Pretoria is home to an impressive amount of family-friendly activities designed to keep the entire family entertained for hours. From zoos to waterparks and paintball arenas, Pretoria does not disappoint on the fun scale.

So, if you’re looking for something to do with the whole family, take a look at our guide.

Don't forget to check what’s happening in Pretoria today

Formally known as the National Zoological Gardens, the zoo covers 85 hectares. Housing over 1 000 different animal species, from reptiles to mammals, the Pretoria Zoo is the largest zoo in South Africa, situated only 5,4km from the city centre.

It was founded by J.W.B. Gunnin in 1899 and is one of the top 10 in the world. Some of the animals you may see at the Pretoria Zoo include:

• Elephants
• Bears
• White tigers
• Zebras
• Giraffes
• Lions
• Pygmy Hippopotamus
• Western Lowland Gorilla
• Black Rhinoceros

The zoo is completely wheelchair friendly and visitors are encouraged to wear comfy shoes and bring sunscreen. It is easy to get there via the Gautrain and then a bus from the nearest station that heads straight to the zoo.

The zoo offers special night time visits to view the animals in their nocturnal environment. You could even book a fully supervised overnight camp. They have an exciting list of activities for all ages and the list keeps growing with new exhibits regularly posted on their website.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R70 - R110pp
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sun, 8am - 4pm
• Contact Number: 012 339 2700
• Address: 232 Boom Street, Pretoria
• Read More: Pretoria Zoo - Activities, Animals, Entrance Fees, Info & More

A water wonderland right in the heart of Pretoria. Zita park features massive sprawling lawns for your kids to frolic and what better way to beat the sun than take a dip in their swimming pool.

Some of the attractions at Zita park are:

• Water Slide
• Swimming Pool
• Restaurant
• Play Park

Catch up on some tanning while your kids are amply entertained at this affordable venue.

Tip: Don’t forget your sunblock, even with cloud cover the sun’s harmful rays still burn us.

• Entrance Fee: R4 Kids under 17, R6 Adults
• Operating Hours: Everyday from 9am - 6pm
• Contact Number: 072 428 2408
• Address: Zita St, Pretoria, 0042, South Africa
• More Info: Website

If your kids are anything like the typical Pretorian children then they love action sports. Gotcha Paintball is a fun activity you can partake in with your children.

With 5 different playing fields, the terrain will not leave you wanting. Their aim is to provide the safest paintball experience for the whole family. Whether you are a seasoned player or it’s your first time, fun is guaranteed.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Starts at R140pp
• Opening Times:
  • Wed-Sun, 9am - 4:30pm
• Contact Number: 086 146 8242
• Address: 95 Zinnia Ave, Pretoria
• More Info: Website

The Bester Birds and Animal Zoo Park mission is conservation. Their motto “conservation through conversation” is exactly what you can expect when visiting.

Situated just east of Pretoria near the Grove Mall, it was started by Mike Bester in 1980. The sanctuary was originally a bird store but now they have over 55 different bird species and 40 varieties of animals.

There is a large farm area with various people-friendly animals that children are encouraged to touch and interact with. Visitors are provided with two bowls of tasty animal treats and taught to feed the animals and handle them correctly.

The aim is to educate and inform. The facility hosts private functions but bookings are essential.

• Entrance Fees:
  • R45 - R50pp
• Operating Hours:
  • Tue-Sun, 9am - 5pm
• Contact Number: 012 807 4192
• Address: 44 Simon Vermooten Road, Meyers Park
• More Info: Website

The Kinderplaas Zoo (Children's Zoo), is a facility that is catered to children of all ages. It was founded in 1980 to educate children about domestic farm animals.

Billy and Eran Cahill started the farm on a small holding in Centurion, Gauteng. Children are given the opportunity to come into contact with farm animals by feeding, touching and smelling them, giving them a new appreciation for these domesticated animals.

All activities are conducted in a fun, safe and interesting manner. Guided tours of the facility are available thanks to guides from the Tshwane Metro Department of Nature Conservation.

The facilities on the farm include two play areas, a snack shop, braai (barbecue) facilities and a reptile enclosure.

• Operating Hours:
  • Mon - Sat, 9am - 4:30pm
• Contact Number: 012 330 2780
• Address: 696 Frederika Street, Pretoria
• More Info: Website

Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park is fast becoming one of the most exciting attractions in South Africa, where visitors take part in thrilling activities such as holding a baby crocodile, touching exotic snakes and getting up close and personal with a tarantula.

Croc City was founded by Anton and Marietjie Lötter and began as a commercial crocodile farm. The focus changed over the years to educate people about the conservation of South Africa’s indigenous reptiles. They now strive to assist in the conservation of South African reptiles through education.

• Operating Hours:
  • Mon - Sun, 9am - 4:30pm
• Contact Number: 083 321 1016
• Address: Corner of Cedar Road & R114 Nietgedacht 535, Chartwell
• More Info: Website

Situated 85km north of Pretoria, Mystic Monkeys and Feather Wild Animal Park is home to one of South Africa’s largest private primate collections featuring over 44 species of animals.

They also feature a large number of beautiful exotic birds and predators such as white lions, Bengal tigers and cheetah. Some of the more exotic residents include two Angolan black and white colobus and bearded saki’ babies, white handed gibbons and chimpanzees.

• Operating Hours:
  • Mon - Sun, 9am - 4:00 pm
• Entrance Fees:
  • Adults: R100
  • Children between 2 – 12 years: R50
  • Children under 2 years : No Charge
  • Pensioners: R80
• Contact Number: 082 566 4929
• Address: Farm Buffelsdrift, Bela Bela
• More Info: Website

SWAT Laser Tag games take cops and robbers to a whole new level! This combat game can be enjoyed by the entire family and will have you pulling out your best Bear Grylls tricks! Better yet, you can bring the adventure to your home, office or function venue.

You can play laser tag indoors or outdoors, during the day or in the middle of the night. With the latest state-of-the-art laser taggers, you don’t have to wear heavy vests or headsets, you just have to pick up your gun and run!

• Operating Hours:
  • As per event
• Rates:
  • 2 hour event: R170 per player
  • 1 hour event: R120 per player
• Contact Number: 084 542 8689
• Address: As per event
• More Info: Website

The park offers a range of features including a full size main cable, a beginner specific 2-tower cable, a floating obstacle course called the AquaPark, 1.2km clean water open-water swimming course, and a 1.2km Stand Up Paddling course.

There is also a beach volley ball court and a kids jungle gym that can be used at no extra charge. This place is your escape from the concrete jungle. It’s a chance for the whole family to unwind and let the games begin! There is also a cafe that serves light lunches and is fully licensed.

• Operating Hours:
  • Tues - Fri: 12 pm - 6 pm
  • Sat - Sun: 10 am - 6 pm
• Entrance Fees:
  • R40.00 park entry
  • Prices vary according to activity. View rates here.
• Contact Number: 082 348 6706
• Address: Cnr Olifantsfontein Road & R562 Midrand
• More Info: Website

Pretoria has a handful of fun, inexpensive activities that promise to keep you and your family busy on a day off. Whether you’re looking to relax at the zoo or try your hand at laser tag, Pretoria has it all !

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