60+ best things to do in Johannesburg (and around)

by Ally Cohen

on Apr 14

60+ best things to do in Johannesburg (and around) - 4aKid

Looking for things to do in Johannesburg ?

Fun activities and things to do with kids in Joburg . Here is a list of things to do in Johannesburg with the family.

Top Things to do in Johannesburg

1. Acrobranch

Ideal for families of all ages with ziplines, rope swings and clamber nets arranged across four tree-top obstacle courses. The Acro-twigs course is perfect for the younger kids (ideal for ages three to six years old) with various obstacles including rope bridges, while the Monkey Moves course, aimed at beginners, is suitable for older children.

2. GoG Lifestyle Park

This outdoor adventure park has an amazing spray park, trampolines, play parks, pedal go-karts, inflatables and more.

3. Johannesburg Wits Planetarium

The Johannesburg Wits Planetarium should be at the top of your holiday itinerary. Their experts are on-site to answer astronomy questions and stoke your child’s curiosity in what lies beyond the earth’s atmosphere. Added bonus: telescopes are also for sale at the planetarium which means you can take star-gazing into your own hands.

4. Innesfree Park

Innesfree Park is everyone's favorite in the city. Located in the heart of Sandton, this open grassy area lined with shady trees is perfect for spending some quality time. Be it taking a walk during lunch hours or picnicking with your loved ones on a Sunday morning, you can come here anytime.

5. Pretoria Zoo

Pretoria Zoo (officially the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa) is the largest zoo in the country with an array of interesting and unusual animals including Komodo dragons and okapi, as well as the biggest inland aquarium in the Southern hemisphere and over 200 bird species. A highlight is the cable car, which runs up to the top of a hill overlooking the city with panoramic views of the zoo and beyond to the Union Buildings.

6. Johannesburg Zoo

The Johannesburg Zoo in the northern suburbs is one of the most popular local and tourist attractions. Founded in 1904, it covers 55 hectares of land (roughly the size of 55 rugby fields) which was donated to the public for recreational use by the firm of the late Hermann Ekstein. The Johannesburg Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in South Africa and they pride themselves on being actively involved in conservation efforts across Africa. They are also the only zoo in Africa to be involved in international breeding programs.

7. Johannesburg’s Red City Sightseeing Bus

Like Cape Town, Johannesburg’s Red City Sightseeing Bus is your best bet if you’re a fresh arrival in the City of Gold. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for fun things to do in Johannesburg on a budget.

8. The Top of Africa

To appreciate the full scale of Joburg, take the inconspicuous lift from the foot of the Calton Centre up to the 50th floor. Despite being built in the 1970s, it remains Africa’s tallest skyscraper (223m) and the panoramic views are impressive. The onsite cafe is not anything special and there’s not much else up there, but there is loads of space for the kids to run around playing aeroplanes in between admiring the view.

9. Build a Bear Workshop

Take your children to go and create their own stuffed toy, customised to their liking with clothes and accessories to purchase as well as something to go in it – you can choose between a scent, a beating heart or even a voice activator! A one-of-a-kind gift! Available at Toy Kingdom in Centurion Mall, East Rand Mall, Menlyn Park & Sandton City.

10. Peoples Theatre

The Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex in Braamfontein puts on at least four productions a year, and they each run for 4-6 weeks – so there’s no excuse not to pop in. The company has been around for two decades and celebrates the joy of capturing young ones’ imaginations.

11. S.W.A.T Laser Tag

Playing cops and robbers never gets old and the S.W.A.T Laser Tag centre is just the place where kids can have fun in a secure environment. Laser tag is suitable for children aged 7 and older and adults can join in the fun too! There are centres in Sandton, Pretoria and Germiston.

12. Little Cooks Club

The Little Cooks Club has franchises throughout the city and will be offering morning classes for children during the school holidays (excluding Easter weekend and public holidays). Each franchise has a different schedule, so it’s best to phone and check what’s on offer at the club nearest to you (there are clubs in Bedfordview, Fourways/Dainfern, Kyalami/Sunninghill, and Sandton).

13. Fun Company

For kids that love action-packed outings, The Fun Company at Menlyn Shopping Centre gives them just what they need. There's bumper cars, Ten Pin bowling, a 4D theatre, and arcade games where kids can shoot, hit, ride and jump their way to high scores.

14. Monte Casino Bird Garden

The Monte Casino Bird Garden is a great place for families with young children to enjoy a fun day out. Kids can feed the beautiful and tame Rainbow Lorikeets and watch the Macaws and Cockatoos roam freely in the Parrot Gallery. The Bird Garden also conducts educational and entertaining bird shows throughout the week.

15. The Cradle of Humankind

Get out of the city and head to the Cradle of Humankind in Maropeng for a family trip that promises to be as fun as it will be educational. The Learner Centre is interactive and informative and will be a hit with both young and old. The main attraction, however, is the underwater boat ride that guides you through the history of Earth’s creation in a visceral, awe-inspiring way. If the fossil display piques your interest, take a tour through the Sterkfontein caves—the home of the historic ‘Mrs Ples’.

16. Wild Cave Adventures

The Wild Cave Adventures at the Cradle of Human Kind can be an unforgettable experience. The 1.5-hour guided excursion through the 4 400sqm cave will leave kids and teens completely amazed.

17. PwC Bike Park

Situated in the heart of Bryanston this is perfect place to take your kids to learn to ride. Great for the whole family.

18. Roll Egoli Rink

Roll up, or rather roll on down to the Roll Egoli Rink for some fun on skates. Egoli is great for kids’ parties too as there are loads of other activities and amenities to keep everyone, young and old, busy as long as they can last. The rink is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am-6pm.

19. Woods Paintball

Try out paintballing at Woods Paintball’s range, conveniently situated 10 minutes from the Fourways Shopping Mall in a forest environment. It’s open 7 days a week and offers a number of different playing fields.

20. A-Maize-ing Mazes

The Honeydew A-Maize-ing Mazes has been around for over a decade which is testament to their popularity. People entering the maze have to use their powers of navigation (or just plain guessing) to find their way out. The main attractions are the Elemental maze constructed from reeds (open from June to December) and the Maize Maze (open from February to June.)

21. Gold Reef City Theme Park

The world famous, yet uniquely South African Gold Reef City Theme Park has got something for everyone. Gold Reef City is a family destination. The main attraction is the themed amusement park built on the site of an old gold mine. The park is known for its thrilling rides where you are propelled at frightening speeds! Adrenaline junkies are sure to find what they're looking for. For little ones, head over to the Kiddies corner to choo choo through the jungle on the safari train, spin giddy in the tea cups and ride ferocious dragons. The park also has an animal petting zoo, a 4D theatre, and a Putt-Putt course.

22. Irene Dairy Farm

Since 1895 this family-run dairy farm in Centurion has been supplying Pretoria with farm fresh dairy products. An opportunity to reconnect with pastoral life close to the city, chickens roam the place, there's an abundance of bird life and you can watch the cows being milked at the viewing gallery. Kids will enjoy assembling and painting a wooden boat then watch it go down the moat to the dam, and of course a farm fresh milkshake is the best way to end the day.

23. Soweto

Soweto has an interesting, unique and rich history of civil unrest and fight against the Apartheid regime, as well as its rich cultural heritage. The energy and welcome from this sprawling township is heartwarming. This is an area which has evolved from its harrowing past into a thriving destination in it’s own right. Trendy bars line streets of enormous historical significance, whilst tourists rub shoulders with locals dancing.

24. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

Get switched on at Joburg's science museum, where the educational and interactive exhibits engage and entertain growing minds. There’s something for all ages with a wide array of topics covered such as space, anatomy, chemistry, geography, engineering and physics, plus themed exhibitions and talks during school holidays.

25. Quad Biking at Segwati Getaways

The Segwati quad trails overlooks the Cradle of Humankind on the slopes of the Witwatersberg mountain range. Your quad biking experience can be combined with a picnic or a braai and even some game viewing.

26. Zoo Lake Baths

Rent a rowboat at Lions Boating Club and head for some fun on the water. There’s an enclosed play area too for some post-picnic activities.

27. Kloofendal Nature Reserve

Friends of Kloofendal is a conservation NGO that offers guided nature tours through the Kloofendal Nature Reserve in Roodepoort. These tours give you a chance to learn about and interact with the reserve’s plants, animals and insects. From bird-ringing to panning for gold, there are interesting events happening almost every weekend.

28. Jozi X

Jozi X in Bryanston has an adventure for you. The park offers activities such as trapeze, jousting and even tight-rope walking in a safe environment. Perfect for teenagers, activities include mountain boarding, a slackline park, big wheel trike drifting, a parkour gymnasium, a 'ninja centre' and the star attraction, an extreme wipeout course. There's no entrance fee and prices vary depending on the activities.

29. Oriental Plaza

Shopping in the Oriental Plaza is a unique experience in itself. With 360 stores in the plaza, you can but anything, from bridal wear to homeware. What, makes Oriental Plaza so unique is that the mall provides goods which you won’t find anywhere else in the city. You will find all the places known for their shopping under the same roof.

30.Pottery Junxion

Pottery Junxion in Edenvale is a great place to get your hands dirty and have something to show for it at the end of the day. Check into its studio and paint and decorate your own plates, bowls or tea sets. All tools, products and ceramics are available on site. Ages 7 and up can try one of the painting or mosaic workshops.

31. Lindfield Victorian House Museum

This Victorian home that was designed by Herbert Baker and the furniture and items on display all date back to the 19th and early 20th century, and are incredibly well kept.

32. Wild Waters Boksburg

There are picnic spots and braai areas which allow you to keep an eye on the kids while you enjoy lunch. If you’re not in the mood for making your own food, there is a shop that does take-aways on the premises.

33. Montecasino bird gardens

With fascinating bird species, from domestic to exotic, birds of prey plus a huge pelican and a sloth who gives slothfulness a good name this is a super attraction for all ages. You get to wander along walkways through the lush gardens and view a variety of colourful birds, mammals, reptiles and unusual animals from around the world including rare Scarlet Ibises and Nicobar pigeons, parrots, flamingoes and meerkats.

34. Adventure Golf

Enjoy a round of Adventure Golf at either Brightwater Commons, Fourways Mall or Stoneridge.

35. Moyo Zoo Lake

The face painting waitrons at Moyo are a deft hand at getting you into the spirit of Mzansi with their freehand creations. Situated at Zoo Lake, the Moyo here is a good choice for drinks and eats in one of Joburg’s most popular city greenbelts. The relaxed park setting is ideal for kid parties, adult events or just kicking back with a cocktail on the deck. By day Moyo offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere; as the sun sets, fabulous live music sets the tone for an evening of fine-dining and ethnic vibes.

36. Hashtag Escape

Hashtag Escape is great new room escape adventure game. You and your team consisting of 3-7 friends get locked in a room and you have 1 hour to solve all the puzzles and secrets hidden inside so you can escape the room.

37. Delta Park

Take the kids to ride their bikes along the Braamfontein Spruit and then have a delicious breakfast at Delta Café. On the other end of the park is a gorgeous play park where you can even host your child’s birthday party, free of charge!

38. Play Africa

One of South Africa's first dedicated children's museums offering an educational experience that is centred entirely around creative play. A broadly inclusive space designed especially for young families (children with mental or physical disabilities are also well accommodated) Play Africa offers hands-on and creative experiences that also have an educational element covering topics from arts and ecology to engineering, literacy and geography.

39. The Big Red Barn

Set across the Sunlawns Estate farm built on 200 hectares of land, 15 minutes drive from Centurion, The Big Red Barn has an array of activities plus a family-friendly cafe where you can host a kid's party. Activities include a tree-top Acrobranch adventure course, a kid's cycle park (with bikes for rent), go-karting at the Vroom Pedal Go Karts area or let the kids find their inner Picasso at the Clay Cafe while painting ceramic objects.

40. RMC Cycle Park

Let the kids zoom off on their bikes around a series of looping dirt tracks while you kick back and relax with a drink on the deck overlooking the dam. This cycle park has been designed specifically for families.

41. Yeesh! Fun for Kids

Yeesh! Fun for Kids offers a range of kids parties and kids activities that takes place in a secure and safe environment, under the supervision of trained child minders

42. Kromdraai Gold Mine

Tour one of the oldest gold mines in Johannesburg and get a feel of what it was like to be a gold miner in the 19^th century.

43. Happy Island Waterworld

This is one of Johannesburg's newest attractions. This aqua adventure park is home to the two largest wave pools in Africa.

44. Bounce Inc.

Bounce Inc is an indoor trampoline park in Fourways and it allows visitors to bounce off pretty much every surface. It’s an active way to spend the day and guarantees hours of excitement for all ages. From the free-jump arena, where trampolines are lined up as far as the eye can see, to dodgeball games, there’s enough to keep kids busy for hours. There’s also a gymnastics programme for ages three to six, which has to be booked in advance.

45. Field Berry Farm

Situated in Walkerville, Johannesburg South, the raspberry farm is open for public picking from January.

46. Climb the walls at City Rock

City Rock is great for kids who love to climb, and of course, most of them do. Children over five can climb to their heart’s content on low walls from which they can jump onto soft mats. Then there’s the automatic belay wall, which allows a higher climb while attached to a harness. It’s all done in a safe environment, and mom and dad can either join in on the fun or grab a cuppa at the café.

47. Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park

From holding a baby crocodile to getting up close to other reptiles, snakes and even tarantulas, a visit to Croc City is a thrill for any child. On Saturdays and Sundays visitors can watch the crocodiles being fed, while on Sundays and public holidays a venomous snake show is the highlight.

48. Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum is an assortment of separate museum buildings which illustrate mutual exclusion in their purpose and exhibition. This Museum was primarily built in honour of the struggle against apartheid, besides depicting the cultural and developmental history of South Africa during the 20th century.

49. Museum Africa

The Museum Africa or the Africana Museum is a heritage museum and bears the historical features of the development of Johannesburg and South Africa. It’s located on the site of what used to be a fruit market. Over the decades, numerous sections illustrating the materialistic progress and culture of Johannesburg has also been introduced as newer additions.

50. Artjamming

Allow your child to paint his/her expressions via art. A fun activity for the entire family!

51. The Market Theatre

The Market Theatre of Johannesburg symbolizes the great communal harmony and unity among the races during the difficult era of the apartheid. It has been awarded with the honour of the Jujamcyn Award of America owing to its immense and unparalled contribution to the creative arts, especially in the field of theatre.

52. Nelson Mandela National Museum

The Nelson Mandela National Museum is the original residence of Nelson Mandela- the famous President of South Africa, which had been renovated and partly modified to allow for public exhibitions. The red brick house is structurally a single story house. The exterior bears numerous bullet holes and shredded walls from the bombardments during the historic freedom movement of South Africa.

53. Mai Mai Flea Market

The Mai Mai Flea Market of Johannesburg is the ideal location for the tourists and natives of Johannesburg to sell and distribute the native products and merchandise, including second hand articles and regional craftwork and articles of various ranges of price.

54. Lory Park Zoo

A small, privately run zoo in Midrand.

55. Maggies Farm – Home of the Chicken Pie

On Malibongwe Road, just past Lanseria, is this little gem of a place. With delicious homemade pies and meals on offer, this relaxed atmosphere is perfect to take the kids to. They can walk around the little dam feeding ducks and chickens and play on the jungle gyms.

56. Hyundai Balloon At Montecasino

This giant balloon is the largest physical commercial adertisement in the world. It is tethered at a park in the Montecasino. The balloon is used both for exhibition purposes as well as for luxury trips and selected corporate venues. The view from the riding deck of the balloon provides a panoramic view of entire Johannesburg.

57. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens

A great picnic spot with beautiful scenery for the entire family.

58. Lion Park

The chief attraction of the Park is the conservation and protected upbringing of the almost extinct white lion species and the yellow lions of Africa, of which over 80 reside in the park. Besides the lions, the Park is also home to numerous other smaller carnivores such as the spotted hyenas, brown hyenas, and wild dogs.

59. Papachinos

A family restaurant with a supervised kiddies area. Kids can also make their own pizzas. This is one of the popular places in Johannesburg which offers great food for the entire family.

60. Emmarentia Dam

Enjoy the vast array of birdlife with a picnic, and take along some stale bread crusts to feed the ducks that gather at the water’s edge. No entrance fee to get in!

61. Northgate Ice Rink

Take the kids ice-skating,. Fun for the whole family.

Sources:

https://www.vibescout.com/

https://www.inyourpocket.com/

https://inafricaandbeyond.com/

https://theculturetrip.com/

https://www.youbabyandi.com/

http://mommalikeme.co.za/