If you’re looking for great, family-friendly activities to do in Joburg, we’ve just the thing for you! Joburg has a superb selection of fun activities to do. From visiting the zoo to racking your brain trying to escape the maze, our awesome list of activities is for the whole family.

Don’t forget to check what’s happening in Joburg today and this week.

If you're desperate for some outdoor fun with the kids, have a look at some awesome activity ideas. Choose from a wild water park, a fun quad biking experience and many more!

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 zoo houses a wide range of animals, such as:

• Lemurs
• Monkeys
• Birds
• Crocodiles
• The Big 5
• Hippos
• Gorillas
• Polar Bears
• Bengal Tiger

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.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Adults - R80
  • Kids - R50
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sun, 08:30 - 17:30
• Contact Number: 011 646 2000
• Address: Jan Smuts Ave, Parkview
• More Info: Johannesburg Zoo - Activities, Animals, Entrance Fees, Info & More

Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City is a family destination. The main attraction is the themed amusement park built on the site of an old gold mine.

A mere 8km from the Johannesburg CBD, Gold Reef City has 11 different rides and if amusement parks aren’t your thing, there is a casino, movies, The Lyric Theatre, restaurants, museum and a world-class hotel.

Tip: Non-rider adults get cheaper tickets!

• Entrance Fee:
  • Thrill Rider - R190 (above 1.3m)
  • Non Rider - R110
  • R120 per person under 1.3m
  • R485 family ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children under 1.3m)
  • Free for children u3
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon - Sun, 9:30am - 5pm
• Contact Number: 011 248 6800
• Address: Northern Parkway, Johannesburg
• More Info: Website

Jozi X

Whether you are 5 or 75 years old, 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 (with lots of padding!)

Bring a group of friends and have a day of friendly (or not so friendly) competition or perhaps enter one of the park’s tournaments and see how you do against other avid players.

• Entrance fees vary so check out their website for details.

Acrobranch

Acrobranch offers children and adults the unique experience of going on a treetop adventure. There are different obstacle courses in the park, some exclusively for kids (marked “Acrobranch Kids”) and others for teenagers and adults who are reasonably fit.

The obstacle courses consists of ropes across treetops and crossings made up of tunnels, walkways, bridges and ladders. Acrobranch also offers spectacular zip lines. Two hours of adventure at Acrobranch is well worth it and a unique experience.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R160 - R280 (depending on the course)
• Operating Hours:
  • Wed - Sun, 09:00 - 17:00 incl. school holidays and public holidays
• Contact Number: 086 999 0369
• Address: James & Ethel Gray Park, Melrose Street Extension and 27 Club St, Senderwood, Germiston
• More Info: Website

Woods Paintball

The Woods Paintball Range is located just 10 minutes north of Fourways Shopping Mall. The range is situated in a forest which makes for the perfect playing conditions as well as great for spectating. There are 4 different fields and a shooting range.

The range adheres to strict safety standards and pride themselves on their secure and safe environment. The Woods is the perfect place to have a party or visit as a family or as a group outing. There are picnic and braai facilities available as well as refreshments available.

• Entrance Fee:
  • From R150 per person
  • R120 for kids (low impact balls) Prices include gear.
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon - Sun, 09:00 - 18:00
• Contact Number: 079 387 4217
• Address: The Woods Paintball, Riversands Commercial Park, Fourways
• More Info: Website

Honeydew Mazes

A visit to Honeydew Mazes is definitely a visit that will go down in the books. Honeydew Mazes offers a fun, family friendly atmosphere with fantastic service. It’s tons of fun for people of all ages, from 6 year olds to 76 year olds. Everyone is guaranteed to have a great time.

Dress in comfortable clothing and shoes you’re happy to walk in (don’t forget the hat!) Visitors often will tackle the giant maze which takes about 60 - 90 minutes and will then relax in the comfort of the shade with their hard-earned ice cream (free to those who answered the quiz well). There are also puzzles and games in the courtyard.

Tip: Try the Green Maze, a very tricky small maze made from indigenous plants.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Adults - R150
  • Kids - R100
  • Family 2 + 2 R420
• Operating Hours:
  • Weekends & public holidays, 10:00 - 17:00
  • Last ticket sales 14.30
• Contact Number: 073 795 2174
• Address: 82 Boland Rd, Zandspruit 191-Iq
• More Info: Website

City Sightseeing Joburg Bus

City Sightseeing offers city tours in a hop-on, hop-off format. This means you have the freedom to decide the destination and how long you stay for. On the bus, the informative audio guide keeps you entertained, teaching you a thing or two you may not have known about the city.

The company offers three tours in Johannesburg. They run throughout the day according to this timetable. The red city tour takes you through the city centre with stops at the following places and more:

• The Apartheid museum (next to Gold Reef City)
• Carlton Centre
• SAB World of Beer
• Constitution Hill (link to the green tour)
• James Hall Museum of Transport

You can leave the tour bus for a minibus and take a tour of Soweto. This tour includes visits to the FNB Stadium, the Hector Pieterson Museum and the colourful Orlando Towers.The green tour stops at:

• Constitution Hill (linked to the red tour)
• The National Museum of Military History
• Johannesburg zoo
• Zoo Lake

Tip: City Sightseeing also offers free city walking tours in Johannesburg!

Cradle of Humankind

The Cradle of Humankind in Maropeng is perfect if you’re wanting to get out of the city with your family. The visit is sure to be as fun as it is educational. There is a Learner Centre which is informative and will prove to be a hit with both young and old.

A major attraction is the underground boat ride which takes you through the history of the earth’s creation. If you dig fossils, a tour through the Sterkfontein caves, the home of the historic “Mrs Ples”, is sure to be interesting.

Tip: The caves are sometimes closed to the public so call beforehand.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Maropeng Visitors’ Centre:
    • R65 for children (ages 4 to 14)
    • R120 for adults
  • Sterkfontein Caves:
    • R97 for children
    • R165 for adults
    • Combination tickets for both cost R125 for children & R190 for adults.
    • Children under 4 free.
• Operating Hours:
  • Everyday, 09:00 to 17:00
  • The last boat ride/tour departs at 16h00
• Contact Number: 014 577 9000
• Address: Off the R563 Hekpoort Road, Sterkfontein
• More Info: Website

Quad Biking at Segwati Getaways/Ranch

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.

Kids have to be older than 13 years old to go quad biking. If you’re looking for some activities to do on foot, there are many beautiful trails for walking and hiking. There is also a paintball range.

• Entrance Fee: Depends on the trail
• Contact Number: 082 412 9823
• Address: Segwati Getaways / Ranch, Hartbeeshoek Rd (R400), Hartbeeshoek
• More Info: Website

Kloofendal Nature Reserve

Kloofendal Nature Reserve is located in Roodepoort. Friends of Kloofendal (FroK) is a conservation NGO that offers guided tours through Kloofendal Nature Reserve. These tours are the perfect opportunity to learn and interact with the reserve’s animals, plants and insects.

Every weekend there is a new and interesting event happening, from panning for gold to bird ringing. You and your family are also welcome to join one of the invasive alien clearing sessions.

• Operating Hours: Mon - Sun, 06:00 - 18:00
• Contact Number: 011 760 9143
• Address: Veronica Street, Roodepoort
• More Info: Website

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.

The facilities include:

• Wave pool - with real waves!
• Raging rapids ride - a fun slide where you use bodyboards
• A 500m supertube
• Speedhump slide
• Sand area - can be used for volleyball

There are changing rooms and lockers for your belongings. Putt putt is available to play and there is a lapa which can be used for birthday parties.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Cost per adult (8 years +) - R155.00
  • Cost per child (2-7 years) - R85.00
  • Pensioners ( SASSA CARD, Pension card, 65 and older) - R100.00
  • Cost per pupil (50+ Pupils) - R100.00
• Operating Hours: Sat & Sun, 10:00 - 17:00
• Contact Number: 011 826 6736
• Address: 1 Margaret Avenue, Bardene, Boksburg
• More Info: Website

When the weather's not so lekker or you'd prefer to just do an inside activity with your kids, we've got you covered! Choose from an educational visit to the Planetarium, a cooking class or a unique room escape game.

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.

Kids can let loose while adults can sit back and relax in their Coffee Bar. There you can enjoy delicious nibbles, browse magazines and take advantage of the free wi-fi.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R60 for 1st hour, R35 for 2nd hour, and R35 thereafter (1 - 12 yr olds)
• Operating Hours: Tues - Sun, 09:00 - 17:00
• Contact Number: 011 656 9669
• Address: Unit G6, Woodmead Commercial Park, Waterfall Crescent, Woodmead
• More Info: Website

Johannesburg Planetarium

The Johannesburg Planetarium is owned by the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and is located on Wits’ East Campus in Braamfontein. It was the second full-sized planetarium in the southern hemisphere and the first in Africa.

The planetarium have a great programme filled with educational shows for kids and adults alike. Learn a thing or two as you explore space and the stars.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Adult tickets - R45
  • Kids tickets R30
  • Family tickets also available for R165 (max two adults with their dependent children – scholars or full-time students – and grandparents)
• Operating Hours:
  • Fri,19:30 - 20:00 & Sat, 10:00 - 15:00
• Contact Number: 011 717 1390
• Address: Yale Rd, Johannesburg
• More Info: Website

Pottery Junxion

Pottery Junxion is the perfect place, catering to all your needs as a hobbyist, artist and gift giver. The Pottery Junxion stocks an inspiring range of ceramics, paints, mosaic inserts and tools.

At their shop in Edenvale, you’ll find bits and bobs to decorate your ceramic piece and the instructions on how to go about it. Have a look at their workshop schedule if you’re interested in doing one.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R95 for a 3-hour lesson, excluding all products
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 16:00, Sat, 09:00 to 14:00
• Contact Number: 011 453 2721
• Address: 5 Glendower Place, 99 Linksfield Road, Dowerglen, Edenvale
• More Info: Website

Cooking Class at Little Cooks Club

If your kids are little foodies at heart or just want to learning more about cooking, sign them up for a cooking class. Not only is it the perfect way for your kids to learn about nutrition, it also introduces them to the joys of cooking and gives them a chance to work together and bond with other kids.

The Little Cooks Club has branches throughout the city and offers morning classes during the school holidays, excluding public holidays and the Easter weekend. Each branch has a different schedule so phone ahead to see what’s on offer nearest to you.

• Price: R130 - R280 pp (depends on the class)
• Contact Number: 083 556 3434
• More Info: Website

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.

There are 3 rooms available to choose from, each offering a very different experience. If you’re wanting to experience something exciting and unique, see if you have what it takes to escape!

• Price range: R600 - R1200
• Operating Hours: Mon - Sat, 10:00 - 21:00 & Sun 10:00 - 19:00
• Contact Number: 079 379 0410
• Address: 39 Grant Avenue, Norwood
• More Info: Website

Joburg has a great selection of fun activities that will leave you with some great memories without breaking the bank. Whether you choose to scamper through the forest with a paintball gun or zip through the treetops, Joburg sure knows how to have fun.

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