ShowMe’s Top Family Activities in the Winelands
Paarl is the perfect place to raise a child. It’s got great schools and so many activities for children.
Here are some ideas of great things you can do with your children.
The Drakenstein Lion Park
Drakenstein Lion Park was established in 1998 to provide lions in distress with sanctuary, where they could live in safety, free from abuse and persecution, and be treated with the compassion and respect they deserve.
It is only genuine lion sanctuary in the Western Cape, with the largest lion population, including rare white lions.
It is now also home to Chimp Haven, a specially designed facility to house the chimps and other animals displaced by the closure of a local zoo.
This is a great place for kids to learn about lions, chimps and other animals, as well as animal conservation. Watching the lions during feeding times is one of the highlights of the visit.
Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm
Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm is a great place for a family day out. From croc pond tours to croc cage diving (ages 9 and up), there is something for everyone.
Guided croc pond tours are offered every 45 minutes starting at 9 am, with feeding taking place at 12 noon and 3 pm. Touch and handle a baby croc, and view crocs underwater via a viewing cabin.
A thrilling new close encounter experience, a croc cage dive, has launched. Bookings for this activity is advisable
Facilities include a restaurant featuring a wood-fired pizza oven, gift shop, ample play area for children, and a waterfront area where catch and release bass fishing may be practised.
Alpaca Loom
Everyone loves Alpacas and the kids will too. Take them over to the Alpaca Loom for a great day out.
Alpaca Barn Tours take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 15:00. The tour lasts about an hour and invites you to meet the resident alpaca herd and learn more about the alpaca, its fibre and the processing from fibre to fabric.
Watch weavers at work, interact with the alpacas in the petting zoo and have your kids use up all that pent-up energy on the jungle gym.
Finish off your day with one of the decadent cakes and a cup of freshly brewed coffee at the coffee shop.
Butterfly World
Butterfly World is a kaleidoscope of colour and activity and a great place to take the kids.
Walk through the tropical gardens and see an array of beautiful butterflies and more.
If you visit on an overcast day, spend your time investigating the other interesting animal displays including reptiles, tarantulas, birds, marmoset monkeys, meerkats and lots more.
The restaurant where you can have light meals and refreshments is open daily, except for Christmas, from 09:00 – 17:00.
Paarl Bird Sanctuary
Paarl Bird Sanctuary is home to more than 140 species of birds and offers a mixture of wetland and mountain bird-watching.
Among the many attractions are the rare Protea Canary and the Black-crowned Night-Heron. The sanctuary also plays host to both local and national rarities such as an American Purple Gallinule, Goliath Heron and Greater Painted-snipe. Grab your binoculars and go and visit our feathered friends.
The Paarl Bird Sanctuary is now only accessible for birding on weekends with viewing during the week only from inside the perimeters of the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
What’s on today? Tomorrow? Visit ShowMe’s Events and Entertainment schedule here.
Bergriver Resort
Berg River Resort is centrally situated in the beautiful Winelands.
Berg River resort is the perfect place to visit for the day. This tranquil setting is the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle.
Facilities include a 3,5m deep Olympic pool, a kiddie’s pool, waterslide and the river which is ideal for swimming and canoeing. Parents and children are free to bring bicycles and explore the area and the animal farmyard is a special attraction.
A perfect choice for your next family break or for a fun day out.
Arts and Crafts at Articles
A great indoor activity to keep your kids busy is arts and crafts.
Articles Fine Arts and Crafts offers many courses that will keep young and old entertained.
They run holiday courses which include classes in ceramic painting, multi media wood, retro canvas, deco wood and wood craft.
If you would prefer to get creative at home, they stock everything you will need for your own arts and crafts projects.
Paarl has a very interesting heritage and history. Holidays are the perfect time to brush up on your knowledge of the town.
Language Museum
The Language Museum in Pastorie Street, has got an interactive display, making it fun for children to learn more about the history and origins of Afrikaans.
Learn where the word “piesang” comes from and how the accents and dialects have changed from the Cape to Gauteng, and everywhere in between.
A fairly new multimedia exhibition – Afrikaans: a rainbow of language – is an interactive introduction to Afrikaans, and the people who speak it – from sheep shearers, fishermen of Waenhuiskrans to taxi Afrikaans, and Cape Afrikaans, spoken by the coloured people of Cape Town and its surrounds.
The Language Monument
The Afrikaans Language Monument is an abstract representation of the history, languages and cultures that influenced Afrikaans. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy the spectacular view of the Paarl Valley or have a light meal at the Volksmond Coffee Shop.
With all the steps and lawns, children will enjoy the freedom to run and climb. There are hiking trails for the whole family and the option of a guided tour or to do it on your own. The route is easily accessible and takes about half an hour to complete.
Movies
Going to the movies is always a great family activity, especially if it’s raining and the kids are climbing the walls.
Whether its comedy or adventure you’re after, MiniMax Cinema in Paarl has a great selection of the latest blockbusters available on the big screen.
Grab some popcorn and settle in for a great family outing.
See the latest blockbusters here.
Fishing
There are some great fishing spots in Paarl and surrounding areas.
Whether you like the calm waters of a dam or the flowing waters of a river, there is bound to be a fresh water fishing spot that will tickle your fancy.
This is a great way to spend some quiet time with your children.
This is not only popular activity for boys, but also for moms and daughters. Read more about where to fish in Paarl here.
Nature Outings
Paarl Nature Reserve and the Arboretum are the perfect locations to get close to the local flora and fauna that Paarl and the Western Cape are renowned for.
Read up beforehand about the indigenous birds and plants you are most likely to see, and turn it into a game of who can identify the most.
The Arboretum is also a fantastic place to take your dog for a walk!
Fancy a picnic? See ShowMe’s Top 12 Picnic Spots in Paarl and Surrounds
Warm enough to swim? Why not visit ShowMe’s 9 places to cool down in Paarl and surrounds
Brush up on your history – take a stroll along the Paarl Historic Walk and learn more about one of South Africa’s oldest towns.
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