School Holiday Fun in Joburg: The Best Things to Do with Kids Right Now

When the school holidays arrive, so does that familiar parental question: how exactly do you keep children entertained without hearing “I’m bored” by mid-morning?

Luckily, Johannesburg knows how to show families a good time. Whether your child is into science experiments, sweet treats, stage shows, outdoor adventure or pure sugar-fuelled chaos, there is plenty happening across the city and beyond. From long-running favourites to limited-time holiday pop-ups, this year’s line-up proves that Joburg families are spoiled for choice.

And because every family has a different rhythm, this list mixes high-energy outings with slower, more creative options. Some are perfect for toddlers, some work better for tweens and teens, and a few are the kind of places where adults will quietly have just as much fun as the kids.

Start with the big holiday specials

If you want outings that feel unmistakably school-holiday-ish, the temporary pop-ups and Easter-themed activations are where to begin.

Sandton City’s Chocolate Café: Sweet Edition is one of those experiences built to delight children on sight. From giant candy tubes and fortune-inspired games to Build-A-Bar stations and personalised Lindt Bunny ribbons, it leans fully into the holiday sugar rush. Parents can refuel with coffee while the kids move from one sweet-themed station to the next. It runs from 26 March to 6 April, daily from 9am to 6pm, at Sandton City, and entry is free.

Over at The Glen Shopping Centre, the Kids Club Craft Corner offers a more hands-on break. Think fabric painting on shopper bags, pencil cases and socks, plus cookie decorating for children who prefer their crafts edible. It runs 28 March to 2 April, with one-hour slots between 11am and 4pm, at Pick n Pay Court, with prices from R30 per person.

If your household likes a bit of everything, the Rand Show remains one of the biggest family traditions on the calendar. Rollercoasters, music, crafts and the unmistakable buzz of a South African fairground make it a full-day outing rather than a quick stop. It runs from 2 to 6 April 2026 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, with ticket options for adults, children and families.

Another school holiday crowd-puller is Clearwater Mall’s Easter Market, which combines shopping with family-friendly entertainment. The market itself has over 100 vendors and free entry, but the real draw for younger visitors is Boba Buddies, a bubble-tea-inspired activity zone with workshops and creative fun. The market runs from 27 March to 11 April, while Boba Buddies runs until 5 April.

For kids who want to make, build and explore

Not every child wants rides and noise. Some want to get messy, curious and creative, and Joburg has plenty for them too.

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a smart choice for families wanting something educational that still feels fun. Its Easter Holiday Programme includes hands-on experiments, science shows, challenges, egg-themed races and more, running from 28 March to 7 April at various times. Even outside the special programme, Sci-Bono remains one of the city’s best year-round family outings, with standard entry priced at R60 for adults and R40 for children aged 3 to 16.

The National Children’s Theatre Easter Camp in Parktown is another brilliant option for expressive kids. Best suited to children aged 7 to 17, the camp gives them four mornings of acting, singing, dancing and performance-building, ending in a final showcase for loved ones. It runs from 30 March to 2 April, from 9am to 12pm, and costs R1320 per person, with a sibling discount available.

For something calmer and more tactile, Clay Café at Maggie’s Farm in Lanseria is a lovely way to slow the holiday pace. Kids can paint ceramic pieces while learning different techniques, and the finished items are glazed and collected later. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm, with pieces priced individually from R100 to R500.

Theatre days still make magic

There is something wonderfully old-school about taking children to the theatre during the school break. It feels a little more memorable than another mall outing, and Joburg families are spoiled with options.

At Peoples Theatre, Shrek the Musical JR has returned with a revamped production running from 10 March to 19 April 2026. With refreshed choreography, new costumes and a bigger visual world, it is a solid pick for families who want a familiar story told with energy and humour. Tickets start at R175.

If your child loves larger-than-life fantasy, Once Upon a Time: Easter Edition at The Cirk in Cresta mixes music, dance and acrobatics into a fairy-tale spectacle. Running until 12 April 2026, it draws on stories like Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Moana for a colourful afternoon out.

Then there is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, presented by Pretoria Youth Theatre at Irene Village Theatre. Running from 19 March to 18 April 2026, it is a good excuse for a family day trip beyond Joburg, especially for children who love musical theatre and all things Wonka.

Another strong option just outside Joburg is VR Theatrical’s The Jungle Book at the AfriForum Theatre in Pretoria, running from 25 March to 5 April. Its immersive foyer and contemporary take on the classic story make it feel more inventive than a standard stage adaptation.

Places where kids can burn serious energy

Some children do not need another craft table. They need to move.

For those days, JoyJozi in Dunkeld is one of the most versatile family venues around. It combines a restaurant, indoor and outdoor play spaces, an amphitheatre, bike tracks, splash zones and pop-up experiences in one setting. During the holiday period, it also hosts a special festival from 2 April to 3 May, including Easter activities, pastry classes, treasure hunts and outdoor movie nights. Its new Kids Eat Free Always special only adds to its school holiday appeal.

Total Ninja in Northgate is another winner for energetic kids, with inflatables, obstacle courses and dedicated zones for younger children. Bounce Inc. in Fourways and Midrand remains a reliable crowd-pleaser for trampoline lovers, while Rush Extreme Sports at Greenstone Mall is perfect for children who measure a good day by how sweaty they are when it ends.

If your child prefers heights to bounce, CityROCK Johannesburg offers climbing for beginners and more experienced young climbers, while Acrobranch lets families tackle tree-top ropes courses and zip lines in green outdoor settings.

For something a little different, RollEgoli Roller Rink in Bryanston blends skating, climbing and outdoor play into one all-weather family space. It is the kind of place where a planned one-hour visit somehow turns into an entire afternoon.

Sweet treats, rides and classic family fun

Sometimes the easiest outing is the one that feels cheerful and uncomplicated.

Eastgate’s Scoop Shop, running from 1 to 6 April, combines ice cream with kid-friendly play and creative activities, all for R50 per person. Over at Gold Reef City, the Easter Market adds treats, ceramics and a festive family atmosphere to an already familiar favourite. It ran from 27 to 30 March, offering free entry and plenty of seasonal charm.

The Waterfall City Ferris Wheel and rides at Waterfall Park are another classic holiday option, especially when the weather behaves. Meanwhile, the Museum of Illusions in Rosebank remains one of the best all-ages outings in the city, especially for families wanting a mix of fun, photos and a little brain-bending wonder.

For families who want to keep things simple and open-air, a picnic in one of Johannesburg’s gardens and parks still deserves a place on the school holiday list. Not every outing needs flashing lights and queues. Sometimes, after a packed term, children just need space to run.

Keep an eye on the bigger upcoming events

Even if you cannot fit everything into this break, there are a few family events worth bookmarking.

The Magical Marble Family Festival lands in Melrose on 9 and 10 May 2026, promising whimsical characters, theatre and play for all ages. Later in the year, Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party arrives at SunBet Arena, Time Square, from 28 June to 5 July 2026, bringing skating, acrobatics and beloved Disney worlds to life.

Both are the kind of outings that tend to live in family memory long after the school holidays end.

The best school holiday plan is a mixed one

What makes Johannesburg such a good city for family outings is its variety. One day can be about chocolate and market treats, the next about science experiments or a theatre matinee. You can go full-energy with trampolines and obstacle courses, or keep it low-key with ceramics, bubble tea workshops and planetarium-style shows.

That balance matters, especially during school holidays when parents are usually trying to stretch both time and budget. The trick is not to fill every single day. It is to choose a few standout moments that make the break feel special.

And in Joburg, there are more than enough ways to do exactly that.