Comic Con Africa with Capitec has always been known as one of Joburg’s ultimate family days out with loads of activities for families, but this year the con is going into overdrive for the little ones. In 2026 KidsCon returns in full force with its own dedicated zone. We’re talking a dedicated stage, international talent, gaming, shopping, and more. And, kids 5 and under get free access to the con! Let’s unpack exactly what Comic Con Africa with Capitec is bringing to the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 24 to 27 September this year for kids and families.

The KidsCon Stage

Parents and kids can find the KidsCon Stage in the dedicated KidsCon Zone in the Pop Culture hall. It’s going to be packed with exciting activities and content for kids. There will be educational workshops on topics like character design, a four-day series of workshops on how kids can make comics, and engaging lessons on how to conceptualise boardgames. Ilum Relix will host Padawan Lightsaber skills workshops daily. On Sunday there will be an exclusive appearance from South Africa's very own escape artist and magician extraordinaire, Li Lau AKA One Crazy China, demonstrating and teaching impressive but easy-to-learn magic and escape tricks. The KidsCon stage programme can be viewed here: https://comicconafrica.co.za/programme/

Gaming Zone

KidsCon is setting up a mixed gaming zone that packs a triple whammy of activities. First off, there are creative Minecraft build challenges on PCs, and free-to-play gaming of kid-friendly titles. Alongside the PCs will be sim racing rigs offering realistic racing experiences that will exhilarate the little ones – no driver’s license required! But perhaps the most exciting activation is the brand-new virtual reality version of Dungeons and Dragons. Kids will get to don VR headsets which will fully immerse them into a DnD landscape where dice rolls result in live action, life-sized consequences all around them in a virtual world.

Zuru X-Shot

Zuru Toys brings kids the opportunity to play with their super popular X-Shot foam dart blasters. Kids can practice their aiming skills in specially designed target practice corridors. Zuru’s colourful blasters use air tech to propel their foam darts towards target boards over 20 metres away. And if anyone misses their target, no need to worry – the X-Shot darts are made of soft foam.

Takealot of Toys

Takealot is making a splash on the KidsCon show floor, bringing kids the opportunity to grow their toy collections with exciting new products, and stock up on more of their go-to favourites like Kinetic Sand and Play Doh. Think LEGO, Mattel’s Hot Wheels, Barbie, Fisher-Price, LEGO, and loads of brands from Prima Toys including Etch A Sketch, Crayola, Meccano, Paw Patrol, and so much more. Kids can also shop boardgames, and browse shelves packed with puzzles, fun crafting activities, and art supplies.

KidsCon Market for Keep-Kids-Busy Games and Accessories

For even more shopping for fun activities and games to keep little ones busy, the KidsCon Market will feature standalone vendors like Zigglies, and So Cute which is selling their gorgeous school supplies. Gifit will be there with fidget and focus gadgets and toys like logic games from Smart Games and Inverse Cube. Deli Stationery is bringing loads of stationery and will also have artists at the con to teach kids how to colour like experts – and they’re giving away a few exciting stationery items each day too.

Solarpop Collectibles, Boardgames, and Pokémon Celebrations

Solarpop is bringing happiness to KidsCon. This year Solarpop is bringing awesoe free and paid-for activities to KidsCon, with three amazing dedicated spaces: the Collectibles Arcade, the Arts & Crafts Gallery, and an exciting PokémonPokéParty. Kids and kidults alike can shop and interact with brands like Tattoo Zoo, Cherry Pets in Cherryville, Beep Boop, Kpop Demon Hunters, My Little Pony, and Pembe The Pink Cat at the Pembe Café in the Collectibles Arcade. The Arts & Crafts Gallery will feature hot new brands like the My Vibe customisable bag charms and Hook & Heart, alongside the classic beloved squishy making products from Doctor Squish. Kids will find the latest new-to-South Africa Glow It! Doctor Squish products. As the world celebrates 30 years of Pokémon in 2026, the PokéParty is bound to be a top destination with how-to-play sessions, official guidance on how to trade cards, and photo moments with everyone’s favourite Pokémon. Solarpop is also bringing a Pokémon themed Cosplay comp for kids.

Character Meet and Greets

Beloved characters will be at Comic Con Africa for meet-and-greets and on-the-spot photos. The Kellogg’s cereal mascots will roam the halls, and so will gaming’s first plumbers Mario & Luigi. Two mischievous Rascals will be bringing their antics and mischief to the con, and the fan-favourites from Sea Harvest known as Captain Crisp, Omega Mind, and Incredible Hake will be there for the weekend too. M&Ms is bringing their very own themed character to the con. With more characters waiting in the wings, who else will Comic Con Africa announce before the show doors open?

Cosplay and More on The Main Show Floor

Family fun isn’t limited to the KidsCon Zone. The daily kids cosplay show-offs on the Main Stage offer a mix of fun, must-have prizes for the winners. Krispy Kreme has a DIY take-home doughnut decorating kit planned. Kids and adults alike can decorate their own doughnut, and submit pictures of their unique doughnut to Krispy Kreme after the con and win! Build-A-Bear has their range of soft teddies waiting to be stuffed and personalised with cute outfits and accessories at their stand. Kellogg’s and Sea Harvest host fun kid-friendly activities suitable for the whole family.

Animation Workshops

The CTIAF (Cape Town International Animation Festival) is making an exciting appearance with activities at Comic Con Africa in their own dedicated space. Here teens 12 and older can participate in interesting and educational animation workshops. It’s where they can learn all about how to animate, where to study animation, and even get to use actual animation software, or learn about developing their own characters. There will also be animation screenings.

Fun, Fandom, and Friends

Says Comic Con Africa Show Director Carla Massmann, “Fandom has no age limit, and KidsCon is where imagination comes to life for our youngest visitors. KidsCon is an environment where kids can explore, play, learn, and create – all whilst giving parents an unforgettable shared experience that they'll treasure long after the con ends. The addition of the KidsCon Zone to Comic Con Africa not only introduces a new generation to the incredible world of pop culture, but also sparks passion and discovery, igniting tomorrow's artists, game developers, filmmakers, animators, designers and innovators.”

Kids and families should get ready to have the most fun at Comic Con Africa with Capitec and KidsCon. The festival takes place from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September, with doors opening from 9am to 6pm daily. Minors must be accompanied by guardians as some parts of the con may be unsuitable for U18s.