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.

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

Silvermine Nature Reserve - Ou Kaapse Weg

We were totally amazed to find this spot just 20mins drive from home. Once you turn off Ou Kaapse Weg it feels like you are heading into Lord of the Rings country with not a hint of the city anywhere nearby. A short tar-road drive takes you to a parking area and then excellent pram-friendly paths lead you on a short walk to a small dam. One can continue to walk around the perimeter of the dam on wooden deck paths while looking for the ideal picnic or braai spots which are all cleverly situated amongst the rocks at the water's edge.

Shade: loads of shady spots

Stuff to do: picnic, explore, swim - and mountain biking and dogs allowed in certain areas

Safe/contained: open water and mountains to get lost in

Cost: R15, or use credits on Ltd Wild Card, free with Wild Card

Parking: free, car guards

Party potential: great with lots of adult supervision
Other: it is always a few degrees cooler up there so take warm clothing