10 Child Friendly Museums
Article from Living and Loving Magazine August 2015.
Spend quality time with your kids while they learn more about science, art, history and culture.
James Hall Museum of Transport
Rosettenville, Johannesburg
The James Hall Museum of Transport is a themed land transport museum covering various modes of transport dating back 400 years. It is also the largest museum of its kind in South Africa. Steam-driven vehicles, trains, trams and trolley busses, fire- fighting vehicles, early bicycles, animal-drawn vehicles and cars are all available for viewing.
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am-5pm.
Entrance fee: Free – for more information call 011 435 9485.
National Cultural History Museum
Pretoria, Gauteng
The best way for children to learn about the cultural history of South Africa is to take them to the National Cultural History Museum. The museum explores South Africa’s cultural diversity in various permanent and temporary exhibitions. These include rock paintings and engravings of the San people, as well as 1 000-year-old Iron Age figurines from Schroda in Limpopo Province. The art gallery presents an overview of South African culture through time, using cultural objects, craft, sculpture and paintings.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4pm; weekends and public holidays, 9am-4pm.
Entrance fee: R25, children; R35, adults – for more information visit.
South African Naval Museum
Simon’s Town, Cape Town
If you’re curious about what the inside of a submarine looks like, then visit the South African Naval Museum in Simon’s Town. There’s a life-size ship’s bridge, a cross-section of the inside of a submarine’s operations room, and all manner of naval guns and general equipment.
Opening times: Daily from 10am-4pm.
Entrance fee: Free – for more information call 021 787 4686.
Constitution Hill Children’s Room
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Children can now learn about their rights and responsibilities in fun and interactive ways in the Children’s Room at the Old Fort. Puppet shows, storytelling, arts and crafts, and drama workshops give children creative opportunities to learn through play. Perfect for children aged three to 12, there are three different activities available every day.
Opening times: Weekdays, 9am-5pm; weekends, 10am-4pm.
Entrance fee: Free – for more information visit.
South African Museum
Cape town
The South African Museum is the oldest and largest museum on the subcontinent. A landmark in the historic Company’s Garden, the museum is housed in an elegant late-Victorian building that was opened in the 1880s and has been enlarged with modern extensions. The South African Museum houses more than 1.5 million specimens ranging from 700-million-year-old fossils to spectacular insects. There are also stone tools made by people 120 000 years ago, as well as traditional clothes from the last century.
Opening times: Daily from 10am-5pm.
Entrance fee: Adults, R30; children between six and 18, R15; children under five enter free – for more information visit.
Bergtheil Museum
Westville, Durban
The Bergtheil Museum is mostly focused on the first German settlers that Jonas Bergtheil brought to Natal. The museum is housed within Westville’s oldest building, featuring beautiful high stone walls and hand-hewn floorboards. A picturesque, serene park surrounds the historical building. This museum has a wonderful collection of photographs, documents and artefacts. The building was declared a National Monument in 1983.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 9am-12pm.
Entrance fee: Free – for more info call 031 311 2223
Greytown Museum
Greytown, KwaZulu Natal
The Greytown Museum is considered to be one of the finest small museums in the country and boasts a number of excellent exhibits that will appeal to young and old alike. The museum houses a Hindu and Muslim room, Zulu culture room, Victorian children’s room, military room, old farming equipment, medical displays, steam engines and an old hearse, to name a few.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4pm
Entrance fee: – Free, but donations welcome – for more information visit.
Smuts House Museum
Irene, Pretoria
Smuts House Museum, a simple wood and iron farmhouse, is situated in a park of indigenous trees and shrubs. Visitors are able to tour the museum, go for walks, or picnic in the area. The museum also boasts an art market, a tea garden, as well as numerous food stalls and exhibits.
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9.30am-4pm; weekends from 9.30-5pm.
Entrance fee: R20 for adults and R10 for children – for more information visit or call 012 667 1176.
Oliewenhuis Museum
Bloemfontein, Free State
The Oliewenhuis Museum’s Colourful Carousel initiative involves artists from all over South Africa, and seeks to combine African mythology with a European concept of mythology. In addition to being a work of art, the carousel is about fun. It invites children to play and explore, removing the stigma of ‘untouchable art’ and encouraging them to be a part of the sculpture.
Operating Hours: Weekdays, 8am-5pm; weekends and public holidays, 9am-4pm
Entrance fee: Free – for more information visit.
Warrior Toy Museum
Simon’s Town, Cape Town
The Warrior Toy Museum in Simon’s Town houses a variety of toys that will make parents feel young again. The museum displays 4 000 model cars, 500 dolls and teddy bears, lead soldier displays, Meccano, ships and many other toys and models. It also has a sales section for collectors.
Operating Hours: Daily from 10am-4pm.
Entrance fee: R10 for adults; R5 for children – for more information call 021 786 1395.
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