Kids Activities in Johannesburg and Beyond

In a city so big, we’re bringing different parts of Joburg closer, with a spatially-inclusive list of child-friendly activities for families of all ages. Whether you want to bake along with your pre-teens at The Cooking Kitchen, or get in the scratch patch with your toddlers at Mapatiza mine, this list offers a selection for all budgets and all ages.

Have we missed any of your favourite spots? Please let us know in the comments below or email [email protected]

ART JAMMING

Art Jamming is a one-stop self-expression shop that caters to an arguably ancient desire to simply let loose. Their spacious venue in Melrose Arch is an environment equipped, arranged and decorated for you to create without inhibitions. With your apron strapped, canvas in front of you and a brush in your hand, you’re ready to start filling the canvas. Art Jamming’s open space allows them to cater to walk-ins, reprieve for busy parents in the mall, as well as large bookings, offering a number of pre-booked party offerings.

Enjoy a slice of pizza as you formulate your strokes with the Paint & pizza party, or scrap the paint and try Art Jamming’s graffiti parties. If you’d like to jam with a group bigger than 35, they’ve got you covered – you can book the entire studio! To top it off, the jammers include free party packs to groups of 10 or more that book parties costing R200 per person or more.

When: Daily: 9am – 5pm | Walk-in available | Bookings required for groups.
Where: Melrose Arch – Corlett Drive, Birnam, Johannesburg.

Cost: Printed stretch canvas walk-in paint R250 | Plain boxed canvas walk-in paint from R200 | Big picture party R285 per person | Paint & pizza party R400 per person.

Website: artjamming.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 684 1608
Facebook: @artjammingSA | Instagram: @artjamming_sa

TINY BAKERS

Tiny Bakers is one of the few baking or cooking schools that caters exclusively to children. With humble beginnings in 2012 as a baking program for nursery school kids, where children made tactile dough-based treats like cookies, gingerbread men and pizzas. Parents are welcome, though they do so to accompany their little one and there are no classes for adults. Moms and dads can tag along for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and bond with the little ones in the engaging and practical environment of a kitchen.

In the years after its founding, Tiny Bakers grew, much like their cakes and little chefs do. Founder and head baker, Retha Basham, expanded the offering and welcomed teenagers into her kitchen, making evergreen favourites like chocolate cake. The last Saturday of the month is reserved for the 3-5 year olds, a fun class where parents attend and you make simple doughs with your kids before baking, decorating and eating together.

When: Weekends | Email Retha for detailed availabilities.
Where: 106A Dundalk Street, Bronberrick, Centurion.

Cost: R390 per child | R100 per accompanying adult.

Website: tinybakers.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 945 3567
Facebook: @tinybakers17

ART SHEBEEN

Art Shebeen embodies “We’ll take it from here, mom”. Centrally located in northern Joburg, it’s a stone’s throw away from Civin Drive, and sits on Linksfield Road.

Art Shebeen can host up to 45 children at a time and provide ample seating and space for parents as they watch or wait. They deliver a homely and welcoming studio with a wide range of options, which is vital for children expressing themselves – because there’s so much to do, there’s very little restriction on their self-expression. Kids can opt for a classic canvas painting session, step out the box and create their own 3D teddy bear, or play with tiles and make a mosaic, or choose from several more options from the catalogue.

Primarily run off WhatsApp, Art Shebeen also runs an active and informative Facebook page, filled with updates, artworks and upcoming events, like holiday classes or themed parties. Best of all – for moms and dads, that is – Art Shebeen doesn’t charge a studio fee, simply pay for what your little one uses and you’re good to go. With school holidays upon us, there’s never been a better time to take your little ones down to the shebeen.

When: Monday – Saturday: 9:30am – 5pm, Sundays: 9:30am – 3:30pm.
Where: Linksfield Square – 113 Club Street, Linksfield, Johannesburg

Cost: WhatsApp for a detailed catalogue | Create your own mosaic from R90 | Make and paint ceramics from R130

Email: [email protected] | Tel: 072 969 5273
Facebook: @artshebeen | Instagram: @the_art_shebeen

THE COOKING KITCHEN

At The Cooking Kitchen, parents can trust that not only will their little ones have a blast in the kitchen baking and cooking, but that they’re in safe and experienced hands of Yolanda Duxbury. A mother and qualified clinical nutritionist, Duxbury brings her know-how into the kitchen to produce an ambiance for all to thrive in. Located in sunny Parkwood, The Cooking Kitchen is kitted with long wooden countertops and shelves underneath, neatly lined with pots and pans.

Adult masterclasses and Domestic cooking classes are also offered, but it’s the kids that are the focus at The Cooking Kitchen – so much so that ‘senior’ refers to those aged 14-19. Children from as young as 8 are welcome to learn how to make dishes like sushi and Portuguese tarts, as well as learn the basics of baking. Senior chefs live up to their title, producing plates pizzas, zucchini bars and vegan patty burgers.

When: 8-13 year olds on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays | 14-19 year olds on Sundays.
Where: 11 Ashford Road, Parkwood, Johannesburg.

Cost: R380 per class or R1000 per month for four lessons.

Website: thecookingkitchen.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 083 326 4933
Facebook: @TheCookingKitchen | Instagram: @thecookingkitchen_jhb

DREAMER’S TOWER

Jâree Dewart is a self-described wizard who helps young and emerging artists master their talents. A teacher, creative-director, mentor, assistant, facilitator, Dewart caters to a range of artistic needs – offering one-on-ones and group sessions, from teenagers to toddlers. For older children he also offers web-design, which, intertwined with digital art drawings and sketches, is a regular platform for young people to consume media and content. At the Dreamers Tower, art isn’t restricted to a canvas.

Individual sessions start at R600 an hour for those looking for quick one-on-ones, though Dewart encourages young artists to complete at least 2 hours per month, from R500 for 2 hours. It exemplifies his practice of investing time into young people to see long-term projects through to the end. Groups are welcome too and they’re catered for with activities like painting shoes or T-shirts, there’s nothing quite like having a unique hoodie or pair of shoes.

When: 2-hour sessions on Fridays or Saturdays.
Where: 5 Sandalwood Crescent, Edenvale, Johannesburg.

Cost: R500 per 2-hour session.

Website: dreamerstower.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 072 384 0368
Facebook: @DreamersTower | Instagram: @jareedewart

ROPE PARK

The urge to climb feels so natural and Rope Park feeds this natural urge. Located in Pines Resort, the park is made from hundreds of metres of natural fibre rope that are connected by wooden platforms. The full course is 350m and includes 26 different obstacles between the rope bridges that you’ll need to balance on – with safety harnesses fastened by trained marshalls – before reaching one of the six ziplines. Kids must be 8 to take on the course and booking is essential, as walk-ins are not allowed due to the park being in Pines Resort.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, make a day of it and stay for the night session as you enjoy a round of the neon night climbing. Inspired by the neon signs and billboards of the 1950s and 60s, Rope Park has systematically fitted their course with lights stretching across entire stretches of rope that shine to deliver a unique climbing experience.

When: Hour-long slots every Saturday and Sunday at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Where: 2 Ivan Smuts Avenue, Silverfield, Krugersdorp.

Cost: R150 daytime rope adventure | R180 neon night climbing.

Website: ropepark.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 568 1626
Facebook: @ropeparksa | Instagram: @rope_adventure_park

PICK AND PAINT CERAMIC

Pick and Paint Ceramic offers a simple six step process: choose a ceramic item, choose a brush, choose your paint, create your masterpiece, have fun and enjoy your masterpiece. Choose from over 15 different types of ceramics, from decorative goods ranging from Christmas to Egyptian themes, to practical pieces for the garden or your kitchen.

If you’re in town, pop into their Park Rand studio for a painting session or book a party for up to 17 people. If you’re not nearby, not to worry, with their mobile unit and years of experience, Pick and Paint Ceramic will bring the painting party to you. Simply call in advance to arrange and they’ll handle everything from set-up, to pack-up, and even the clean-up. If you’re out of driving range, they’ve still got your back with the Party in the Box. Pick and Paint courier nationally, and at your request they’ll send your chosen ceramics and paint goods to your doorstep for you to enjoy your own ceramics soirée.

When: Monday – Thursday: 9am – 4pm, Fridays: 9am – 1pm.
Where: 12 Currey Street, Park Rand, Boksburg.

Cost: Pay per item, starting from R150.

Website: ceramicparties.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 927 2582
Facebook: @pickandpaintceramics | Instagram: @ceramicparties

THE BIG RED BARN

The Big Red Barn is a multifunctional venue that opened as a nursery in the 1970s and has always kept its hands in the earth and ears to the ground. Much-loved for its walking and cycling trails, The Big Red Barn has expanded into a multipurpose megafarm capable of hosting weddings just as easily as it hosts hundreds of families’ foot-traffic every weekend.

Open every day, an hour earlier on Saturdays and Sundays, The Big Red Barn puts the family experience at the centre of its model, exemplified by the three primary offerings: Clay Cafe, Acrobranch zipline routes and the cycle park. These three offerings can all be enjoyed together with your children, like painting at Clay Cafe or riding together, as well as enjoyed by them alone as you watch on, like Acrobranch, where trained marshalls ensure safety comes first as they swing from tree to tree.

If you’re interested in making a booking for a party, be sure to get in touch with the bookings team, as they offer platter and food options not quickly available to walk-in patrons.

When: Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm. Saturday to Sunday: 6am – 6pm.
Where: 7 Nelson Rd, Sunlawns, Olifantsfontein.

Website: thebigredbarn.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 078 343 6939
Facebook: @TheBigRedBarnZa | Instagram: @thebigredbarnza

ART ZOO

Art Zoo has been teaching and breathing art since 2000. With over 20 years of experience in the business of kids’ and adults’ arts and crafts, Monique Bailey is a seasoned professional illustrator that students of all ages have benefitted from. A London Art College graduate and having illustrated several children’s books, Bailey brings together sound training with practical know-how.

Art Zoo hosts classes every Wednesday, but be quick, they’re very popular and require you to book four Wednesdays at R570. Classes expose children to well-known artists or paintings as a means to explore different styles and techniques with regards to traditional canvas painting, but also contemporary visual art forms to promote a love of creating. Online classes are also available for R50, but require you to provide your little one with materials and supplies, though the advert for each online class provides a short list of what’s needed so that everyone participates on an even keel.

When: Wednesdays 3:30pm – 5pm.
Where: Jabula Recreation Centre, Corner Anne Street & Athlone Avenue, Sandringham, Johannesburg.

Cost: R570 per month | R50 per online lesson.

Website: artzoo.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 083 743 8480
Facebook: @OfficialArtZoo

GECKO JEWELLERS

Get stuck in at Mapatiza Mine where Gecko Jewellers have made their home. Known for their range of locally sourced precious stone jewellery, Gecko Jewellers is equally well-known for their scratch path. Dense and diverse, the patch can be rented out for R2000 and the additional R60 per bucket. Tables, chairs and amenities make this hidden Midrand gem a gazebo short of the ideal birthday party.

While the kids busy themselves selecting their favourite stones, you can pick up a bucket and jump in with them. Or take a mine tour and see precious stones in their natural habitat, whereafter you can see the stones fitted into necklaces and other pieces of jewellery in the gift shop. Those interested in stones alone can browse through Gecko’s selection of crystal quartz, amethyst, opal pistachio and several other precious stones and buy them by the kilogram. While you’re there, check out their anniversary calendar to see which stone is coming up next.

When: Monday – Saturday: 9am – 4pm, Sundays: 9am – 2pm.
Where: 52 Mercury Avenue, Crowthorne, Midrand.

Cost: Scratch Patch R60 per bucket | Scratch Patch party R2000 for venue.

Website: geckojewellers.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 468 1467
Facebook: @GeckoJewellers | Instagram: @geckojewellerssa