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.

Barnyard - Steenberg, Tokai

The Barnyard has had a revamp recently and is loads of fun for children. We went on an outing with Grandparents and I am not sure if Grandpa or Nathan had more fun making piggy noises! There are penned goats, chickens, ducks, pigs, rabbits and a tortoise which can be fed with seed bought there. Pigeons fly in to make the most of the free meals too so there are loads of birds to be seen. A Jungle Gym and large sandpit kept Nathan busy while we had yummy marshmellow hot chocolate.

Shade: some tables in shade but play area not shaded

Attitude to kids: this place is all about giving mom a place to relax with toddlers and older

Stuff to do: feed the birds, sandpit, Jungle Gyms and a couple of famous 'Black Bikes'

Safe/contained: one entance to the restaurant and barnyard area

Outdoor/indoor: undercover and under-tree seating or get your coffee and sit on the edge of the sandpit.

Space: enough for a pre-school (30 children) outing which was there when we were

Cost: no entrance fee but food and drinks make up for this - eg R25 for cake

Parking: plenty