Our 10 Favourite Child-friendly Cape Town Wine Farms To Visit

Okay let’s be honest, how many times have you searched for ‘child-friendly wine farms near me’ on Google? I’ll bet the answer is more than once, I know I sure have! While a lot of Cape Town wine estates claim to be family-friendly, it doesn’t just take a jungle-gym to claim that title. So in an effort to make things a little easier for all the brave parents venturing out with the kids, I’ve compiled a list of child-friendly wine farms in Cape Town that we’ve already visited with our toddler and that gets our stamp of approval. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list of kid-friendly wine estates in Cape Town but more of a starting point for those impromptu Cape Winelands weekend outings because I’m sure there’s a lot more hidden gems to discover!

Child-friendly Wine Farms in Stellenbosch

Tokara Delicatessen

This Stellenbosch wine estate has got one of the best kiddies play areas I’ve seen. Their amazing playground features four treehouses with ladders, a slide, climbing net and a rubber shock-absorbing floor to allow the kids to play to their heart’s content! There’s also a sandpit, swings and scooters to keep the little ones entertained. Be sure to do the Orchard Walk and check out the sculpture exhibition before you leave. The roaming peacocks and stunning vineyard views complete this magical child-friendly Stellenbosch restaurant.

Tel: +27 21 808 5950 | www.tokara.com

Middelvlei Wine Estate

If you’re looking for an authentic family-friendly wine farm in Stellenbosch, it doesn’t get more down-to-earth than Middelvlei. The little ones can play in the sandpit, feed the farm animals or simply run freely on the wide open lawns. Middelvlei also offers kids juice tasting and a snack box to keep rumbling tummies at bay. However, they’re probably more widely known for their Boerebraai restaurant which serves real South African braai food: chops, boerewors, chicken sosaties, braaibroodjies and even pumpkin fritters!

Tel: +27 21 883 2565 | www.middelvlei.co.za

Joostenberg Bistro and Stellies Taproom

Klein Joostenberg is situated in the Muldersvlei district of Stellenbosch just off the N1 highway. The best thing about this child-friendly Cape Town wine farm is the seemingly endless wide open space and lush green lawn which is perfect for social distancing. Joostenberg Bistro offers relaxed informal bistro dining and fuss free delicious food while Stellies Taproom is a picnic style eatery where you can enjoy an al fresco meal and an ice-cold craft beer or cider. There’s also a jungle-gym between the two venues for the kids to enjoy. Acrobranch Stellenbosch is also situated on the grounds of Klein Joostenberg and has treetop adventures suitable for the whole family including, zip lining, obstacle courses and a climbing wall!

Stellies Taproom tel: +27 21 884 4014 | Joostenberg Bistro tel: +27 884 4208 | Acrobranch Stellenbosch tel: 086 999 0369

Child-friendly Wine Farms in Franschhoek

Allée Bleue Wine Estate

The first time I visited this child-friendly Cape Town wine farm I was with friends but I immediately regarded it as a family-friendly Franschhoek destination because of its wide open spaces and beautifully lush green gardens. The Allée Bleue picnics are available daily and visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic chairs, blanket or cushions. Seating is also entirely up to you, choose a spot anywhere in the gardens, on the lawns under the oak trees or in the designated picnic area where the children can play to their heart’s content on the jungle-gym and the sprawling lawn. Bookings are limited to ensure compliance with social distancing so be sure to confirm ahead of time.

Tel: +21 874 1021 | www.alleebleue.co.za

Boschendal Wine Estate

Where does one even begin with this all-round family-friendly Franschhoek wine estate? We’ll start with The Tree House playground and pump track which lets free range kids go wild! Acorn hideouts, slides, walkways, platforms, mushroom pods and pyramids are some of the fun things kids can look forward to enjoying on the playground while the MTB pump track (next to the playground) allows them to be even more adventurous. Kids can bring their own bikes or rent a bike from the MTB Trail Centre. The Kids Outdoor Experience programme for children aged 5-14 years is available for in-house guests and offers a guided outdoor farm experience including mountain bike, horseback rides and identifying flora and fauna.

Then there’s also the Boschendal guided farm tour which takes you on a stroll through their picturesque gardens while providing insight into their regenerative farming practices and sustainable gardening. Guests also have the opportunity to harvest seasonal herbs and visit the chicken farm for some fresh eggs which is sure to brighten the kids’ day!

Tel: +27 870 4211 | www.boschendal.com

Child-friendly Wine Farms in the Durbanville Wine Valley

Bloemendal Wine Estate

Bon Amis is the epitome of a child-friendly Cape Town wine farm restaurant. A big kids’ playground in full view of the outside dining area comprising of jungle-gyms, slides and treehouses ensures hours of fun while mom and dad are able to relax and enjoy a delicious warm meal. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and specialises in wood-fired pizzas and freshly made sushi. The Bloemendal Trail Park is a mountain biking cycle track situated on the estate that provides MTB trails and bike hire for all ages.

Tel: +27 976 2682 | www.bloemendalestate.co.za

Meerendal Wine Estate

Meerendal farmstall sells freshly baked goods, coffee, preserves, soaps and even artworks. The farmstall is usually only open on weekends but check their Facebook page for timeous updates. The Meerendal trails boasts a variety of walking, running and mountain biking routes catering for beginner to intermediate level. It doesn’t hurt that the views are epic either! After working up a sweat you can round up the kids and grab a bite to eat at Carlucci’s at Meerendal. This Durbanville Wine Valley restaurant has a massive lawn area overlooking the dam and vineyards in the distance. The play area is conveniently situated right next to the outside dining area and your only worry here might be running out of time before they close as the kids will most likely be having way too much fun to leave!

Tel: +27 975 1655 | www.meerendal.co.za

CU Kids at D’Aria Wine Estate

The latest addition to D’Aria winery is a child-friendly playground doubling up as a kids’ party venue in the Cape Winelands. An entrance fee applies and the venue has a tuckshop serving a limited food and drinks menu – but all you really need is a pizza and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc right! Unfortunately, the play park apparatus is only for children aged 13 years and younger to ensure a safe playing environment for the little ones. There is also cctv camera and adequate lighting for some added security.

www.facebook.com/cukidsatdaria

Child-friendly Wine Farms in Paarl and Wellington

Spice Route Destination

This is truly an all-rounder family-friendly Cape Winelands wine farm catering for every single member of the family – guaranteed! Spice Route offers everything from wine, gin, craft beer, pizza and sushi to artisanal chocolate, homemade ice cream and home decor. Best of all for parents is their customised kiddies play area featuring jungle-gyms, swings, a mini bike track and sandpit. The rolling lawns adjacent to the restaurants also make for a great play area.

Tel: +27 863 5200 | www.spiceroute.co.za

Dunstone Winery

The Stone Kitchen at Dunstone is one of the few child-friendly wine farms in Cape Town with both an indoor and outdoor play area. The indoor play area features a large soft play area, Lego table, climbing wall and mini kitchen. Outside, the kids can enjoy the jungle-gyms, mini golf, soccer or say hello to the farm animals. There’s plenty of outside seating under the beautiful trees as well as a lawn section available as a picnic-style seating option. The restaurant is also dog friendly so you’re welcome to bring your well-behaved pooch along.

Tel: +27 21 864 1504 | www.dunstone.co.za

Child-friendly Cape Town Wine Farms

That concludes our list of kid friendly Cape Town wine farms! Feel free to make suggestions or add on to the list of offerings of the above Cape Winelands farms. So many wine estates to discover with the kids, so little time!