tight in your toboggan. Then, at the start, it’s you, your brake lever and 14 corners, S-bends, and a tunnel with someone snapping photographs as you scream at the top of your lungs before finally slowing down at the bottom of the course.

Acrobranch 

For the adrenaline-junkie kids, why not take them to Acrobranch @ Stop 21 in Constantia?

Here, the kids will enjoy two hours of treetop adventures. And they’ll be safe as there are snug harnesses and a safety briefing provided by a trained instructor. There are four different courses suitable for kids (and adults), such as zip lines, Tarzan Swings, balancing beams and so much more. This will keep everyone screaming and whooping out of sheer happiness (or slight fear), but mostly sheer enjoyment.

There is the kiddies’ course, the Acro-twigs for 3–6 year olds, which is 2m from the ground. For beginners aged 7+, the Monkey Moves course reaches 4m.

Feeling more daring? Why not try the intermediate, Swinging Tarzan course for 7+ year olds. At a height of 7m it offers plenty of thrills.

Finally, we have the challenging High Flying course for the 9+ age group.

This park is a cash-free zone, so you pay when booking online or bring your bank card to the park.

Acrobranch has a total of nine venues across the country.

Jozi

It’s not true that all Gautengers are in the Cape during school holidays. Some stay home to enjoy all that this province has to offer.

Aah-maze-ing 

Honeydew Mazes’ latest Bee Maize Maze, designed in the shape of a honeycomb, has a whopping 3.5km of pathways and includes an eight-station general knowledge quiz that can be enjoyed by the whole family..

Take to the slopes

This is an adventure for the truly gutsy … a 75m long, purpose-built slope in the heart of Fourways that rises over 20m high. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, the Slope has also installed a 6m-high, 45-degree-inclined quarter pipe at the base of the ride, and a rope winch mechanism to assist with your ascent to the summit.

Tubes are fitted with handy handles allowing you to drag them behind you on the low friction surface. Management suggests using a single glove on your left hand to reduce the fatigue of holding onto the rope. You may bring one along or buy one at the venue.

There are also Slope marshals to keep an eye on the action.