It’s the school holidays!
As much as I love having my daughter at home, there are days where we all need a break to have some fun outdoors! Honestly, I’m tired of screaming “Pick up this mess” and I’m tired of watching DORA on TV so today I am taking Kitana for the Dora the Explorer Live musical at Emperors palace. I’m surprising her so I cannot wait to see her reaction when she finally meets Dora.
This July holidays there’s so many exciting events happening throughout the country! Too many to choose from! I managed to make a list of my favorites which I hope you will love too.
2 weeks ago, my daughter and mom attended the Disney on Ice production which was a magical experience. They still raving about it! I am a bit disappointed that I missed this year’s event but I am still on high from Disney World where I met Anna and Elsa. 😉
Cape Town, Disney on Ice is in your city at the moment so you don’t want to miss this!
For the first time in South Africa, Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozen join characters from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Disney●Pixar’s Cars and Toy Story 3, along with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. The production is running at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town until Sunday, 10 July 2016.
Book now at Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or your nearest Computicket service centre. To discover more about Disney On Ice, log on to www.disneyonice.co.za.
10 Events to attend with Kids during July:
1. SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW
For the first time ever, the multi-award winning critically acclaimed international sensation, Slava’s Snowshow storms into SA.
This show brilliantly creates a universal world in a timeless theatrical spectacle while enchanting and empowering the imagination of audiences across the globe.
The gradual transformation of the spectator during the show is one of the greatest feats Slava’s Snowshow has to offer.
Get ready to be catapulted back to your childhood as Slava’s Snowshow takes you on a uniquely spontaneous interactive and wildly entertaining journey under a snowy blanket.
When: 26th July till 14th August 2016
Where: Teatro At Montecasino – Montecasino
For more information, visit www.online.computicket.com/slava_s_snowshow/.
2. Gateway To Space Exhibition
This exhibition brings, for the first time, the great adventure of space exploration to South Africa.
Along with the wonder and the drama of this inspiring story of human accomplishment – going back to 1903 as well as future technology to take us to Mars and beyond – the exhibition showcases more than 60 space objects, making for an extraordinary collection of the instruments, artefacts and spacecraft that made a modern reality of ancient dreams. The thrill of interactive flight simulators and other training can be experienced at an additional cost.
SOME OF THE ARTEFACTS YOU’LL SEE AT THE EXHIBITION:
Sputnik 1
The first space satellite
Lunar rover model
The battery-operated space exploration vehicle that can move around and transport people on the surface of the moon.
A Space Shuttle cockpit
This flight deck, with controls for life support, landing and steering, was the heart of the Space Shuttle.
Space food
Most space food simply requires hot water to prepare, see what they eat in space!
Vostok rocket
The Soviet rocket that launched the first human in space.
When: Until 31 JULY 2016
MONDAY – FRIDAY
09:00 TO 18:00 (LAST ENTRY AT 17:00)
SATURDAY – SUNDAY
09:00 TO 19:00 (LAST ENTRY AT 18:00)
Where: SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE, JOHANNESBURG
For more information, visit www.gatewaytospace.co.za.
3. Pic Nic New Town
“Work Shop New Town has just launched a family friendly “PIC NIC” in its green lane, which will be held every month outside Work Shop New Town and The Potato Shed from 12pm to 5pm.
Expect wonderful picnic blankets and baskets with delicious food offerings, kids’ activities, live music, cocktails and beer, urban lawns, plenty of shade, and some great shopping with more 50 local designers at Work Shop New Town to choose from.
When: 16 July 2016
Where: Work Shop New Town
Cnr of Miriam Makeba and Gwigwi Mrwebi Sts, Newtown (secure parking at Newtown Junction)
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/workshopnewtown.
4. Shrek The Musical
Shrek The Musical has become a global phenomenon with productions staged internationally, including on the West End and Broadway. With an enormous cast, a fabulous score, speedy set changes, extravagant costumes, prosthetics and make-up – this is quite possibly one of the most creatively challenging and elaborate productions ever staged at Gold Reef City.
The talented, local 28-strong cast of Shrek The Musical expertly brought instantly recognisable movie characters like Shrek, Fiona and Donkey to life in a fun, charming and comical musical that will stay with guests, young and old, long after the curtains closed.
Note: No children under 4.
For more information, visit www.tsogosun.com/shrek-the-musical.
5. Body Worlds Vital Exhibition
BODY WORLDS Vital exhibition celebrates the wonder, sophistication and fragility of the human body. You are invited to explore a stunning collection of real human bodies, individual organs and transparent body slices.
When: Until end of July in Johannesburg then moves to Cape Town in August.
Where: SCI-BONO DISCOVERY CENTRE, MIRIAM MAKEBA STR, NEWTOWN
For more information, visit www.sci-bono.co.za.
6. Snow World Snow Park at GrandWest
Something for the entire family!
Snow World is a snow park and entertainment venue offering unique combinations of snow and ice activities for all ages. A first for South Africa, they have the indoor snow slope set within the large snow box with temperatures of a chilly -3 degrees Celsius.
They also have 3 solid ice toboggan slides, a snow play area, an ice bar and lounge, animals of the ice age exhibition, a viewing deck and kiosk, an alpine themed hospitality area and a kids’ party zone.
When: Until 31 July 2016
Where: GrandWest casino
For more information, visit www.suninternational.com/grandwest/events
7. Robin Hood
Family fun and entertainment is set for the winter holidays (until 16 July) at Canal Walk Shopping Centre with the much-anticipated annual theatre production. This year, the age-old tale of ‘giving and equality for all’ comes to life with the telling of Robin Hood, as Centre Court is transformed into Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle.
Produced by Fred Abrahamse & Marcel Meyer, Robin Hood is a musical feast that will warm the hearts of all, and leave everyone thinking about the good they can do in their own ‘hood’. A five metre talking tree, speaking falcon, Maid Marian and a host of other loveable and admirable characters, will help Robin on his quest to give to others, defeat the Sheriff of Nottingham and find love.
To meet Robin, Marian, The Sherriff of Nottingham and the Merry Men, including the legendary Friar Tuck, book tickets at Computicket at a cost of R75 per person. There will be three performances per day (11H00; 12H30 and 14H00) from Tuesday to Sunday.
For more information, visit www.canalwalk.co.za.
8. Dora’s Pirate Adventure
Dora the Explorer Live! Dora’s Pirate Adventure, the ultimate, fantastic family-friendly theatrical experience is moving to Emperors Palace, Johannesburg (7-10 July), and finally dropping anchor at the Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino, in Cape Town (14-17 July).
Families and kids are invited to join Dora and her pals Boots and Diego on a voyage of discovery as they embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island in search of the ultimate pirate party. Help them navigate over the Dancing Mountain and through the Silly Singing Bridge in pursuit of the Pirate Piggies. Along the way, Dora the Explorer fans will use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully help Dora reach Treasure Island and avoid that pesky fox, Swiper!
For more information, visit www.computicket.com. Tickets are also available at the Emperor’s Palace Box Office and the Box Office at GrandWest Casino.
9. Hasbro Fun Zone
The Fun Zone is giving your kids the chance to play with some of the latest and greatest Nerf, My Little Pony, and Play-Doh toys.
There will be three branded stations that your kids can experience, and the best thing is that it is all for FREE and there are exciting prizes to be won!
At the Nerf station, there will be a Nerf firing range, where kids can blast away and potentially win some great prizes, a demo table where kids can learn about the new Modulus Blaster range, and finally, an iPad station with online games, and the chance to sign up for future events and giveaways.
The My Little Pony station features a community activity table, with activities like friendship bracelet making, colouring in, a toy play area, and a hair salon where we will ‘ponify’ your little one’s hair. There will also be character cut-outs available for photo opportunities.
The Play-Doh station is where your kids’ imagination can run wild. There will be creativity workshops that feature the latest Play-Doh food playsets, and all kids will receive little chef hats and will be able pose for photos with their creations.
When:
Durban, Gateway, Expo Explore Court, 6 – 10 July
Cape Town, V&A Waterfront, H&M Court, 13 – 17 July
10. Winnie the Pooh musical
Winnie the Pooh is an enchanting, episodic retelling of A.A. Milne’s classic and widely loved stories of Christopher Robin and his loveable menagerie of colourful animal friends and their adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Please note, no babes in arms, or children under three. Advance booking is through Computicket (0861 9158000) or www.computicket.co.za. For block bookings and exciting Early Bird specials contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: [email protected], or 0832502690.
Ticket Prices: Adults: R180/R150/R120; Children/Pensioners: R150/R120/R100
When: Until 17 July 2016
Where: Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre – Durban
Virgin Active is currently running a holiday club nationwide.
Club-V Holiday Camps
For 3 – 7-year-olds
3-hour camp per day
Activities involve games, movement activities, arts, crafts and general play
The theme for the month is Family Activeness so our games and activities focus specifically on fun childhood games like Simon Says, Duck, Duck, Goose, Wheelbarrow races etc.
Club-V Max Holiday Camps
For 3 – 13-year-olds
4-hour camp per day
Activities involve games, movement activities, arts, crafts and general play.
When:
Friday 8 July and family class on Saturday 9 July.
For more information, visit www.virginactive.co.za.
Club-V information in general
- Club- V is for children ages 6 weeks to 7 years, and Club-V Max is for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years.
- It is a paid for membership, and prices vary from club to club.
- Their staff is qualified in Early Childhood Development and Paediatric First Aid.
- They offer movement activities, arts, crafts, games, puzzles, books and more.
- Every month they have a theme which we model our activities, games and arts and crafts around.
