It’s time for mid-year school holidays, and there’s plenty of fun to be had for families across South Africa. Here’s a compilation of some activities to enjoy.
Gauteng
Mall of Africa – The Goal Zone
Dates: Â Friday 3 to Monday 13 July, daily from 10am to 8pm.
Created to mimic an indoor astroturf-style arena complete with playful sporting touches, The Goal Zone brings all the excitement of a match-day atmosphere into a fun, family-friendly soccer-themed holiday experience, in the Mall of Africa Food Court.
Visitors will be able to test their power in Speed Kick, take aim in Beat the Keeper, sharpen reaction times at the Reflex Wall, or put their accuracy to the test in Through the Hoops. Those looking for something a little different will be able to try their hand at Footgolf, challenge friends and family in Sit Down Soccer, or see how long they can keep the ball in the air during Keepie Uppies.
Cost: Participation costs R50 per person. Children are welcome to take part in the activities, with adult supervision required.
For more information: Instagram: @_themallofafrica or visit: mallofafrica.co.za.
Fourways Mall – The Gauntlet
Dates: 26 June to 9 July 2026, open daily from 9am to 6pm
Fourways Mall is giving families a high-energy reason to head indoors this winter as The Gauntlet, South Africa’s largest inflatable obstacle course, takes over the mall’s centre this holiday.
At over 650 sqm in size, the giant inflatable park will be the first indoor activation of its kind in South Africa, bringing bouncing, climbing, crawling, sliding and racing together in one action-packed course. Designed for active play and friendly competition, The Gauntlet invites visitors to take on a series of inflatable challenges as they race towards the finish line.
Cost: Tickets start at R 100 per person, and are now available via Howler. https://thegauntlet.howler.co.za/fourwaysmall With limited daily capacity, advance booking is recommended.
Venue: Neon Glow Mini Golf at Bedford Centre in Bedforview
Dates: 1 – 30 July, may be extended
After an enthusiastic response from shoppers and families, Bedford Centre in Johannesburg ha brought back one of its most popular entertainment experiences. Neon Glow Mini Golf is in an exciting new location on the Piazza Level, next to Salsa Mexican Grill.
The immersive 12-hole mini golf is so much fun thanks to its vibrant neon setting, playful obstacles and easy-going appeal for families, friends and groups looking for something a little different to do together.
Cost: R 50 per person
For more information: https://www.bedfordcentre.com/ or follow @bedfordcentre on social media.
Western Cape
Cavendish Square – Game On
Dates: Monday 13 to Sunday 19 July 2026, daily from 10 AM – 5 PM
Cape Town Families looking for an energetic way to keep the children entertained during the winter school holidays are invited to head to Cavendish Square, where the Game On activation will take over the centre court with a week of interactive sporting fun.
Designed to get children moving, playing and competing, Game On will transform the area into a lively sporting arena filled with interactive games, exciting challenges and family-friendly activities. Throughout the week, young competitors will have the opportunity to test their skills, take on a variety of sporting challenges and stand a chance to win prizes. Up for grabs are Cavendish Square Gift Cards, vouchers from Simply Asia, Milky Lane Nice Ice Cream Sticks and other exciting rewards.
Cost: Free
For more information: www.cavendish.co.za or https://www.instagram.com/cavendishsquare/.
Liberty Promenade – Glow Studio: Create. Illuminate
Dates: Wednesday 1 July to Sunday 19 July 2026, daily from 12 midday to 5 PM
Liberty Promenade is turning up the colour with Glow Studio: Create. Illuminate, an immersive neon experience designed to bring families together through creativity, laughter and a little bit of mess. From Wednesday 1 July to Sunday 19 July 2026, the centre’s old cinema space in the food district will transform into a glowing interactive studio where children and parents can paint, splash, spray and create under dazzling UV lights which create vibrant neon colours.
Open, Glow Studio: Create. Illuminate promises an electrifying escape from screens and routines, inviting visitors to step into a world where imagination takes over and creativity has no limits.
Cost: Entry costs R30 per person. Bookings can be made at the registration desk, with both cash and card payments accepted.
For more information: visit www.libertypromenade.co.za or follow Liberty Promenade on Facebook, Instagram @ libertypromenademall_za and TikTok @libertypromenademall.
KwaZulu-NatalÂ
Museum of Illusions at Gateway
Dates: Open 7 days a week
The Museum of Illusions Durban is a unique and exciting museum dedicated to providing visitors with a fun, interactive and educational experience that challenges perception and inspires creativity. Here you will enjoy more than 60 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that are designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. In this mind-bending, marvellous space, nothing is quite as it seems. In fact, it’s better!
Cost: From R 200 pp, family packages available. Kids under 4 are free.
For more information: https://moidurban.co.za/
Midlands Mall (Pietermaritzburg) – ARTopia Exhibition
Dates: Tuesday 30 June to Sunday 19 July
Midlands Mall will be hosting the 2026 ARTopia exhibition, welcoming shoppers to experience a vibrant showcase of creativity following a record year of participation. A total of 23 schools from Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas have taken part in this year’s Ocean Odyssey themed competition, beating the number achieved in 2025.
The exhibition invites visitors to step into a colourful gallery of imagination, where learners from Grades 1 to 7 have brought their interpretations of the underwater world to life in the most colourful ways.
Cost: Free
For more information: Go to https://www.midlandsmall.co.za/ or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.
On the big screen across SA
Then, in cinemas, the wait is over. Illumination’s Minions & Monsters is now showing South African cinemas nationwide, bringing audiences a brand-new adventure featuring the world’s most mischievous yellow troublemakers. To celebrate the release, two fan-favourite Minions, James and Henry, will embark on a nationwide roadshow, visiting shopping centres and cinemas across South Africa where families can meet them in person, snap photos and join in the mayhem.
The tour kicks off at Movies @ Montecasino on Friday 26 June, where fans can also explore a dedicated Minions & Monsters themed world packed with themed décor, photo opportunities and Minion-inspired fun. This activation will remain open until Sunday 5 July.
Following appearances in Johannesburg at Mall of Africa, Menlyn Park, The Grove Mall, Eastgate Shopping Centre, The Zone @ Rosebank and The Glen, the Minions will continue their adventure in Cape Town, Durban and Mpumalanga, giving fans around the country the opportunity to come face-to-face with two of animation’s most recognisable characters.
Fresh off the worldwide blockbuster success of Despicable Me 4, Minions & Monsters sees the Minions conquer Hollywood, become movie stars, lose everything, unleash monsters onto the world and then attempt to save the planet from the chaos they have created.
Watch the official trailer for Minions & Monsters here:
Minions Meet and Greets
Johannesburg
- Monday 29 June: The Grove Mall, 09h30 – 16h00
- Tuesday 30 June: Eastgate Shopping Centre, 11h30 – 14h00
- Tuesday 30 June: The Zone @ Rosebank, 16h00 – 19h00
- Thursday 16 July: The Glen, 11h00 – 16h00
Cape Town
- Friday 3 July: Cavendish Square, 11h00 – 18h00
- Saturday 4 July: Canal Walk, 11h00 – 18h00
- Sunday 5 July: V&A Waterfront, 11h00 – 16h00
- Monday 6 July: Blue Route Mall, 11h00 – 16h00
Durban
- Thursday 9 July: CineCentre Suncoast, 13h00 – 19h00
- Friday 10 July: Pavilion, 11h00 – 18h00
- Saturday 11 July: Gateway, 11h00 – 19h00
- Sunday 12 July: Cornubia, 11h00 – 16h00
- Monday 13 July: Galleria, 11h00 – 16h00
Surrounding Areas
- Friday 17 July: Ilanga, 12h00 – 17h00
- Saturday 18 July: Ilanga, 09h00 – 12h00
- Sunday 19 July: Mall of the North, 09h00 – 15h20
Cost: Minions Meet & greets are free. Check each centre’s social media feeds for more information & updates.
Cinema tickets vary, please check the cinema’s website for details.
In a nutshell
Mid-year school holiday activities for families
