If me and my son stay in the house all day there will be a lot of tears before bedtime, he has way too much energy to be confined to a single compound, so we’ve had a lot of fun seeing what the city has to offer. It makes sense to stay local at times when the traffic is worst, but we try and venture a little further at the weekends when the roads are more civilized.
These are all places that you can turn up to play. For organised events at these and other places then check out the ‘Whats On’ page. Click on the links for more information and directions.
KAMPALA NORTH (Baha’i/ Naalya/ Kiwatule/ Najjerra/ Ntinda)
The Bah’ai Temple is the nearest thing to a park that Kampala has to offer, with beautiful grounds, a glorious view and lots of space for running around. It’s open 9am – 5pm each day, a 10 minute drive north of Acacia Mall. Picnics are allowed, but not in the formal gardens near the actual temple.
Kiwatule Recreation Centre has a good pool, cheaper than most places in Kampala, lots of outside play equipment and lots of space to run around. It also has a miniature railway but that’s currently not working. It’s a 10 minute drive North East of Ntinda.
Time to Play Najeera functions as a pre-school during the week, but is open to the public at weekends. It has a swimming pool and a baby pool, lots of outside play apparatus, sandpits, toy cars, bicycles and 2 rooms inside with toys for playing. You can spend many hours here. Entrance is 10k for kids, adults are free.
Dysney Kids Play Park in Najeera has swimming pools, lots of outdoor play apparatus, places to play inside, bouncy castles. It’s open 9am – 7pm, entrance is 15k for kids, adults are free.
Kids World Water Park in Naalya is full of water slides, sprinklers, inflatables in the pool, as well as swings, slides, bouncy castles etc for when the kids fancy a bit of time on dry land. It’s 30k entrance, for every 3 children 1 adult goes free, for every 5 kids, 2 adults go free. It’s open 10am -6pm weekends and public holidays.
Papi’s Pizza in Ntinda has a small play area with a slide and sand. it’s open 11am – 10pm.
There’s a kids area at Metroplex Shopping Mall, off the Northern Bypass at Naalya. With an outside playground, and bouncy castle.
If you just want a big open space with grass for the kids to run around then try the Ndere Centre near the Ntinda/Kisaasi roundabout. We often go there with a picnic blanket, and order some drinks while the little one runs around chasing a ball or some birds. They also host a family cultural show on Sundays at 6pm. They are open 7am – midnight.
If you want to take the kids to the movies then 3D Cinema Magic is based in the Metroplex Shopping Mall.
Turtles Kids Shop in Namugongo has a range of play equipment, as well as new and used items for sale. Entrance is 10k for kids, free for adults.
KAMPALA CENTRAL (Nakasero/ Kololo/ Naguru/ Bukoto)
Acacia Mall has a soft play area on the first floor next to the food court. Some of the equipment is looking a little tired now, but the kids don’t seem to mind. It tends to get crazy busy in the afternoons at the weekend, (which my son totally thrives on), it’s normally quiet in the mornings and weekdays. It’s 5k entrance Monday – Thursday, and 10k Friday – Sunday.
Kabira Country Club in Bukoto boasts a glorious swimming pool, gym, sports courts and spa facilites for the grown ups. It also has a kids pool, an inside play room and an outside play ground.
Prunes Cafe in Kololo has a playground to keep the kids entertained while you enjoy some food. On the weekends they have people doing crafts and activities with the kids. . It’s open 7am – 11pm.
Olives Restaurant in Naguru has a play ground with a sandpit, as well as a baby and toddler area and attendants to keep an eye on them. It’s open 10.30am – 11pm
Kids Avenue in Centenary Park has outdoor equipment for climbing, sliding, swinging. My son loves climbing into the little plane there (check out the photos on instagram page). It’s 3k for kids to play and it’s open 9am – 8.30pm.
Older kids might want to visit the National Museum to see how life has changed in this country. It’s open 10am – 6pm.
If you fancy taking the kids to the movies then Acacia Mall has a good cinema which shows the latest blockbusters.
The Sheraton Gardens are technically a public park, beautifully maintained and entry is free to everyone. Entry is via the main hotel, or Speke Road, although the Speke Road gate is often locked so you have to ask the guard there to open it for you.
Kamwoyka Children’s Park is the area behind Cafe Javas by Acacia Mall. It’s incredibly underused because the access is so confusing. You can reach it by going through Cafe Java’s parking lot.
KAMPALA SOUTH (Muyenga/ Bugolobi/ Makindye/ Munyonyo)
Dancing Cup in Bugolobi has a playground in a giant sandpit, a water play station, an inside play room as well as rabbits running around. It’s open 7.30am – 10.30pm Monday thru Friday, 9am – 10.30pm on Saturday, and 10am – 4.30pm on Sundays.
Caffe Roma in Muyenga specializes in pizza, it has a playground in a sand pit with attendants. It’s open 11am – 10pm.
Makindye Country Club has a kids swimming pool, a kids play area, swings, bouncy castle and a tree house. It costs 10k a day for kids and 20k a day for adults.
Royal Suites Kampala in Bugolobi has a half Olympic size swimming pool as well as a kids pool.
Prifare Fun Zone in Kansanga has many activities for kids, including crafts and a bouncy castle.
Speke Resort Munyonyo has huge, beautiful grounds for a relaxing break from the craziness of Kampala. It’s located 12km from the city centre, on the shore of Lake Victoria. It’s got an Olympic size swimming pool, a kids pool, a play area, an equestrian centre, boat trips, fishing, bouncy castles, and a mini running track. There’s also grassy areas to play on and a small sandy beach.
Freedom City Mall off of Entebbe Road has a swimming pool and massive kids play areas, indoors and outdoors. It includes rides and a tiny rollercoaster.
There is Wonder World Amusement Park in Kansanga which features rides, a swimming pool and play grounds, to be honest the reviews of the poor maintenance have always put me off going.
Kids in Kampala 