Explore Cape Town with the new interactive guidebook for kids

Two far south residents have teamed up to make exploring Cape Town fun and educational for children.

Kids’ Cape Town Guidebook and Activities, written by Muizenberg resident Jeanne Bonnema and Fish Hoek resident Emma Cleworth, invites families to see the city’s famous landmarks through a child’s eyes.

Aimed at children aged six to ten, the colourful six-chapter guide is packed with over 40 puzzles, mazes, crosswords, secret codes, and spot-the-difference games.

Each activity is themed around one of Cape Town’s must-see attractions, including Table Mountain, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, and the V&A Waterfront.

Ms Bonnema, a registered tour guide and travel writer, said she wanted to make learning about Cape Town exciting for children.

“We wanted to create a resource that makes learning about Cape Town a joy, not a chore,” she said.

“This guide is packed with interesting facts and interactive challenges that will spark a child’s curiosity and ensure that they, together with their parents, have a truly memorable experience in the Mother City.”

Ms Cleworth, a Fish Hoek parent and music teacher, said her own experiences helped shape the book.

“As a parent myself, I know the importance of keeping children engaged and entertained while travelling,” she said. “We designed this book to be a constant companion for families, bringing the magic of Cape Town to life through fun, hands-on activities.”

The idea for the book came from Ms Bonnema’s own travels with her children.

“I always made activity books for my children when I travelled with them, both locally and abroad,” she explained. “It was so much fun creating them and seeing them being used. I always wanted to do the same for Cape Town.”

The collaboration between the two began after a walk on Fish Hoek Beach.

“I had lots of ideas but wasn’t getting anywhere with turning them into reality,” said Ms Bonnema. “One Friday, Emma and I met for a walk so that I could propose a collaboration. She loved the idea, and we started the following Monday. It was the start of a wonderful partnership.”

Ms Cleworth said many of the activities encourage children to explore each site in person.

“We wanted the book to be thoroughly immersive,” she said.

“For example, the Nobel Square page at the Waterfront involves finding the inscriptions in front of the statues and matching them to the quotes.”

The book includes practical tips for families, such as what to pack and what to expect at each attraction.

Both authors said they hope local families will also use the guide as a way to rediscover their city.

“Locals can use it as a fresh holiday project or a reference book for day trips,” said Ms Cleworth.

Ms Bonnema added, “As a family, you can learn about your own city together and enjoy visits to these special sites.”

Kids’ Cape Town Guidebook and Activities is available from Takealot, Loot, Amazon ZA, and local bookstores, including Wordsworth Books, The Write Shoppe, Bargain Books and Exclusive Books, for R170.