The army museum makes a good stopping off point if you’re driving along the SH1 or SH49 around Waiouru, especially on a rainy day if the kids just need a break from the car. There’s a lot of information to take in, so it might pay to look at the website to select a…
Only 12 kilometres from the centre of Hamilton this cafe has a real rural feel about it. The outside space is a children’s play area in the true sense of the word with tyres used in various ways for climbing and balancing skills and a kids’ playhouse complete with white picket…
In the suburb of Frankton, this cafe is very community minded being owned and operated by a Church. Open throughout the week and on Saturdays, they serve breakfast and lunch, with a kids’ menu that includes a lunchbox. They also have free fluffies (one for every purchase) and a big…
The playground opened in 2015 with several different pieces of equipment especially suited to younger kids like the mini trampolines, set into the matting. There’s also 2 mini tunnels set into the grassy hills, dual flying foxes, a mini spider web climbing rope and a bike track goes all round the…
This playground is popular for its big fort-like structure with bridges, a steep and decently long tunnel slide, bucket swings and water channels that can be turned on/off and kids can try to redirect or dam up the flow. There should be something for all ages at this playground. It’s worth…
On the West-side of Christchurch CBD, the mini road has road signs, roundabouts, stop junctions etc for kids to practice their road safety skills when riding. Any wheel-based ride on from bikes, to trikes to scooters work well on the smooth concrete. They’ll also get good practice using their brakes…
This is an after dark trip that kids of all ages can enjoy if they’re allowed to stay up! The glow worms are on a cliff face and further round in a cave – approximately a 15 minute walk in each direction. It’s a good idea to wear gumboots as it…
There are hot pools at The Mount but these pools are recommended as being less busy and therefore a more tranquil and less commercial experience. There is one main outdoor pool that is surrounded by Punga Ferns and is heated to approximately 37/38 degrees. There are also 8 private indoor…
This swimming complex, in the Queenstown suburb of Frankton, is usually a hit with kids and generally regarded as the best family friendly pool in the region. Facilities include a 25m lap pool, a separate leisure pool with lazy river (heated to 32 degrees), 2 hydroslides (the faster one has a…
A popular destination for Wellington families as a day trip, especially on sunny weekends and during the school holidays, this place has a range of farmyard animals, in more natural settings than your average zoo. The best thing though is that the kids can interact with the animals if you pick…
