With the long school holidays looming, Mom and Dad do not have to succumb to off-loading the offspring at the grandparents to stay sane during the festive season, as Stellenbosch offers so many budget-friendly, fun and educational attractions for kids of all ages which earn high marks as engaging experiences for the entire family.
Just because the parents will be enjoying some quality wines from South Africa’s pioneering wine route during the holidays, does not mean that the kids will have to go cold turkey. Spier offers Grape Juice Tastings, which includes three different juices and a fun activity sheet, which highlights the role insects play in the vineyards. While there they should also check out the Eagle Encounters to get up close and personal with birds of prey. Teens can buckle up for the coolest two wheeled way to see the farm and enjoy a Segway glide amidst the vines and fynbos.
Middelvlei also serves up a non-alcoholic tasting for children to test their senses by identifying different flavours, textures and tastes. Their famous Boerebraais cater for a fun-filled lunch. Kids can play in the oversized sandpit, feed the farm animals, ride kick bikes, braai their own marshmallows and stokbrood or simply enjoy the vast open space of a working wine farm.
The DelVera Agri-village, one of the biggest kids party venues in the Stellenbosch Winelands, is a popular retreat for parents who want to turn their couch potatoes into outdoor-loving beings. There they can run around freely, feed and pet the donkeys, take a spin on the under-roof go-kart track, go on a horse ride or saddle up for the kids bicycle track.
Tame your ‘little monsters’ by treating them to a roaring time at the Vredenheim Big Cats Park, home to various species of wild cat including white lions, Bengal tigers, leopards, cheetahs and more, all to be viewed up close, from the safety of their viewing decks.
Or waggle your way to Vergenoegd and witness their famous duck parade as the Indian runner ducks march off to forage in the vineyards, under the watchful eye of their herder.
One of the most popular stopovers on the R44, Butterfly World, unleashes a magical world of tropical butterflies, small animals and reptiles whilst the Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre invites young and old to get some fresh air in their lungs and relax with a picnic, while they learn more about conservation and African wildlife.
To tap those hyper energy levels why not swing by the Adventure Shop, who can hook you up with adrenalin-filled horse riding, guided bike tours, quad biking, paintball and even an amazing treasure hunt.
Take your kids to the Toy and Miniature Museum for a world of enchantment that you will also love. Amongst the treasured miniature houses, antique dolls, cars and cuddly toys, you can also see a detailed and lifelike miniature of South Africa’s famous Blue Train, travelling from a miniature Stellenbosch to the mountains of the Karoo.
Many of the wine farms, outdoor markets and delis in and around Stellenbosch have special facilities for kids such as play parks, jungle gyms and slides, but one that truly impresses is Weltevreden Estate.
The Family Farm, visible from the R44 is a delightful farm where families and friends can spend some quality time together. It is the perfect outdoor venue for kiddies’ parties and even has on-site braai facilities.
Other child-friendly destinations worth a visit include Skilpadvlei, which boasts an outdoor and indoor play area, the Jonkershoek Café which is frequented by hiking and cycling families, featuring an awesome mini BMX track for young dirt hounds. Warwick Estate is the ideal family-friendly wine estate to have a lazy day out and sports various kiddies attractions including a ‘junior’ gourmet picnic whilst Delheim Estate’s riverside picnics also never disappoints.
For more information contact 021 883 3584