So you're heading to Cape Town? Your kids will ruin your holiday if you have nothing for them to do over the holidays. So what do you do when that outing to the museum goes sour because somehow it’s closed or it’s too full? Where do you go? What’s your next option? We’ve compiled a few options for you:

Aquarium 

You can’t lose with the aquarium and small kids. The Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the best. It has about 300 animals in nine galleries for the kids to ogle at. Visit just before 3:30pm to see the fish, sharks and turtles feeding.

V&A Waterfront
Open: 9:30am – 6pm
Contact details: 021 4183823
Price: Adults R88
Under 18’s R68.
Under 4’s Free (must be accompanied by a paying adult).

Ratanga Junction

A Cape Town favourite. The theme park is huge and imposing, meaning that your kids will have much to occupy them. The thrills range from the tame to the heart-stopping rides that kids who love to shock their parents relish.

Sable Road
Canal Walk
Contact details: 0861 200 300
Open: Wed – Sun. 10am – 5pm 4 Friday December 2009 until Tuesday 12 January 2010. Not Open on Christmas day.
Price:

• Fun Pass - R40
• Adventure rider ticket over 1.3m tall - R132.
• Mini Adventure rider ticket under 1.3m tall - R65.

Some of the nicest insects to see during the summer are butterflies. One is enough to catch some kids’ attention. Now imagine a whole world of them. Butterfly World is the largest free flying park for butterflies in Southern Africa.

Route 44, Klapmuts
Contact details: 021 875 5628
Open: 9am – 5pm.
Everyday except Christmas Day.

Warrior Toy Museum

This is the perfect getaway for the child that is interest in their toys beyond just playing with them. It’s a dizzying collection of dinky toys, Meccano model cars, boats, trains and many other toys.

St. George’s Street
Simon’s Town
Contact details: 021 786 1395

Monkeytown

Monkeys and their funny behaviour have always been a favourite for young ones. There are about 25 exotic monkeys at the sanctuary. Some from Madagascar, others from parts of Asia and the Americas.

Mondeor Road
Somerset West
Contact details: 021 858 1060
Open: 9am – 5pm daily
Price: Adults: R70. Students, pensioners and teenagers: R50. Children 3 – 12 R30, 1 and 2 R10 and under 1 free.

Imhoff Farm

You’ll probably end up spending the whole day here. It’s a bohemian farm offering a range of outdoor activities that include horse and camel riding. There’s also a snake park on the premises, and over 40 indigenous reptiles.

Kommetjie Road
Kommetjie
Contact details: 021 783 5828
Open: 9am – 5pm daily Free