Ditch the school holiday boredom with these activities to get the kids out of the house - IOL

Creative solutions for keeping kids engaged during winter break.

The school holidays are here, and keeping children entertained for nearly two weeks can quickly become an expensive exercise.

With Gauteng public schools on break from 24 September to 5 October, parents may be looking for ways to keep the kids busy without spending hundreds of rands on every outing.

Fortunately, Johannesburg has several family-friendly options that can make for an enjoyable day out without requiring a huge budget.

A trip to the Johannesburg Zoo can turn a school holiday outing into both entertainment and a learning experience.

The zoo regularly offers educational activities, tours and holiday programmes aimed at children, giving young visitors an opportunity to learn more about animals and conservation.

For the current school holidays, Joburg Zoo is running a holiday programme for children aged seven to 13 from 28 September to 2 October. Activities include animal feeding and enrichment, crafts and games, with the advertised programme fee listed at R153.

Parents should confirm the fee and availability when booking, as the event information does not clearly state whether the R153 covers the full programme or an individual session.

For children who are constantly asking “why?”A visit to Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown could be a good way to spend a few hours.

Johannesburg describes Sci-Bono as South Africa's biggest science centre, with interactive exhibits designed to make mathematics and science more accessible to young visitors. The centre also offers programmes including robotics training, school holiday activities and practical science experiences.

The attraction is relatively affordable, with entrance listed at R40 for children between three and 18, while children under three enter free. Adults pay R60.

That means a parent and child can spend the day exploring the centre for considerably less than many of the city's larger family attractions.

If your child loves stories, *Imagine Africa: Our Stories Brought to Life* is bringing the work of acclaimed South African storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe to the stage.

The interactive production at the People's Theatre in Braamfontein features stories including Golden Windows, How the Lion Got His Roar and Horns Only, with music, costumes, props and audience participation.

The show runs until *4 October*, with public performances during the school holidays at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Tickets cost *R180 per person*, while People's Theatre Kids Club members can get tickets for R145.

4.Get creative at The Glen Kids Club Craft Corner

For a shorter and more affordable outing, The Glen Shopping Centre is hosting a **Kids Club Craft Corner** during the final stretch of the holidays.

The activity gives children the chance to get creative with hands-on crafts, making it an option for parents looking for something to do without committing to an entire day out.

The Craft Corner takes place from **1 to 4 October**, starting at 11am, at the Pick n Pay Court.

Tickets cost between **R50 and R100** via Webtickets.

If your little ones know every word to  'Let It Go', 'Hakuna Matata' or 'You've Got a Friend in Me', there's a good chance they'll enjoy Disney's Dare to Dream JR.

The musical revue brings together more than 20 Disney songs spanning classics and newer favourites from films including 'Frozen, Encanto, Moana, Coco and The Lion King.

The production runs at the National Children's Theatre in Parktown from 30 September to 11 October 2026, making it a particularly convenient option for the October portion of the school holidays. It is suitable for all ages and runs for about 60 minutes.

Tickets are currently listed at approximately R120 to R180, depending on the ticket source and category.

For children who would rather climb, swing and scramble than sit through a show, **Acrobranch Melrose** has a school holiday special running until 5 October.

The adventure experience takes children outdoors and gives them an opportunity to tackle aerial obstacles and zipline-style challenges.

There is currently a 20% discount on Acrobranch adventures during the school holiday period when using the promotional code  AcroJozi20.

Keeping children entertained during the school holidays does not have to mean booking an expensive day out every day.

With options ranging from a R50 craft activity to an afternoon of African storytelling or an animal-filled morning at the zoo, Johannesburg has several activities that can fit different budgets and interests.

The key is to check the dates, age requirements and ticket conditions before heading out, particularly for activities with limited places or promotional pricing.