What to do with the kids these school holidays?
We’ve rounded up the best family-friendly spots – from farms to ninjas, animals, and personalised bear-making!

1. ECR House and Garden Show
Your kids can be dropped off and booked into the Kids Zone, under the super-watchful eyes of a caring team, while you do what you came to do. Drop and shop.

2. Sunset Club, Gold Coast
Grab the whole family and head to the Sunset Club at Gold Coast Estate. They have an indoor and outdoor play area for the kiddies as well as an amazing restaurant.

3. Blueberry Beacon
Take the kids to Blueberry Beacon. It’s a restaurant with a big indoors play area. Every 30 minutes a different superhero character appears. Fun for the whole family and perfect for rainy days.

4. Build-A-Bear
How about something completely unique? Take your kids to get themselves their very own personalised cuddle buddy. It will be an experience the whole family will love!

5. Flag Farm Animal Farm
Enjoy a wholesome day out at Flag Animal Farm. From feeding goats to tractor rides, it’s hands-on fun for all ages – and an absolute hit with animal lovers.

6. @Tap Coffee Corner
A proudly child friendly facility in the heart of Durban North. Enjoy something to eat & drink while the kids have some fun on their playground.

7. Funtubbles
Indoor amusement park vibes at Funtubbles! Rides, arcade games, and loads of laughs. Right next to the food court too which is a bonus!

8. Ninja Warriors
Unleash your child’s inner ninja at Ninja Warriors! Obstacle courses, climbing walls, and non-stop action in a safe, high-energy environment. Perfect for kids with lots of energy.

Wine lovers, mark your calendars as the best of the Cape’s wine farms are coming to Durban for one day only. The much-anticipated Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival is making its return to Durban on Saturday, 28 June 2025, promising a celebration of South Africa’s top wine estates, delicious food, and vibrant local entertainment, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Chris Saunders Park in uMhlanga.

The festival celebrates all types of wine lovers, whether you are a seasoned sipper or a casual enthusiast.

Visitors can wander through the park, wine glass in hand, while sampling wines from 35 top wine estates, including Durbanville Hills, Paul Cluver and Spier, and wines exclusively produced for and sold at Pick n Pay. There is also a dedicated Sparkling Experience tasting lane for those who prefer their bubbles.

The ever-popular Pick n Pay Tasting Room offers an exclusive 40-seat session pairing specially selected wines with gourmet canapés. Each session is hosted by a chef and the featured wine producer, who offer intimate knowledge of the story and flavour behind the wine, helping attendees recreate such experiences at home. Booking is essential, as space is limited, and the cost is R130 per session, per person.

Foodies are also in for a treat with the various offerings available. For those seeking a stress-free day of leisure, the all-new Pick n Pay Picnic Bag, for R325, is the perfect add-on to your ticket. Designed for two, the picnic bag now features a fresh new look. It is filled with delectable treats, including a charcuterie and cheese grazing box, a trio of dips, olive and rosemary focaccia, a potato salad, a sweet treat, and bottled water. The Picnic Bag is ideal for sharing while relaxing on the lawns with your favourite bottle of wine from the tastings.

The Pick n Pay Fresh Food Market will once again serve a curated menu of festival favourites, with a variety of fresh, delicious options, including fish and chips, seasonal salads, sushi, and cheese and charcuterie platters, and indulgent bites from the ever-popular Pick n Pay Burger & Pizza Trucks. There is also a Bomb Squad stand for a refreshing Bomb Squad beer, created by Steven Kitshoff and Malcolm Marx, paired with a boerie roll fresh off the braai.

The Pick n Pay Wine Shop lets festivalgoers shop their favourite wines from the day to enjoy on-site with great food and live music, or order them via Pick n Pay asap! for quick delivery straight to your door.

Offering more than just wine, festivalgoers can also capture memories at the Wine Club 360° photo booth. The Durban event will see the introduction of a Health & Beauty stand for the first time.

Members of the Pick n Pay Wine Club – one of Smart Shopper’s free-to-join lifestyle clubs – have the exclusive opportunity to purchase an Early Access ticket to access the event an hour earlier at 12pm. This allows wine enthusiasts to have more intimate tastings with the exhibiting producers before the gates open to the general public at 1pm.

General access tickets are R300, which include access to the event, one wine tasting glass, and 20 wine tasting tokens. Tasting Room sessions and picnics must be booked separately.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit Webtickets.

Event details:

· Date: 28 June 2025.
· Venue: Chris Saunders Park, Centenary Boulevard, uMhlanga
· Time: From 12pm for Pick n Pay Wine Club Member Early Access ticket holders From 1pm for General Access ticket holders
Tastings end at 4.30pm

STRICTLY NO U-18 (babies in strollers are not allowed)

Ticket costs:
· General Access: R300 (includes access, 1 wine tasting glass & 20 wine tasting tokens).

Please note the event has a Tasting Token System to honour the various price points of the wines available. Tokens are required for each tasting, based on the price point of the wine.

– Under R100 – 1 Token
– R101 – R200 – 2 Tokens
– R201 – R400 – 3 Tokens
– Over R400 – 4 Tokens

· ADD-ONS (A General or Early Access ticket must still be purchased)

Tasting Room Session: R130 per person per session
Picnic Bag: R325 (for two people sharing)

Pick n Pay Tasting Room Sessions

SATURDAY

· 12:30 Boekenhoutskloof
· 13:30 Pongracz
· 14:30 Franschhoek Cellar
· 15:30 Paul Cluver

Experience the charm and thrill of live entertainment at The Barn.

Expect an exciting lineup filled with incredible music, unforgettable moments and the perfect setting for a great time out.

Friday, 30 May
🎸 17:00 to 20:00 – Stewy

Saturday, 31 May
🏉 18:30 – Sharks vs Munster

Sunday, 1 June
🎶 11:00 to 14:00 – Trevor Donjeany
🎙️ 15:00 to 18:00 – The Kickstands