It's easy to think there's nothing for kids to do in Johannesburg, but the city has a range of fun, interesting and educational activities for them to get hooked on. Here are a few ideas to get you going for the weekend...

The Zoo
The Johannesburg Zoo in Parkview is a favourite place for children; an animal paradise with lions and elephants, monkeys and gorillas, seals and polar bears. The farmyard section, designed for under-sixes, also has cuddly animals which can be picked and patted. Kids can also ride on the tractor ferry, do an organised trot around the zoo, or catch a moonlight tour.

There's also a programme of educational events and a safe environment with green lawns and picnicking areas ensures plenty of space for running around. The zoo is open from 8.30am — 5.30pm, seven days a week and secure parking is available at the entrance on Upper Park Drive in Saxonwold.

Something exotic
Get really close to some exotic birds at the Montecasino Bird Gardens in Fourways, where the kids can walk along elevated wooden walkways inside a large aviary. There are over 100 exotic species of birds, including spectacular Scarlet Ibises.

Bird shows twice a day feature owls, cranes, pelicans and vultures and children can feed the interesting collection of small animals, including iguanas, marmasets, tamarins, snakes and colourful frogs. The gardens, accessible from William Nicol Drive in Fourways, are open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8am — 5pm.

For the birds...
Love the birds, but don't have the budget? Ducks and geese are just waiting for small people to feed them at Zoo Lake, Emmarentia Dam and Gillooly's Farm. Adult supervision is essential to stop them falling in the water though.

All three venues also provide plenty of lawn space for children to play, fly kites or roller blade, and for parents to picnic. Parking for Zoo Lake is from Westwold Way, and parking for Emmarentia Dam is just over the bridge off Olifants Road. Gillooly's Farm is in Boeing Road, Morninghill (take the Linksfield off ramp from the N3). Other green spaces in the city include Wemmer Pan (Rosettenville Road, Pioneer Park), Thokoza Park (Ntuli Street, Moroka), and the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort).

Exciting rides
Any kid who's anybody in Johannesburg would recommend the Gold Reef City theme park with its great, often scary, rides — all 31 of them. Try out the Anaconda, Earthquake Tunnel, Miner's Revenge, the Tower of Terror and the River Rapids, for starters. There's also a funfair for under 10s with gentle rides on horses, shells, small wheel and Flintstones cars.

Children over six can also do an underground tour down a mine. Gold Reef City, 6km south of the city in Ormonde off the M1 South freeway, is open from 9.30am — 5pm every day. Kids under 1.2m get in free.

Unicorns and fairies
Take them to a fantasy world of fairies, gnomes and unicorns at Unicorn Wish in Sun Valley. There's a fairy garden, a restaurant, and a shop for littlies to spend their pocket money wisely, as well as one for adults.

Pony rides, candle making, fabric and bisque painting will keep them busy, or they can enjoy the llamas, camels, and an owl. Parties for 2- to 14-year-olds can be booked. It's open 8am — 5pm weekends, and 10am — 5pm weekdays, but closed on Wednesdays. Call (011) 464 2424 for more info.

Adventure zone
If your kids can't contain their energy, take them to the Adventure Zone at the Norwood Shopping Centre, corner 6th and Grant Avenues. There's stacks of stuff to keep them busy; from jumping castles, jungle gyms, trampolines, soccer fields to lego and chicco toys. It's open 10am — 5.30pm seven days a week, and admits kids from three to 10 years old.

Ice skating
Try something more skilful at the Northgate Ice Arena in the Northgate Shopping Centre in Northriding. It's open seven days a week from 10am — 5pm, and 7.30pm — 10.30pm. If they can't skate, the arena runs a skating academy with 8-week courses held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Star gazing
Take them star-gazing at the Johannesburg Planetarium in Yale Road, Braamfontein. Every Saturday morning at 10.30am there's a space travel show for 4- to 8-year-olds. Otherwise, there are shows on Fridays (8pm), Saturdays (3pm) and Sundays (4pm).

Miniature Johannesburg
Make the little ones feel enormous as they look down on the miniature town of Johannesburg at Santarama Miniland at Wemmer Pan. There are mini-trains, jumping castles and fairy boats, plus an indoor play centre. It's open 9am — 5pm seven days a week, and is at 183 Rosettenville Road, Pioneer Park.

Lions and cubs
Go on a lion-spotting drive around the 300-hectare Lion Park in Lanseria, 30km north west of Johannesburg, then play with the cubs. There's also a restaurant in the park which is open from 8.30am to 5pm, seven days a week. The park is on the corner of Hans Strydom and Old Pretoria Roads, Lanseria.

Lustrous Lipizzaners
Take them to see the quite amazing lipizzaners — pure-white performing horses with Roman ancestry. The horses are bred in KwaZulu-Natal, and at three years old the stallions are moved to Kyalami to begin their training. The Lipizzaner show is on every Sunday at 10.30am at 1 Dahlia Road, Kyalami. Booking is through Computicket or at the gate. Check their website for more info.

Published courtesy of www.joburg.org.za.