Things to Do with Kids in Auckland
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in the article below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. All opinions are our own and we thank you for supporting the businesses which support us.
Finding things to do with kids can be tough, especially on cold rainy days. But here’s a list of top things to do with kids in Auckland, from museums, zoos, and art galleries to adventure parks, there’s something here for everyone.
I’ve spent the last 20 years living in Auckland. For as long as I can remember I’ve called this beautiful city my home. It’s New Zealand’s metropolitan city and one that offers so much diversity. Auckland is made up of a bustling city center, beachside suburbs, a plethora of restaurants, and lush outdoors. It has something to offer everyone no matter what age.
If you are local then you probably have a vehicle you can use to get around the city. However, if you are visiting Auckland for a short break or as part of a wider New Zealand trip, I’d recommend hiring a car to get around some of the top attractions in Auckland.
This post covers some of the best things to do with kids in Auckland. Discover the City of Sails like you never have before with new and interesting things to keep kids entertained. You’ll find some of Auckland’s best child-friendly activities in this guide.
So, let’s get started so you and your family can plan the best day out in the City of Sails.
Things to do with kids in Auckland: A fun-filled family weekend guide
We all know finding things to do with kids on a weekend can at times be stressful. So, we hope this guide will come in handy for your next family day out or school holiday period. From museums, zoos, ferry rides, and arcades, here’s your guide to the top things to do in Auckland for kids.
Outdoor activities in Auckland for kids
1. Visit the animals at Auckland Zoo – One of Auckland’s top attractions
A visit to the zoo is definitely one of the top things to do with kids in Auckland. It is a great way to spend the day with the family while keeping the kids entertained at all times. You can find more information on the zoo here.
2. Go Skiing at Snow Planet
Snow Planet is located in the suburb of Silverdale in Auckland. It allows kids and families to ski and snowboard all year round. What’s amazing is that you don’t even need to leave the city to catch some snow!
They cater to a variety of levels offering different slopes and jumps. They also offer lessons if you are keen for your kids to get a bit more confident. Check out more on Snow Planet here.
Tip: If you have your own snow equipment take it along as this will save you some money. If you don’t you can always hire all the gear your need.
3. Mini Golf
Mini Golf is the ultimate family-friendly activity and there are so many places in Auckland you can find fantastic mini golf courses. A few favorites are:
· Lilliput Tamaki Drive
This place has a number of locations all around Auckland. We tend to go to the one on Tamaki Drive which offers a safari and T-Rex course. Bonus, it’s right across from some of the Eastern beaches including Mission Bay and Kohimarama.
Location: 3 Tamaki Drive, Parnell, Auckland 1052
· Enchanted Forest Mini Golf
Enchanted Forest Mini Golf has 18 mini golf holes. It’s a beautiful setup providing a relaxing environment to play in.
Location: 61 Selwyn Street, Onehunga, Auckland
· Holey Moley
You’ll find 27 mini golf holes spread across three different courses, each with a different theme. It’s a great place to head to with kids during the day as after 8 pm it comes to life as an adults-only venue.
What I like about this place is that apart from the Mini golf itself, it’s lively with music, and they serve food and drinks too. It’s definitely one of the more unique mini-golf places in Auckland.
Location: 204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
· Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf at Megazone
If you are looking for something different, this is a great place to head to, especially on a rainy day. The interior has brightly painted walls and offers a range of fun holes.
Location: 20 Clemow Drive, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060
4. Ride a Bike
Spend the morning at one of the many bike parks in Auckland. Here are a few to get you started.
- Lightpark Cycleway, Nelson Street, Auckland CBD
- Cornwall Park, Puriri Drive, Epsom
- Grey Lynn Pump Track, Dryden Street, Grey Lynn
- Western Springs, 731 Great North Road, Grey Lynn
- Olympic Park, Portage Road, New Lynn
- Parrs Park, Seymour Road, Glen Eden
- Henderson Park, Wilsher Cresent, Henderson
- Birkenhead Pump Track, Birkenhead, North Shore
5. Butterfly Creek
Travel back in time and visit Dinosaurs in the Dinosaur Kingdom. You’ll also get to see kiwis, eels, crocodiles, alligators, butterflies, farm animals, and more. Book a train ride for everyone to enjoy or grab a coffee and a bite in their cafe.
6. Explore the tunnels at North Head – One of the best things to do with kids in Auckland
Towards the end of Devonport lies North Head’s historic reserve. It’s definitely one of those places you take all visitors to enjoy beautiful views of Auckland city.
Carry a torch with you and explore the abandoned military tunnel complex. You can climb the hillside and examine the cannons and gun emplacements or simply find a bench and take in the views of the city.
7. Complete a High Ropes Course
Auckland has a number of outdoor adventure activities. The high ropes courses are one of the popular ones. Rocket Ropes has about 60 ariel activities. They are open on weekends and school holidays making it the perfect activity to do with kids in Auckland.
8. Spend time at one of the many beaches in Auckland
You can’t go wrong with a beach day. Pack some food and beach toys and take the kids to one of the many beautiful beaches in Auckland. If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll spend the whole day playing in the sand. An easy and fun day out for everyone. Here are some of our favorite beaches
- Cornwallis Beach
- Muriwai Beach
- Piha Beach
- Point Chevalier Beach
- Mission Bay Beach
- Kohimarama Beach
- St Heliers Beach
- Cheltenham Beach
- Long Bay Beach
- Takapuna Beach
- Bucklands Beach
- Maraetai Beach
9. Wander around Silo Park – One of the top places to visit in Auckland
Silo Park is located in Wynyard Quarter and offers striking views across Westhaven Marina and the Harbour Bridge. There are many events that take place here attracting people from all over Auckland, especially in the summer months over the school holidays. Events include the popular Silo Cinema where movies are projected onto the side of the Silo to create an open-air movie theatre.
Kids can also ride their bikes or scooters or play at the playground that sits in the center of this area.
You can definitely spend a whole morning wandering the area with kids. On Sundays, the Dockline Trams run from 9 am to 4 pm. For a small fee, you can purchase an all-day ticket to travel the 1.5 km loop and hop on and off at any point during the day.
10. Visit the Gannet colony at Muriwai
Muriwai’s gannet colony is a one-hour drive from the center of Auckland. Next to the car park, a short walking track leads to a viewing platform right above the main colony area. About 1,200 pairs of gannets nest here from August to March each year.
11. Kayak to Rangitoto
Visiting New Zealand’s youngest volcano, Rangitoto, is an absolute must-do. If you are feeling adventurous you can kayak across to Rangitoto. Alternatively, take the ferry from Downtown Auckland to the island. Walk the one-hour track through alternating lava rocks and native bush. At the summit, you’ll find spectacular views of the city. It makes a fun morning out with the family.
12. Climb one of the many mountains for spectacular views across Auckland
· Mt Eden
This is Auckland’s highest volcanic mountain. At 196m, it offers some of the best inner-city views.
· Mt Albert
You’ll find many locals walking up this mount. Located in the Owairaka suburb, Mt Albert makes the perfect place to meet some locals who tend to use this path for their morning walks.
· One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill is a slice of paradise with lush green slopes that have cows and sheep all around. You can spend time strolling through the park around, or pack a picnic and spend the day relaxing with your whanau.
· North Head
This is probably one of my favorites as in addition to walking up the mountain, you can explore the old tunnels and armaments that were built during war times. Definitely keeps the kids intrigued.
13. Rainbows End – One of the best things to do in Auckland for families
If you are on the hunt for adventure, Rainbow’s End is the perfect place for a thrilling experience. With over 20 rides and attractions, there’s something here for everyone. Ride the roller coasters or take the younger ones to Kidz Kingdom which has a number of rides for kids under 8.
14. Auckland Domain and Wintergarden
This inner-city park is perfect if you want to have a nice relaxing day. Pack a picnic and head to Auckland Domain to spend a day with the family. Regardless of the time of the year, the park has a lot to offer to both locals and tourists.
You can walk past the ponds, feed the ducks, and visit the beautiful Wintergarden. The Wintergarden is a beautiful treasure nestled in the Domain Park where you’ll find rare and spectacular plants in Victorian-style glass houses which face out onto a courtyard and pond.
The most popular tourist attraction in Domain Park is the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
15. MOTAT
MOTAT is New Zealand’s largest Museum of Transport and Technology. There are exhibitions and activities for kids of all ages to engage with and a multi-sensory play area for Under 5s.
16. Visit the animals at Kiwi Valley Farm
Located in the West Auckland suburb of Henderson, Kiwi Valley Farm is a great outdoor excursion, especially for those families with young kids. You can do everything from Pony and train rides, to feeding the animals.
17. Visit Arataki Visitor Centre
The Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Regional park where you can discover plants, animals, landscapes, and histories of the Waitākere Ranges. You can also enjoy breathtaking views from the viewing deck.
18. Go for a hike
There is no shortage of hikes in Auckland. Here are some to get you started with
- Kitekite Falls – Piha
- Mercer Bay Loop Walk – Piha
- Walk along the Eastern Beaches – from Okahu Bay to St Heliers
19. Climb Auckland Harbour Bridge
This is your chance to be Spiderman, or at least close to it. If you are a daredevil you can book a tour to climb the Harbour Bridge where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the harbor. This isn’t for the faint-hearted, so if you are not a fan of heights, I’d suggest skipping this one.
Entertainment Activities for kids in Auckland
20. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
This place provides the ultimate arcade experience for everyone. This Arcade is located in Newmarket (in the mall), so you can easily park your car there while you enjoy a fun afternoon with the family. They have food and drinks available at the bar for purchase too.
21. Adventure Park
Located in Silverdale, Adventure Park is an entertainment park that attracts people of all ages. You’ll find adrenaline-pumping adventure rides to kids’ play areas. You can purchase rides individually or pay for an unlimited ride pass.
22. Woah Studios
Woah Studios provides a more sophisticated experience for adults and kids. With live performances for families and an urban playground, it’s the perfect place for families to create memorable experiences.
The playground is incredible and your kids will want to hang out there for hours. They also have a restaurant on site that serves delicious food.
Indoor Activities in Auckland
These activities are great if you are looking to do something with the kids on a rainy day. They are some of the best family attractions in Auckland.
23. Kelly Tarltons Aquarium
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium houses over 30 exhibits including the world’s largest sub – Antarctic Penguin colony exhibit and underwater viewing tunnels.
If you or your kids enjoy marine life, a morning at Kelly Tarltons is the way to go. It’s located right by the waterfront so take your scooters or bikes along so you can go for a ride after exploring.
24. All Blacks Experience
Discover behind the scenes of what it takes to be an All Black and one of the world’s most successful teams in Rugby. You’ll hear stories from players, as well as get insights into tips from coaches.
The All Blacks Experience will include a 45-minute guided tour following which you can test your rugby skills at one of the five interactive zones.
25. Delve into science and history at Auckland Museum
If you love history, head to Auckland War Memorial Museum where you’ll discover the story of New Zealand amongst many other things.
It’s free for locals to visit making it a great activity for families. Over school holidays, the museum tends to have additional events or exhibitions they put on for kids.
26. Go to the top of the sky tower
The Sky Tower is a distinctive feature of the city offering panoramic views of Auckland and its harbor. Going up the Sky Tower is one of the most popular tourist activities in Auckland.
On clear days, you can watch the sunrise over the Hauraki Gulf. It’s a great way to start your morning. More adventurous visitors can take a walk around the building’s edge, or even jump from it.
Planning Tip: Head up early in the morning to avoid crowds as the Sky Tower is one of Auckland’s top attractions. After spending some time on the observation deck, you can pop down to the Sky Café to grab a coffee and hot chocolate.
27. Discover Art and Culture at Auckland Art Gallery
Experience world-class exhibitions, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of traditional and contemporary international works along with the largest permanent collection of New Zealand art
28. JUMP Indoor Trampoline Park
JUMP is a great activity for everyone in the family. It’s the perfect place to head to especially on a rainy day. The indoor trampoline Park offers many trampolines, dodgeball courts, a foam pit, and more.
29. Paradice Entertainment
Another great indoor space for families where you can spend the day Ice Skating, playing a game of laser tag, or even part take in an escape room adventure.
30. VR Room
VR Room is a family-friendly Virtual Reality center that provides a tonne of VR experiences including 4D cinema experiences and an Escape Room VR challenge. Probably a good option for those families with slightly older kids.
Final Thoughts
With so many incredible things to do in Auckland with kids, we have no doubt you’ll manage to keep them busy on weekends and school holidays. And even if you are visiting Auckland, there’s plenty for you to choose from.
I know it can sometimes be a struggle to find things to do with kids, but we hope this list helps you fill up your weekend with many fun-filled activities.
