If you haven’t discovered it yet, www.Jozikids.co.za is the most up to date and detailed resource for parents in the Gauteng region to find what you need including events, activities, venues, parties and lessons. You’ll also find us on your cell phone.

MID TERM BREAK ACTIVITIES

In the Forest Campover, Eikenhof, Feb 25-26. 2 day 1 night sleepover during the last weekend of each month! These camps will start on Saturday; with the campers camping over and ending on the Sunday afternoon, R395 – all inclusive 6-13yrs

Kidz Fishing Camp, Vaal River, Feb 24-26. We will teach your child how to fish as well as play games, have camp fires and more. 3 days and 2 nights, R800 incl meals for 7-15yr olds

Shepherd’s Fold Pony Camp, Muldersdrift Feb 24. Fabulous fun for all children who love horses. Learn how to care for horses, ride, and enjoy horsey games in a safe and controlled environment. 6-16yrs

Kinderland Holiday Fun Club, Pretoria, Feb 23-28. Every day we do craft and baking activities and let the kids play outdoors in our wonderful play area. 9am-5pm

Mungolistix Holiday Fun Centurion, Feb 23-28. Indoor adventure playground from birth to 7 years – drop your kids with them from 9am-5pm

Gobbledigook Holiday art workshops, Parktown North, Feb 23-28, All ages- learn to look workshops.

COOKING WORKSHOPS

Icing lessons Gill’s Cakes, Roodepoort, Feb 24.

Cake Pops Lindas Bake & Pack Courses, Westdene, Feb 25.

Tasty Thai Glass Kitchen, Krugersdorp, Feb 28

Muesli Slices Little Cooks Centurion, Feb 20-25.

Sushi Sandwiches Little Cooks Fourways, Feb 27-Mar 3.

by Joy Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover. Visit her blog.

Based on Brian Selznick’s novel,  The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the Oscar nominated movie, Hugo, really captivated me.

Martin Scorsese’s first 3D offering is an epic adventure, set in Paris in the early 1930s.

The story revolves around Hugo Cabret, a 12-year-old boy, who lives with his father, a master clockmaker. Sadly his father is burnt to death in a museum fire and Hugo finds himself in the care of his alcoholic, grumpy old uncle who is responsible for ensuring that all the clocks in the Gare Montparnasse Station are maintained.

Hugo’s uncle teaches him the tricks of his trade, and then abruptly disappears.  Not wanting to end up in an orphanage, Hugo continues to maintain the clocks and live in his uncle’s home at the station, stealing food to survive.

Hugo has fond memories of his father taking him to see films, and in particular, he remembers the fantasy films of  master filmmaker, GeorgesMéliès, and as the story unfolds, the name Georges Méliès features prominently, as the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place!

Before his father’s death, Hugo and his dad had also been trying to repair an automaton,  a mechanical man who is supposed to write with a pen. Hugo is fascinated by the automaton and takes it with him to his uncle’s home, where he spends every spare moment attempting to complete the project.

He steals mechanical parts from a toy store  in the station, but the owner catches him red handed and confiscates a precious notebook Hugo has on him, with detailed notes and diagrams of the automaton.  Desperate to get it back, Hugo follows the shop owner home, and meets Isabelle, the toy store owner’s goddaughter, and they set out on a path that will change all their lives forever!

The ever popular Sasha Baron Cohen (of Borat fame) stars as the inept station policeman.  Policing the station with his equally inept Doberman dog, Baron Cohen becomes Hugo’s number one nemesis, and provides the audience with endless laughs!

The cast includes a host of stars including Asa Butterfield as Hugo,  Chloë Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Ray Winstone, Emily Mortimer, Jude Law and Christopher Lee.

To say that this movie is touching and heartwarming is an understatement.  And, to say that it is an epic masterpiece goes without saying, as it has been nominated for 11 Academy awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Distributed by Paramount, the movie releases countrywide on 10 February, and is destined to become a classic.  The film has been rated PG, but I wouldn’t recommend it for the under 10 age group, but the tweenies and teens will love it, and the moms and dads will definitely leave with a tear or two in their eyes!

If you haven’t discovered it yet, www.Jozikids.co.za is the most up to date and detailed resource for parents in the Gauteng region to find what you need including events, activities, venues, parties and lessons. You’ll also find us on your cell phone.

VALENTINES DAY

Next week is Valentine’s Day- since Jozikids is also about helping  parents to find that space for ourselves that allows us to go back our families energized to continue to tackle the biggest challenge we’ll ever face, parenting our gorgeous kiddeos. Here are some ideas:

Glass Kitchen Couples cooking session called Aphrodite’s Table, Krugersdorp, Feb 14- Looking for a unique idea for Valentines day? 2 hour couples cooking lesson and then dine in our restaurant. Two menus to choose from

Ludwig’s Farm Run of the Roses & Valentine’s Treat, Pta North, Feb 11,12,14 Participate in an 8km and 3km petal power “Eco Run” between the rose fields. This is an exclusive charity run in aid of Susan Strijdomhuis.

Tres Jolie Valentine Dinner, Ruimsig, Feb 14 Choose from a 3 course meal & gift for the Lady or Picnic Basket for 2 including set up in the garde

FOR KIDS TOO:
Lipizzaner Special Evening Performance, Kyalami, Feb 14
Valentine Fun at Yeesh! in Woodmead and Bryanston Feb 11-12, 13-18, Children can paint ceramic hearts, ice heart shaped biscuits, eat heart lollies and heart cup cakes or buy some cute hearts – all in the fun Valentine decor at Yeesh
Mungolistix Valentine Dinner, Centurion, Feb 14 Enjoy a romantic dinner, while we look after the kids

ACTION

Cycle Challenge Stonehaven on Vaal, Vanderbijl Park, Feb 19

Stonehaven on Vaal is proud to be involved in Cycling Events in the Vaal Triangle, motivating the Vaal to keep fit and enjoy life at its most – even if just as a starting point. Bring your family and friends to join in the fun and keep fit, or they can indulge in a warm cup of coffee and slice of cake at the restaurant while waiting. Choose between 80km, 40km or 10km

PARENTING

Living Legends & Stork Talk, PsychMatters, Bedfordview, Feb 15, 18 Explore your beliefs and values about sex. This workshophelps handle challenging topics (miscarriage, abortion, types of relationships e.g. homosexuality, sexuality STI’S/HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, circumcision, dirty talk): You will learn: Naming of the body parts, how to explain erection, menstruation, pregnancy, birth, sex, how to handle sexual curiosity, sexual play and self-stimulation, how to prepare your pre-teens for puberty

WALKS / TALKS

Bat Walk Kloofendal Reserve,West Rand, Feb 18.

Birding with Geoff Lockwood, Kloofendal, Feb 18.

Bush Food & Drink Experience, Kloofendal Reserve, Feb 19

If you haven’t discovered it yet, www.Jozikids.co.za is the most up to date and detailed resource for parents in the Gauteng region to find what you need including events, activities, venues, parties and lessons. You’ll also find us on your cell phone

COOKING

Mango Magic Tots and Pots, Fourways, Feb 10-Mar 9.

We will be cooking and baking with seasonal fruit and herbs. Each week the kids get to explore new tastes and learn interesting facts about the ingredients used. We will also be making a special Valentine’s treat.

Tots n Pots – Pretoria West- Valentines  Creations -make pink watermelon muffins and almond heart fondants and gift bags Feb 11, 9am R120 per child – 2-10

Praline Truffles lesson, Lindas Bake, Westdene, Feb 11.

MARKETS

Hazel Food Market Menlo Park, every Sat.
and join us for breakfast, brunch or lunch whilst the little ones make use of the jumping castle and jungle gym. More than 80 dedicated food stalls to choose from.

Organic Food Market Kyalami at Mapatiza Gemstone Mine
Plenty of stalls: fruit & vegetables, farmers market, baked goodies, cheeses,Indian & German foods, arts & crafts. There are fun activities for kids such as Camel rides, Gemstone Scratch Patch and the gemstone mine

PARENTING WORKSHOPS

Equal Zeal Pretoria East –Parenting workshop ( 4 weeks)

319 Acornhoek Street , Faerie Glen Pretoria East

Equips parents with the skills for dealing with a new-age technological era that in many cases causes difficulty in transferring morals and values to their children. This program assists parents in re-assessing their values and looks at the effects of the modern day world on their children’s outlook and how to channel these influences appropriately, Feb 9,16,23,Mar 1.

THEATRE

Shakespeare Week for Schools, Brooklyn Theatre, Feb 7-10, from 9am, R50 per learner. Various Shakespeare Acts: Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Ceasar, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Henry V, Hamlet, Othello.

If you haven’t discovered it yet, Jozikids.co.za is the most up to date and detailed resource for parents in the Gauteng region to find what you need including events, activities, venues, parties and lessons. You’ll also find us on your cell phone.

TUITION SERVICES
maths/accounting tuition throughout Gauteng
languages Afrikaans, Zulu, French, English
all subjects for school and university students

SUPPORT SERVICES
life skills/therapy for kids, teens, families & parents
holistic homeopathy, psychometrics, polarity therapy
special needs extra murals & support services

FUN
Zoo to Zoo Orienteering Adventure, Joburg Zoo, Jan 29, Pretoria Zoo Feb 4th
2 km novice course weaving its way through the cages in the zoo. Orienteering is a family outdoor adventure activity like a treasure hunt,the treasure being the points(or controls) on the map at which you find a special orienteering flag and a punch which you use to prove that you have been to that point .

MUSIC at Barnyard Theatre
Big Top Rock Barnyard Theatre Menlyn Park, until Mar 11
This show features 6 decades of music from icons like Prince, Lenny Kravitz and Pink to rock bands like ACDC, U2, Journey, Santana and many more. The show includes music, aerial acts, jugglers and a circus atmosphere that will rock you like no other.

Rough Diamonds and Divas, Barnyard Boksburg, until March 11. This show celebrates the distinctive gravelly-voiced superstars. From Joe Cocker to Neil Diamond, Tina Turner to Bonnie Tyler, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi,  Rod Stewart, Cher, Kenny Rogers, James Brown, Tom Jones and a few surprise

The Final Countdown Barnyard Theatre, Cresta, until Mar 11.
This is a musical journey through 6 decades of fashion, radio, music and above all “Rock ‘n Roll”, - from  the Beach Boys to the Beegees, Lionel Ritchie to the Spice Girls

If you haven’t discovered it yet, Jozikids.co.za is the most up to date and detailed resource for parents in the Gauteng region to find what you need including events, activities, venues, parties and lessons. You’ll also find us on your cell phone.

SHOWS

Chinese Marvels Celebration, Emperors Palace, Jan 27-29
For the first time in South Africa, the China National Acrobatic Troupe which will bring to the Palace of Dreams its brilliant Acrobatic and Chinese Gong Fu show entitled Chinese Marvels on the occasion of the Chinesse New Year.

The Phantom of the Opera Montecasino, Fourways, Jan 31

The Parlotones live Barnyard, Cresta, Jan 25

PARENTING COURSES

Child Care & First Aid,( 2dys) Nannies in Training, Jan 28
Childcare course covering Hygiene, Safety, Security, HIV Awareness, Nutrition, Playtime and our “How To” practical baby and child section from bathing and feeding to routine and how to handle a crying baby. Practical and Hands On. Zulu Co-trainer

Pregnancy Wkshps, Bright Start Early Intervention Centre in, Saxonworld runs workshops on Thursday and Saturdays in
Jan 26 – infant Massage -  3rd trimester
Jan  28 – B-Day – 3rd trimester

EXTRA MURALS

Nows the time to register your child for extra murals whether its dancing ( modern, ballet, hip hop, freestyle, latin, Spanish, irish), a musical instrument, swimming, tennis, martial arts, even archery and chess. Click on extra murals to find whats on offer in your area.

Its frantic preparing for school time for most of you whose kids return to school this coming week. Here’s a checklist of services you will find on Jozikids that will help you in your preparations.

SCHOOL PREPARATIONS:

PARENT- BABY TODDLER  CLASSES

Weekly classes offered by Toptots, Moms & Tots/Babes, Kindermusik, Clamber Club, The Wendyhouse, Mothers & Miracles and more.

HOLIDAY CARE

Holiday care for last 2 days – most schools reopen on the 18th January. These are places you can also visit with your kids over weekends that are running holiday programs  on Monday and Tuesday.

Purple Cow Centurion, until Jan 17
A restaurant with a playground for kids and supervised activities this week,
Ages 4-10yrs .Time: 7am-6pm

Kinderland Pretoria, until Jan 18
Sandart, bake apple tart, Jan 17
Paint fridge magnets, make chocolate,or Rock Art, Jan 18
Ages: 3-10yrs, special care unit for 1-3yrs
Time: 7am-5pm

Kerry Haggard works as a writer for a Johannesburg-based PR company. She cherishes the two most beautiful boys that ever there were, and embarks on adventures in baking in her not-so-copious free time. Find her on Twitter @KerryHaggard

When faced with five children and a hot muggy (but beautiful) Jozi day, I was looking for an outing that wouldn’t involve too much effort in the heat of the day, but that would be fun and appealing to all of us – from my father-in-law to my three year old son. My first thought was the Joburg Zoo (which I love), but in the interest of keeping the holiday suitably exertion free, we wanted somewhere that didn’t involve too much trekking around in the hot sun.  Friends had spoken highly of the Lory Park Zoo in Midrand, so we piled into two cars and headed north to Midrand, hoping to leave the heavy clouds and the spitting rain behind us – we all needed a change of scenery, and we were not going to let the heavy clouds deter us!

It was a bit of a hunt to find Lory Park – there are signs, but there could possibly be more – but when we got there, it was easy to find parking in the secure parking lot. It’s a bit more pricey than the Johannesburg Zoo, at R55 per adult and R35 per child, but I guess if you’re not enjoying government subsidies, you are obliged to charge a bit more. This made it a bit pricey for our party of eight, but we weren’t disappointed once we were inside.

Years back I worked on a publishing project with the Johannesburg Zoo, so I have a bit of back knowledge about the signs of a good zoo – and Lory Park has a lot of them. The animals are healthy – well covered but not fat – and the design of their enclosures attempts to replicate their natural habitats as far as is practical. The tigers and pumas revelled in their ponds and waterfalls, while the tiger cubs had a lush ‘jungle’ where they could frolic and ever-so-gently maul one another, to the great amusement of visitors. There were a few animals that were pacing, but there was no clearreason for this – these animals are all very well fed and cared for, with all sorts of stimulation devices (like ice lollies for the lions) to keep them from boredom.

The zoo has a daily programme of interactive events which is publicized on its website and on handouts at the entrance, so I eagerly sought out the snake handler and his red boa. My boys were not keen to see a snake draped around their mother (and neither was my husband!), but I valued the opportunity to get close to a creature that we all normally shy away from. I was intrigued at how warm this cold-blooded snake was, and at how it just ‘parked’ quietly across my shoulders until his handler took him back.

There’s a wide variety of animals, reptiles and birds, which meant that there was something for everyone to enjoy. There are some rareties – it’s the first time I’ve seen a honey badger close up, and it was great to be able to see the black puma’s spots on closer inspection.

There’s a cafe that serves fairly reasonably priced hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and cold drinks, and a covered area to enjoy your purchases. There are also braai areas scattered throughout the zoo, and there are covered bomas, grassy patches, benches, tables and chairs at regular intervals where you can rest or enjoy refreshments – they seem to be completely ok with you bringing your own.

We all really enjoyed the zoo – just remember that the snakes and other reptiles are kept in their cool enclosures in the heat of the day, so we didn’t see many of them on our hot afternoon, and that the zoo closes at 4 every day.  Visit its website for useful updates and opportunities to get involved in its conservation work:  www.lorypark.co.za .

by Jeanette Verster, mom, photographer, blogger, Digital strategist in financial services, and shopaholic. The photos below are all my own. Visit my website to find out more.

We spent the day in Newtown, Johannesburg, today… at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. It’s like a science museum only cooler… way cooler.  It’s 3 floors of stuff… packed with coolness and loads to keep the kids occupied.

It was easily the most fun we’ve ever had for R30!! Seriously, that’s all it cost to get in, because Connor was “free” ‘cos he’s under 6.   We got there at 11:30am… and I managed to drag them out of there at 3:30pm!! And they were complaining that they didn’t want to go home yet.

I was in two minds about going to Sci-Bono.  The only people I knew that have been there, have got little kids.  I was worried that Bradley would get bored.  Well, I’m not actually sure who was more engaged by the centre actually.  They definitely got different things out of the day.   Connor was just interested in getting things to work.  Bradley would intently read instructions to get them to work right… but he’s not yet interested in why it works like it does… and I’m sure older kids/teens would be… so it caters for all ages.  And it’s under cover!! Perfect for a rainy day! And for those worried about going to “scary” Joburg  the parking lot is right outside with a guard

The highlight of the place was definitely the Murray and Roberts construction site.  The boys kept coming back here.  There was a “site office” where they had to get kitted out with hard hats and bibs.  There were piles of foam bricks and cement to build walls between steel structures…

I managed to tear them away to get them to a science show at 12:30pm.  And on the way we got sidetracked by this machine that showed pressure in a chamber when you used a lever to spin a soccer ball

The science show was fabulous.  They used chemicals to produce fires and all sorts of cool things for the kids to see… in this experiment she blew cake flour out of a funnel and lit it… I did not know that flour could burn like that! Then she made bubbles with liquid nitrogen and I can’t remember what else .

Then it was time to see the dinosaurs.  They were awesome, and roared and moved when you pressed a button.  Really cool for the kids!

Both boys loved the Eskom section where they played with circuits and currents… this one used batteries to get a train to move around a track.

This was them running to get back to the construction area after being through all 3 floors of magnetic, electric and musical fun….

We’ll definitely be back.  Connor wants to go there again tomorrow… LOL! And I’ve definitely decided that this is a definite party venue for one of them this year!

by Joy Dembo, married, with an 18 year old son and a 25 year old daughter.  Addicted to the www, particularly Twitter. Recruitment Response Handling Consultant and Freelance Copywriter, vegetarian and animal lover. Visit her blog.

We all remember the Adventures of the lovable and fearless Tintin and his cute dog, Snowy, but the movie elevates Tintin to a whole new level of excitement and adventure!  Tintin has been all over the world, but he has never been to the big screen, so prepare yourself for the thrill of thrills.

The animation is absolutely amazing and at times I had to remind myself that the characters were NOT real people J And the 3D action brings the screen to life like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

When Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell) buys a mysterious model ship from a flea market stall, he and Snowy discover there is more to the ship than meets the eye, as they find themselves being drawn into the middle of a centuries old mystery.

Enter Ivanovitch Sakharine, the bad guy, who wants the ship more than anything else on the planet and doesn’t care who he has to annihilate to get it.  Sakharine (voiced by Daniel Craig) believes that Tintin has stolen the ship, a priceless treasure, from a pirate named Red Rackham, and Tintin is on the evil villain’s hit list.

Tintin and Snowy team up with the constantly inebriated, entertaining Captain Haddock (voiced by Andy Serkis) and Scotland Yard’s finest two detectives (NOT!!!), to solve the mystery and outwit Sakharine.  This results in a rip roaring adventure on land, sea and in the air, travelling across continents to find the remains of the Unicorn, a shipwreck that they believe holds the key to a fortune in gold, and an ancient curse.

Thrills and danger galore will keep you wondering until the very end, when all is revealed.  Or is it?

This movie is a real classic from the Master of epic movies, Steven Spielberg, and in Spielberg’s own words “As soon as I read my first of the books, Tintin never strayed far from my thoughts and heart.  I knew Tintin and I were destined for some kind of collaboration …a journey of discovery”.  He was right!

The movie was released at cinemas countrywide just before Christmas.  Put it on your “to do” list for 2012.  Kids and adults alike will be enthral