Top 5 local dams and lakes where you can picnic at for free with the kids!
Updated | By Tando Ntunja
Mid-December already and the days ahead to mid-January aren't quite as kind to your bank balance...and you have kids to entertain. What to do?
![Stornoway Lodge, Lanseria](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/stornoway-lodge_-_tripadvisor-dot-com.width-800.jpg)
Already seeing the financial thickness that is going to be the next four weeks of 'holiday' ahead?
Or opting rather to be proactively cost-savvy ahead of paying heavy January school fees?
Here's a countdown of some of Gauteng's (and one from the North West) best dams and lakes you can have a day of picnicing at with the kids...for free!
![tubing on Bronkhorstspruit Dam](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/Tubing-at-Bronkhorstspruit-Dam-013.original.jpg)
About 100km from the Joburg city centre, 'Bronkies' also has a plenty of watersport activities, should you be feeling up to it.
![Zoolake Sports Club](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/zoolake_sports_club.original.jpg)
Image: zoolakesportsclub.co.za
Found across the iconic Johannesburg Zoo, Zoolake in addition to the free play facilities for the kids at the Zoolake Sports Club, also has restaurants overlooking the picturesque lake.
![boat cruise on Hartbeespoort Dam](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/boat_cruise_from_hartiesboating-dot-co-dot-za.original.jpg)
Image: hartiesboating.co.za
A mere hour away from Pretoria and roughly an hour-and-a-half away from Joburg, there are watersports, boat rides and plenty of luscious grassy spots for enjoying picnics with a summer sunset.
![three lions at Rietvlei](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/Rietvlei_s_Three_Lions_-_outdoorphoto-dot-co-do.original.jpg)
Image: outdoorphoto.co.za
With it's location conveniently in Pretoria, this dam is often associated with the wildlife, lazily sauntering about in the nature reserve.
![paddle boarding on emmarentia dam](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/paddle_boarding_on_emmarentia_dam_-_yogaworks-d.original.jpg)
Image: yogaworks.co.za
Made up of several dams occurring within the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, the options for picnicking here are endless! A mere 8 minute drive away from Zoolake, there are also watersports on offer including paddleboarding.
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