reviews

• day outings (29)
• kids books (3)
• movies (29)
• museums (2)
• Music CDs (2)
• parenting books (1)
• Parenting DVDs (1)
• playgrounds (1)
• restaurants (5)
• shows (3)
• theatre (9)
• toys (4)

articles

• Review of “The Trap” by Sarah Wray, a teen adventure book
• Battleship is great science fiction adventure
• More places to visit on the Freedom Day long weekend
• Don’t Miss American Pie Reunion!
• Why you must take your kids to Sci-Bono
• Family Day Trips on the Easter Weekend
• The Lorax is a treat for Dr Seuss Fans!
• Kids Theatre and Parenting Workshops
• Child friendly restaurants, indoor playground and pet sitting
• A Feastt, for sure!
• If you like action, action, and more action, you have to see Safe House
• Workshops and go-karting
• Hugo – A 3D adventure for young and old
• Loving the Lory Park Zoo
• A day at the coolest science museum in Jozi
• Tintin hits the big screen in 3D
• Nutcracker on Ice at Montecasino- spending the night
• December 16th, what to do with your family?
• Puss in Boots is a hilarious 3-D comedy adventure for the whole family!
• Kids car & circus parties plus family events this week
• Parenting workshops & shows this week
• October shows in Pretoria & Joburg
• Family friendly rugby viewing & kids theatre
• Markets and events in Joburg and Pretoria
• Cowboys and Aliens – an exciting 3-D collaboration of two popular Movie Genres!
• What to do for Women’s month
• Super 8 – A super Sci-Fi movie adventure for young and old alike!
• Family activities & train rides in Gauteng
• Walking the Tightrope at JoziX
• Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon – The saga continues…
• The Lion Park
• Yeesh! Fun for Kids, the perfect winter birthday party
• Kids theatre and Youth Day activities
• Markets and shows
• Animal parks and horse trails
• Family friendly restaurants
• On Mother’s Day Jozikids talks to Amor Vittone on Jacaranda
• African Adventure is great family theatre – review
• On May 1 Jozikids talks to Amor Vittone on Jacaranda
• Thor – a movie review
• Acrobranch, a forest jungle gym for kids and adults
• Jozikids on Jacaranda with Amor Vittone on Easter Sunday.
• Where to take your kids in Jozi: The Apartheid Museum
• Rio – a movie review
• Hop the movie: a review
• Rango will Bring a Smile to Your Face!
• Bieber Fever
• “Never Say Never!” Justin Bieber didn’t….
• The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre of De Wildt
• “True Grit” brilliant remake of the classic western
• Gold Reef City Theme Park
• Scott Pilgrim vs.The World, a review
• Recommended Xmas books and a CD
• Travel-wise games & activities for the Xmas holidays
• Chasing Big Foot across the countryside
• “The End of The Line”, imagine life without fish
• Charlie St Cloud, a review
• African Alphabet School Concert
• Mama Mia at Montecasino, a review
• The magic of African Tapestry
• Despicable Me in 3D, a review
• Jock of the Bushveld on stage, family entertainment at its best!
• Jock of the Bushveld soon in 3D and as theatre
• Get ready to munch!
• Modern lullabies for babies reviewed
• Baby stimulation DVDs for parents reviewed
• Delta Park Simba Playground
• Marmaduke : a movie review
• Shaka Zulu, The Musical : a review
• Toy Story 3 in 3D: a review
• 20 recommended games to play with your kids
• Review of “Fireball!”, a puppet show about the soccer extravanganza
• Made in SA games for kids
• Space Chimps 2: write a review and win
• Growing kids with character by Hettie Britz – a book review
• Nanny Mcphee 2 – movie reviews
• The Jungle Book fulfils only the bare necessities
• How To Train Your Dragon 3D – movie review
• 5 kids places to visit, free of charge, in Pretoria!
• Alice in Wonderland 3D – a movie review
• Dandylion and Here comes Frankie: children’s books reviewed
• The Princess and the Frog – a movie review
• Out and about in Jozi
• Cinderella on ice: get goosebumps
• The Little Mermaid : a review
• The Transvaal Museum – great for rainy days
• Visit Maropeng, its a blast!
• Nikki’s favourite kids toys on TV3′s Lunchbox

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.

If you are a fan of Spy/Espionage movies, you are going to love Safe House!  And, the fact that it was almost entirely filmed on location in Cape Town provides an added thrill to an already thrilling thriller! The movie stars Oscar Winner,  Denzel Washington, who seems to get better looking with age, as the legendary spy, Tobin Frost, and the equally good looking Ryan Reynolds as Matt Weston,  the CIA Safe Housekeeper.

As a woman, obviously the fact that the two lead actors are eye candy, made watching the movie even more appealing ! Tobin Frost is a legendary spy, turned rogue, and on the CIA’s most wanted list.  Once one of their top operatives, the cunning ex-intelligence officer is wanted for a host ofcrimes, including selling military secrets to enemies of the United States, and trading secrets to the highest bidder. Matt Weston has been stationed in the backwaters of Cape Town for the past year, minding a CIA Safe House.  He is bored and frustrated and longs to be given the opportunity to be out in the field, working on a case. When Frost surfaces in Cape Town, little does Weston know that he is about to embark on the challenge of a lifetime, trying to keep himself and the worlds most notorious assassin from being eliminated. Frost is a skilled manipulator and Weston has his work cut out for him!  Tested to the limit, Weston knows he has to keep Frost alive for long enough to find out exactly who is trying to kill them!

Directed by acclaimed director and writer, Daniel Espinosa, written by David Guggenheim and produced by Scott Stuber, this movie is a must see. It is classified 16V, as there is a great deal of violence and bloodshed in this movie, but the older teens will be on the edge of their seats, as will the moms and dads. And, in particular, teenage boys will definitely enjoy this movie, as there is lots of action, lots of excitement, and lots of surprises! The movie was released on Friday, 10 February, nationally.

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.

WORKSHOPS

Baby Care & Child Minding Course, Homekeepers, Fourways, “A trained Childminder is salvation for mothers nerves” In our 4 weeks course we teach your nanny to care for your child from birth to 7 years. Training includes: Hygiene, nutrition,active stimulation,safety,accident prevention etc, Mar 6,13,20,27.

Water Safety Breakfast for Moms, Supermoms, North Riding, Mar 3, Join us for a mouth watering breakfast whilst we introduce you to water safety,CPR,rescue techniques,sun care and our emergency services.

Pregnancy Workshops, Brightstart, Saxonwold, Mar 3, Your Developing Baby, the first trimester,  Saturdays: 9:00 10:30

Imago Couples Workshop Bella Vida Bryanston, Mar 3-4, This two-day workshop helps couples to heal the history each brought into the relationship and the history they have created together, and to rediscover the joy of being together. It is designed to create a safe and comfortable environment for all participants. You will work alone and with your partner and still not be required to share anything with the rest of the group. Confidentiality is respected, Mar 3&

GO KARTING

Dirks Entertainment
Pretoria Indoor Go-karting  at Menlyn Shopping Centre plus rentals of Go Karts and Mechanical Bulls

Compu-Kart Raceway Pretoria, Zambezi Mall  in Derdepoort, indoor go-karts from 12 yrs

Compu-Kart Raceway Edenvale
Edenvale East Rand/Ekurhuleni, from 12 years. Safe supervised indoor go-karting facility.

Dirt Ryders Adventures
Lanseria Johannesburg West Rand. Go-karting, paintball, volleyball , archery, playground, ponies, restaurant and bar

Randburg Raceway
Strijdom Park North West Johannesburg, Come go-karting at our Indoor go kart circuit that offers a fun 10 minute race around the track, from 9 yrs

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!

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

by Merle Dieterich, passionate mom and businesswoman whose 2 beautiful children, Lerato and Marvin never cease to amaze and teach her about what counts. You’ll find her at  jozikids.co.za

My daughter, husband and I had the incredible priviledge of experiencing what Montecasino calls their  Show and Stay Package including dinner, bed, breakfast, show tickets and a programme. Wow, what a treat, one I would recommend to anyone needing a holiday around the corner.

In as long as it took for us to reach the palatial splendour of Montecasino we felt the strains  and stresses of every day life melt away and were transported into another world.

First booking into a room that elicited oohs and aahs from my daughter who examined everything, the mirrors, square basin, a little stint trying out the bath and of course watching TV. Then down to the dining room  for a delicious meal.

Then onto the show performed by the award winning Imperial Ice Stars. From the word go the colourful costumes, grand sets and most of all unbelievable ice skating sequences had us captivated.

Yes, it lives up to the blurb on the Montecasino website. It is ” choreography that further raises the bar, with ever more breathaking high-speed leaps and throws and awe-inspiring, acrobatics, coupled with the most graceful and sublime ice dancing”

After all the excitement, what a pleasure to simply catch the lift to our soft comfortable beds upstairs and then awaken to the most divine breakfast before returning to the humdrum of daily life

Thank you Montecasino for  a a great Show and Stay.

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.

SHOPPING MALLS WITH KIDS FUN

The following shopping malls will be open, offering activities for kids right through until the day before Xmas. 2 exceptions are Menlyn Park and Irene Village Malls who will be running kids holiday programs right through until school starts pretty much.

EAST RAND:
Crafts, Carols & Holiday Fun at East Rand Mall, Boksburg North, Dec 1-24
Festive Fun Lakeside mall, Benoni, Dec 9-23.

JOBURG
Fourways Mall Xmas Carnival, Fourways, Dec 12-24.
Children’s Treasure Island Irene Village Mall, Pretoria, Dec 1 -Jan 9
Santa at the Centre Brightwater Commons, Randburg, Dec 9-24
Season for Giving Northgate Mall, Randburg, Nov 29-Dec 24.

PRETORIA
Menlyn Park holiday program, Menlo Park, Dec 2 -Jan 15.

WEST RAND
Clearwater Mall holiday program, Roodepoort, Dec 10-24.

DECEMBER 16th FAMILY TRIPS

We have an incredibly long list of venues we found that are open on this public holiday  including child friendly restaurants, museums and places to see animals and action activities. Here are a few:

MUSEUMS
Apartheid Museum Ormonde: 10am-5pm: adults  R55,  kids  R40, under 7yrs free
Hector Pieterson Orlando East, Soweto: Adults R25, free  under 13yrs, students R5

James Hall Museum La Rochelle: Free 9am-4.30pm,  adults 25, kids R15
James Hall Museum of Transport (JHMT) is a thematic land transport museum covering various modes of transport dating back some 400 years and is the largest museum of its kind in South Africa. We have steam driven vehicles, trains, trams and trolley busses, fire fighting vehicles, early bicycles, animal drawn vehicles and cars.

Museum of Military History, Saxonwold 9am-4.30pm, adults R25, kids R16
The Museum’s collection of more than 44 000 items are divided into 37 separate categories and include the official South African war art and photograph collections. The Museum library has a unique collection of books, journals and archival material. Interviews are regularly conducted in the library as part of an ongoing oral history collection project. In this way, it ensures that previously unrecorded experiences of ordinary servicemen and women are preserved for posterity.

Origins Centre Braamfontein, adults R75, under 12yrs, R35, 9am-5pm
The Origins Centre tells a story of how all humans began in Africa, developed tools, language, art and spirituality. The Centre contains the latest interactive multi-media equipment. (Hologram and virtual rain animal).Workshops for bushman art and shadow dancing, story telling, shadow puppets, music, dance and more

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Newtown – Adults R20, kids R10,  9am -4.30pm
From LEGO pits and mini-construction sites to understanding the principles of electromagnetism, the exhibits cater for curious minds of all ages
.
Transvaal Museum CBD Central. Adults R20, kids R10
This is a small Natural History Museum which even if a little outdated provides a memorable interactive experience for the whole family. The museum currently houses a vast taxidermy collection as well as a number of fossils. There are four exhibition halls; Genesis of Life, The Austin Roberts Bird Hall: collection of SA birds, arranged according to their number in the Roberts Bird Guide. The Geoscience Museum: collection of different minerals, crystals, and gemstones in SA and the Discovery Centre: hands-on experience about nature and science

RESTAURANTS AND PLACES WITH ANIMALS
Croc City Crocodile Farm, Fourways.
Joburg Zoo Family Day, Parktown.

Restaurants in Joburg, Pretoria and the East Rand that have playgrounds and activities for kids.

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.

The action takes place long before Puss met Shrek, and is the story of how the Spanish Kitty Cat achieved notoriety, and ultimately became a hero!

Many of our favourite childhood fairytale and nursery rhyme characters come together, albeit with a new twist to their original stories, to make this adventure exciting and amusing.

The story starts when  Puss (Voiced by Antonio Banderas) escapes a bounty hunter,  and whilst having a drink (milk of course) at a local bar,  learns that the giant outlaw couple, Jack and Jill,  have managed to find THE magic beans he’s been looking for since he was a mere kitten!  Puss knows that these beans will grow into a massive ladder, leading to a giant’s castle in the clouds, where the mysterious golden egg laying goose resides, so he sets out to try and steal the beans from Jack and Jill’s hotel room, while they are asleep.

However, he unexpectedly encounters a masked cat in their room, who appears to be on the same mission. Neither of them manages to pull the heist off, but Puss has a massive surprise in store for him!  The masked cat, burglar Kitty Softpaws is a GIRL, (Voiced by Salma Hayek) and further more she  is involved with Humpty Alexander Dumpty  (Voiced by Zach Galifianakis), his long-lost childhood friend from the orphanage where they were both raised. He is enchanted by the gorgeous Kitty Softpaws, and the threesome set out on a rip roaring adventure, in search of the beans and the golden eggs!

There is a lot of adult humour in the film that will have the moms and dads giggling, but will fly over the heads of the kids. But, the story and the fabulous animation will be a treat for kids of all ages. And, all this in 3-D!

This masterpiece from DreamWorks Animation is directed by Chris Miller and produced by Joe M. Aguilar and Latifa Ouaou.

I know that the kids have been eagerly awaiting the release of this movie and I promise they will not be disappointed!

Classified PG, the movie hits the big screen on Friday, 03 December, just in time for the school holidays, so grab some popcorn and prepare for 90 minutes of fun and fantasy.

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 and lessons.  You’ll also find it on your cell phone if you search for Jozikids.

This week I have 4 events and 4 great party ideas for you. Lets start with something that’s on this weekend and next.

You can take your family:
Mulberry Picking at Trees Eco Fun Park, in Benoni.  Bring the kids ,a container and be sure to wear old clothes as Its a bit messy!  Entry fee includes the best tips to remove mulberry stains from clothes and kids!  Open from 10 am – 5pm, R25pp.  That’s today through until next Sunday.

Then there are 2  ballet performances that open this week In Joburg and Pretroria.
In Joburg at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City you can see the ballet, Don Quixote until  October 23. The production features leading South African and Cuban ballet dancers.

Then there’s

Stars of the Ballet Moscow at the State Theatre, in Pretoria, which opens on Oct 21st and runs until the 23rd. The Show consists of a troupe of 10 dancers selected from different Moscow theatres. The artists are considered to be among the world’s finest classical dancers.

And then for something a little different,

You can go on what’s called a nocturnal walk at Kloofendal Nature Reserve in Roodepoort in search of Spiders& Scorpions . You’ll be given UV torches to show up the scorpions in green. That’s taking place on Friday  Oct 21st in the evening at 6.30 pm.

Since the party season is around the corner over the next few weeks we want to share some great ideas with you for kids, teen and adult  parties.

This week our focus is car or circus parties

CAR PARTIES
Kids Traffic Land  Balfour Park Is a new venue in Highlands North  at Balfour Park Shopping Centre which has been turned into a mini city with roads, traffic lights and tunnels, and motorized little cars. it’s a great party venue and day outing for 4-7yr olds

Fun Prix Race PartiesThis is a mobile party that comes to your venue with tracks and remote cars for the party goers to race each other.  Great for slightly older kids say from 6-12yrs.

CIRCUS PARTIES

Boswell Wilkie Circus PartiesTake place In the big top in Randvaal, in the Vaal Triangle. The children get dressed up as clowns, acrobats you name it and become part of the circus for a few hours.

Green Lizard EntertainmentI offers a mobile circus school that comes to you with silts, tightropes, unicycle,s balls and transforms your venue into a circus school. They travel to  Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Remember you can find more ideas of what to do with your family in the Gauteng region on www.Jozikids.co.za on your computer or your cell phone.