Looking for ways to keep the kids busy during the school holidays? Of course you are. Here are 11 fun things to do with your kids in Durban during the holidays.

(Please note that the prices below are subject to change at the discretion of the organisers, so we advise that you call them or check their website before travelling).

Read also: a family guide to Durban

Things to do with your kids in Durban

1. Take a hike in Umhlanga

A great (and affordable) idea for a family day trip is to go to Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve and walk through the coastal dune forest and across the Ohlange River to Umhlanga Lagoon. The guided walk is half an hour long, so it shouldn’t be too tiring for little hikers. The reserve is teeming with over 208 species of birds as well as plenty of small mammals. Keep your eyes open for vervet and blue and red duiker monkeys. The trail is well marked, but walking alone through the reserve is at your own risk.

Price

Guided walks: Bookings must be made one day in advance by calling the Breakers Resort reception on 031 561 2271. Please contact the office for the latest prices.

Contact Umhlanga Tourism

Phone 031 561 4257 / 031 561 2271, email (email protected)or visit umhlangatourism.co.za

Looking for a new school for your child? Then you might want to compare your school fee expectations with most expensive schools in SA.

2. Visit the People’s Park at Moses Mabhida Stadium

Durban: General view of the certificate presentation ceremony at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Durban, South Africa. The ceremonial presentation of the certificate of recognition to King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini followed the traditional coronation ceremony held a month earlier. Image: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images

Take the kids to the People’s Park at Moses Mabhida Stadium. There is a play area for children under 12, extensive lawns and a kilometer long track. Parking is right at the playground, which is secured for the little ones by a small fence. There is a huge space on the marble-like pavement for the older ones to skateboard and ride bikes on the stadium ramps. They have an extensive plan for the holidays: take a look at holiday schedule here.

Contact

Phone 031 322 9955, www.mmstadium.com

3. Take your family to Funworld

Durban funworld may seem like an obvious addition to this list, but hey, there’s no doubt it’ll be a big hit with kids. Plus, it’s actually quite affordable. And during the school holidays, Funworld will be open late every day. Be sure to take a family ride on the cable car overlooking the city, the tilt-a-whirl or the swing boat. Or why not have a family bumper car battle at Dodgems Arcade?

Contact

Tel 031 332 9776 / 304 4934, or visit mmstadium.com

4. Have fun at uShaka Marine World

Wet ‘n Wild at uShaka offers crazy high slides and lazier floats.

A visit to uShaka Marine World it’s a must on your to-do list. It is one of those places that will entertain the whole family. Stop by the Sea World Aquarium and marvel at the incredible sea creatures, or take things a step further and get wet in a world of slides and pools (including the tallest slide in the Southern Hemisphere) at Wet ‘n Wild. And if you need to get the kids out of your hair, uShaka Kids World has a great play area and offers more fun activities and adventures for kids.

Contact

Phone 031 328 8000 / 031 328 8090, email (email protected)or visit ushakamarineworld.co.za

5. Visit the Virginia Nature Preserve

A moderate walk is a great way to burn off some pent-up energy. Virginia Nature Reserve is 38ha reserve in the heart of Durban North. Once inside the gates, your kids will forget they’re in town and Dora the Explorer’s adventures take over. On a great day, you’ll see blue duikers, mongoose and some rare species at this popular birding site. To reach the reserve, take exit number 5 from the M4 towards Hinton Grove Road from Durban North (towards Virginia Airport). Be sure to enter through the main entrance on Hinton Grove Road, which is five minutes from the highway.

Price

Free.

Contact

durban.gov.za

Read also: Six of the best day walks and hikes in Durban

6. Cycle to Giba Gorge

BMXing at Giba Gorge. Photo by Lloyd Ramsay on Flickr.

Take advantage of Durban’s fantastic winter weather and get outdoors. The Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park in Hillcrest is a great place for you and the kids to shake off the extra adrenaline that has accumulated during the school term. The Giba Gorge has an excellent BMX track and a 40km mountain bike track that glides through forested farmland overlooking the Umtamvuma River Gorge. Giba Gorge also has a restaurant, art gallery and picnic areas. BMX and mountain bike clinics are also offered.

Contact

Phone 031 769 1419, email (email protected)or visit gibagorge.co.za

7. Face crocodiles and snakes at PheZulu Safari Park

Nested in The valley of 1000 hills just over half an hour’s drive from Durban, PheZulu Safari Park it is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Besides the breathtaking beauty of the area, the highlight of the park is definitely its menagerie of crocodiles and snakes. If the kids enjoy encountering all sorts of creepy creatures, a visit to the PheZulu Crocodile and Snake Park will be a treat. Please look out for Ramesis, their 90-year-old Nile crocodile, and Cleo, their 42kg Burmese python.

Contact

Phone 031 777 1000, email (email protected)or visit pakshasafaripark.co.za

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8. Take a trip on the Umgeni Steam Railway

Grab the kids and sneak through The valley of 1000 hills on a vintage steam train on the Umgeni Railway, one of the oldest railway lines in the country. Train travel is from Kloof station to Inchanga station and back on the last Sunday of every month. Trains leave Kloof station at 8.30am and 12.30pm and take half a day. There are also special school holiday train on Saturday 4th July (departures 10:30 and 14:30). At Inchanga Station, you’ll find a craft market, picnic area and pony rides. When you return to Kloof station, make sure you enter the Stokers Arms pub.

Price

Tickets cost 200 lei per adult and 140 lei per child (ages 2 to 12).

Contact

Tel 082 353 6003, email (email protected) or visit umgenisteamrailway.co.za

9. Play a round of paintball at Hillcrest Paintball

Hillcrest Paintball it’s a must-see if you and the little ones are a little trigger happy. It has two arenas for distinct types of paintball battles: one gives you an African experience, while another is for SWAT-style combat. Hillcrest Paintball also has a pro shop, tuck shop and braai facilities. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Contact

Tel 074 172 1309, or visit hillcrestpaintball.co.za

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10. Pick up drums at The Drumshack

Image: Renate Meijer on Flickr.

If your child is the musical type (or if you just need music therapy), you could do worse than attend a djembe drum circle. This is one of those activities that is not too difficult to organize – the Drumshack in Morningside has interactive shows every Sunday night – and is super fun for young and old alike. If you haven’t attended a drumming session, you have no idea what you’re missing. It’s super energizing and a great way for the family to bond over a cool activity.

Price

Contact Drumshack for details.

Contact Drumshack

Goal 083 704 4879e-mail (email protected)or visit drumshack.org

11. Walk among the ‘living fossils’ at the Durban Botanic Gardens

The Durban Botanic Gardens are the oldest surviving botanic gardens in Africa and home to one of the world’s leading collections of “living fossil” plants: pre-dinosaur cycads stretch back 250 million years. Spend a few hours with the family strolling through the gardens or make some sandwiches and have a picnic. The cycad forest in the Gardens is a bit like stepping onto the set of Jurassic Park. There are no dinosaurs here, but the pink-backed pelicans that hang out in the trees look eerily like pterodactyls.

Contact

Phone 031 309 9240, email (email protected)or visit durbanbotanicgardens.org.za

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