Winter School Holiday Fossil Fun
Winter school holidays are here! While your kids are no doubt elated to be free from classes and homework for almost a month, you may be dreading the boredom slump that’s almost sure to set in by week two or three.
Well, the West Coast Fossil Park has your back! From guided hikes to puppet shows, planet watching to mock digs, our jam-packed holiday programme is designed to not only entertain, but also enrich and educate.
All activities last between 1 hour and an hour-and-a-half, depending on which you sign up for.
Guided hike & kiddies meal
What better way to fight the winter chill than getting those little limbs moving? During one of our guided hikes, your children will be treated to a fascinating exploration of the park's flora and fauna. Our trained guides will keep them entertained with spellbinding stories and share delicious nuggets of information perfect for classroom show-and-tell once school starts again.
Speaking of delicious, we’ll keep your little one’s tummy satisfied with a yummy packed lunch. They will have a choice between chicken pops, a toasted sandwich or a hot dog, and will also get a juice and something sweet to enjoy.
Kiddies’ hikes will take place on the following dates:
Tuesday, 28 June at 10am and 12pm
Saturday, 2 July at 10am and 12pm
Saturday, 9 July at 10am and 12pm
Saturday, 10 July at 10am and 12pm
Saturday, 16 July at 10am and 12pm
Sunday, 17 July at 10am and 12pm
Mini Lab
Have a budding palaeontologist in your home? When they join us for mini lab, they will learn all about fossilization and even get the opportunity to make their own bone cast, using sand, water and plaster of Paris.
Mini lab sessions will take place on the following dates:
Saturday, 26 June at 10am and 12pm
Sunday, 3 July at 10am and 12pm
Friday, 8 July at 10am and 12pm
Friday, 15 July at 10am and 12pm
Mock Dig
Let your child’s fossil-finding fantasies take flight by signing them up for a mock dig on a real archaeological dig site.
During these sessions they will learn all about the different fossils that have been found at the West Coast Fossil Park and what kind of world these prehistoric creatures once inhabited. They will also be introduced to the tools of the trade and have the opportunity to do a bit of digging and dusting of their own.
Mock digs take place on the following dates:
Thursday, 30 June at 10am and 12pm
Thursday, 7 July at 10am and 12pm
Tuesday, 12 July at 10am and 12pm
Tuesday, 19 July at 10am and 12pm
Puppet show
Who said learning about history must be a dreary affair? We guarantee loads of laughter and fun with our fossil-focused puppet shows.
They will be taking place on the following dates:
Wednesday, 29 June at 10am and 12pm
Wednesday, 6 July at 10am and 12pm
Wednesday, 13 July at 10am and 12pm
Planet Watch
Calling all little star-gazers! Our planet watch activity is all about discovering the wonders of outer space. We have three big screens set up forming a panoramic view of our solar system where they will be able to watch the planets orbiting and look out for famous stars. Our expert guides will share stories of ancient stars and how our ancestors made sense of them.
Planet Watch will be taking place throughout the day on the following dates:
Friday, 1 July
Tuesday, 5 July
Thursday, 14 July
Package deals
Finding it difficult to choose only one activity? Good news! You can book package deals too. Find out more here.
Guided tours
Apart from the special kiddies’ programme, our guided fossil dig site tours will continue to take place throughout the school holidays.
They last for one hour and cost R100 per adult and R50 per child.
You can visit our website for more information about the West Coast Fossil Park and don’t forget to tag us in your holiday fun photos on Instagram and Facebook using #visitWestCoastFossilPark.