Schools are almost out and Easter’s coming up. If you’re not going away, the kids will probably get bored and nag you to do something fun. That’s where we come in… Check out our list of Joburg-based fun and affordable activities for the whole family.

With two long weekends and public school holiday just around the corner, parents are all scrambling for good ideas on how to keep boredom at bay for their kids. And with the economy the way it is, a holiday is not an option for most of us, which means you’re stuck in Joburg.

So, we’ve compiled a list of affordable and fun family activities in the larger Jozi area guaranteed to help you make great memories over Easter without breaking the bank.

Johannesburg Activities

 

James Hall Museum of Transport

Who would have thunk that in the heart of Pioneers Park – otherwise known as Wemmer Pan – lies this little gem… Established by the late Jimmie Hall in partnership with the City of Johannesburg way back in 1964, the James Hall Museum of Transport is the most comprehensive transport museum in the country. With more than seven collections, including trams and trolley busses as well as fire engines and equipment, your kids are bound to learn a thing or two.  Entrance is completely free and you can even have a picnic on the premises – all the more reason to pack up the family and go enjoy!

Croc and Reptile City

A mere five minutes’ drive from Fourways, Croc and Reptile City is a hit with the kids! Not only do they offer a range of informative tours where you’ll get to see a float of crocodiles (from teeny-tiny ones to ‘magogo’ crocs that are more than 5m long), but you and the fams can also grab a light lunch while you’ll around. Plus, the kids can even hold a baby crocodile, a bunch of different snake species and even… eeek… a Tarantula (talk about not being for the faint-hearted). Kids under 12 enter for R50 and adults pay R70.

Lipizzaners’ Sunday shows

It’s a crowd pleaser of note (and a total bucket list item if you haven’t seen it before), the Lipizzaners’ Sunday shows are often packed and always popular. Watching these graceful animals move elegantly in synchronicity while being completely in tune with their rider astonishes even the toughest crowd. After the show, you can picnic on the premises or even go meet the star performers themselves. R150 per person gets you a front row seat.

Watch a flick

Let’s face it: Everybody loves Kung Fu Panda… And since it’s showing at Ster Kinekor cinemas from the 18th of March, there’s simply no reason why you can treat the kids to travel along with Po and his clan on their adventures in China. Not a fan of animated movies? No problem! The more mature part of the family is sure to enjoy the action-packed Batman versus Superman: Dawn of Justice instead.

Paintball

So your kids are almost in their teens, they’ve got energy to spare and are finally coming out from behind their computer screens? Why not take them paintballing? The Bush Paintball Range is situated 15 – 20 minutes’ drive from north-west Joburg and, with six different playing fields, you don’t even have to worry about booking. A standard 3-hour package will set you back R150 per person and that includes 100 paintballs too.

Gold Reef City

The truth is that getting the adrenaline pumping never gets old, especially not if you’re a kiddie.  And while the queues might be longer, it’ll all be worth it when you witness those wide candyfloss-covered smiles or hear the little squeals of sheer delight as your kids hop from one ride to the next. As little as R131.45 per person for a family of four gets you in the door, while individual tickets go up to R185 a pop. We’re willing to bet the kids will fall asleep in the car on the way home, giving you some well-deserved down-time too.

Rand Show

It simply wouldn’t be Easter without the annual Rand Easter Show. And this year it’s bigger and bolder than ever.  Catering specifically for kiddies, this year’s show has a dedicated Science and Technology Laboratory where kids can experiment and play with everything from astronomy to robotics. And when that gets old, there will also be a pets and animals section as well as a “Kids Kingdom” that’s packed with activities and events galore. Kids under 6 years old enter for free, between the ages of 6 and 12 you’ll pay R20, 13 -16 year olds will need R50 and adults enter at R150 per person.

As you can see from this list, come rain or shine there’s something fun and affordable to do with the family in the city of gold this Easter.