Ferndale Nursery

This nursery in Constantia was wonderfully child friendly. Our first stop was the Koi pond where Nathan and cousin Jamie were facinated by the shining fish (for R2 we bought a tiny container of fish food). Then the main attraction was the geese which we had brought a few slices of bread to attract but these noisy birds needed no invitation to start sqwarking and crowding at the fence of their large pond enclosure hopeful of catching a treat. The black motorbikes, old tractor, swings and jungle-gym will all be a lot of fun as the boys get older but they were able to enjoy the short jungle walk with fake crocodile and finding their way through the maze.

Shade: lots of trees and some of the play area shaded
Safe/contained: open water
Outdoor/indoor: all outdoor
Space: large, sprawling play area and a small space to picnic
Cost: Free plus whatever you are tempted to spend on gardening
Parking: pleanty

Metro Rail to Simonstown

It sometimes takes the enthusiasm of foreign visitors to get me to try something I wouldn't normally think of. A recent visit from my sister out from Taiwan saw us heading off for the Plumstead Station just before 9 one morning. We were aiming to catch the 9.10am South-bound train which the Metrorail website showed as having a buffet car attached. Initially sceptical about the accuracy of the site, I was very pleasantly surprised by what we found. One carriage (the blue one as we were informed at the ticket office) has a small bar area and then a series of restaurant booths to seat 4 people. We were lucky to find an empty table and sat to choose from a menu which included a full cooked breakfast through to muslie, yoghurt and design-your-own toasted sandwiches.

We had picked a beautiful winter's day to enjoy the view of False Bay and our breakfasts during the 50 minute trip. After a couple of hours exploring Simonstown we headed home on a regular Plus carriage, feeling that we had experienced something quite unique.

Tokai Forest Arboretum

This forest has is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. We spent a couple of hours at the coffee shop at a table under the trees. What a beautiful shady spot which must be a haven in summer but did get rather chilly during our visit. Older children can climb trees and explore down at the river and Nathan enjoyed climbing over logs and stumbling through the fallen leaves.

Oudekraal - Atlantic Seaboard

Thanks to our Ltd Wild Card we have found another gorgeous spot which we visited with friends on the weekend. Oudekraal is between Llundudno and Camps Bay and is a calm boulder protected beach with excellently set out picnic/braai areas on the grassy banks overlooking the beach. Nathan enjoyed sand play while Skylar and Terryn (8 and 6 years old) had fun looking amongst the rocks, climbing up the boulders and playing in the shallow, calm water. For some reason (perhaps the tides?) the beach was scattered with glass pieces. Most of them had been smoothed by the sea, but some were sharp. We will be sending pictures to the SANP.

We will definitely be back again to try out the braai areas - maybe even throw a party in the enclosed entertainment area which can be hired for a few hundred rand.

Shade: some picnic tables and beach near to boulders at the right time of day

Stuff to do: cold but protected swimming, boulder exploring, picnic/braai, sand play

Safe/contained: open water

Outdoor/indoor: all outdoor

Space: beach area and 20+ picnic sites

Cost: R10 adults, R5 children, or free with credits on Ltd Wild Card

Parking: 20+ spaces within the gates

Party potential: enclosed entertainment area with seating - booking required

Groot Constantia - Constantia

What a superb spot to have finally found. The lawns at Groot Constantia offer an amazing view over to False Bay with pleanty of space for ball games and picnic parties.

Shade: Huge Oaks trees on the perimeter of the lawns

Stuff to do: Apart from running up and down the terraces, bring your own entertainment

Outdoor: Completely exposed so not ideal for a windy, cold day

Space: Pleanty of room for lots of people and games

Cost: No charge

Other: No ablution facilities

Two Oceans Aquarium

The Aquarium has become a favourite for the whole family with Grandparents having membership cards too. It is a wonderful indoor activity for rainy days with displays and activities which appeal to all ages. We first visited when Nathan was 6 months old and he would just stare at the colours, lights and bubbles in the tanks. Now at 17 months he enjoys watching the fish as they swim close up to the glass and can appreciate the touch pool as well as just wandering wherever his little legs take him.

Website : www.aquarium.co.za

Opening times : 9.30am -6pm

Shade : All indoor

Attitude to kids : Not an amazing baby changing room, but very child friendly and safe for wandering toddlers.

Kids menu : The restaurant attached to the aquarium has high chairs and a play area

Stuff to do : Activity center, Touch Pool, Fish feeding times

Safe/contained : Controlled entrance

Cost : R70 per adult, R130 for a year's membership unlimited entry

Parking : Aquarium parking available when entering the Waterfront. Cost of R10 is refundable on entry to the aquarium

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Jo and I took the boys to Kirstenbosch today. It was a perfect Autumn day - sunny and warm with no wind and the gardens were beautiful. We had a pleasant walk pushing the boys in their prams and then Nathan had a wonderful time running up and down the grassy banks and climbing rocks. There are so many spots to stop and picnic that I'm sure we'll be back often even for short visits especially now that Jo has taken out a year's membership (which includes a guest) and we won't have to worry about the R27 entrance fee each time.