School holidays are coming up in mid-March, and many parents (like me) may be wondering “what on earth am I going to do with my kids during the holidays?” Well I have some fun suggestions for you, and I hope you enjoy visiting these places!
Splash Pad at Suncoast
If you haven’t visited the new restaurant complex at Suncoast Casino, then you simply have to! There is a huge splash pad with a fountain and giant octopus where the kids can play in the water. It is non-slip so your little ones can play safely. There are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants there so you can relax and enjoy a cuppa or meal while watching the kids play. It’s a win-win!
Port Natal Maritime Museum
We visited there recently and our son just loved it SO much! If you haven’t been, I really recommend you give it a try. It’s inexpensive and you can spend a good few hours exploring every nook and cranny of the vessels. Vessels on exhibit are the tug JR More, the minesweeper SAS Durban, the Ulundi and the NCS Challenger. On a recent visit, we even met a man, who was stationed on the SAS Durban 40 years ago! There is also a cool museum to check out. www.durbanhistorymuseums.org.za/port-natal-maritime-museum.
Durban Natural Science Museum
I’ve wanted to visit this museum for the longest time, but never seem to get around to it. I promise, I WILL do it these holidays! Situated in the city centre, the Durban Natural Science Museum is one of the oldest museums in South Africa and the only natural science museum in South Africa falling under local government. It has some really cool collections and features, including the close-to-life-size Tyrannosaurus rex (T-Rex) model and the 100-year-old near-complete Dodo skeleton. Entrance is free, so what are you waiting for? www.durban.gov.za.
Hingham Nursery
My son LOVES going to Hingham Nursery. He loves to explore among the plants, flowers and herbs – there are loads of pathways and statues in amongst the plants. The tea garden serves yummy food and there is a play area. The main attraction however, is a local pack of mongooses that pass through every day, and they come right under your table and play in the play area, before sunning themselves on the pathways. There are dozens of them and it is truly a sight to behold, and especially exciting for the little ones. It’s definitely a favourite attraction of ours! www.hinghamnursery.co.za. (EDIT: Since posting this article, we have heard that the pack of mongooses at Hingham has mysteriously gone missing – we hope for their safe return soon!)
The Waterberry Coffee Shoppe
Set on a tranquil untouched piece of indigenous coastal forest with an abundance of bird life, this is a hidden gem in Ballito with yummy food and a magical forest walk that the kids will enjoy! Give it a try for a different kind of outing! www.thewaterberry.co.za.
Salt Rock Hotel
This venue offers stunning sea views and the play area is fantastic for kids! You can sit out in the garden and enjoy the views while the kids burn off their energy. They are well known for their curries, but cater for all tastes. After your meal, you can visit the beach which is just a few metres away! www.saltrockbeach.co.za.
Creatures and Critters
This is more than a pet shop – your visit will turn out to be a fun family outing. There is a huge selection of exotic creatures and it is really interesting just learning about all the different animals. There is an open section where you can interact with many different kinds of parrots and birds (some of them can even say a few words). www.creaturesandcritterscaptivebred.com.
By Sarah Mackintosh.