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Make core childhood memories at the 9 best kids’ play areas in Johannesburg!
Being a kid was all about fun. I remember my parents used to take me and my siblings to adventure parks where we ran wild and made the best memories.
But now, with screens taking over, I see my kids missing out on real play. So, I set out to find places where they can unplug, be silly, and just enjoy being young.
If you’re looking to do the same, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of the best kids’ play areas in Johannesburg where they’ll be too busy having fun to even think about their gadgets.
Play Africa
Media From: playafrica
Address: Play Africa at Constitution Hill Old Fort, 11 Kotze St
Phone: +27 114 804 892
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Website: https://playafrica.org.za/
Admission Fee:
- Adult- Free
- Children – R80 per child
Play Africa is an interactive children’s museum where kids can learn and play in a space that’s open to everyone. It’s set in a former prison at Constitution Hill, but now it’s all about fun, imagination, and hands-on learning.
Parents aren’t just spectators here. They can join their children in STEM learning activities like Intro to Binary Code, help them with interactive exhibits like Magnet Ball Wall, or even learn more about the legal system in the children’s courtroom.
Here, kids can do scientific experiments, explore art installations, and other activities that introduce them to science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths. It’s not just play; it’s learning through doing.
We took our kids on a Saturday, and they had absolute fun! They loved the sensory play area, figuring out different textures, sounds, and visuals. We even joined in on the puzzle challenges, and believe it or not, our little ones beat us to the solutions!
| Tip: Twice a month, they have special access hours for children with disabilities and special needs, creating a safe and welcoming space where every child can just be a kid. |
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Media From: scibono_discovery_centre
Address: Helen Joseph St
Phone: +27 116 398 400
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: http://scibono.co.za/
Admission Fee:
- Adults – R60
- Children over three years old – R40
- Children under three years old – Free
Take your kids to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, the largest science and technology hub in Africa. It’s all about getting children excited about maths, science, and technology through hands-on exhibits and interactive learning.
With over 350 interactive exhibits, kids can dive into physics, biology, and tech in a way that makes learning exciting. They’ll get to experiment, solve problems, and even take part in workshops where they become junior scientists for the day!
This is where my eldest first got hooked on physics because of the interactive electricity and magnetism exhibit. Watching him eagerly participate made me so proud!
| Tip: They also run special programs to spark interest in STEM careers, inspiring the next generation of innovators. |
Bambanani Melville
Media From: bambanani_melville
Address: 85 4th Ave, Melville
Phone: +27 114 822 900
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Website: http://www.bambanani.biz/
Admission Fee: Free
At Bambanani, you can enjoy a meal while your kids have the time of their lives at the play area where they can run, climb, and explore—all within view.
The four-story jungle gym is a hit, giving kids plenty of space to climb, slide, and burn off energy.
Tech-savvy children can dive into the media room with PlayStation, Wii, and Xbox, while book lovers can explore the mini library filled with interactive books. There’s even an Astro-turf area for scooter rides!
We celebrated our youngest’s birthday here, and it was a blast! While we caught up with friends and family over good food, the kids raced around, conquering the monkey bars, and zooming on scooters. Thanks to the attentive childminders, we could relax knowing they were safe.
| Tip: Check their calendar for events and activities so you can plan your visit around the most exciting days for your little ones. |
The Playhouse Alberton
Media From: jozikids
Address: Unit 1, SS Business Park, New Market, 40 Heidelberg Ave
Phone (Whatsapp): 0119080096
Operating Hours: Thursday to Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: http://www.theplayhouse.co.za/
Admission Fee:
- Adult – Free
- Children – R150 for 90 mins
- Unlimited play – R195
The Playhouse Alberton is an indoor play centre with activities for different ages and interests. From slides to climbing structures and obstacle courses, it’s the perfect place to let them burn off some energy.
Parents can unwind at the on-site café, catch up with friends, or just enjoy a quiet moment. If you’ve got a toddler, there’s a dedicated play area where they can have fun without getting caught up in the big kids’ chaos.
After church, I made the rookie mistake of giving my kids ice cream—so we headed straight to The Playhouse to let them burn off the sugar rush! Between the slides and climbing obstacles, they were completely exhausted by the end, and bedtime was a breeze.
| Tip: Add an extra R20 to let your kids hop on a mini train ride or try the aerial zipline. The best part is that parents can join in too! |
Kidz Fun House Play Centre
Media From: anishcadb
Address: Unit 6, 1 Terrace Road, Eastleigh
Phone: +27 825 605 805
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: https://kidzfunhouseza.com/
Admission Fee:
- Adult – Free
- Children under one year – R55 per hour
- Children over one year – R75
- Unlimited play – R300
Let your kids run wild at Kidz Fun House, a massive 1,500-square-metre indoor play centre built for fun and creativity.
There’s a bike track, complete with road signs and pedestrian crossings, that teaches kids about road safety in a fun way. For your little daredevils, there’s a massive jungle gym with speed slides, a trampoline, swings, and a ball pit.
You, on the other hand, can kick back at the café or even take a first aid class while the kids play.
We went during the holidays, and the place was buzzing! My kids had a blast exploring every corner while I enjoyed a peaceful coffee break at the café. It was a win-win—pure fun for them and a well-earned breather for me.
| Tip: Consider their monthly pass that’s only R980 for unlimited play over four weeks—perfect for keeping the kids entertained! |
Buggy Parks
Media From: journey_with_ivy
Address: Beyers Naudé Dr, Tuohyvale Rd
Phone: +27 603 854 356
Operating Hours: Saturday and Sunday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: http://buggyparks.co.za/
Admission Fee:
- Go Kart – R140 for 10 laps
- Paintball Shooting – R30 for 30 shots
- Zipline – R80
Get ready for an action-packed day at Buggy Parks! With off-road go-karting, paintball shooting, and ziplining, there’s plenty to get the adrenaline pumping.
And with trained staff on hand to keep things safe, you can focus on enjoying the thrills without any worries.
Younger kids aren’t left out; they have their own junior karts to race around the Round the Mountain track. They can also test their aim with paintball target shooting, giving them a taste of the action in a safe and controlled space.
We went on a Saturday, and my kids couldn’t get enough of the off-road go-karts! They had such a blast that they begged for ten more laps, and honestly, I didn’t blame them—it was too much fun!
| Tip: Bring some meat for a braai. The park has great facilities so you can enjoy a relaxing outdoor meal after all the excitement. |
Jozi X
Media From: jozix_adventurecentre
Address: Main Rd & Sloane St, Bryanston
Phone: +27 824 562 358
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: http://www.jozix.co.za/
Admission Fee:
- Arch Rivals – R100 for 30 mins
- Nerf War – R200 for 2 hours
- Bubble Soccer – R100 for 30 mins
- Inflatable Park – R200 per person
Jozi X is the ultimate playground for families who love a bit of adventure! Kids can dive into zones like Arch Rivals, Nerf Wars, Bubble Soccer, Action World, and Zorbing, each offering a unique way to burn off energy.
The best part? Parents can join in too, making it a full-on family experience.
We went during the school holidays and turned Bubble Soccer into a family showdown—me and my youngest versus my husband and our eldest. Let’s just say scoring a goal was harder than we thought, but we had the best time trying!
| Tip: Check out their Family Splatter Parties, where you and the kids can go wild with paint on a canvas—and each other—for a messy, creative, and unforgettable experience. |
Kids World & WaterPark
Media From: ayn_ides
Address: 1 Rifle Range Road, Nasrec Rd
Phone: +27 660 535 425
Operating Hours: Saturday and Sunday – 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Website: https://www.jozikids.co.za/listing/kids-world-and-waterpark/
Admission Fee:
- Adults – R100
- Kids – R120
Perfect for summer, Kids World & Waterpark is the ultimate spot for a fun-filled family day. With thrilling slides, splash pads, and interactive play areas, kids (and even parents) can cool off and have a blast. The pools are shallow, making it safe for little ones to swim and splash around freely.
Beyond the water fun, there are rocket rides, inflatable castles, and live entertainment, from jugglers to stilt walkers—even Barney makes an appearance! It’s the kind of place where energy runs high, and boredom doesn’t stand a chance.
My kids love this place, especially in summer. They couldn’t stop splashing and sliding, while I just wished I had their energy!
| Tip: For R150, you can rent a cooler to keep your drinks and snacks chilled throughout the day. |
CrazyKidz Farmyard
Media From: byjoaophotography
Address: 9 Daniel St, Daniel Brinkpark
Phone: +27 721 905 900
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: http://www.crazykidzfarmyard.co.za/
Admission Fee:
- Adults- R25
- Kids – R75
Take your kids to CrazyKids Farmyard, where they can enjoy a day of fun and learning with farm animals like goats, sheep, and ponies. This charming spot is perfect for day visits, birthday parties, or school outings.
Plus, each child gets a feed packet, so no need to worry about hungry tummies while they explore!
With a jungle gym, sandpit, and bike rides around the farm, there’s plenty to keep energetic kids busy. Staff also organise outdoor games to keep the fun rolling.
Meanwhile, parents can relax in the shaded areas or grab a bite at the snack shop while keeping an eye on the kids.
We visited for a birthday party, and my kids loved interacting with the animals—feeding them, petting them, and learning how to respect and care for them. It was a lesson they’ll carry with them for years to come.
| Tip: They don’t allow outside drinks, so it’s best to leave your beverages in your home or car. |
