When exploring the Cape Winelands as a family, it’s always nice to come across restaurants and wine farms that offer some sort of entertainment for the little ones. So we have compiled a list of our favourite child-friendly wine farms in Stellenbosch where the mini humans can either enjoy a fun kiddies tastings, find water play areas for those hot summer days or at least can burn off some of their energy in a dedicated play area. Let’s dive right into it:
Clos Malverne Restaurant
Clos Malverne only recently turned into a family-friendly destination with a small playground being added to the outside seating area so that the kids can swing, slide and climb on sunny days. For the cooler days and younger children, they also have a little inside play corner directly in the restaurant. Some highlights on the kiddies menu include their own pizza making or cupcake decorating as well as a lovely kiddies tasting. More awesomeness awaits on a Sunday where kids under the age of 12 eat for free with every dining adult. Read more: CLOS MALVERNE
Opening Times: Closed on Monday, Tue – Thu & Sun 08:00 – 17:00, Fri – Sat 08:00 – 21:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 865 2022 / info@closmalvernerestaurant.co.za
La Pineta Restaurant
With Table Mountain in the backdrop, this is a beautiful family restaurant with a lot on offer. While you can sit down and relax with a glass of wine and browse through their menu, the children can go off by themselves to explore the huge play area situated on a wide open lawn. They will find everything from a jungle gym, swings and slides, a sandpit, climbing wall and lots of space to play games and run around. The size of the play area is truly enormous and rarely found in other restaurants. Read more: LA PINETA
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 22:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 880 0293 / info@lapineta.co.za
Zorgvliet Wine Estate
Zorgvliet Wine Estate itself is home to three different restaurants on the Estate. As a family destination, we highly recommend the Vliet Country Bistro which not only features a cute little shop, but also an amazing playground and water play area for the little ones. The play area consists of a huge jungle gym with slides, monkey bars, swings and a lovely shaded sandpit. They also have a water feature for those super hot summer days to cool off and dry on the beautiful green lawn that is surrounding the bistro. Read more: ZORGVLIET
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 07:00 – 19:00
Phone: +27 (0) 885 1399 / info@zorgvliet.com
Spier Wine Farm
Spier Wine Farm is definitely one of the Must-Visit Estates in the country and offers an array of child-friendly activities. Whether the kids play in the beautiful Elemental Garden, splash around in the Mosaic water feature, do a kiddies tasting at the Tasting room or run around on the spacious lawns on the Estate: there is plenty to explore to spend an entire day at Spier. Find out more about the other activities on the Farm. Read more: SPIER
Opening Times: Daily between 09:00 – 21:00 depending on the facility you like to visit
Phone: +27 (0) 809 1100 / info@spier.co.za
Mont Marie Restaurant
Mont Marie is located at the banks of the Blaauwklippen River in the Cape Winelands. The restaurant sits atop a hill, offering panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. The playground is equipped with a lot of nature play, but also includes a slide, a huge sand pit and other wooden things to explore. Some ducks and cute farm dogs are also running around in the play area and delighting everyone around. Read more: MONT MARIE
Opening Times: Mon & Tue Closed, Wed & Sun 08:30 – 16:00, Thu – Sat 08:30 – 22:30
Phone: +27 (0) 21 880 0777 / info@montmarie.co.za
Peter Falke Wines
Visiting Peter Falke Wine Estate is a memorable experience. The estate offers a tranquil setting with lush gardens, vineyard views, and a chic tasting room where visitors can sample their exceptional wines. While you can sip on your wines, the kids are free to run around or burn off some energy on the playground. They will find a fun jungle gym, swings, a slide and a fun giant chair to jump off and climb. Read more: PETER FALKE
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 11:00 – 19:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 881 3677 / tasting@peterfalkewines.co.za
Warwick Wine Estate
Warwick Wine Estate is a family-friendly destination where adults can savour world-class wines while children enjoy a day of adventure and play. Whether you are having a picnic by the lake, try a round of miniature golf or the kids go wild on the well-maintained jungle gym: the kids will surely have a great time. There is also a little water stream to cool off on a hot summer day. Read more: WARWICK
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 09:00 – 17:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 884 4410 / info@warwickwine.com
Du Vin Restaurat at Kanu Wines
While you can enjoy your Asian fusion meal under old trees on the outside terrace, the kids have plenty of space to play and be entertained at Kanu Wines. They have a great jungle gym right next to the seating area and a superb putt-putt course attached to the restaurant. So after you are done with your feast, you can become a little competitive with the children and play a round of mini golf afterwards. Read more: DU VIN RESTAURANT
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 09:00 – 16:00, Restaurant: Wed – Sat 12:00 – 20:00; Sun 09:00 – 17:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 865 2488 / info@kanu.co.za
Knorhoek Wine Farm
Knorhoek Wine Farm is equipped with a fabulous play area that features a jungle gym (also in the shade), a sandpit and the highlight: a massive inflatable jumping castle with slides. Kids can run around the wide open space, climb up a wooden stage, play lawn games and make use of the various play areas. The highlight: if your kids are happy (and able) to swim and want to cool off on a hot summer day, they can even use their magical pool right in front of the restaurant. So don’t forget to bring a towel and swim suit for the little ones if they want to join in on the fun. The pool has a shallow entrance and becomes deeper as you go along. So little children definitely need supervision, but you can choose to sit under the trees where you can keep a close eye on them. Read more: KNORHOEK
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 10:00 – 16:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 865 2114 / info@knorhoek.co.za
Koelenhof Winery
The venue is basically divided into two parts: the wine cellar and the picnic area which also features a massive playground for the little ones. In the wine cellar, you can choose from a couple of wine tasting options and snacks for the table. Their options include a sorbet and ice cream pairing, a chocolate pairing, bubbly tasting as well as a kiddies tasting menu. The huge kiddies play area on a big lawn with lots of big trees that offer shade. While the adults can sit down and relax on the wooden tables and enjoy another bottle of wine or a few snacks from the self-service shop, the children can explore the jungle gym and amazing playground. They will find anything a child usually loves: swings, slides, a bike track, trampoline, climbing features… Read more: KOELENHOF
Opening Times: Mon – Thu 09:00 – 17:00, Fri 09:00 – 16:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00, Closed on Sundays
Phone: +27 (0) 21 865 2020 / sales@koelenhof.co.za
Eikendal Vineyards
This beautiful vineyard is nestled in the so-called “Golden Triangle” of wine growing and is home to a lovely restaurant and wine tasting cellar. The outside seating area of the restaurant (Giovanni’s at Eikendal) is overlooking the mountains, there is a little pond with a water fountain to its left and lots of green grassy areas to relax and unwind. The restaurant also features a playground right next to the shaded outside seating and you can conveniently watch the children play while you can fully enjoy your meal. There are swings, a slide, monkey bars and a sand pit for the kids’ entertainment. They also offer tractor rides around the vineyard. Read more: EIKENDAL
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 09:00 – 19:00 (Restaurant closed on Mondays, open until 22:00 Tue – Sat)
Phone: +27 (0) 21 855 5033 / info@eikendal.co.za
Hazendal Wine Estate
Hazendal Wine Estate is a fantastic place for the whole family as it caters for young and old and literally everyone will find something fun to do! The lush green lawns, open air spaces, play areas and dining options are very inviting and you simply have to pick where you gonna start first. The little ones can play a round of Minigolf, dive into an exciting world of science at Wonderdal or simply play at the many open play areas around the Estate. Read more: HAZENDAL
Opening Times: Closed on Monday, Tue – Sun 08:00 – 17:00
Phone: +27(0)21 205 5620 / reception@hazendal.co.za
Skilpadvlei Wine Estate
Skilpadvlei is home to a lovely restaurant, a tasting room and guest cottages. The restaurant offers breath-taking views of the Stellenbosch Hills and surrounding mountains. But the best part for families is the huge play area that is directly attached to the outside seating area. It is split in two different play areas: the toddler zone and a bigger jungle gym and trampoline for older children. The toddler area features a smaller jungle gym as well as soft play toys and a sand pit. The other part of the area features a much bigger jungle gym with slides, swings, a see-saw, climbing walls and a trampoline. The entire play area is fenced so that the children can play safely and always in sight of the parents who can sit down, enjoy a breakfast or lunch along with some fabulous Skilpadvlei wines. They also offer a fantastic kiddies tasting. Read more: SKILPADVLEI
Opening Times: Mon – Sat 08:00 – 21:00, Sun 08:00 – 17:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 881 3237 / dine@skilpadvlei.co.za
Mulderbosch Vineyards
This is a relaxed wine estate with beautiful views, a fantastic outside seating area, a huge playground with open green lawns and two bocce courts. While the adults relax on the deck or play a game of bocce, the kids can have some great fun too. There is a large playground right next to the restaurant with a lovely jungle gym that features 2 slides, monkey bars, swings and some climbing opportunities. The lawn in front is inviting the little ones to start their own ball games or simply run around and burn off some energy. Read more: MULDERBOSCH
Opening Times: Closed Mon – Tue, Wed – Thu 10:00 – 17:00, Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 18:00
Phone: +27 21 881-8140 / info@mulderbosch.co.za
Le Pommier Wine Estate
The wine farm is nestled amongst the vineyards at the foot of the Simonsberg and offers beautiful mountain views and a stunning scenery. On a sunny and warm day, you can take a seat at the generous outside area which also features a play area for the little ones. The playground is located right next to the parking area and the outside tables, so that you can watch the children play during your stay. You just need to keep an eye on the little ones that they don’t escape among the parked cars. The play area features a jungle gym, multiple swings, slides and a toddler play station. Since it’s all built on sand, you can even bring along your sand toys and they can play in the large sandpit. As a special highlight, Le Pommier offers two different kiddies tastings where the children can either do a milkshake and sweet treat pairing or a more hearty juice and mini pizza pairing. Read more: LE POMMIER
Opening Times: Mon – Sat 08:00 – 23:00, Sunday 08:00 – 18:00
Phone: +27 (0)21 885 1269 / gm@lepommier.co.za
Carnival at Weltevreden Estate
This massive kids area at the Weltevreden Estate deserves a completely stand-alone entry as it is absolutely spectacular for children. The Carnival area kind of has its own entry and offers a variety of activities for kids of all ages. At the Carnival you truly find everything a child can dream of. They have TWO mammoth jungle gyms, slides, trampolines, a sand pit, a bike track with scooters and bikes to play with, a carousel, lots of space to run around, wooden toys, a jumping castle… You have to see it for yourself. This is by far the best play area at a wine farm that I can personally think of. And it doesn’t stop there. The Carnival is also equipped with a bar where you get delicious milkshakes, cotton candy, sweet treats, kiddies picnics, a build-a-pizza area where they can make their own pizza and of course, they also serve delicious meals to the parents. This is literally kids’ heaven and they will cry if they have to leave that place again. Read more: CARNIVAL
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday 08:30 – 17:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 889 6588 / info@weltevredenestate.com
Bellevue Wine Estate
At Bellevue you can make a choice between two fantastic restaurants on the Estate – both of them equipped with lovely play areas for the children. While you and the kids can expect exciting wine and food pairing at the original restaurant (including a kiddies tasting option), you can expect panoramic mountain views, luscious green grass and a brand new big kiddies play area at the other eatery. You’ll find the original playground right in front of the restaurant and tasting area where the kids can swing around in big tree swings and explore the jungle gym which is conveniently shaded by big trees and providing cover on those hot summer days. There are also lush green lawns to run around and play hide and seek or other fun games. They kids will love it and they now can make a choice between two amazing play areas! Read more: BELLEVUE
Opening Times: Tasting Room: Monday – Sunday 09:00 – 17:00 (Restaurant hours differ from the tasting room hours)
Phone: +27 (0) 21 865 2055 / info@bellevue.co.za
Tokara Wine Estate & Delicatessen
Tokara is probably the most well-known wine farm among locals and visitors from all over the world. With its unique location on the slopes of Simonsberg mountain, you can easily overlook Table mountain and False Bay. In front of the Deli (Delicatessen), you will find an impressive outdoor play area with an extravagant jungle gym, slides, swings, four tree houses, scooters and ample running space as well as the occasional boastful peacock. So your kids surely won’t get bored. Read more: TOKARA
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 17:30
Phone: +27 (0) 21 808 5900 / deli@tokara.com
Vredenheim Animal Farm & Big Cats Park
At Vredenheim, you can double spoil your kids with a great choice of animal encounters as they feature an Animal Farm and a Big Cats Park. On the Animal Farm they keep a variety of farm animals like chickens and rabbits, cows, goats, alpacas, pigs and sheep. The Big Cat Park is home to lions, leopards, tigers, and a variety of game including sables, wildebeest, zebra, springbok, fallow deer and eland. At the farm animal park, parents can sit back and relax in the shaded seating area while the kiddies have fun with the animals or play at the jungle gym, at the bike track or in the sand pit. The little bar inside serves drinks and a few sweet treats. The kids can also do tractor rides around the vineyard where you can also spot some of the wild animals of the Big Cat park. Read more: VREDENHEIM
Opening Times: Animal Farm = Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 16:00, Big Cats Park = Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 17:00
Phone: +27 60 387 5593 / animalfarm@vredenheim.co.za
Neethlingshof Wine Estate
If you arrive at Neethlingshof, you’ll be greeted by an inviting tasting room with an indoor and outdoor seating area. You can sit down and relax while choosing your preferred tasting option. While they do offer single wine tasting options, you could also pair your wine with complimentary food such as savoury treats or chocolate. The highlight for the kids: they also offer a kiddies tasting option where the children will be served three different juices paired with chicken skewers, a mini burger and cupcake. The children will absolutely love to join in on the tasting fun! At the table, they will also receive crayons and drawing paper to keep them busy during the tasting of the grown ups. There is also a small playground out of sight the seating area for the more independent children. Read more: NEETHLINGSHOF
Opening Times: Mon – Fri 09:00 – 17:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 16:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 883 8975 / info@neethlingshof.co.za
Banhoek Chilli Oil Company
If you love Chilli or generally spicy food, we can highly recommend to pay the Banhoek Chilli Company a visit. They not only have a lovely restaurant and FREE chilli oil tasting on offer, but also feature an absolutely fantastic play area for the little ones. While you enjoy a glass of wine and some delicious food, the children can entertain themselves on the amazing playground right next to the outside seating area. They offer a generous sand pit with toys, a jungle gym, slide and slack line. So it’s suitable for children of all ages who can run around and burn some energy off. There is also a little water tap which is a great tool to make some mud. Read more: BANHOEK CHILLI OIL
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 09:00 – 21:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 300 0795
The Thirsty Scarecrow
If you are looking for a fun place for the entire family in Stellenbosch, try the Thirsty Scarecrow. You literally cannot miss it as it is the funkiest, most colourful and extraordinary place to be with lots of things to explore and try out. Right behind the entrance, you can find a cute candy shop with all sorts of sweets, toys and gifts for the little ones. In the restaurant, the children will be spoilt with Slushies, milkshakes and their kiddies menu. The best part: the wonderful playground right at the bottom of the deck. It is huge and features all the fun things a child can dream of. They will find a massive high slide, various swings in all shapes and colours, a trampoline, rocking horses and even a small indoor facility with a soft jungle gym and computer games. Read more: THE THIRSTY SCARECROW
Opening Times: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 23:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 881 3444 / kzetler@gmail.com
Pink Valley Wines
At Pink Valley Wines you can enjoy a truly unique dining experience. At their Harvest Table, all dishes on the menu are designed to being shared with your friends, family and colleagues instead of munching it away on your own. This makes dining a very interesting experience and you are invited to taste a variety of different textures and flavours as a group. They do offer a kiddies menu as well, so the little ones can choose their own meal and don’t have to share with everyone else. On the outside deck you will be overlooking the generous play area. The playground is equipped with swings, a slide, monkey bars and a generous lawn area where you can also find little picnic spots to sit down at. Read more: PINK VALLEY WINES
Opening Times: Closed on Monday, Tue – Thu 11:00 – 16:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 22:00, Sun 11:00 – 16:00
Phone: +27 (0) 21 855 3744 / bookings@pinkvalleywines.com
