This week our family got to spend the afternoon checking out all the reasons why the V & A Waterfront is the place to be with your kids these school holidays. The Waterfront is a special place for our family as we often take the kids down there for an ice cream and to walk around enjoying the street performers and live music, so this invitation was something we genuinely looked forward to over the whole week leading up to this family adventure. And it was even more exciting because Dad took some time off work to join us.
If you’re looking for some ideas of things to do at the Waterfront, be inspired by our action-packed afternoon:
1. FIRST STOP, PIZZA AT THE NEW COL’CACCHIO
Pizza is always a win and this new spot has a fantastic deck with ocean views if you want to take a seat to catch your breath as a well as a convenient grab and go section if you’d prefer a quick bite. I highly recommend the ‘Green Genie’ pizza as well as their takeaway flat whites. You can find them upstairs at the entrance at the bridge from the parking garage (opposite Top Shop).
2. A SPIN ON THE CAPE WHEEL
Everytime we drive up to the Waterfront our kids try to be the first one to spot the Cape Wheel. The kids were super keen beans for this ride and loved the view from up top, especially when the wheel stopped for new passengers and we were left dangling up in the sky for a few minutes. They also loved pointing out the Cape Town Stadium, Table Mountain and boats in the harbour to each other.
Each ride is about 15 mins and each cabin can take a maximum of 8 guests. Tickets are available on site for R120 (adults), R60 (kids 4-17 years) and are free for kids under 4. Also, if you have the Entertainer app, they have a two for the price of one deal.
3. OUTDOOR ICE SKATING AT FANTASY SKATE
This synthetic ice rink is open until the end of October near the Clock Tower swing bridge – 11h00 to 18h00 week days and 10h00 to 19h00 weekends and R30 will get you 20 minutes on the rink. This one is suitable for kids age 4 and up and the smallest size boot available is size 9. Remember to take a pair of socks along. Proceeds go to the Rotary Charity.
4. SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSKERS & STREET PERFORMERS
We listen to a marimba cd almost daily in our home – one that my Uncle purchased for us from the Waterfront a few years ago. My kids are always completely and utterly mesmerised by the performers at the Waterfront and this time Judah took to the stage to imitate their dance moves and ended up gathering some fans of his own. Let’s support these guys and not just leave it to the tourists.
5. SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH AT LIMNOS BAKERY
Yip, there’s now a legendary Limnos at the Waterfront and you’ll find it opposite Vida, near the food court area on the groud floor. It’s a little shop, so perfect for a takeaway coffee for you and a sweet treat for the kids to enjoy outside with a view.
6. WATCH YOUR DRAWINGS COME TO LIFE AT FUTURE PARK
This is a really fun, futuristic experience where interactive digital technology breathes life into your kids’ drawings. See below how Ilan’s shark pic was scanned into life and starts swimming around the massive floor-to-ceiling digital sketch aquarium. This is a great adventure for the whole family as there is also a digital table where little people come alive as well as an upstairs play area with digital hopscotch and a light ball orchestra where kids can play with large balls that light up and change colour everytime they’re touched. It’s hard to describe the magic of this place, but we were all truly wow-ed.
Future Park is open until the end of Jan, from 10h00 to 19h00 at the Watershed and tickets are available from Computicket – kids under 18 months are free, single tickets are R130 each and a family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) is R460. Go check it out!
For a full list of all the family-friendly activities at the Waterfront, keep an eye on the Kids Ahoy page.