Cape Town is full of amazing things to do with kids, and its museums are no exception. The city is a great place to engage their curious minds, from hands-on interactive exhibits to fascinating history and art that spark their creativity. Whether it’s a rainy day or you’re looking for a fun day out, Cape Town’s kids’ museums guarantee a good time that does not break the bank. This guide will take you through some of Cape Town’s best kid-friendly museums that are fun for the whole family.
Table of Contents
The list below is in no particular order. Each entry is equally celebrated for their achievements, and the sequence of names is arbitrary, not indicating any ranking or preference.
Iziko South African Museum 🐳
The Iziko South African Museum is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions. It has acquired over 1.5 million artefacts, ranging from 700-million-year-old fossils to stone tools made over 120,000 years ago. The dinosaur exhibit is very popular with kids and keeps them entertained for a while!
The Whale Well exhibit is one of the museum’s highlights. It consists of massive whale skeletons and casts hanging from the ceiling, and you can see it from every floor level. The Iziko South African Museum focuses on giving guests an educational and entertaining experience through programs such as guided tours, workshops, and lectures.
Entry: R40 to R60
Iziko South African Museum, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm & Saturday and Sunday, 8.30 am to 4 pm (Planetarium is closed on Mondays)
Address: 25 Queen Victoria St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
Website: https://www.iziko.org.za/museums/south-african-museum/
Contact: 021 481 3800
Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome 🪐
Right next to the South African Museum, the Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome provides an immersive astronomy experience and is especially popular with kids! The Iziko Planetarium is one of Africa’s most advanced digital planetariums and offers artistic and scientific exhibits. Its 360° cinema gives guests an incomparable experience with animated explorations of the human body, space, and scientific functions like atoms and molecules.
These shows are especially fun and light-hearted during the morning slots when they offer adventurous, multi-sensory educational entertainment. The titles of the planetarium shows include Secrets of Gravity, Cosmic Collisions, and Rising Stars! A trip to the planetarium can keep the whole family entertained with a family tour of the stars, especially when combined with a visit to Iziko’s South African Museum.
Entry: R70 to R100
Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm & Saturday and Sunday, 8.30 am to 4 pm
Address: 25 Queen Victoria St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
Website: https://www.iziko.org.za/museums/south-african-museum/
Contact: 021 481 3800
Cape Town Museum of Childhood 🖍️
Cape Town’s Museum of Childhood is an exciting spot for interactive exhibits that keep both you and your kids thoroughly entertained. Not only can you learn about how children had a part to play in South African history, but you can also take part in the arts & crafts activities. The Museum of Childhood has a lovely display of the history of toys over 100 years, including a self-service coffee shop.
The best part about this experience is that it is entirely free, although donations are accepted. Cape Town’s Museum of Childhood aims to enrich children’s lives and make education and fun accessible to all children. The museum also holds events with volunteers, such as storytelling at the reading nook or crafting workshops at the art stations.
Cape Town Museum of Childhood, Opening Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm
Address: 3 Milner Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Website: https://www.museumofchildhood.org.za/
Contact: 071 336 1524
Warrior Toy Museum 🪀
If you’re nostalgic and want to delight the kids, the Warrior Toy Museum in Simon’s Town is the perfect spot. This museum is a lovely spot to take a look at toys from every decade. The museum is fantastic for model car enthusiasts with its impressive collection of over 4000. It doesn’t stop at cars, though, as their teddy bear and doll collections contain over 500 items.
The Warrior Toy Museum also contains two fully operational railroads, which are especially popular with children. This small nostalgic gem features models, ships, action figures, and dollhouses, which will captivate you. The exhibits showcase great attention to detail, which will impress the adults and engage the kids! One of the best perks is the museum’s store, where you can add to your own collection of toys.
Warrior Toy Museum, Opening Hours: Daily, 10 am to 2 pm
Address: 1067 King George Way, Simon’s Town, Cape Town
Website: https://www.simonstown.com/listing/warrior-toy-museum-and-shop/
Contact: 021 786 1395
Cape Town Science Centre 🧪
The Cape Town Science Centre is a premier kids’ museum in Cape Town. With over 250 interactive exhibits, the CT engages kids through hands-on learning. They can enjoy exhibits such as Lego building, robotics programming, physics experiments, and more. It is the ideal stop for families, especially for children, and a fascinating experience for people of all ages.
One of the best parts is the dedicated planetarium and space exploration exhibit, which features interactive displays about planets, stars, and space missions. Other popular exhibits include the human gyroscope, where your young ones can experience anti-gravity! The CTSC decides on its activities and displays according to the South African school’s science curriculum.
Entry: R95
Cape Town Science Centre, Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 4.30 pm
Address: 370B Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Website: https://www.ctsc.org.za/
Contact: 021 300 3200
Stellenbosch Miniature Museum 🧸
The Miniatures and Toy Museum at Stellenbosch is a hidden gem for a fun and charming outing. Their tiny, meticulously crafted dollhouses, miniatures, and vintage toys spark nostalgia and provide a fascinating experience for children. The best part is the miniature town, which is complete with tiny houses, shops, and a working model train. Stellenbosch’s Toy Museum has an impressive collection of antique dolls that date back decades.
It is a quaint spot that can keep you interested for an hour or two. The museum is a trip down memory lane for some and a new experience for kids. There is also an extremely well-detailed lifelike miniature of South Africa’s famous Blue train. The train is the only of its kind in Africa, and it travels through the Cape Winelands.
Stellenbosch Miniature Museum, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4.30 pm & Saturday, 9 am to 2 pm
Address: Market St, Stellenbosch Central
Website: https://stelmus.co.za/miniature-toy-museum/
Contact: 021 887 2948
South African Air Force Museum 🚁
Step into the world of aviation at the South African Air Force Museum in Ysterplaat. This fascinating museum gives guests an up-close look at the history and evolution of the South African Air Force. The impressive displays of aircraft, from sleek fighter jets to vintage planes, are a sight to see. Each aircraft has a story to tell, and the friendly staff is eager to provide it!
What makes this museum particularly special is its interactiveness, with some aircraft you can sit in. For adults, the museum’s historical significance is a highlight, with aviation memorabilia, uniforms, and equipment showcasing the role of the Air Force in South African history. The museum often hosts events and open days, such as airshows, where you can see the planes in action!
South African Air Force Museum, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm & Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm
Address: Piet Grobler St, Ysterplaat Airforce Base, Cape Town
Website: https://www.fsaafm.com/
Contact: fsaafm1@gmail.com
There are plenty of activities in Cape Town for kids and the whole family. These museums present the perfect opportunity to combine learning and fun whilst creating unforgettable moments. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or you love toys, Cape Town’s kids’ museums give you a chance to enjoy your hobbies and include your kids. If you don’t have kids, these are still great options for a fun and unique activity!
