Give your children the chance to exercise their minds at one of these brain-flexing hotspots in and around the country

Character building | Stellenbosch
The owners of Hazendal wine farm obviously have an interest in nurturing young minds. On their estate, children aged five to 13 are catered for at their experiential edutainment centre, Wonderdal. It uses modern technology to foster creativity around concepts and ideas drawn from the school curriculum. They’ll be absorbing ideas by playing and discovering, having their imaginations stimulated as they solve problems, test motor skills and meet Wonderdal’s virtual reality Amuki characters. These five otherworldly beings – Zylo, Timpa, Shekku, Gomma and Vuvu – are the guardians of sun, care, water, earth and air respectively. They are charged with revealing the wonders of our world to visiting children, which often involves collecting crystals, growing imaginary plants, cooking meals in the virtual health kitchen, listening to stories or reading books in the ‘story cave’, or engaging in activities that involve balancing, jumping, climbing and generating energy by playing a hand-cycling game.
021 903 5034
hazendal.co.za

A pinch of salt | Cape Town
Stir Crazy Cooking offers children’s cooking classes that will entertain and delight youngsters as they don aprons and are shown a few kitchen ins and outs. And while they will be reminded of where their food comes from (primarily the soil beneath their feet), they’ll be having fun learning to make food using recipes such as chicken fingers, cheesy pizza spirals, salmon and Parmesan pasta, Rice Krispie nests, mini-lasagne cups, and choc chip muffins. Best of all? They’ll have something yummy to show for their efforts at the end of it all.
021 501 0695
stircrazycooking.co.za

Tight tight and don’t fall off | Joburg
As a 35-year-old horse- and pony-riding establishment, Chartwell Stables is primarily aimed at children from four years old and up. It presents them with a wonderful opportunity to retreat into nature, become accustomed to the behaviours of various species, and learn some skills along the way. There are several horses and ponies at Chartwell Stables with whom kids can become acquainted. The establishment also offers Equitheraphy to children who might need help with certain aspects of their development, such as fine- and gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
073 952 8572 / 083 500 0103
chartwellstables.co.za

Puzzle your way out | Durban
If your brood is looking for a game that challenges the mind, you might want to introduce them Mindgame Escape a form of entertainment that provides both intrigue and an opportunity for them to use their brains. Basically, while closed within a themed escape room, players get to unleash their inner sleuth by solving a series of puzzles and figuring out the answers to riddles and clues – they need to work hard and fast in order to escape the room within 60 minutes. It’s fun and a great challenge that encourages team work, although it’s for older children, aged eight and over, only. All groups of children need to be accompanied by at least one adult. After all, they are locked in a room for an hour!
087 238 2524
mindgame.co.za

This way or that? | Joburg
Honeydew Mazes offers several enjoyable activities. First and foremost is the Giant Maze (or Elemental Maze), constructed from reed fencing and challenging both the mind and body. Honeydew Mazes incorporates five gardens, each of which alludes to the four basic elements (fire, earth, air, and water), as well as reflection and thought. There are two quizzes incorporated in the Giant Maze experience: the garden quiz, which requires you to fulfil a series of tasks in each of the five gardens, and the brain box quiz, which involves finding 10 quiz boards located throughout the maze and answering general knowledge questions. There’s also the Maize Maze, set in a living cornfield and available every summer with a different theme each year, as well as smaller mazes dotted around the premises. Note: All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult when entering the Giant Maze.
073 795 2174
honeydewmazes.co.za

Words by Joshua Craig White
Photography: Courtesy Images