Travelling with a young family doesn’t need to be a stressful and challenging experience. In fact, with the right preparation and location, it can be one of the most fulfilling vacations you could take.
The Cape West Coast offers the little ones so much in terms of adventure, sensory experience and fun!
Whether you want to get out of town for just a day, or stay longer to enjoy all that the region has to offer, the great thing about the West Coast is that most of the destinations can be reached in under two hours, allowing loads of time for fun and adventure, see our Routes for inspiration for the ultimate #RoadTrips!
Awesome family friendly deals available, click here:
The West Coast Way starts from Blaauwberg Nature Reserve to Paternoster and down along the N7 to Darling.
Here are our top picks for kid friendly spots on the Cape West Coast, suitable for kids of all ages. From 3 years to the teenage years, we have something for everyone!
Start from the bottom of West Coast Way on the N7 or R27 West Coast Road and start exploring:
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.The Farmyard Farm Stall
The perfect place to pop in for provisions before you start your road trip or start the day with a hearty breakfast! They make homemade soups, ready-made meals, patés and spreads as well as delicious preserves, pickles and sauces. There are chickens and other farm animals, setting the farmyard scene. The beautiful outdoor play area is next to the famous Namib Garden Cactus Nursery and has many oversized art pieces and interesting cacti to take home!
Part of the Culture Route
Open 7 days a week | Free entry
Where: R27, after Blaauwberg and before Melkbosstrand
Contact: +27 (0)21 553 2563
Moose Farm Stall
Plaasmol Farm Stall
“Die Plaasmol” farm stall is a family owned farm, with a coffee shop, pet shop, curio/gift shop and nursery.
Enjoy a cup of ‘moer koffie’ while the kids feed all the farm animals: pigs, goats, sheep, birds and so much more! The farm stall is also big on recycling and this can be seen by all the quirky artwork adorning almost every surface of the place. Plaasmol is the epitome of the famous laid-back West Coast atmosphere where every child is welcome!
Part of the Foodie Route
Open 7 days a week | Free entry
Where: R45
Contact: +27 (0)74 924 8478
Vygevallei Farm Stall
This popular farm stall is filled with all manner of delicious offerings, including freshly baked farm breads, homemade butter and cheeses, pastas, preserves, local wine, farm breakfasts, cakes, dried fruit and organic herbs. There is also a small farmyard with pot-bellied pigs and ducks to keep the kids entertained.
Part of the Culture Route
Open 7 days a week | Free entry
Where: R27, just before the !Khwa ttu turnoff
Contact: +27 74 138 1610 | [email protected]
!Khwa ttu San Culture & Education Centre
!Khwa ttu is based on the theme “A celebration of the San culture, present and past, for a better future”. Its mission statement includes as primary objectives to restore the heritage of the San, to educate the general public about the world of the San and to provide training to the San in various areas.
!Khwa ttu is a truly unique experience. They offer san guided tours, mountain biking, a restaurant, accommodation and tractor rides. An interesting nature garden, lots of birds, open lawn area and friendly staff makes this a great place for young and old. Look out for the art gallery and displayed artifacts and implements used by the San people.
Part of the Culture Route
Open 7 days a week | Free entry Open 7 days a week | Free entry
R150/person for an hour San Guided tour on foot or via tractor (Group bookings essential)
A San Guided Tour Fee applies.
Where: R27, just before the Yzerfontein turnoff
Contact: +27 (0)22 492 2998 | [email protected] | www.khwattu.org
Weskus Farm Stall
Less than an hour from Cape Town, this is far more than a farm stall and it will be hard to drag the kids away. Not only do they sell everything from homemade preserves and snacks to all manner of gifts, there is also a great restaurant with a wonderful outdoor area and an amazing aviary which is home to dozens of exotic birds. Buy your ‘choppies and coke’ from the farm stall and have a braai in the provided barbeque areas next to the oversized chess set! The kids will also love the play area and running around in the indigenous gardens. Get the local information on the best places to visit and things to do from the Cape West Coast Biosphere information centre.
Part of the Culture Route
Open 7 days a week | Free entry
Where: R27, at Yzerfontein turnoff
Contact: +27 (0)71 658 9167
Explore the Langebaan lagoon with Elite Charters
The perfect complement to your holiday with a complete water sport package; leisurely Yacht Cruises on a 39ft Catamaran that can accommodate 40 guests or for the more adventurous try the Rubberduck, Fishing Charters or Wetbikes. Tailored Charters and Overnight trips and Fishing Trips can be booked for team building events, private events and weddings.
• Daily Cruises • Tailored Charters • Over Night Trips • Special Events • Private Parties • Year End Functions • Team Building • Island Trips • Weddings • Adventure Rides
Open 7 days a week | Booking Essential
Where: R27, inside Club Mykonos, Langebaan
Contact: +27 (0)72 702 9919 | [email protected] | www.elitecharters.co.za
Thali Thali Game Lodge
Located opposite the entrance to Langebaan, Thali Thali Game Lodge is the perfect weekend escape.
They offer game drives, archery, unguided fynbos walks, a restaurant and a wonderful play area for kids. The animals have full access to the whole reserve and the kids will delight in seeing all types of bokkies walking between the chalets. With accommodation ranging from a large family farm house to smaller cottages and ‘glamping’ tents – there is lots of adventure waiting for you in the rich nature biosphere of the Cape West Coast.
Please ensure that you book your Game Drive and Archery Experience with us on +27 (0)82 372 8637 during high season periods.
Facilities available at Thali Thali Game Lodge
• Accommodation • Child Friendly • Bar • Restaurant (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) • Pool • Wheelchair Accessibility (Rooms, Bedrooms & Bathrooms) • 3 Star Tourism Grading • AA Grading • Trip Advisor • Conference Facilities • Wedding and Function Venue • Shop • Game Drives • Online Booking Facilities.
Open 7 days a week | Free entry
R300/person for 90 min Game Drive (Booking essential in high season)
R150/person for Archery Lesson (Booking essential in high season)
Distance from Cape Town: 116km
Where: R27
Coordinates: 33˚ 03′ 10” S 18˚ 13′ 47” E
Contact: (c) +27 (0)82 372 8637 / +27 (0)83 275 2825 | [email protected] | www.thalithali.co.za
Family Friendly Events
Mamre Wild Flower Festival
The Wild Flower Festival is taking place from 18 – 20 September 2015 – the venue is at The Park and Mamre Werf. Follow the Main Road until you get to the circle where a large parking area is situated with the Mamre Church signage. Park here and walk into Mamre Werf. The Tori Oso (translated Kletshuisie) restaurant will be open for the duration of this period – Good foods will be on sale from the restaurant where you can enjoy a sit down meal and indulge in the peace of quiet of the Mamre Werf. Home baked bread and homemade jams, souvenirs, hand made articles and much more will be on sale on the Werf. It is a must that you visit DIE WERF from 18 – 20 September 2015 during the flower festival. The Moravian Church is the 2nd oldest Mission Station on the West Coast and in South Africa. So, break away and experience the peacefulness and beauty of nature – you will be accompanied by tour guides who will share the love story of every building, even the birds will talk to you. Amongst all these natural beauties, you will also experience the flower exhibition as well as the remains of the mill’s tools and equipment.
There will be lots of entertainment at The Park (Church Street): fun fare, quad bikes, etc, lots of food stalls.
Friday – Mej Blommefees, live band evening – stofpad dans,
Saturday morning – 07h30 fun walk/bycicles from werf, 11h00 procession with drummies, 12h00 official opening by City of CPT, Riel dancers of Ceres, local ATKV performers, Jody Williams, The Rockets.
Sunday – praise + worship followed by sunday service, well known Riel dancers of Wupperthal, sit down meals in restaurant and 15h00 Opera concert in church.
Part of the Culture Route
Date: 18 – 20 September
Where: Mamre Werf, along R307
Contact: +27 (0)83 692 0356
Event type: Family fun
Darling ttu Mountain Bike Trail
This Mountain Bike trail is only open to the public once a year and offers West Coast Flora & Game Encounters with spectacular views. Bring the whole family and get back in touch with nature. Music, local food stalls and children’s activities throughout the day. A 10km / 45km / 60km and 5km kiddies fun ride.
Enter here: www.darlingttu.co.za
Part of the Culture Route
Date: 26 September
Where: !Khwa ttu, R27 West Coast Road, Yzerfontein
Contact: +27 (0)22 451 2202 | [email protected] | www.darlingttu.co.za
Event type: Family fun
West Coast National Park Free Week
West Coast National Park Free Week from the 14-18 September 2015. The week grants free access to most of the day visitors with their “South African identity document”. Please note that day visitors may download indemnity forms to speed up the process at our entrance gates: download www.sanparks.org/gate-registration.pdf
Part of the Culture & Foodie Routes
Date: 14 – 19 September
Where: West Coast National Park
Event type: Nature
Contact: +27 (0)22 772-2144/5
Camphill Country Market
Held on the first Sunday of every month (accept January), the Camphill Country Market offers a wide range of goods, including Camphill’s own fresh produce, their bakery’s renowned baked goods and the herbal workshops fragrant lotions and soaps. Visiting stallholders add their own craft products to the mix, from plants and delectable cooked food to jewellery and crystals. Camphill also has a charity shop where you can scour bargains, and some of the residents run their own stalls selling their artwork, crafts or second-hand books.
A marimba band livens things up with hip swaying rhythms at 1pm, and children have a fine time on the jungle gym, talking to the donkeys or enjoying a pony ride. Tractor rides give everyone a chance to explore the whole village at a gentle pace, visiting the various animals and learning about the farm.
Date: First Sunday of every month (accept January)
Time: 10h00 – 14h00
Where: Klein Dassenberg Road, Off N7, Klein Dassenberg
Contact: +27 (0)21 571 8600 | [email protected]
Groote Post Country Market
Local is lekker with locals presenting a divine selection of Darling gourmet produce including mushrooms, burgers, breads, cheese, cured meats, olive oils, preserves and much more – to enjoy at the market or take home.
Kids will love this country market as they have tractor and horse rides, wide open spaces to run around in and great food!
Part of the Culture Route
Date: 30 August, 27 September, 25 October, 29 November and 27 December
Time: 10h00 – 15h00
Where: Groote Post, Darling
Contact: Eldré Strydom: +27 (0)82 877 6677 | [email protected]
Use our Events Diary for an up to date overview of happenings in the Cape West Coast, there is also some great family friendly exclusive deals in the Cape West Coast to look forward t0 click here to view them.