Durban - Durban’s beautiful winter means kids can let loose and have fun outdoors – resulting in many trips to the beach to splash around in the waves, build sandcastles, learn to surf, or have a picnic.
1. And there is the added fun of anticipating whether the sardines will land long enough to to be netted. If you want the kids to be more active and not sit in front of the PlayStation, then the wide expanse of the beachfront promenade encourages running, cycling, or swimming at the Rachel Finlayson pools.
2. Enrol them in a four-day handwork programme (7 and upwards). Dates available throughout the break. Course covers needlework and dressmaking, includes sewing box and kits. Contact Farhana at 074 639 5353.
3. The KZN Sharks Board has an open exhibition in the foyer of its building which is a fascinating place to see the size of a real shark’s jaw. There are also dissections which kids can watch. Call 031 566 0400.
4. While uShaka offers great water entertainment where kids can be left for hours, you can enrol kids in the Sea World marine holiday course where they learn about the marine environment based on creative activities. Booking essential. Call 031 328 8128.
5. Suncoast has an extensive list of activities planned for the kids over the four weekends they will be at home. These include watching magic and puppet shows, face painting, dancing, races such as egg and spoon, and a fashion show to coincide with the Durban July weekend. Call 031 328 3000.
6. Visit the Durban Botanic Gardens or Mitchell Park for a relaxing time on green lawns.
7. From July 6-10, children between 5 and 10 years old can learn how to become a king or queen of green on morning environmental courses at the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, outside Howick.
Bush Day Care is from 8.30am-12.30pm and costs R70 a day, or R325 for five days and includes a snack, crafts, games, field guides and activities. There is a game rangers’ academy for 14-17-year-olds. Booking is essential. Call 033 330 3941.
8. Mandela Day, on July 18, falls at the tail end of the holidays. For a glimpse into history, take the kids to the capture site, near Howick. As part of the Mandela Day 67 minutes campaign, encourage children to find ways of volunteering to help others.
9. Tots and Pots Cooking and Baking programme has classes for children of all ages to teach them about food and healthy eating. The programme is on for three weeks – 15 days, 30 recipes and 15 activities. Sign up for three weeks, or one day. Contact Danielle Groenink at [email protected] or call 081 568 4752.
10. Visit Wilson’s Wharf and watch ships coming into and going out of the port, have a snack, or go on a harbour cruise.
11. Beach festivals such as the 2015 Ballito Pro surfing contest, June 29-July 5 at Willard Beach, can keep the kids occupied.
The Engen Beach Festival with East Coast Radio takes place at uShaka from June 27-July 2, with activities such as touch rugby, volleyball, and dancing competitions on offer.
12. Visit the Maritime Museum to see why Durban is such a popular port of call. Call 031 311 2230.
13. A holiday is not a holiday without a braai, and Durban’s Blue Lagoon remains one of the best spots to bring the family together over a meal and a game of cricket.
14. Take time to visit the Moses Mabhida Stadium, where you can have a tour, relax on the lawns, take the Sky Car for an aerial view of the city, or visit the adjacent People’s Park.
15. If you are on the south coast, make a stop at one of the many Blue Flag beaches such as Ramsgate or Pennington.
16. A family trip to the Drakensberg mountains is worth even a day trip, and the chilly weather could mean snow.
17. Pack your skates, board, roller-blades and MBX bikes and head to the skate park at the beachfront for endless hours of off-the-wall fun.
18. Take a hike in the Hawaan forest to see what one looked like centuries ago. It’s a great birding spot. Booking is essential. Call 031 572 4116.
19. One of the funniest kids movies on circuit, The Minions, will be released during the holidays. Check your cinema listings for times.
20. Shrek The Musical, a local stage adaptation of the hit movie, has a few more runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. It has received great reviews. Bookings at Computicket.
21. The KZN Military Tattoo, which showcases military culture and music, takes place at the Natal Mounted Rifles Parade Ground (opposite Durban Country Club) from July 9-11. Tickets available at Computicket.
22. There are fleamarkets for all tastes in and around the greater Durban area. Take your pick from Stables, Essenwood Road, North Beach, the I Heart Market, or Shongweni.
23. The Beachwood mangroves nature reserve is open to the public every last Saturday of the month. Here you can learn more about the mangroves and the important role they play in the marine and land ecosystem. Call 083 293 3611.
Independent on Saturday