Johannesburg 30 June 2025: There’s good news for kids in Joburg… The much-loved Winter Playground is back at Melrose Arch this mid-year school holiday. From now until to Sunday 20 July, the Melrose Arch Piazza has been transformed into a safe, winter wonderland and magical space where children aged 1–10 can explore, play and let off some mid-year steam. Open from Thursday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm, the playground promises cheerful fun, structured, activities and plenty of winter sparkle at one of Johannesburg’s favourite family destinations.
Playground Attractions and Entertainment
The Winter Playground features an obstacle course, a toddler zone, a colouring corner, face painting, a jumping castle and the popular Glistening Ice Rink. Children can also, participate in the sing-along entertainment, enjoy the vibe with Clamber Club’s entertainers on 28 and 29 June from 2pm and meet Jog the Frog every Sunday at 2pm. All children visiting the Playground will receive complimentary popcorn. Entry is R70 per hour or R140 for unlimited play.
Books, Ice Cream and Family Offers
Every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm, Exclusive Books will host a cosy reading corner with Mr Frosty, in the store, which is close to the Playground area. In addition, Exclusive Books is running a special promotion where five children’s books can be purchased for R200.
Swirl Smashed & Rolled Ice Cream, well known for its delightful interactive ice cream-making experience, will be serving Playground-themed flavours at discounted prices from the piazza. Using a frozen plate technique, the liquid ice cream base is poured, smashed, and rolled in front of customers, allowing each order to be fully customised with a choice of mix-ins and toppings. The process is as much a spectacle as it is a treat. Alongside Swirl, Gelato La Cremosa will offer mini cups of their artisanal gelato at R30 each, with a buy-one-get-one-free offer exclusive to those with a Clamber Club tag. Yogurtland will also be part of the line-up, offering 20% off frozen yoghurt for kids wearing Clamber Club tags.
For those looking to shop while the little ones play, Greenbusters is offering 10% off all Micro products, also valid with Clamber Club identification.
A Season to Explore
Whether visiting for a midday play session or to enjoy live entertainment while dining, the Winter Playground brings a welcome energy to the school holidays. As always, visitors to Melrose Arch will enjoy the comfort of pedestrian-friendly streets, excellent restaurants and helpful security personnel across the precinct. With ticketless parking via Parket and a strong line-up of family-focused brands, Melrose Arch remains a trusted destination for school holiday outings.
For more information on Melrose Arch and its activations, visit melrosearch.co.za or follow @MelroseArch on social media.