Local Council facilities have packed the summer school holidays with hundreds of activities to keep young ones busy and cool.
The holiday programmes start on Thursday (12 December) to Tuesday (14 January 2025) at local libraries, community centres, recreation facilities, sports grounds, play parks, green spaces and other public facilities, including those in the Helderberg.
“The summer school holiday is probably the most anticipated break for our children. They’ve worked hard all year and our programmes are designed to reward them with fun and safe recreation. They have a legion of activities to choose from that will keep their minds and bodies active. We have hundreds of programmes planned for the next few weeks that will help them stave off boredom,” said Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
The City’s libraries including Strand, Gordon’s Bay and Lwandle are offering a wide range of activities, including a beach clean-up, coding games, a health and wellness workshop for kids and loads of stories, movies and arts and crafts.
Activities presented by the recreation and parks department include loads of indoor and outdoor recreational, sport and indigenous games, a variety of sports tournaments, aquatic activities and adventure activities, such as hikes, nature conservation education and more. From 10:00 to 16:00 daily, a variety of recreation activities, board games and sport play will be offered at Sir Lowry’s Pass Community Hall at 6 Cemetery Road in Sir Lowry’s Pass; Garden Village Community Hall in Gum Street, Somerset West; Nomzamo Recreation Centre in Michael Street, Nomzamo; Lwandle Community Hall in Vulindlela Road, Lwandle; and Macassar New Hall, on the corner of Burg and Felix Street in Macassar. For more information, call Siphokazi on 072 969 6127 or Siphokazi.Matholengwe@capetown.gov.za
“There is something for everyone on the programme designed to bust any boredom,” added Van der Ross.
“I want to encourage parents and caregivers to take the opportunity to keep their children constructively occupied this holiday.”
On the holiday lineup at libraries
. Strand Library (Mills Street): Picnic and games in garden (jumping castle and others) on Tuesday 17 December from 10:00 to 12:00; Christmas carols and presents by Santa on Friday 20 December from 10:00 to 12:00; Coding games on Monday 6 January from 10:00 to 12:00; Stories and craft on Sunday 8 January from 10:00 to 12:00; Beach clean-up at Strand Beach’s Marine Protected Area with Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement on Tuesday 10 January from 07:00 to 12:00. For more information, contact Linda on 021 444 3106 or linda.bruwer@capetown.gov.za.
. Gordon’s Bay Library (6 Watt Street): Decorate the tree (booking is essential) on Friday 13 December from 11:00 to 12:00; Letters To Santa (booking is essential due to very limited space) on Wednesday 18 December from 11:00 to 12:00; Coasting through Christmas on Friday 20 December from 11:00 to 12:00; Comikidz (booking is essential due to very limited space) from 10:00 to 11:30 and chess from 10:00 to 12:00 on Saturday 21 December; Cupcake Wars Xmas Edition (booking is essential) on Friday 27 December from 10:00 to 12:00; Creating cookies (booking is essential due to very limited space) on Friday 3 January from 10:00 to 11:00; Scrapbooking (booking is essential) on Tuesday 7 January from 10:00 to 12:00; Health and Wellness workshop for kids (booking is essential) on Friday 10 January from 10:00 to 11:00; Bedtime stories on Tuesday 14 January from 17:00 to 18:00; and Comikidz (booking essential due to very limited space) on Saturday 18 January from 10:00 to 11:30. For more information, contact Melanie van Sitters on 021 400 6370 or gordonsbay.library@capetown.gov.za.
. Lwandle Library (Vulindlela Road): Storytelling on Thursday 5 December from 10:00 to 11:00; Face-painting on Friday (6 December) from 11:00 to 12:00; Games on Monday 9 December from 12:00 to 13:00; Puzzles on Tuesday 10 December from 11:00 to 12:00; Storytelling on Thursday 12 December from 10:00 to 11:00; and Christmas tree decoration on Friday 13 December from 11:00 to 12:00. For more information, contact Asanda Ndaliso on 021 400 7020 or asanda.ndaliso@capetown.gov.za.
