1. Build your own bear

Build-A-Bear offers a make-your-own bear interactive entertainment experience. Creating and bringing to life your own teddy bear is a unique gift and a truly fun experience for all young children. You can choose from over 30 teddy bears, bunnies, dogs and other furry friends to make your very own fluffy friend.

Then give it a unique personality with hundreds of teddy bear-sized outfits and accessories. Children name their bears and get birth certificates before taking their furry friend home in a perfectly packaged ‘condo’. 

It is genuinely a unique adventure for a child that offers more than a simple shopping experience. The concept creates a special bond between child and bear forever. Head down to one of the Build-A-Bear workshops:

Western Cape:

• Located in Toy Kingdom, Canal Walk Shopping, Cape Town

• Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, Cape Town

• Mountain Mill Shopping Centre, Worcester

2. The Christmas Spectacular returns to GrandWest

The Grand Arena, GrandWest proudly plays host to the 11th annual Christmas Spectacular for the third time on 17 and 18 December 2016. A family inspired event, the Christmas Spectacular, produced each year by Hillsong South Africa, is a musical showcase combining acting, singing and dancing to ring in the season and get audiences into the Christmas spirit.

“The Christmas Spectacular is always a well attended and jubilant show that continues to touch the hearts and revitalise the spirit year after year. Friends and families are invited to gather their loved ones to enjoy the audio visual showcase,” says Matthys.

The Christmas Spectacular will be staged at 17h00 on 17 December 2016 and at 12h00, 15h30 and 19h00 on 18 December 2016. Tickets cost R40 per person and are available at www.hillsong.com/southafrica.

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3. Go watch the Nutcracker

A new season of seven wonderful ballets from Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet company – one of the world’s great powerhouses of classical ballet – is currently being screened at Ster-Kinekor’s Cinema Nouveau theatres. The next ballet to be enjoyed on the big screen is the magical The Nutcracker, which releases on Saturday, 17 December for limited shows.

As the perfect ballet for the whole family to watch in the lead up to Christmas, the ballet will enjoy special, family-friendly screening times.The other productions in this season include: Swan Lake (18 February 2017), The Sleeping Beauty (10 March), A Contemporary Evening (21 April) and finally, A Hero of our Time (12 May).

The ballets are brought to the big screen by Fathom Events, BY Experience and Pathé Live.Christmas would not be complete without the enchanting tale of young Marie and her Nutcracker prince! Danced by the Bolshoi’s principals, E.T.A. Hoffmann’s fairytale, choreographed by Russian ballet master Yuri Grigorovich to the beautiful musical composed by Tchaikovsky, promises to transport children and adults alike to a world of magic and wonder for the holiday season.

See what's happening at the V&A Waterfront here.

4. Visit the ‘Fishies’

Every kid loves a day out at the aquarium. There is so much to explore - fish, sharks, penguins and even a “what does it feel like” exhibit where they can gently feel everything from starfish to seaweed.

The Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town is open daily from 09h30-18h00 and prices range from R70-R150 p/p.

You will be your kid’s favourite person and they will absolutely love pushing their faces up against the glass to make sure they see absolutely everything.

5. Let’s Go Bowling!

This is always a crowd favourite and can be enjoyed as a family outing or with your kid’s friends. Pack them all in the car and take them down to your local bowling alley for a fun day out.

You could join them for the game or you could sit back, put your feet up and enjoy a quiet moment with a good book while your kid is entertained.

6. World of Birds

Did you know that Hout Bay boasts the largest bird park in Africa?

That’s right! With over 3,000 birds and small animals, this bird park allows you to get up close and personal with nature – your kids (even you) are going to love it.

World of Birds is open 365 days a year from 09h00-17h00. For a day pass you’re looking at R95 for adults and R45 for kids. 

7. Kiddies Play Areas with a View

Just think about this for a moment: a beautiful sunny day, a breath-taking view of Table Mountain, the waves crashing as surfers try catching the biggest one, crystal blue waters and a great, mouth-watering meal.

You can have this, as well as peace and quiet from your kids, at Moyo or Captain’s Kitchen at Eden on the Bay.

Their play areas offer your kids endless fun, giving you a quiet moment to enjoy by yourself or with some girlfriends. This is a great December ‘winding down’ idea.

8. Little Cooks Club

This is a great idea for the kids or even the whole family. Little Cooks Club located in Johannesburg is the perfect idea for your little ones to learn how to cook and have fun in the kitchen making yummy snacks and meals.

The price depends on the activity and the age of your child. Be sure to book in advance as spaces fill up quickly during the December holidays.

If you are unable to get a booking then a great alternative is to download some simple and easy recipes, get the ingredients and let the kids bake something yummy at home.

9. Look at the stars

How does a day looking at the planets and stars sound? Pretty exciting, we know!

Why don’t you take the kids and try out the Johannesburg or Cape Town Planetarium where you can take star-gazing into your own hands without breaking the bank. This is something exciting for all to enjoy.

With loads of activities across the country to keep your kids entertained and active, there is no need to run away these December holidays.

Say goodbye to those “I’m bored” comments and enjoy your December holidays making memories with the family and showing other parents that you found the perfect solution for holiday boredom. 

Are you doing anything fun with your kids over the holidays? send us your comments, stories and pictures to chatback@parent24.com we might publish it.