In the summertime, the last thing you want to do is curl up on the couch and watch a movie. You want to get out there, enjoy the sun, and have some fun! Sadly, in Johannesburg, we don't have easy access to beaches, mountains, or other natural entertainment facilities.
Nevertheless, we do have a variety of other fun places to visit and activities to participate in!
In this article, we will list a selection of fun, family-friendly outdoor kids’ activities available to our Johannesburg families.
The Importance of Outdoor Activities
As a homeschooling parent, it can be challenging to find activities where your child can be exposed to new, interesting, and stimulating environments. As you know, it’s important to encourage your child to get out of the house and experience new environments where they can make friends and explore as a way to enhance their social, emotional, and educational development.
We've done the legwork for you and researched the following activities, which you and your kids can enjoy together.
Things to Do in Johannesburg with Your Kids
Despite the challenge that there isn't much to do in Johannesburg, there are many interesting, entertaining, and educational activities that you can enjoy as a family.
Gold Reef City
Whether you’re in the mood for a fun and relaxed day out or are excited to feel the thrill of a super rollercoaster, Gold Reef City has got it all. From a lazy log ride to the Tower of Terror, there is an experience for everyone.
You can even take a heritage tour where you’ll learn everything about the historical Johannesburg Gold Rush. There are many places to sit down, relax, and enjoy a bite to eat. You can also enjoy several entertainment activities, including taking in a show at their theatre.
To find out about everything Gold Reef City has to offer, visit their website.
Maropeng Museum
For one of the most entertaining, educational, and fun museum experiences, you can visit the Maropeng Museum. Located at the Sterkfontein Caves, you will learn everything there is to know about human evolution and our ancestors.
This award-winning, world-class exhibition makes use of cutting-edge technology to create a fun and entertaining educational experience that the entire family will enjoy. You can even book a guided tour of the Sterkfontein Caves, where you will walk through and observe first-hand the places where some of the most famous fossil finds have taken place.
Learn more about the Maropeng Museum here.
Brookwood Estate Trout Fishing
For a relaxing day spent fishing with your children, you can visit the Brookwood Estate Trout Fishing Farm. This idyllic retreat allows you to reconnect with nature, spend some quality time with your children, and have fun fishing. While you’re engaging in these activities, you can also make use of their beautiful picnic facilities and enjoy a leisurely lunch.
Find out more about this relaxing and fun excursion here.
Montecasino Bird Gardens
If you want to WOW your child with beautiful and exotic birds, then the Montecasino Bird Gardens will make the perfect outing. Here, you can wander down beautiful garden walkways while appreciating exquisitely coloured birds, interesting mammals, reptiles, and more. They even have a walk-through aviary where you can marvel at the birds in their natural habitat.
You can find out more about the fascinating Bird Gardens here.
Johannesburg Zoo
If your child is an animal enthusiast, then you should not miss out on visiting the Johannesburg Zoo. With animals ranging from the Big Five to exotic reptiles, and even a selection of primates, the Johannesburg Zoo is a fun outing that will also be educational for your children.
If you are interested, they even host a variety of clubs and holiday programmes for children, where students will learn about animals, the environment, and more.
Find out more about the Johannesburg Zoo on their website.
Acrobranch
Just about all children love swinging from tree branches, and for that fearless group, they can complete a treetop obstacle course at Acrobranch. With two locations in Johannesburg, you can make your child’s treetop dream come true.
You can rest easy knowing that your children will be strapped safely into a harness throughout the entire experience, ensuring that they are fully protected. They even have an adult course so that you won’t miss any of the fun!
You can find out more about Acrobranch and the branch closest to you on their website.
The Woods Paintball Park
If your child loves playing with water guns and catching you unawares around a corner, then paintball might just be the sport for them! At The Woods Paintball Park, there are ample trees and bushes to hide behind while planning your next move.
For kids, they have a low-impact version of paintball, where the paintball travels at a lower velocity and a softer impact. They also take great care with safety, ensuring that each child is equipped with full body protective gear.
Visit The Woods Paintball Park website to make a booking.
Finding Connection in the Homeschooling Community
While these activities can be enjoyed as a family, your kids can also have fun experiencing these activities with a friend. We know that it can be challenging to encourage your child to make friends if they are homeschooled, but we have a solution for this.
Find and meet up with other homeschooling families by connecting with them on homeschooling support groups. There are a few homeschooling support groups specific to the Johannesburg area where you can reach out to other parents.
You can also join the CambriLearn homeschooling support group and find out who else is based in Johannesburg. This way, you will connect with families who have chosen the same schooling solution. Join our CambriLearn Facebook Group here.
Now all that’s left to do is to go have fun with your children and enjoy all of the outdoor activities in Johannesburg.
