Whether you’re planning a short stay or moving for good, it’s important to make sure that everyone is accounted for in your East Rand itinerary.

We’re dedicating this article to those adorable toddlers – yes, your cute, bubbly (and often tantrum-y) little ones! Let us locals be your guide to the best toddler-friendly activity centres, daycare centres, and food places in the area.

What can toddlers do in the East Rand?

Below, we listed down some of the best toddler-friendly activities and places to try out in East Rand:

Toddler-friendly playgrounds and activity centres	The Playhouse
	Adventure Golf
	Carnival city
	Little Kickers
	Go-Play Kids Indoor Play Centre
Day care centres	Integrum SA Daycare
	Einsteins In Action Daycare and Aftercare
	Petras Edu-Playgroup
	Gigglebellies Day Care
	Little Willows Nursery School
Food places	Happily Ever Laughter
	Papachinos
	Lago Puccini Cafe & Lounge
	John Dory’s
	Bennigan’s

Continue reading for a detailed look at each of these featured destinations! Find out what makes them so special and why they should be on your family’s must-visit list.

Explore and have fun at playgrounds and activity centres.

We know playtime is more than just fun for toddlers; it’s an important part of their growth and development. Luckily, the East Rand is home to a variety of playgrounds and activity centres that allow children to explore and learn through play. 

1. The Playhouse

Website	https://www.facebook.com/theplayhouse1
Address	New Market, Unit 1 SS Business Park, 40 Heidelberg Ave, Alberton, 1449, South Africa
Rates	R150 per child for 1.5 hoursR195 per child for unlimited play

The Playhouse is a popular indoor play venue – and lucky for us, we have our own branch in Alberton! 

Mums and Dads, you’ll have a range of activities and games here to keep kids entertained for hours. There’s a soft play area with slides, ball pits, and tunnels for younger children; while older kids can enjoy activities like go-karting, and mini-golf.

It’s also quite safe, too. The facility is fully equipped with state-of-the-art security systems, and all the play equipment is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that they’re in excellent condition. 

The Playhouse also has a dedicated team of staff members who are ready to assist with anything you need, ensuring that your child’s experience is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

2. Adventure Golf

Website	https://adventuregolf.co.za/
Address	Stoneridge Centre, No. I Stoneridge Drive, Greenstone Park, Edenvale, East Rand
Rates	R 75 for children under 7 and pensioners R 120 for adults

Adventure Golf is one of our favourite family-friendly mini-golf courses located in the East Rand. 

Despite it being obviously smaller than regular golf courses, the course is designed to look like the real deal, complete with water features, sand traps, and beautiful landscaping. 

The mini-golf course has 18 holes, each with a unique design and level of difficulty suitable for all ages, so this can be the perfect place to teach your toddler some mini-golf.

We love how Adventure Golf offers a fun and relaxing atmosphere for families to enjoy. The course is also well-maintained and their staff are very friendly and easy to talk to.

The facility also features a restaurant that serves a variety of snacks and refreshments, making it the perfect place to enjoy a family outing.

3. Carnival city

Website	https://www.suninternational.com/carnival-city/kids-activities/
Address	Cnr Century Road &, Elsburg Rd, Brakpan, Boksburg, 1541, South Africa
Rates	R300 per child/person

Carnival City is a casino and entertainment complex that features an extensive range of activities and attractions. 

For children, the Magic Company arcade offers a range of exciting games and activities, which we can personally vouch for. 

The Ten-Pin Bowling alley provides a fun and competitive experience and the Laser Zone is a popular attraction for older children and teenagers, offering an adrenaline-pumping game of laser tag.

Carnival City also features a variety of restaurants serving different cuisines, including the family-friendly Harvest Grill & Wine, where children can enjoy a play area while parents dine. 

Lastly, we recommend participating in the regular events and shows hosted by the complex, including comedy shows, concerts, and theatre productions.

4. Little Kickers

Website	https://www.littlekickers.co.za/
Address	2 Malherbe Rd, Rynfield, Benoni, 1501, South Africa
Rates	R 580 per child per month (*plus a one-off registration fee of R 580.00, which includes your child’s shirt and shorts)

If you’re planning to expose your toddler to sports early, we recommend enrolling at Little Kickers, a soccer program for children between the ages of 18 months and 7 years old. 

You can breathe a sigh of relief, too – you won’t be doing the heavy lifting here! The place is run by trained coaches who use age-appropriate games and activities to teach children basic soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. 

The program is divided into four age groups: Little Kicks (18 months to 2.5 years old), Junior Kickers (2.5 to 3.5 years old), Mighty Kickers (3.5 to 5 years old), and Mega Kickers (5 to 7 years old). 

Each group has its own curriculum that is tailored to the specific needs and abilities of the children in that age range.

If your little one is celebrating their birthday soon, Little Kickers also offers birthday party packages that include a soccer-themed party, a coach-led soccer session, and a party host to keep the children entertained. 

5. Go-Play Kids Indoor Play Centre

Website	https://www.go-play.co.za/
Address	Moreleta Park 124 Garsfontein Street, Moreleta Park 0181, Gauteng
Rates	R 60 per child

Go-Play Kids Indoor Play Centre is a play centre popular for offering a safe and stimulating environment for children to play and explore. 

The play area features a soft play area with ball pits, tunnels, and climbing frames for younger children, while older kids can enjoy a range of activities like trampolines, a zip line, and a foam pit.

One of the features parents love about this play centre is its dedication to safety and hygiene – all equipment is regularly cleaned and maintained. 

We also met with the facility’s dedicated team of staff members and were impressed with their eagerness to ensure that children have a fun and safe experience.

Play with other toddlers at a daycare centre.

As parents, we all want our little ones to have the chance to socialise and make friends. That’s where daycare centres come in – they offer a safe and supportive environment for toddlers to play and interact with other children their age. 

The East Rand has a range of excellent daycare centres that provide a range of activities and games, as well as opportunities for learning and development.

1. Integrum SA Daycare

Website	https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088438022969
Address	166 3rd Avenue, Bredell AH, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
Rates	Available upon inquiry

Integrum SA is a small daycare centre that offers full day care for children aged three to five, as well as aftercare services for school-going children up to the age of 12.

Parents who send their little ones to Integrum SA love that their children are encouraged to participate in activities that help develop their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. 

We also recommend this centre for its spacious play areas both indoors and outdoors, equipped with age-appropriate toys and equipment.

The caregivers at Integrum SA are well-trained and experienced in early childhood development – so if you’re extra particular on the kind of day care experience you want for your tot, this is probably a good option.

The centre also offers a nutritious meal plan that is tailored to meet the dietary needs of each child.

The centre has a strict security protocol in place, including CCTV cameras, access control systems, and a dedicated security team so parents and guardians don’t have to worry about the children’s safety.

2. Einsteins In Action Daycare and Aftercare

Website	https://www.facebook.com/people/Einsteins-In-Action-Daycare-and-Aftercare
Address	2 Prestwick Avenue Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, South Africa
Rates	Available upon inquiry

Einsteins In Action Daycare and Aftercare is a reputable early childhood development centre that caters to children between the ages of 3 months and 6 years old and provides a safe and nurturing environment for them to learn and grow.

We recommend Einsteins In Action for its range of educational and developmental programs designed to stimulate children’s minds and enhance their social, emotional, and physical development. 

We like how the centre’s curriculum includes interactive and fun activities such as story time, music, art, and outdoor play, all aimed at encouraging children’s creativity and imagination.

In addition to their daycare program, Einsteins In Action also offers aftercare services for children up to 12 years old. The aftercare program provides a safe and structured environment for children to do homework, socialise, and engage in fun activities.

3. Petras Edu-Playgroup

Website	https://www.petraseduplaygroup.co.za/
Address	34 Wordsworth Ave, Senderwood, Germiston, 2007, South Africa, South Africa
Rates	R 300 for registrationWalk-in and monthly fees are available upon inquiry

Petra’s Edu-Playgroup is a daycare and preschool that offers various programs and services, including full-day and half-day daycare, a preschool program, and holiday care for children aged between 2 and 6 years old. 

They provide a curriculum that focuses on building fundamental skills such as language development, numeracy, and social skills, while also fostering creativity and imagination.

One of the standout features of Petra’s Edu-Playgroup is its commitment to maintaining a small class size, ensuring that each child receives attention and care. 

The facility is also spacious and well-equipped with child-safe toys, games, and learning materials to support children’s growth and development. 

We also like how the facility has a secure outdoor play area, where children can engage in physical activities and enjoy the fresh air.

4. Gigglebellies Day Care 

Website	https://gigglebellies.co.za/
Address	22 White St, Parkrand, Boksburg, 1459
Rates	Available upon inquiry

Giggle Bellies Day Care is a charming toddler-friendly daycare centre that accommodates children between the ages of 3 months to 12 years. The centre is also one of the forerunners in the field, with more than 20 years of experience.

Giggle Bellies Day Care is staffed with experienced and qualified members who are genuinely great with young children. 

They also have an open-door policy for parents to visit at any time and have a dedicated team of staff members to address any concerns or questions. 

Giggle Bellies Day Care provides a fun curriculum that includes music, dance, art, and outdoor play. 

The centre also offers nutritious meals and snacks, and they have a strict hygiene policy to ensure the safety and health of all children.

5. Little Willows Nursery School

Website	http://littlewillows.co.za/
Address	7 Willow Rd, Eveleigh, Boksburg, 1459, South Africa
Rates	Available upon inquiry

Little Willows Nursery School is a reputable nursery school and is personally our favourite. We just love how they’re committed to providing a space for toddlers where play time is valued over screen time.

The school provides focus on early childhood development stages from 3 months to 6 years and encourages social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development in young children.

Little Willows Nursery School also has a team of qualified and experienced teachers who are passionate about providing high-quality education to young children. We’ve met with some of their teachers and found them to be really passionate about what they do.

Aside from the superb quality of service, we prefer this daycare and nursery school for its spacious and well-equipped classrooms, as well as outdoor play areas that are designed to promote gross motor skills development. 

Little Willows Nursery School also offers a range of extracurricular activities, including swimming lessons, computer lessons, and baking classes. 

Grab some yummy food at food places with play areas.

Eating out with toddlers can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Many restaurants on the East Rand have play areas for children, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal while your children have fun. 

These restaurants offer a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere where you can sit back and relax while your children play nearby.

1. Happily Ever Laughter

Website	http://www.happilyeverlaughter.co.za/
Address	24a Riley Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston, 2008, South Africa

Happily Ever Laughter is a boutique restaurant as well as an entertainment company. 

They provide a variety of services such as interactive shows, face painting, balloon twisting, and character appearances, which children can enjoy while parents try out the restaurant’s delicious food.

We love this place because it’s fun not just for children, but for the grown-ups too!

2. Papachinos

Website	https://www.papachinos.co.za/
Address	Papachinos Boksburg

Papachinos is a popular family-friendly restaurant chain known for its great food and fantastic play areas for children. 

We just love how the restaurant has indoor and outdoor play areas with a range of activities to keep children of all ages entertained, including jungle gyms, trampolines, and ball pits.

The play areas are well-maintained and fully supervised by trained staff members, ensuring that parents can relax and enjoy their meals while their children have fun in a safe environment.

In addition to the play areas, Papachinos has an extensive menu that caters to both adults and children, with a focus on Italian-inspired cuisine. The food they serve is filling and just delicious – even our team couldn’t get enough!

3. Lago Puccini Cafe & Lounge

Website	https://www.lagopuccini.co.za/
Address	Park Rd, Parkhaven, Boksburg, 1465, South Africa

Lago Puccini Cafe & Lounge is a cosy family-friendly restaurant that serves mouthwatering Italian cuisine. 

What sets Lago Puccini apart from other famous restaurants in East Rands is its large and well-maintained play area for children, which is perfect for keeping kids entertained while parents enjoy their meals.

The play area at Lago Puccini features a range of activities and games for children of all ages, including a jungle gym, a trampoline, and various play structures. 

Most importantly, it’s fully enclosed and supervised by trained staff members, ensuring that children can play safely while parents eat. 

On top of the spacious play area, Lago Puccini offers a variety of delicious Italian dishes, including pizza, pasta, and seafood. 

4. John Dory’s

Website	https://www.johndorys.com
Address	Shop 94, East Rand Mall, Bentel Ave, Boksburg North, Johannesburg, 1459, South Africa

If you’ve spent enough time in Johannesburg, or even Gauteng in general, you’d know of John Dory’s. They’re a seafood restaurant chain with various locations all over South Africa. 

The restaurant offers a variety of seafood dishes such as fish and chips, calamari, prawns, sushi, and more. 

It also has an excellent play area for children aged 12 and under, which includes a range of activities and games to keep kids entertained while the grown-ups eat and mingle.

5. Bennigan’s Bedfordview

Website	http://www.bennigans.co.za/
Address	Cnr Skeen Boulevard &, Hawley Rd, Bedfordview, Johannesburg, 2007, South Africa

Bennigan’s is another one of our favourite children-friendly restaurants in the East Rand. We love how their play area is colourful, fun, and designed to let children really spend their energy.

The play area is situated within view of the restaurant seating – perfect for parents who want their downtime while keeping their kids within sight. It’s also watched over by a team of trained and friendly staff.

Bennigan’s menu features a range of American-style dishes, including burgers, ribs, wings, and salads, as well as a variety of cocktails and other drinks. We also like how they have a kid’s menu, perfect for when the children are taking a break from playing.

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