Parents know all too well that going out with a toddler requires meticulous planning. You also can’t overstuff your day with activities, since you’re dealing with a little human who can tire quite easily!

If you’re in Pretoria and clueless about what to do with your little tyke (or tykes!), you’ll be glad to know that there are a tonne of things you can enjoy together. 

We’re sharing some of these with you in this article in hopes of helping you tick off several days’ worth of adventures with the kiddos! 

What can I do with my toddler in Pretoria?

1. Tour the National Zoological Gardens.

We already know that South Africa’s zoos are in a league of their own, so visiting the National Zoological Gardens is a no-brainer. This is one activity that’ll take up an entire morning (or afternoon), thus filling your little one’s fun cup.

Spanning 85 hectares and featuring over 3,000 species, there’s a lot to discover in this place. You and your toddler will surely enjoy ooh-ing and aah-ing over gorgeous flamingos, blue cranes, and leopards, among others!

You may even have to come back for another visit, as it’s possible you won’t be able to explore the entire space before naptime! The good news is that they’re open daily, so finding another day to come back shouldn’t be much of a problem.

But fair warning, there are going to be large crowds, especially on weekends. It might help to go there first thing in the morning to avoid most of the congestion.

2. Go swimming at Cedar Junction Family Resort.

Cedar Junction Family Resort is a family-friendly destination that’s suitable for all ages, whether it’s your toddlers or their grandparents. 

Your toddler will be spoilt for choice here when it comes to water fun and more! They’ve got 4 sets of swimming pools, 16 different water slides and one long but exciting train ride.

Pro tip: Renting the lapa is a more convenient option since you’ll have the cottage to yourself, especially if you’re a big family. It’s fairly priced and safer to stay inside it where you can comfortably sit while eating good food.

Book it online to get more affordable deals. To lessen your expenses, pack up your own picnic basket along with other essentials like swimsuits and sunblock for the kids.

You’ll be glad to know that their lifeguards are quite strict, which should add to your peace of mind when minding your young ones.

3. Bounce on the trampoline at Bounce Menlyn Maine.

Take a leap of faith and bring your kids to Bounce Menlyn Maine for a fun and exhilarating weekend together. It’s a trampoline park in Pretoria that’s made to cater to kids of all ages, even toddlers.

Your kids will love the free-jump arena, trampoline slam dunk and the wall tramps, which will have them rolling on the floor and laughing in excitement!

To kick things up a notch, take your kids to X-Park, an obstacle course where they can climb, jump and run around the place until they’re spent.

You can even join in the fun with your kids and enjoy the free-jumping arena for as long as you like.

Aside from being easily accessible, Bounce has lots of parking spaces available so you can place your cars in secure locations while you and your family have the time of your life inside.

4. Explore the Irene Village Market.

Located at the Big Red Barn in Pretoria, the Irene Village Market is a great place to buy different arts and crafts items for your family. We love going here for handmade products with good value for money.

If you’re not in the mood for shopping, you can take things slow and unwind at the centre part of the market where there are lots of available tables and chairs to accommodate your entire family.

Make the most out of your seated break and enjoy local dishes and listen to some live jazz with your kids.

If your kids are wanting some space away from the crowds, there’s a hidden area a few metres away from the centre of the market, which offers the perfect panoramic view of the surrounding grasslands and the Kaal river.

You can bring your picnic mats with you and spend some downtime while watching the sunset with your family here.

5. Have a picnic at Jan Cilliers Park.

You can never go wrong with a picnic at Jan Cilliers Park with your kids. We love going here because it’s peaceful and offers much-needed fresh air after a long week.

It’s a hidden gem in the city of Pretoria that covers 4.5 hectares of land – lots of space for you to roam around with your kids. And the best part is it’s open all the time, so you can go here whenever you want!

As you explore the area, you’ll see a variety of tall trees, glistening ponds and well-maintained gardens that make for peaceful company.

You can even bring your furry pets with you. Enjoy watching them play and run freely around the park with your little walkers!.

Since the area has flat and clean grass, you won’t have to worry about your kids getting hurt even if they trip on the ground. Make sure to bring some extra clothes, though, as their clothes are bound to get soiled from food and play.

6. Stroll around The Grove Mall.

One of the biggest shopping centres in Pretoria, The Grove Mall is a must-visit for all families. They have a plethora of shops and restaurants that you and your kids will definitely enjoy.

What we like about the Grove is its large parking spaces that accommodate a large volume of visitors at any time of the day. It’s also clean and well-maintained with a great food court featuring amazing and affordable food options.

7. Ride a tractor at Ludwig’s Rose Farm.

Do something out of the norm and introduce your toddler to a unique experience by visiting Ludwig’s Rose Farm. In our opinion, it’s a great way to have some family time without breaking the bank!

Entrance is free, so you can enjoy the playground and their tractor train ride to your (and your little one’s) heart’s content.

The tractor train ride also offers a tour of their bountiful rose gardens with blooming flowers of different varieties, which is a sight for sore eyes if you’re an urban dweller.

There is also a separate playground on the farm so your kids can keep running around and having fun while you relax with a refreshing drink.

8. Check out birds at the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary.

We know that birdwatching may sound boring, but really, we think it’s an underrated activity that you and your kids may unexpectedly enjoy.

Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary features lots of unique bird species like the grey-crowned crane, blue crane and rock dove.

This 11.8-hectare location is perfect for families like yours who want to breathe in that fresh air, stroll around and take their time without worrying about anything else.

If you’re getting hungry, the Blue Crane Restaurant is a few steps away since it’s adjacent to the sanctuary. Their portions are generous, so each dish is good to share with the entire family.

Any other toddler-friendly places we missed? Let us know in the comments below!