It’s the holidays! Parents will be wondering what to do with restless children who are always full of energy. Never fear! Harare News has compiled a list of organised events just for kids, plus a second list of things that you can do together when you have time off.
Send your kids to…
1. Mukuvisi Woodlands Boot Camp
Children will learn about birds, wildlife, ecosystems, first aid, and survival skills. Activities include team building, tracking, night walks, wild fruit picking, and fishing.
Two camps will take place for children aged 8–13 years. The first is from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 April, the second from Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May.
Children will sleep over at the Woodlands. Cost is $45 per child.
Information and bookings: 0755701807/0773617387/[email protected]
2. Imire’s Fun in the Bush
Out of town, near Marondera, is the beautiful Imire game park. Their camps are slightly longer than Mukuvisi, and include fire making, animal trapping, fitness activities and elephant interaction and riding.
The camp for 6–11-year-olds runs from 4 to 7 April. Camps for 9–12-year-olds from 11 to 14 April and from 19 to 22 April. Cost is $145 per child. Children will stay at the camps.
Information and bookings: 022222094/0772522201
3. National Gallery Art Camp
The National Gallery of Zimbabwe Holiday Art Camp offers art classes for children from pre-school age up to Form 6. Children will learn how to draw, paint and make sculptures from paper for three days from 11 to 13 April. Cost: $30.
Information and booking: 704666/[email protected]
4. Peter Birch School of Art
Also offering art lessons including painting, drawing and outdoor sketching for children of school-going age is the Peter Birch School of Art. Lessons take place three times a week and run for four weeks starting on Tue 29 March from 9.30–11.30am all through April. Cost: $100.
Information and bookings: 708508
5. Kids in Front of the Camera Performance Camp
KIFOC teaches kids how to act, sing, dress up, create, and perform in front of the camera. The KIFOC camp runs from 12 to 14 April. Children 8 years old and up are $50, children from 5 to 7 are $35.
Information and booking: 0733402696/[email protected]
If you’re also scratching your head about things that you and your children can enjoy together, why not try one of these fun days out?
6. Go swimming
What better way to take advantage of our remaining hot summer days than to go for a swim before winter? If you don’t have a pool, there are municipal pools all around Harare. It costs $2 for adults and $1 or children to swim.
Search for ‘municipal pools’ on our website www.hararenews.co.zw for a comprehensive list of all Harare’s public swimming spots.
Contact information: 720755.
7. Take a walk in nature
A walk in nature is a great way to bond with your kids and learn about the environment at the same time. At Mukuvisi Woodlands you can enjoy horse riding and many other activities. Entrance is $5 for adults and $3.50 for kids aged 5 to 12.
Kuimba Shiri on Lake Chivero is a great place for a day trip. Enjoy tractor and speedboat rides, and take in the numerous birds on display, including the exciting raptors which take flight above the heads of the audience. Fishing and horse riding are also available.
More information on: www.kuimbashiri.co.zw or call 0731226635
8. Climb a mountain
Domboshava and Ngomakurira are two historic sites just outside Harare ideal for hiking. Step back in time when you look at ancient rock paintings and artefacts found at these sites. The Balancing Rocks along Chiremba Road are also a great place to see rock paintings. You pay $4 entry fee to these sites, which are open every day from 8am to 4pm.
More information: [email protected]
9. Check out an art exhibition
If your children love art or are taking art lessons, why not take them to Gallery Delta for the “Terra IV” exhibit running until mid April? Learning about Zimbabwean and international artists can be good fun for kids and adults alike. Plus, it’s free! Open Mon-Fri 8.30am–5pm, Sat 9am–12pm.
Gallery Delta is at 110 Livingstone Avenue. Phone: 792135.
A few one-day exhibitions will also be held at the National Gallery. The “Fair Danish Design,” exhibit runs from 7 April, and “Zig Zag Zim” exhibit from 29 April. Entry between 9am and 5pm costs $1 for adults and 50c for kids.
10. Go to the movies
Ster-Kinekor Westgate, Eastgate and Sam Levy have a special discount offer every Tuesday: Half price on all movies. Plus, this being the holidays, the cinemas have an expanded range of films in the ‘All Ages’ category. Why not treat yourself and your kids to an afternoon of fun? All cinemas are open from 9.30am to 10pm.
11. Go to a festival
Unfortunately there will be no traditional HIFA event this year. But there will be two festivals taking place at Borrowdale Race Course this month. The first is the Mega Food Festival on 2 April with activities to suit everyone including massages, braai, full bar, jumping castles, and live music.
Later in the month the Harare International Food and Music Festival will take place from 29 April to 1 May. Visual artists will be exhibiting their work to the public for free and there will be live music shows including a hip-hop concert featuring Trae Yung, a jazz concert featuring Oliver Mtukudzi, and a Genesis Gospel concert featuring Michael Mahendere. Ticket prices range from $4- $20 and are available at www.webtickects.co.zw. There will also be play area for kids.
Contact information: 0718775775/0732775775/0775775775 [email protected]
12. Watch the rugby
The World Rugby U20 Trophy will take place at Harare Sports Club on the 19, 23 and 29 April with the final game at the National Sports stadium on 1 May. Participating countries include Namibia, Samoa, Spain, Fiji, Hong Kong, Uruguay, USA, and Zimbabwe. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. Tickets are available at www.webtickects.co.zw
Contact information: 791151/704399/791033
Image: Kids taking in events at the HIFA Youth Zone at HIFA 2014.
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