Activity Category: Activity

Little Vintage Espresso, Amberley

Owned and run by parents, this cafe is very tolerant of younger diners! There’s a basket of toys and highchairs for those that need them. Food wise, there’s a cabinet of well priced savoury and sweet treats and a menu including breakfast and lunch items. This also includes a kids’…

Animal Park, Hanmer Springs

With a good range of animals, set in 2 acres of grounds, this animal park has been noted for its cleanliness! Those that want to can get up close to lots of different farm animals and pets, such as rabbits, lambs, chickens and pigs. There’s also a new wallaby enclosure including…

Hot Salt Water Pools, St Clair

Dating back to the late 1800s, this outdoor pool opens in October to the end of March each year, and has all the benefits of the sea, (while there is still chlorine in the water, it’s weaker than the average pool, as it’s mixed in with salt water) but is warmer…

Playground in the centre of Hanmer Springs

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This playground in the centre of Hanmer Springs, has equipment that suits younger kids (preschoolers?) including swings, a little slide, tunnel and naughts and crosses. Shade sails cover the equipment. There’s also a small creek to fish around in and a duck pond with a track running round it that’s suitable…

Playground in the Domain, Hanmer Springs

There are 2 playgrounds in Hanmer and this one, slightly out of the central area (although still within walking distance), is suitable for kids of all ages with equipment for younger kids, as well as a rope swing and climbing wall that are fine for older kids. Adult gym equipment is dotted…

Whiskey Falls, St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes

Whether you’re staying in the area or just passing through Nelson Lakes, this short boat trip and walk has been highly recommended as a way of exploring Lake Rotoiti, the biggest lake in the area. Although steep, the track to Whiskey Falls should be doable for ages 3 and up –…

Red Barn Cafe, near Murchison

This cafe has an animal park attached to it (see ‘price’) so it’s a good place to stop and stretch the legs if you’re travelling along SH6 with animal lovers in the car! Pick up some animal feed at the barn ($2 per bag) and visit the donkeys, sheep, goats…

Snakes and Ladders Park, Farm Cove, Auckland

This is a giant board game with a difference – this playground is a giant game of snakes and ladders where the kids are the moving counters, there are ladders for moving up and slides to represent snakes. Also at this playground are swings, picnic tables, grassy areas with trees…

Centennial Park (Scenic Reserve), Timaru

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This is a great place to come for a day out from Timaru and the surrounding South Canterbury area. There used to be a quarry here but tracks through it are well maintained. Whether you’re wanting a gentle family stroll, or to take the kids mountain biking, this park has something…

Verde Cafe and Deli, Geraldine

This cafe is set within lovely gardens, giving kids who struggle to sit down for long periods, somewhere to go without being in the way of serving staff. There are swings and some other playground equipment in the gardens that are suitable for younger kids and a bit of space for running…