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Best Indoor Play Venues in Johannesburg for a Kid’s Day Out
While there are a ton of outdoor places that my family and I appreciate in and around Johannesburg (e.g., botanical gardens and reserves), we often want comfortable and fun venues where we can have some indoor fun.
Luckily, good old Joburg has a number of these spots!
We brought our kids to these indoor attractions and were blown away by the different experiences offered by each spot—from obstacle courses to an art gallery! So, let us share with you the best indoor play areas for your young ones when in the city.
1. BOUNCE Inc.
Address: 95 Winnie Mandela Dr, Fourways, Sandton
Website: http://www.bounceinc.co.za/
Contact Number: +27115172500
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 12:00 NN to 6:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 to 6:00 PM
Bounce Inc. is the place we recommend you visit if your kids want variety in their playtime. This indoor playground located inside Fourways Mall has a ton of activities that will keep their adrenaline levels high and their enjoyment dialled up to 10!
We had our kids try out the trampoline park and the bouncy basketball court, but they gravitated towards the more relaxing free jump arena and the huge trampoline, Big Bag.
| Pro Tip: Bounce Inc. also has a gift card program where you can purchase vouchers for your loved ones. It’s called the Gift of Flight Card and you can purchase it from their website via credit card or with crypto. |
2. Art Jamming Melrose Arch
Address: Shop 27, The Piazza, Melrose Arch Shopping Centre, Atholl Oaklands Rd, Birnam
Website: http://www.artjamming.co.za/
Contact Number: +27116841608
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
With its tagline of “paintertainment,” we think you already have an idea of what Art Jamming Melrose Arch is all about.
The venue says it’s all about fun and freedom, and based on what we saw, painting with your friends and family (without worrying about the mess) is one of the best bonding experiences ever.
We set our manners aside while we were here and painted our masterpiece without worrying about getting some paint on each other—a liberating and unforgettable experience if you ask us.
| Pro Tip: The venue recommends that guests “dress to mess.” Expect your clothes to get permanent paint marks. Hey, at least that’s an added souvenir during your visit! |
3. The Fun Company
Address: Fourways Mall Cnr William Nicol Drive &, Fourways Blvd, Fourways
Website: https://thefuncompany.co.za
Contact Number: +27871649459
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
The Fun Company—as its name implies—is a fun place to be when in Johannesburg with your family. One look at the venue, and we immediately said, “We will need more than a day to experience everything this place has to offer!”
We tried duckpin bowling and had a blast getting a strike on those pins. The kids had an amazing time driving bump cars before hitting the old-school (and nostalgic) video arcade area. A game of Pac-Man, anyone?
| Pro Tip: If you want to enjoy a 10% discount on all the activities offered at the Fun Company, get their VIP (Very Important Player) card. |
4. The Slope
From secretjoburg
Address: Shop U1, Upper-level Cedar Square Shopping Centre, Cedar Rd, Fourways
Website: http://www.theslope.ski/
Contact Number: +27716858091
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
We had fun sliding down the 75-metre-long Slope. With its 20-metre drop and all-blue appearance, it felt like we were carried by rapids.
Guests can slide down the slope seated on circular tubes. We felt safe all throughout the activity, as the staff were there to help us get into these tubes, especially for little kids who need a little more assistance getting ready.
| Pro Tip: While walk-ins are welcome, we recommend booking your tickets in advance, as slots can get full pretty quickly. |
5. CityROCK Johannesburg
Address: 46 Fourth Ave S, Fontainebleau, Randburg
Website: https://cityrock.co.za/
Contact Number: +27100072732
Operating Hours:
- Friday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Monday to Thursday 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
CityROCK Johannesburg is a fun way to test your kid’s climbing abilities at a young age (as long they’re at least 5 years old and above). Our kids tried out the intro course called Kids Top Rope.
They had a ton of fun learning about basic climbing safety protocols, how to tie knots before doing a climb, and how to apply top rope climbing techniques.
The best part about all of these, though, is that the gear rental (harness and shoes) is already included—one less thing to worry about if you ask us!
| Pro Tip: While kids from the age of 5 to 8 can enrol in their Kids Top Rope course, keep in mind that all kids below the age of 12 need to be within sight and supervised by an adult at all times. |
6. Hamleys Fourways Mall
From manuella_gabriella_jayden
Address: 11 Ruby Cl, Witkoppen, Fourways, Sandton
Website: http://www.hamleys.co.za/
Contact Number: +27104480027
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
When our kids hear the name Hamleys, they don’t just think of the popular chain of toy stores. They also associate this place with a fun and adventure-filled venue thanks to its Fourway Mall branch’s indoor playground.
Located right beside the racks and shelves of toys on display, the store’s indoor playground is an impressive sight to behold especially for young kids. Ours had the time of their lives as they slid and bounced in the colourful ball pit.
| Pro Tip: While waiting for your kids to finish their adventure-filled romp at the indoor playground, you can chill out in the nearby Hamleys Cafe. |
7. Bambanani
Address: 85 4th Ave, Melville
Website: http://www.bambanani.biz/
Contact Number: +27114822900
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Bambanani proudly claims that it’s a venue for families, and we can’t help but agree.
When we visited the place, we saw not just a cosy restaurant filled with interesting decor for the little ones but also a covered jungle gym where kids can hang out while the rest of the family enjoys their meals.
Aside from physical activities at the indoor playground, we were also impressed with the amount of books found in their library.
You can also encourage your kids to join the other hosted activities (e.g., face painting and pottery making) to make your visit extra special.
| Pro Tip: To learn more about their upcoming activities, check out their calendar. Their May 2024 calendar is filled with activities (e.g., baking class and Bead Builders) for your kids to participate in. |
8. National Children’s Theatre
Address: 3 Junction Ave, Parktown
Website: http://nctheatresa.org/
Contact Number: +27114841584
The National Children’s Theatre isn’t just a place for your kids to watch amazing performances featuring kiddie themes. It also has a semi-covered play garden area and an indoor venue for your kids and their friends to explore freely.
When we checked out this place, the Wizard of Oz was featured, and the little ones had fun interacting with the costumed stage actors. What’s more, the theatre allowed the kids to get on the stage and enjoy their stage props and backdrops.
| Pro Tip: To learn more about their upcoming shows or events, check out their website for more information. The most recently concluded ones include the Super Heroic Camp and Drop Everything and Read Day. |
9. Total Ninja Stoneridge
Address: Shop U61, Stoneridge Centre, Hereford Rd, Greenstone Park
Website: https://totalninja.co.za/
Contact Number: +27106300611
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Do you (or your kids) have what it takes to be a total ninja? Well, Total Ninja Stoneridge Centre will help you find out if you’re up to the task of being a badass by conquering their fixed obstacle course and warped wall.
We led our kids to the inflatable obstacle courses, though, and the challenge for them here was just right. They moved through inflatable tunnels and walked around inflatable obstacles that were fun and (most importantly) safe to traverse.
| Pro Tip: To get the most bang for your buck, check out their website for deals and promos like Family Ninja Package and Fuel the Ninja Hot Meal. |
10. Play House Alberton
Address: Unit 1, SS Business Park, New Market, 40 Heidelberg Ave, Newmarket AH, Alberton
Website: http://www.theplayhouse.co.za/
Contact Number: 0119080096
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
How else can we describe Play House Alberton other than it’s an indoor theme park? It has an assortment of activities where our little ones can have the time of their lives without worrying about the heat of the sun or heavy rains.
Our kids had fun on the indoor slide and the mini train, but they couldn’t seem to get enough of the ball pit and the colourful obstacle course where they played with their new friends!
| Pro Tip: Check out their Facebook to stay updated on their latest events or promos. They sometimes host pop-up markets where you can score great finds or set up a stall yourself. |
