2010 has been a whirlwind of demands on our bank accounts and time, but that doesn't mean we don't deserve a little fun. We decided to put in a bit of research to find out what you could get up to in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg that are either free or under R50 per person. We were pleasantly surprised to find that there are tons of inexpensive ways to have fun on holiday. If you have any more ideas, share them with other readers by adding them in the Comments section below.

Here is our list:

CAPE TOWN

  • Go for a late afternoon picnic on Signal Hill with your family and watch the sun set over the Atlantic ocean.

    • Cost consideration: Picnic snacks.

  • Visit Rhodes Memorial and take in the incredible history behind the man, Cecil John Rhodes. Also, there's a fantastic view of both Table Bay and False Bay from up there and a few great walks from the memorial, so take a packed lunch with you, as well as plenty of sun cream.

    • Cost consideration: A packed lunch.

  • Hike in Newlands Forest under the welcome shade of the trees. From the parking lot, face the mountain and follow the dirt road as it forks to the right. It's a beautiful and easy walk, lasting approximately an hour and a quarter and is suitable for all ages.

    Cost consideration: A few cooldrinks.

    Visit the Company Gardens and enjoy Cape Town's inner-city vibe. The gardens are a definite must-see for you and your family, offering a place for the kids to run rampant while also taking in some of the history of the place.

    • Cost consideration: Parking fare.

  • Catch a train to Muizenberg and spend a day on the beach. It's a great experience for the kids and by leaving your car at home, you're doing your bit for the environment too. Take the Wynberg/Simon's Town route and be sure to get off at the Muizenberg station.

    • Cost consideration: Train tickets. Children ? approx. R 5; Adults ? approx. R10.

  • Visit the MTN Science Centre in Canal Walk. In case there are days of bad weather over the holiday season, or if you feel like a day indoors, then the Science Centre is well-worth paying a visit. With over 300 interactive, world-class displays, the centre provides valuable hands-on learning experiences. Tickets are valid for the whole day and you can exit and re-enter as many times as you like on the day.

    • Cost consideration: Children ? R28; Adults ? R22

  • Cheetah Outreach at Spier. Go along for a family outing to Spier and learn more about the Cheetah conservation in southern Africa. Once you're done there, enjoy snacks from the deli whilst sitting beside the Spier dam.

    • Cost consideration: Entrance into Cheetah Outreach ? R 10 during the week for both adults and children and R5 for the weekend.

    DURBAN

  • Picnic at the Durban Botanical Gardens. There's always something happening at the gardens. It's a fantastic place to take the family and enjoy some time amongst the indigenous plants of KwaZulu-Natal.

    • Cost consideration: Entrance is free, packed lunch.

  • Visit the beach for a swim and a get your family a Flake 99 ice cream each to enjoy. The vendors and small kiosks along Durban's beaches are so common that enjoying a day on the beach just wouldn't be complete without enjoying a ice cream cone.

    • Cost consideration: Approximately R 15 for an ice cream.

  • Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary, just 20 km from Durban city centre, the sanctuary boasts a pond, green lawns, verdant gardens and a stunning indigenous riverine forest. Enjoy the self-guided trail with your family that will provide the information about the varied bird. The sanctuary is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

    • Cost consideration: Entrance is free.

  • Durban Natural Science Museum offers another different outing for the family. Located at the City Hall in Durban, its historic building and interesting exhibits offer a great way to spend a few hours.

    • Cost consideration: Entrance is free.

  • For a little bit of quirk, visit Minitown ? a miniature city replicating Durban that kids and grown-ups alike will find entertaining, while also learning about Durban city. You can find Minitown on Snell Parade Rd in Durban.

    • Cost consideration: Children ? R 10; Adults ? R 15.

  • Do a bit of window shopping and enjoy the vibe under the lush evergreen canopy of trees at the Essenwood Craft Market on a Saturdays. The market boasts that it has something for the entire family. With a kiddies play area, and a food court nearby, parents can relax while the kids go wild.

    • Cost consideration: Entrance is free.

  • Familiarising ourselves with the idea of sharks in our waters is important, especially if you like to spend a lot of time swimming in the ocean. The Sharks Board encourages visits by members of the public to its complex in Umhlanga Rocks where you can view a 25 minute audio-visual presentation on the what the Shark Board gets up to on a daily basis, as well as on the important role sharks and other animals play in the marine ecosystem. This is followed by a 20 minute dissection.

    • Cost consideration: Children (4 to 12) ? R 12; Adults ? R 25.

    JOHANNESBURG

  • There's nothing more mesmerizing than watching a jet plane land or take off while you enjoy a milkshake at Wiesenhof restaurant, Lanseria. There's plenty of seating outside on the balcony and the kids are guaranteed to enjoy this outing.

    • Cost consideration: Small milkshake ? R15.95 each and parking fare.

  • Picnic at Zoo Lake is a must for the summer holidays. The fun of feeding the geese, and running free underneath the trees playing a game of piggy-in-the-middle or seeing who can do a hand-stand the longest, is a great way to spend an afternoon.

    • Cost consideration: Picnic snacks.

  • The Bunny Park in Benoni is a fun experience for young children as it is one of the few places that allows visitors to feed the animals. Farm animals roam freely including cows, donkeys, goats, chickens and rabbits. Take along a bunch of carrots and enjoy the wonderful interaction between your kids and the animals.

    • Cost consideration: Entrance is free.

  • Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown is newly opened in Johannesburg and it's the largest science centre in Africa. Describing itself as an edutainment centre, it offers kids and adults endless hours of educational fun.

    • Cost consideration: Children ? R 10; Adults ? R 20. After 2pm on weekdays and all day on weekends, entrance is free.

  • The Johannesburg Zoo is a great place to learn about animals and to spend a whole day out. Pack a lunch and have fun seeing the many animals in the zoo.

    • Cost consideration: Children ? R 23; Adults ? R 41.

  • The Bright Water Commons in Randburg offers a wide range of entertainment that will keep the whole family happy. Let your kids skateboard while you enjoy a stroll through the fleamarket. For lunch, simply buy a few snacks from the nearby food stores and enjoy them on the lawns together.

    • Cost consideration: Skate session ? R 30, snacks.

  • For a bit of history, visit the Apartheid Museum next to Gold Reef City. The museum is an essential for anyone who feels strongly about South Africa. Not only is it educational, it also demonstrates the South African spirit of hope and reconciliation.

    • Cost consideration: Children ? R 25; Adults ? R 40. For guided tours an extra R 5 is added.

    And there you have it! Some really lovely outings for you and the kids to enjoy together without having to fork out loads of cash. They're fun but educational outings that will have you spending quality time with your kids.

    We?d love to hear your suggestions and ideas too. Please add them in the Comments section below. Happy outings to you!