Helderberg libraries and recreation locations are among City of Cape Town facilities that will pull all the stops out to ensure young bodies and minds are kept busy over the school holidays.
Hundreds of activities and events will take place across the city, catering for all ages.
“The festive-season holidays are the longest school break on the calendar, and while it’s a time for our children to unwind it can be stressful for parents who have to keep the young ones entertained,” said Mayco Member for Community Services and Health Patricia van der Ross. “Our departments have put a bumper programme together to help keep children active and mentally stimulated in a safe space.”
The Recreation and Parks Department’s holiday recreation programme is filled with lively and vibrant activities to ensure the end-of-year holidays are action-packed and full of fun.
It provides an opportunity to enjoy a variety of recreational activities, sports and outdoor games safely, while enhancing their skills and enjoying a different recreational learning environment.
The holiday programme will be offered from Wednesday 13 December to Wednesday 17 January 2024 at more than 130 recreational venues across the city. These include community centres, sports grounds, play parks, pools, beaches and green spaces.
City libraries offer more than a world of imagination and an escape into books. Events at libraries include arts and crafts, movies, a visit from the City’s Metro Police K9 Unit, and puppet shows.
- “Our holiday programmes are designed to keep our children busy, but also encourages play and teamwork,” added Van der Ross. “These activities not only keep them occupied, but allow them to interact socially and make new friends. With so much on offer, there’s sure to be something for everyone.The Library and Information Services holiday programme in the Helderberg offers: Gordon’s Bay: Beach Safety at Bikini Beach from 11:00 to 12:00 on Thursday 14 December; seaside stories at Bikini Beach from 11:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday 20 December; making Christmas wrapping paper at Gordon’s Bay Library (at 6 Watt Street) from 11:00 to 12:30 on Friday 22 December, and making glove monsters (bring one woollen glove) at the library from 11:00 to 12:30 on Saturday 13 January. For more information contact Melanie on 021 400 6370 or gordonsbay.library@capetown.gov.za.) Strand: A nature conservation talk and activity about soil at the Strand Library hall in Mills Street from 10:00 to 12:00 on Monday 18 December; making music with Music Makers in the library hall from 10:00 to 12:00 on Tuesday 19 December; beach clean-up and educational talk in Beach Road from 10:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday 20 December; Puppet show by Read to Rise in the library hall from 10:00 to 12:00 on Thursday 21 December; stories and decorating Christmas cookies in the library hall from 10:00 to 12:00 on Friday 22 December. For more details, contact Linda on 021 444 3106 or linda.bruwer@capetown.gov.za.The Recreation and Parks holiday programme schedule in the basin offers: ) Mobile recreation unit: . Giant games, tag rugby, drie-stokkies, badminton and swing ball in Beach Road, Strand, from 09:00 to 16:00 on Monday 18 December;. Beach soccer and cricket, tug-of-war, drie stokkies and mini-netball in Rawbone Road, Sir Lowry’s Pass from 09:00 to 16:00 on Wednesday 20 December;. Target throw, swing ball, soccer, ladder races, hoola hoops and obstacle courses at Macassar Beach in Beach Road, Macassar from 09:00 to 16:00 on Thursday 21 December;. Board games, soccer, netball, black toti, rounders, giant games and swing ball at Koggel Bay Beach in Walter Sisulu Road, Gordon’s Bay from 09:00 to 16:00 on Friday 22 December; . Board games, soccer, netball, black toti, rounders, swing ball and giant games at Strand Swimming Pool in Beach Road, Strand from 09:00 to 16:00 on Thursday 4 January; and. Target throw, swing ball, soccer, ladder races, hoola hoops and obstacle courses at Hendon Park Resort in Faure Marine Drive, Gordon’s Bay, from 09:00 to 16:00 on Monday 8 January.) Macassar and Somerset West: . Pool table, table tennis, football, and arts and crafts at Macassar New Hall in Burg Street from 09:00 to 14:00 on Thursday 14 and Tuesday 19 December;. Beach walk at Macassar Beach from 09:00 to 14:00 on Wednesday 20 December; . Recreation activities including pool table, table tennis, football, and arts and crafts at Macassar New Hall in Burg Street from 09:00 to 14:00 on Thursday 21 December, and Monday 1, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 January; and. A hike at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West from 09:00 to 14:00 on Saturday 6 January. V Please note: The holiday programme caters for a variety of ages and interests such as nature, sport, music, art and theatre, and include indoor, outdoor, physical and non-physical activities.
Registration for each activity is offered on a first-come-first-serve basis, which takes place at the start of each event. Many of them are offered at no cost, however, some require a minimal fee.
