Where to take the kids these Easter holidays

19 Mar 2024

Let the Easter fun begin! Photo: Supplied.

Sandton City's super popular Easter chocolate extravaganza, Chocolate Café, is back. Photo: Sandton City.

Unleash your inner artist with a parents' and kids' painting class. Photo: Painting with Grapes.

If you're wondering how to keep your kids engaged and entertained during the school holidays, look no further. We've found plenty of fun options for family-friendly outings in Joburg this Easter season.

TREASURE HUNTS AND SEASON SWEETNESS

FIELD BERRY FARM
Instead of hunting for chocolate eggs, take your kids to search for coloured stones hidden amongst the raspberry bushes at Field Berry Farm in Walkerville. And, in true Easter spirit, there will also be a guided walk near the berry field to take you through the different stages of the Easter story.
Field Berry Farm hosts Easter hunts on Sat, Mar 30 and Sun, Mar 31 from 09:00 – 15:00. Tickets cost between R50 and R90 p.p. Bookings are essential.

Go to Field Berry Farm for a scenic treasure hunt and Easter walk. Photo: Field Berry Farm. — Go to **Field Berry Farm** for a scenic treasure hunt and Easter walk. Photo: Field Berry Farm.

JOY JOZI
Over the Easter weekend, Joy Jozi near Dunkeld is pulling out all the stops with five days of jam-packed fun. With games and activities catering to a range of ages, there'll be cookie decorating, sneaker art, face painting, bunny petting, Easter egg hunts, and more. In the evenings, look forward to a quiz night, silent disco, and a movie night (with free hot chocolate and popcorn).
The festivities take place from Thu, Mar 28 – Mon, Apr 1 from 10:00 onwards. Follow @joyjozi for the full line-up.

MELROSE ARCH
Take the little ones to the Piazza at Melrose Arch for all kinds of Easter fun: jumping castles, face painting, obstacle courses, puzzles, building blocks, sing-alongs, and more. Paul's Home-Made Ice Cream is serving up sweet treats, and there are spot prizes up for grabs.
The fun happens daily from 10:00 – 17:00 on Fri, Mar 29 – Sun, Mar 31. Or book your tickets here for an Amazing Race-style Easter egg hunt on Sun, Mar 31 from 12:00 – 16:00.

SANDTON CITY'S CHOCOLATE CAFÉ
Make this Easter a delicious one with the return of Sandton City's Chocolate Café where adults and children alike can realise their chocolate-filled dreams. Build your own holiday s'mores, fill your Easter Bunny cracker, and get your fingers sticky from Easter cookie decoration. There will also be lots of treats on offer from Lindt, Ferrero Rocher, Cadbury, Beyers, Beacon, Mister Sweet, and Sally Williams.
Chocolate Café activities cost R30 p.p. and are available daily between 09:00 – 18:00 from Wed, Mar 20 – Mon, Apr 1 (except Tue, Mar 26, when activities are closed).

Chocolate, anyone? Your sweet tooth will thank you at **Sandton City** this Easter. Photo: Sandton City.

MARKETS GALORE

Thu, Mar 28 – The German Club hosts its yearly Easter Night Market in Edenvale, with live entertainment and family-friendly activities.
Fri, Mar 29 – Sun, Mar 31 – Head to Modderfontein over Easter weekend for the Fourways Farmers Market; it's always a great day out. The market is open for Good Friday on Fri, Mar 29 from 10:00 – 18:00, and Sat – Sun from 08:00 – 19:00.
Thu, Mar 21 – Mon, Apr 1 – Refresh your senses at Ludwig's Roses Easter Market, which is combined with their Autumn Rose Festival. There'll be tractor and train rides on the weekends and a kiddies' play area. Go on Sun, Mar 31 for an Easter egg hunt from 08:00 – 12:00, open to kids aged 13 and under.

A BITE TO EAT

When you've had your fun and games and are looking for a family friendly venue to relax over an Easter lunch, The Troyeville Hotel restaurant is preparing an Easter buffet on Sun, Mar 31 from 12:00 – 16:30. Pull in for a spread of salad, starters, mains, sides, and desserts. The lunch costs R323 for adults, R165 for children under 12, and R225 for pensioners. Booking is essential. Phone +27 79 612 0125.

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

Until Thu, Mar 28 – Physical theatre and shadow puppetry bring an African folktale to life in Vuyo and The Wolf at the National Children's Theatre. Find out what else is showing here.
Tue, Apr 2 – Sun, Apr 7 – With The Baker and the Little Rat, Bizzy Hands Puppet Company brings light-hearted comedy to Sandton's Theatre on the Square.
Until Sun, Apr 21 – People’s Theatre's heartwarming Disney adventure My Son Pinocchio Jr will make these school holidays memorable.

Perfect for a family outing, Disney's *My Son Pinocchio Jr* brings a beloved fairytale to Joburg's stage. Photo: Supplied.

ANIMAL KINGDOM FUN

Thu, Mar 21 – The Joburg Zoo turns an impressive 120 years old this year and is throwing a big birthday bash on Human Rights Day. Enjoy a celebratory day at the zoo with a reduced entrance fee of R20 p.p.
Fri, Mar 29 from 10:00 – 15:00 – The Rest Ur Ass Donkey Sanctuary Easter Market comes to Roodepoort.
Sat, Mar 30 from 10:00 – 16:00 – We can't think of a better time of year to visit Bunny Hop Haven in Observatory for their Easter Mini Market.

TAKE A RIDE

Visit the James Hall Museum of Transport in Rosettenville or ride the trains at Rand Society of Model Engineers in Florida. And for the adrenaline junkies...

MIDRAND'S FUN PARK
The Mall of Africa has a year-round carnival in the form of a Fun Park: little ones will love the spinning teacups while the break dancer ride is for the more adventurous in spirit. The giant Ferris wheel is a great way to see Midrand from on high.
Open 14:00 – 20:00 Thu – Fri and from 10:00 – 20:00 Sat – Sun.

A bird's eye view of Midrand from the ferris wheel at Fun Park. Photo: Waterfall City Park. — A bird's eye view of Midrand from the ferris wheel at **Fun Park**. Photo: Waterfall City Park.

MZANSI THEME PARK
Before we say goodbye to summer, cool down with water slides and thrilling rides to suit all ages at Mogale City's Mzansi Theme Park.
Open Fri – Sun from 09:00 – 17:00.

THE RED BUS TO GOLD REEF CITY
Sundays are fun days for the City Sightseeing Bus, where a discounted combo ticket gets you entrance and a ride from Rosebank to Gold Reef City Theme Park with optional stops at some of Joburg's best attractions along the way. Buy your tickets here.

Hop on in Rosebank and hop off at Gold Reef City with a fabulous combo deal. Photo: City Sightseeing Bus. — Catch the Red Bus to **Gold Reef City** with a fabulous combo deal. Photo: City Sightseeing Bus.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

LEBOLAND EASTER CAMP
For the whole family to enjoy, Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers returns to Leboland in Soweto for their seasonal Easter Camp. Bonfire nights, yoga, live music, and a kiddies' Easter egg hunt are all on the itinerary.
The camp happens from Fri, Mar 29 – Mon, Apr 1; camp packages can be booked through WhatsApp +27 81 524 2918 or email lebo@sowetobackpackers.com

See you around the campfire at **Lebo's Soweto Backpackers'** annual Easter Camp. Photo: Lebo's Soweto Backpackers.

PAINTING WITH GRAPES
Join Painting with Grapes at their Northcliff studio for a parents' and kids' Easter-themed painting class; a lovely chance to bond with your little ones while enjoying the creative process.
Classes on Fri, Mar 29 and Sat, Mar 30 begin at 09:50 and last three hours. Art supplies, a sweet treat and refreshments will be provided. Book here.