Schools are out and the kids are home; no homework, no tests and no teachers. Luckily, there is no need for the holidays and Easter weekend to end in long boring days of doing nothing or days of screen-time with just computer games and watching DVDs. Nelson Mandela Bay offers a whole lot of activities to keep the kids – young and old – busy this April.

Things to do in the Bay with Kids this Vacation

SANCCOB

Take the kids to SANCCOB (previously known as SAMREC) for some penguin fun and education. SAMREC was established almost two decades ago and has played a vital role in rescuing and rehabilitating marine birds from the Bay. Their “please touch” edu-centre offers a great opportunity for kids to learn more about marine conservation.

If you want to join the kids for a moonlight walk, head to SANNCOB in Cape Recife Nature Reserve on the 11th of April from 17:45 until 21:00 and watch how the pink moon rises above the sea.

A Game or Two

Make your way down to Summerstrand and visit Lighthouses, next to the Boardwalk, for a game of pool and some tenpin bowling.

Splash Festival

The Splash Festival is hitting the shores of the Bay from the 14th to the 17th of April. As always, this festival promises to be a fun family experience with arts and entertainment for everyone. The official programme for the festival will be released this Friday.

Trampoline Park

Head to Gravity Indoor Trampoline Park and get jumpin’ and bouncing! This is a fun activity for young and old.

Baywest Mall Easter Egg Hunt

Baywest mall will give away more than 5000 Easter eggs and will host an in-mall egg hunt from the 14th until the 17th of April (location: Mugg & Bean court). The kids will also have the opportunity to take a photo with the Beacon Bunny.

Skate away

When you are done finding Easter eggs  go test your balance at Baywest Mall’s Ice Skating Rink; it is another activity that you can enjoy together as a family.

Get colourful

Have a harmless shoot-out with your family at Paintball Heaven and enjoy an action-packed colourful game in Uitenhage, about 2km down Kruisriver Road.

Click here for more information.

Heli Flips

Now this is something for young and old to enjoy! Experience a helicopter flip with Helicopter Pilot Training Centre and E’scape Airtours at Baywest Mall. Booking is essential, you can email admin@helipilot.co.za.

Aviation 

Nelson Mandela Bay is filled with interesting museums. If your child has a keen interest in planes and thinking of becoming a pilot then head to the hanger of the South African Airforce Museum.

Edutainment

There are two “museums” in Uitenhage which offer a whole lot of edutainment for kids. Visit the VW Autopavillion and the Science and Technology Centre to see the past, the present and the future.

Easter in the Park

Head to Mount Pleasant Park on the 17th of April for a bring-and-braai and fun kiddies activities like jumping castles, face painting, an egg hunt (registration is necessary) and meeting the Easter bunny.

For more information, click here.

Art Workshops

Try your hand at art and join the art workshops on the 7th of April as well as from 10 to 12 April 2017. The morning workshops requires no artistic talent, it is suitable for learners on holidays and covers an array of methods and mediums. For more information, click here.

Holmeleigh Farmyard

Holmeleigh Farmyard is a firm favourite in the Bay. Go to Kragga Kamma for a bit of fresh air, farm animals and delicious treats; it is a great hands-on learning opportunity for children where they can connect to nature, be close to animals, develop compassion and respect for other living things, watch the animals and learn about their behaviour to understand a bit more about farm life.

Kragga Kamma Game Park

While you are in the area of Kragga Kamma, why not stay a bit longer and go on a self-guided game drive through the park? Your Nelson Mandela Bay Pass will grant you a free entry and you enjoy being the whole day - or a few hours - in nature, surrounded by giraffes, cheetahs, kudus and other game.

Kidz Zone at Walmer Park

Walmer Park Shopping Centre is putting up a very egg-citing kiddies zone in the centre’s court area. There will be stone ETC jewels and gems scratch patch, face painting from Popsie the clown, kids can meet the Easter bunny, do balloon sculpting, take a photo in the photo booth and enjoy colouring. This is happening on the 15th and 16th of April from 10:00 until 14:00.