Acrobranch is one of South Africa’s most popular adventure parks. They’re an outdoor adventure centre that allows participants to go from one treetop to another and enjoy the forests.

They’re a very successful activity centre with nine branches nationwide. We like that while all parks are uniform in terms of the theme, each location offers a unique experience.

For example, the Melrose Jozi branch offers an Acro-twigs course that is 2-3 metres above the ground for children 3 to 6 years old.

Another feature we like about Acrobranch is they offer a variety of courses suitable for different ages and difficulty levels. Each course has different obstacles like ziplines, Tarzan swings, bridges, nets, and many more.

Acrobranch accommodates both adults and children, which is awesome, especially for adventurous families. This is also a great venue for parties, team-building activities, and school outings.

We love that they have a separate area and package for younger kids. While these kiddie courses offer the same experience as the ones for adults, these are designed for specific ages and heights.

We also appreciate Acrobranch’s safety protocols implemented in the whole centre. The courses for kids are supervised by adults and are carefully designed to be safe and enjoyable for children.

Take note, though, that Acrobranch is often very busy. There are a handful of complaints about regular cases of overbooking, which affects customers’ experience.

There are also not enough staff to assist all the participants. We’re told that when it gets really crowded, there are no available staff to watch over kids, which can be dangerous.

If you’re looking for fun, indoor activities for your kids, The Fun Company Zone can be a good choice. They’re a family entertainment centre that’s been around for over four decades now.

Presently, they have 12 branches in different provinces and they’re continuously growing, with plans to expand in the near future.

Each branch features several attractions, including bump cars, glow mini golf, tenpin bowling, arcade games, 4D theatre, sports bar, laser maze, jungle gym, and some more. 

However, each branch only has an average of six activities in total and no branch has all the attractions. If you’re looking for specific activities, you’d have to check their checklist per branch online.

Generally, The Fun Company Zone uses smaller space compared to other activity centres. Regardless, they also accommodate different events like birthday parties, team building, functions, and fundraisers.

We like that they have affordable rates for their activities with a price range of R 5 to R 70. We think it’s awesome that they also offer discounts on Tuesdays, when everything is half-price.

Lastly, The Fun Company Zone is preferred for its long operational hours, especially on weekends. We love how they’re able to accommodate groups of friends and families after commitments during weekdays. 

Hashtag Escape is perfect for those who enjoy solving puzzles, especially for those who love a thrill. They offer escape rooms where you will be “trapped” for an hour and the only way for you to get out is to solve mysteries and puzzles inside the room.

We love that they offer fun and challenging activities that test an individual’s wit and the team’s chemistry.

They have the widest selection of escape rooms in Johannesburg. Hashtag Escape features four different rooms with different puzzles and difficulty levels: Hack Out (9.5/10), Rebel (8.5/10), Red Moon (7/10), and Closure (6/10). 

Game rooms can accommodate 3 – 7 people, perfect for small groups. For bigger groups, Hashtag Escape suggests booking several rooms simultaneously to allow everyone to participate.

Unfortunately, Hashtag Escape’s facilities are not suitable for young children. They require all participants to be at least 7 years old, and children below 12 need a guardian.

We like that it’s very easy to check available schedules and book slots. They also accommodate same-day bookings when possible.

Our favourite feature of Hashtag Escape, though, is their interactive online 3D escape puzzle game. Who says you need to go out of your house to have fun with friends? 

We love that it can accommodate as many as 500 participants and you get to play in breakout rooms for about two hours. This is perfect for hangouts, team-building activities, and getting-to-know parties.

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is Gauteng province’s best science centre. They’re partnered with the Gauteng Department of Education and were built to support maths, science and technology education.

We included them on our list because we love the idea of mixing fun with learning. We love how Sci-Bono Discovery Centre features a wide collection of educational resources for students, parents, and teachers.

They also offer online classes for several programmes, including cybersecurity and coding.

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre features more than 350 permanent interactive exhibits within its premises, which we think is awesome. These exhibits are designed to let visitors touch, feel, press and explore enjoyably.

They also have mobile exhibits which are usually used when they set up educational exhibitions in schools, community centres, and others.

It’s also a plus for us that Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is open seven days a week, allowing them to accommodate more learners.

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre also has very cheap entrance fees which we commend, especially since part of their mission is to allow students experience science and technology.

The entrance fee for adults is only R 60 and R 40 for children 3-18 years old.

Some parents and guardians are concerned about Sci-Bono Discovery Centre’s poor location, though. We’re told there are many hawkers around the area and they worry it might not be safe for young kids.

There are also a handful of complaints regarding Sci-Bono Discovery Centre’s customer service. Previous customers shared with us their disappointment after dealing with staff members who were snotty and seemed like they didn’t want to be there.

Johannesburg Zoo is one of the most popular tourist and leisure attractions in the city. They’re also one of the oldest recreational spaces founded, having been built in 1904.

This is the perfect place if your kid loves nature and the outdoors. The zoo occupies 55 hectares of land as part of the 20,000 hectares of green open spaces which are known as the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ).

We love how you can plan your day to visit the zoo and then head to the parks, gardens, and reserves afterwards. 

Johannesburg Zoo started with just a few animals, and its collection expanded over the years. Currently, it features 326 species consisting of 2,096 specimens. 

One thing unique about this centre is it allows you to “adopt” an animal. Take note, though, that this adoption is merely symbolic and the animals actually remain at the zoo.

How it works is you “sponsor” an animal of your choice for a whole year. Of course, there’s a whole process for it, but it’s quite easy and the fees aren’t that costly (min R 300).

Another thing we love about Johannesburg Zoo is its educational programmes. However, these are usually availed by schools for educational field trips.

If there’s anything Johannesburg Zoo needs to improve on, it’s maintenance. There are several grumbles from previous visitors about how the facilities are worn out and dirty, which aren’t very safe for children.

What’s worse is, even some of the animals’ conditions are bad. We’re told animals were either caged or were left under the scorching sun, and many looked sickly.

We hope management can look into these issues and improve their services, especially for the animals’ sake.

Under the Oak Tree is an events venue. They’re kids party specialists and we’re sure they’ll come up with something that will make kids have the time of their lives.

Their place boasts of two exclusive party venues to choose from. Each of their venues have a fictional city with “real life” play facilities ranging from quaint houses to shopping centers.

We think it’s a place where children can really let their imagination flow and have a great time.

While it’s an outdoor party venue, they’re ready for any weather with under cover areas for adults and under cover play equipment for children in case it rains.

For parents, if you’d like to plan a party and don’t want the stress of planning and everything, we think they can be your best bet because they’re a one-stop-shop that offers all around service from party planning to execution.

Their prices and schedules are conveniently placed on their website. Their rates range from R2900 to R3100.

They don’t have any information on safety measures and we hope that’s something they include on their website.

If you’re looking to show your kids a taste of how wonderful nature is, then look no further away from Melville Koppies Nature Reserve. A little information about the reserve, Melville Koppies is a Johannesburg Municipal Historic Site as well as a Nature Reserve. 

Melville Koppies is the final preserved vestige of Johannesburg’s ridges prior to the finding of gold in 1886. It has a geology that dates back three billion years. Early Stone Age man camped here as long as 500 000 years ago, according to stone tools. 

There is a living floor from the Late Stone Age. Iron Age immigrants arrived during the previous 1000 years, and the ruins of their kraal walls may be discovered on the northern slopes. An iron-smelting furnace was excavated in 1963 and may still be seen today.

Melville Koppies Natural Reserve provides instructors with a hands-on and meaningful learning experience for their students. The excursions are led by experienced volunteer guides and are tailored to the needs of instructors and students ranging from pre-primary to grade 12. Teachers who bring school groups to the Koppies receive a free CD of their choosing. CDs cost R50 apiece.

When it comes to providing a memorable and delightful experience for kids, our recent visit to Zoo Lake Bowls was nothing short of spectacular.

We embarked on an adventure, and this hidden gem proved to be a true paradise for children’s activities.

From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by a staff dedicated to ensuring a hassle-free experience. Our kids were immediately drawn to the vast array of options available.

The efficiency with which they managed a bustling playground was commendable, ensuring that all the young explorers were entertained and safe.

Quality is a priority at Zoo Lake Bowls, and it shows in every aspect of their service. The meticulously maintained playground equipment, surrounded by lush greenery, created a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.

Our kids couldn’t get enough of the well-structured play areas, and we were equally impressed by the overall cleanliness and upkeep.

The true test of any kid’s activity center lies in the smiles and laughter it brings to young faces. Here, it’s a resounding success. Our children were engrossed in various activities, from the enchanting mini-golf course to the thrilling jungle gym.

Their joy was a testament to the quality of experience Zoo Lake Bowls provides.

We all know that providing an exceptional family outing can sometimes come at a steep price. However, this is where Zoo Lake Bowls pleasantly surprised us. The cost was not only reasonable, but it felt like a genuine value for the unforgettable day our kids had.

This was an activity that didn’t break the bank and still delivered immense fun.

However, they can get fully booked quickly due to popularity. We recommend reserving a slot ahead of time.

National Children’s Theatre (NCT) is a prominent theater organization located in Gauteng, South Africa, dedicated to providing educational and engaging theatrical experiences for children and youth.

Their mission is to transform young lives, nurture the next generation of leaders, and support social growth through vibrant and instructive performance arts, original musicals, and immersive after-school programs.

NCT is committed to delivering educational and engaging theater experiences for children and youth. We like their focus on instructive musicals and performance arts as it introduces young audiences to the world of creativity and storytelling.

The NCT campus boasts multiple indoor theaters, an outdoor theater, a puppet theater, a music room, and classrooms for weekend workshops and holiday camps.

We like how the diverse range of spaces allows for a wide variety of theatrical experiences, catering to different age groups and preferences.

NCT’s touring theater teams reach out to various South African provinces, including rural areas. This broad coverage ensures that children across the country have access to quality theater experiences, which is especially valuable for those who might not have otherwise encountered live performances.

NCT’s reach extends to townships and rural areas, introducing live performance to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

Their inclusive approach, including bursaries for workshops and outreach to orphanages, demonstrates a commitment to making theater accessible to all children.