Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Eastgate Shopping Centre
★4.5(31,433 reviews)$Bowling
🕑 2 to 3 hours👶 Best for ages 4 and up. Younger children enjoy the bumper bowling lanes and colorful arcade games, while tweens and teens appreciate the more challenging lanes and competitive arcade options. Toddlers can participate with parental assistance.🧡 Saved by 250+ families
About
Eastgate Shopping Centre houses a modern bowling alley that's perfect for families seeking indoor entertainment in Johannesburg. The bowling center features kid-friendly lanes with bumpers, an exciting arcade area with games for all ages, and on-site food facilities, making it an ideal one-stop destination for family fun rain or shine.
Highlights
- ✓Kid-friendly bowling lanes with bumper rails for younger children
- ✓Diverse arcade game selection with options for all ages
- ✓On-site food facilities for snacks and meals
- ✓Climate-controlled indoor environment perfect for Johannesburg's afternoon thunderstorms
- ✓Part of a larger shopping center with additional family amenities
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit on weekday mornings or early afternoons to avoid weekend crowds and enjoy shorter wait times for lanes.
- 2.The South African Rand goes far for international visitors, making this budget-friendly entertainment even more affordable. Expect to pay around 80-120 Rand per game (about $4-7 USD).
- 3.Book your bowling lane in advance, especially on weekends and school holidays, as this popular venue fills up quickly.
- 4.Combine your bowling visit with shopping at Eastgate Centre for a full day out. The mall has clean restrooms and family facilities throughout.
- 5.Bring or wear socks for the bowling shoes, and consider packing hand sanitizer as arcade games get heavy use.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday afternoons between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM offer the best experience with minimal crowds. Avoid Saturday afternoons when local families pack the venue. The extended Friday hours until 9:00 PM work well for families wanting evening entertainment.
What to Know
The venue is budget-friendly ($) with food available on-site, though you can also access the full shopping center's food court. Parking is available at the Eastgate Shopping Centre with security. The facility is wheelchair accessible throughout the mall and bowling area.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with consistent hours. Expect higher crowds during South African school holidays (April, July, September, and December). The indoor venue provides excellent refuge during Johannesburg's summer thunderstorm season (November to March).
Nearby Eats
The Eastgate Shopping Centre food court offers numerous kid-friendly options including Spur Steak Ranches (a South African family favorite), McDonald's, and other international chains. For sit-down dining, try Ocean Basket for family-friendly seafood with a dedicated kids menu.
More Activities Near Johannesburg
Bowling
Sandton Bowling Alley
$
Sandton Bowling Alley offers a perfect indoor entertainment option for families visiting Johannesburg, with kid-friendly features like bumper lanes that keep the game fun for beginners and a variety of arcade games to keep children engaged between frames. The on-site food service means you can easily make it a complete outing without leaving the venue, ideal for jet-lagged families looking for low-key fun.
Bowling
Pretoria Road Bowling Alley
$
Pretoria Road Bowling Alley offers classic family fun with everything needed for a successful outing with kids of various ages. The venue features gutter bumpers that keep the game enjoyable for younger bowlers, plus arcade games to keep everyone entertained between frames. Casual dining options mean you can easily make it a complete meal-and-activity experience without leaving the facility.
Park
Emmarentia Dam
Free
Emmarentia Dam is a beautiful urban oasis perfect for families seeking outdoor fun without breaking the bank. Kids can feed the ducks and geese along the water's edge, run freely across expansive lawns, and explore safe walking trails while parents enjoy stunning views of the Johannesburg Botanical Garden nearby. It's an ideal spot for picnics, kite flying, and letting children burn energy in a peaceful natural setting.
Trampoline Park
Bounce South Africa
$$
Bounce South Africa is a massive indoor trampoline park in Johannesburg that turns rainy days into epic adventures. With dedicated dodgeball courts, sprawling foam pits, and challenging ninja warrior courses, this high-energy venue gives kids a safe space to jump, flip, and burn off energy while parents can relax knowing everyone is having a blast.