The Cape Schools' winter holidays start on 26 June. Parents who are bracing themselves for their offspring's low indoor boredom threshold, should consider some of these fun options to keep the little people busy and happy in the fresh air and inside. Moms and Dad's get to enjoy a lot of them too...

Organic farm in Cape Town

The Millstone Farmstall has a fantastic kiddies garden with a tree house ship for pirate voyages. There is a charming little Wendy house on stilts with a slide (perfect for toddlers) and there are swings under a tree. Come and meet Milly May; their very own friendly piglet.

Feed the horses or go on rides (adults too). Not only does the farmstall sell organic produce grown on the farm. They are one of the only — if not the only wood-fired bread bakers in Cape Town, with a fabulous range of breads, including chocolate ciabatta. Their handmade butter biscuits are legendary and they even sell honey straight from the beehives.

The Millstone Farmstall & Cafe runs pizza and biscuit making workshops every school holidays.

The Millstone Farmstall & Cafe, Oude Molen Eco-Village, Alexandra Rd, Pinelands, +27 21 447 8226, millstone@polka.co.za

Going on a Marzipan Safari

Known as much for its delectable culinary offering as for its gorgeous wines, Asara offers kid's a delightful three-hour children's cooking programme to keep little hands busy, whilst their moms and dads relax.

The Marzipan Safari sees pastry chef, Bernd Strauss, showing the little ones how to make the animals of Africa — in marzipan!

Guaranteed fun for all ages! This also include a break of half an hour with yummy hot chocolate and homemade cookies, before heading home with their very own Marzipan animals to enjoy and show to their friends (if they don't get eaten first)!

R150 per person (beverages excluded). Minimum two children and maximum six children per group.

Asara Wine Estate, Polkadraai Road, Stellenbosch, +27 21 888 800, www.asara.co.za

Enchanted Garden

If you want an escape that is close to home but far from your everyday life then head for exclusive chalet and cottage Enchanted Garden in Noordhoek.

Over and above the quaint country atmosphere, the Noordhoek surrounds has a lot to offer kids, including restaurants (try the child friendly Noordhoek Farm Village), an endless beach, a shopping mall (with movies and a Spur), horse-riding and camel rides in neighbouring Kommetjie.

Enchanted Garden boasts a family of hens, geese, guinea fowl and rabbits which roam allover the property. It is a common occurrence to observe black eagles, hawks, owls and meerkats in the area. You will also find yourself in the company of five miniature horses, two Great Danes, a poodle and a dachshund.

Enchanted's owner, Sonia Jacka, has written about all the animals on the farm on the www.enchantedgarden.co.za news page, so you can get to know them even better. Older kids will enjoy the billiards table and board games in the entertainment area too.

Sonia is an artist and will offer drawing workshops for children and teens on request.

1 Devon Air Close, Noordhoek, +27 21 785 4600, www.enchantedgarden.co.za or info@enchantedgraden.co.za

Make way for Noddy

Noddy, Big Ears, Tessie Bear and friends will be back at Artscape during the winter holidays. Make Way for Noddy 2009, is presented by Stagecraft Drama Studio, and is adapted from various Noddy stories written by Enid Blyton. Short stories like 'Noddy's Perfect Gift', 'Noddy Goes Shopping' and 'Bouncing Ball Alert' are included in this production.

It promises stimulating lessons, adventure and lots of fun to entertain young theatre patrons.Performances are daily at 10.30am from June 29 to July 11 (except Sunday) and at 2.30pm on July 4 and 10.

Artscape Foyer, Cape Town. Tickets at R40 can be booked at Computicket www.computicket.co.za Or through Artscape Dial-a-Seat +27 21 421 7695

Slattery's at Oude Westhof

Housed in an expertly restored 1886 farm house at the bottom of the Kanonberg Mountain in the Northern Suburbs, this restaurant and its old oak trees are National Heritage monuments.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (Tues–Sat) and for breakfast and lunch on Sundays with a full kiddies menu. An outdoor kiddies play area makes it a perfect spot.

If your child's birthday falls in the winter months, this is a great space to have a birthday party. Slattery's offers a full party service including catering, entertainment, face-painting, tent building and more — both indoors and out.

Oude Westhof Village Square, Van Riebeeckshof Road, (Just up from Tygervalley Road), +27 21 913 7753/4, info@slatterys.co.za or www.slatterys.co.za

Learn about wildlife at Giraffe House

Giraffe House is home to a beautiful one-year old giraffe called Gerry. She was orphaned at a few days old and has been (and still is) bottle-fed 16 litres of milk per day!

She is also a movie star and recently starred in the soon-to-be-released movie 'Free Willy 4' alongside Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late wildlife enthusiast Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter).

There are also many other African wild animals to view, like crocodiles, eland, buffaloes, ostriches, zebra and camel. Giraffe House's mission is to teach everyone about our wonderful African wildlife heritage.

Daily animal encounters take place at 11am/1pm/3pm, and include either snake/reptile shows, bird shows, a tortoise show, Gerry's bottle-feeding or an agility demonstration by our stunning caracal, Felix.

Please note that winter is 'wellington-boot-time' at Giraffe House as paths can get a bit muddy. So pack a picnic and come and enjoy a day in the wild.

Please note there is no credit card facility.

Giraffe House, directions: c/o R304 to Stellenbosch and R101 to Paarl ( see www.giraffehouse.co.za for map). Please contact us to confirm shows for the day (+27 21 884 4506).

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