Dig. Scoop.
Race. Repeat.
A hands-on construction playground where kids drive real remote-control excavators and dump trucks across a multi-level dig site. Built for little operators — and loved by big ones too.
It started with a couple of machines in the backyard
It really did start in our backyard. I picked up a couple of RC machines just for fun, and whenever family and friends came round I'd bring them out to play. That's when it clicked — it doesn't matter who picks up the controls, everyone has a jol. Kids, parents, grannies, mates… nobody wanted to put them down.
So we went all in and built a proper little world for it — and it's very much a family affair. My mom and my nephew are part of the crew at our play sessions, helping settle the little ones in, keeping an eye on everyone and making sure every child feels welcome and looked after. There's always a warm, friendly face on hand.
Yes, I work in construction, so the theming and the hand-built ramps, levels and tracks come naturally (the kids love helping build them too). But at heart this is a safe, supervised, family-run space — a secure venue with caring hands on deck. At the end of the day it's about one simple thing: happy, busy kids and parents who can finally relax.
What your little operator will do
Gear up, take the controls and put in a full day's work — no two visits dig out quite the same.
Drive Real Diggers
Take command of full-function remote-control excavators that genuinely scoop, swing and dump — just like the big yellow machines on a real site.
Load, Haul & Dump
A fleet of tipper trucks and front-loaders to fill, carry and tip. Move the "rubble" across the site and back the truck up to the pile.
Conquer the Dig Site
Ramps, raised levels, tunnels and a winding poured track. Steer up, over and through the multi-level course without tipping your load.
Beat the Record
Think you've got the fastest hands on site? Race the circuit and try to top the Backyard Diggers leaderboard. Parents-vs-kids encouraged.
Micro Machines
A dedicated zone of pocket-sized machines for the littlest builders — perfect for younger siblings and tiny first-timers.
Gear Up
Hard hats and hi-vis vests waiting at the gate. Every visitor signs on as site foreman for the day — dress-up is half the fun.
What happens when you arrive
Booked your slot? Here's exactly how a session runs — from the front gate to the final dig.
Roll onto site
You've already booked, so just rock up at your slot — no queues, no admin. Head straight in, meet the crew and get ready to dig.
Gear up
Hard hats and hi-vis vests on — provided for everyone to wear on site. Every little operator kits up before they hit the dig.
Controls 101
Our RC trainers show every child how the machines work — and stay right on hand to help with the remote controls all the way through the session.
Dig in
Kids rotate between excavators, dump trucks and the course challenges — digging, hauling, racing and conquering the multi-level site.
Parents relax
Park off under cover with tea, coffee and cold drinks while the kids run the whole site. Shaded seating, eyes on the action.
Parents dive in
Mom and Dad, this one's for you — jump on the controls, get dirty with the kids and have an absolute jol. The grown-ups get just as hooked as the little ones.
Hosting a birthday? Groups can add party packs, colours & décor, and you're welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks. Just mention it when you book.
Machines on the move
Trucks climbing ramps, excavators carving the sand, little drivers fully locked in. This is what an afternoon at Backyard Diggers actually looks like.
- Hand-eye coordination that doesn't feel like learning
- Screen-free, hands-on, gets them moving
- Parents grab a coffee and actually relax
The party they'll talk about for weeks
Forget the same old jumping castle. Give them a construction site of their own — hard hats on, diggers roaring and a birthday they'll never forget. An ideal party is around 8–10 kids, so everyone gets proper wheel time with their mates — and the dads are more than welcome to dive in and get dirty too.
Easy on the budget
No confusing tiers. Book a play session, bring the kids through, and dig as much as you can in the hour.
- Full access to the dig site & machines
- Kids pay — parents play along free with them
- Suited to kids aged 4+, no upper limit
- Free chips & juice for the kids
- Hard hats & hi-vis provided to wear on site
- Staff on hand to help with the controls
- Your own party slot — only the kids pay
- Plenty of wheel time per child
- Add party packs, colours & décor
- Bring your own snacks & drinks
- Dads drive for free — moms too
Sessions run by booking so it never gets chaotic and every kid gets machine time. Book online below or message us on WhatsApp for available times. Cashless premises — card & tap accepted.
Parents play along free when they're here with their kids. Adult-only outings — team building & corporate events — are priced per group; just ask for a quote.
The Little Diggers Card
Every first-time digger walks away with a free Little Diggers Card. Tap it each visit — the perks add up.
Get Your Card
Come dig for the first time and you'll be signed up on site with your own Little Diggers Card — nothing to fill in online, no app to download.
Bring a Friend, Free
Card holders bring one friend free, every single visit — as long as it's that friend's first time at Backyard Diggers. A different first-timer every time you come? Go for it.
5th Visit Is On Us
Tap in five times and your next session is completely free — our way of saying thanks for coming back to dig.
Cards are issued and tracked on site (NFC tap-in) — sign-up happens in person at your first visit, not on this website.
Schools, teams & big events
Backyard Diggers isn't only for parties and play dates. We love teaming up with local schools, companies and event organisers to do something a little different — get in touch and we'll build it around you.
School Raffle Prizes
Running a fundraiser at your kindergarten, nursery or primary school? We'll happily donate play-session tickets as a raffle prize — enough for one lucky winner to bring a few friends along for a play date on the dig site.
Enquire for your schoolTeam Building
Bring the team for something they won't see coming. Race the course, scoop and dump against the clock, and take on remote-control challenges with our fleet of machines. Hands-on, competitive and genuinely good fun — no trust falls required.
Plan a team eventTreasure Hunts & City Challenges
Planning a treasure hunt or city-wide challenge around Joburg? Add us as a stop on the route. Teams complete a fun digger challenge at the venue before racing on to their next clue — a memorable spot on any course.
Add us to your routeTake a look around
Honest snaps from the site — diggers, the dig course, the fleet and the full undercover setup.
What families say
Real reviews from real visits to the dig site.
Planning your visit
Where
6 Platboom Avenue, Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort. Easy to find, with parking on site.
Secure & supervised
Safe, enclosed venue with clean bathrooms and friendly child minders on site.
All weather
The whole play area is undercover and shaded — rain or shine, dig's on.
Tea, coffee & cold drinks
Shaded parent seating with tea, coffee and cool drinks. Sit back while they play.
RC trainers on site
Our remote-control helpers show the kids the ropes and stay on hand with the controls all session.
Cashless
Card & tap only (Yoco). No need to carry cash.
Do I need to book? +
Yes — use the booking form below, or WhatsApp us on 073 257 1112 to grab a slot. Booking keeps things calm and makes sure every child gets proper machine time.
How much does it cost? +
R150 per child for the hour, with free chips & juice for the kids. Parents play along free when they're here with their kids — so moms and dads can jump on the controls at no charge. Hard hats and hi-vis are provided to wear on site. Birthday parties are quoted to suit your group, and adult-only outings (team building & corporate events) are priced per group — just ask.
When are you open? +
Monday to Friday 9am–7pm, and Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays 7am–9pm. Sessions run by booking, so message us to lock in your time.
What ages is it for? +
Backyard Diggers is built for kids aged 4 and up, with no upper limit. Little ones love the micro machines, bigger kids take on the full multi-level course — and plenty of moms and dads get just as hooked once they're behind the controls.
What if it rains? +
No problem. The play area is fully undercover and shaded, so a bit of weather won't stop the dig — it's a solid rainy-day, weekend or school-holiday activity whatever the forecast says.
Can we host a birthday party? +
Absolutely — it's our specialty. We keep parties small and exclusive. Message us and we'll put together a package for your group.
Do you offer venue hire? +
Yes — birthday parties get exclusive use of the venue for your group, not shared with other families. Build your own quote (venue package, décor, party packs) with our online Party Quote Builder, or message us on WhatsApp for a custom quote.
Who is Backyard Diggers good for? +
Everyone from toddlers to grandparents, honestly. It's a favourite for sibling and cousin day outs, mommy-and-me or daddy-and-me mornings, and grandparent visits — we regularly see grannies and grandpas on the controls right alongside the kids. Homeschool pods, crèche and nursery school groups are welcome too — just message us to arrange a group time.
Do you do schools, team building or events? +
Yes! We offer play-session tickets as school raffle prizes, run hands-on team-building challenges for companies, and make a great stop on a treasure hunt or city-wide challenge. We're also a popular pick for homeschool groups, crèche outings and school-holiday programmes. Message us and we'll tailor something to suit.
Do you only cater to Weltevreden Park? +
Not at all — we're based in Weltevreden Park, but families regularly make the trip from across Roodepoort, Randburg and Johannesburg for a day out. Easy to find, with parking on site.
What should we wear? +
Comfy clothes that can handle a little sand. We provide hard hats and hi-vis vests to wear on site — they stay with us at the end, ready for the next little operator.
Reserve a slot
The quickest way to book is a quick WhatsApp message — tap below and we'll sort your slot. Prefer a form? It's right underneath.
Book in seconds on WhatsApp
Most people book this way — send us a message and we'll confirm your slot in a couple of replies. Quick, easy and a fast response.
WhatsApp 073 257 1112- Find us6 Platboom Avenue, Weltevreden Park
- OpenMon–Fri 9am–7pm · Sat, Sun & public holidays 7am–9pm
Get in touch
Questions about parties, play sessions, schools or events? Reach us any way you like — or jump straight to the booking form.
- FacebookFollow Backyard Diggers
- WhatsApp Kathy073 257 1112
- OpenMon–Fri 9am–7pm · Sat, Sun & public holidays 7am–9pm
- Find us6 Platboom Avenue, Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort