Play and get active
Keeping our kids active through sports and outdoor play is a great way to channel their energy. Taking part in sport doesn’t only make them healthier, it helps to build and uplift communities.
Our recreational facilities
Our outdoor spaces are among the most beautiful in the world, from parks and pools to outdoor recreation centres, mountains and forests.
Explore our recreational facilities.
Parks
Our environmentally friendly
smart parks are safe spaces with world-class facilities. They are kitted out with play areas, trees, picnic sites, and kick-about sports areas, allowing kids – old and young – to enjoy the outdoors together.
We’ve transformed rundown or unused public spaces into skate parks – recreation hubs where skaters and bikers can get together, have fun, and develop their skills. Contact our
Recreation and Parks Department to find out about skate parks near you.
Our
spray parks are a holiday highlight for children in areas with limited access to recreational facilities. These environmentally friendly parks allow children to enjoy water play in a safe, fun environment.
Swimming pools
Our
public swimming pools are a favourite among children during the hot summer months. Some of our pools are Olympic sized and include breath-taking views. Most are fully equipped with separate baby pools and springboard diving pools.
Learn how to keep your children safe in the water by reading
Water safety at pools and beaches.
Community centres and recreation hubs
Our recreation hubs, held in community halls across the City, offer a safe space for children to enjoy their free time. Find a recreation hub near you using the 'recreation hub' filter on our
Community centres listing page.
We offer fun activities including board games, life skills and fitness programmes, cycling, soccer, gymnastics and dancing. Programmes run for three hours a day, five days a week, and during holidays. With so much on offer, children never have to be bored outside of school hours.
Follow the City Connect link below for an introduction to some of our recreational programmes.
Beaches
Cape Town is renowned for its beautiful coastline. Our beaches attract swimmers, surfers, windsurfers or people just wanting to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Our tidal pools are a perfect way for kids to explore our unique marine life.
Read more about
our unique coastline or go straight to our
beaches listing page to find a beach near you.
Resorts
Resorts are a great place to take the family for a weekend away to enjoy the outdoors. Cape Town has a variety of coastal resorts offering affordable accommodation that ranges from self-catering holiday cottages and chalets to camping and caravan facilities.
Sports fields
We have a number of
sports fields across the City where local and visiting sports teams can enjoy playing cricket, hockey, soccer, athletics, and swimming. They’re well equipped with changing rooms and clubhouses, so they work well as a conference and team-building space too.
Outdoor adventure centres
Enrolling your child in a camp is a fun way for them to learn important life skills such as teamwork, communication and listening skills. Our
Princess Vlei Eco Adventure Centre offers activities such as kayaking, bike tracks and obstacle courses. Not only do these improve fitness and coordination, they encourage teamwork and build self-esteem.
Wheelchair-friendly facilities
Playing outdoors is just as important for children with disabilities. But as a parent with a child with a disability, getting around the city could be challenging if you’re not prepared.
Use the 'disability access' filter when browing
our recreational facilities to find City facilities that offer wheelchair access. To learn more about Cape Town's public transport options, read
Universal access and the public transport system.
Some of our facilities offer programmes especially designed for people with disabilities. Follow the City Connect link below.
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