The Silo Hotel Activity Guide: Family Friendly Things to Do In Cape Town

Where Adventures Begin

What to do in Cape Town with kids is a question that our concierge team at The Silo Hotel loves to answer.

“Guests are spoilt for choice when staying with us,” explains, Jessica Pohl. “The Silo’s prime location at the V&A Waterfront makes it the perfect base from which to explore the Mother City.”

Fun Times at the V&A

At the top of the list of family-friendly things to do in Cape Town is a visit to The Two Oceans Aquarium, which showcases the incredible diversity of South Africa’s ocean life. It’s an engaging and educational experience, and no matter what their ages, children can’t get enough of the various exhibits, including the Shark Exhibit and Kelp Forest Exhibit. There are daily puppet shows as well as opportunities to watch the critically endangered African Penguins at feeding time.

Close to the aquarium is another educational adventure – The Scratch Patch, where young explorers can go on a treasure hunt and dig for beautiful African gemstones. The best part is that children can take home polished stones as souvenirs. This attraction also features Cave Golf, an 18-hole indoor mini-golf experience set within (as the name suggests) a cave-like environment.

Cape Town has been voted the most beautiful city in the world more times than the locals can remember, and for visitors, a ride on The Big Wheel at the V&A Waterfront provides an incredible opportunity to take in Cape Town and all its beauty, with panoramic views that stretch as far as Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 of the 26 years he spent in prison.

Holidays with kids in Cape Town are all about doing things a little differently, and one of the most thrilling things to do is embark on a maritime adventure aboard the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat – South Africa’s only authentic pirate ship. Children will be captivated by the pirate stories that bring their imagination to life, and even the parents soon get into the swing of things.

Another water-bound adventure is boarding City Sightseeing’s red canal boat (which has a special kids’ audio commentary) – a truly fun way to experience the city. There is also the option of doing some kayaking and paddleboarding (all supervised) in the canal next to Battery Park – where families with teens can enjoy skateboarding, rollerblading or basketball.

Is it a bus? Is it a boat? The amphibious Waterfront Duck gives guests the opportunities to experience the best of the V&A on land and in the water as you explore the harbour and canals under the guidance of qualified “ConDucktours”, who share the unique history of the Waterfront – it’s informative, educational and heaps of fun.

Children’s activities in Cape Town also include the option of renting bikes or electric scooters and riding along the Sea Point Promenade, with plenty of options to stop for a coffee or ice cream along the way.

Nature-Based Experiences

For a family holiday, Cape Town is ideal because many of the activities are nature-based, including visits to the numerous beautiful beaches around the Peninsula including Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and Hout Bay along scenic mountain roads with astonishing views of the ocean.

One of the best places to visit in Cape Town with kids is Table Mountain, and the most popular way to get to the top is with the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. There are guided walks on offer as well as a souvenir shop and restaurant, and Instagrammable views as far as the eye can see. For parents travelling with older children, there are also guided hikes up Table Mountain, with Plattekloof Gorge being a favourite route.

The World of Birds in Hout Bay is one of Africa’s largest bird sanctuaries, housing over 400 species as well as monkeys and other small mammals. The village of Hout Bay is also worth a browse, and the Clay Café is always popular with families and young creatives.

One can’t visit Cape Town without spending some time at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the slopes of Table Mountain. It’s known as one of the great gardens of the world and is perfect for a stroll or a picnic. During summer, concerts are regularly held on the lawns.

A Place to Call Home In Cape Town

Our concierge team is more than happy to assist families in planning itineraries to suit their needs and interests. They know that Cape Town luxury family accommodation is not just about beautifully appointed suites, excellent service and world-class facilities, but also about creating memorable experiences and catering to their needs when they travel.

Jessica says, “One of the highlights for smaller children when staying with us is our Tiny Tea experience, offering a mini afternoon tea designed specifically for younger guests – it’s basically a mini version of our traditional afternoon tea and kids just love it.”

There are also child-sitting services available, and additional touches like bedtime stories, colouring in books, and child-friendly reading materials are all available on request.

The Silo is proud to be a great base in the Mother City and a place of connection, memory-making and fun. This luxury family hotel, Cape Town’s premier V&A destination, recognises that the most precious moments happen when parents and children discover a sense of wonder at every turn.