Activity Category: Outside

National Transport and Toy Museum, Wanaka

There are 50,000 toys on display at this museum and a lot of vintage vehicles but new toys also feature in the onsite toy shop which claims to be ‘the best toy shop in New Zealand’! So whether you show your kids the toys that you used to play with…

Walk to Miners’ Huts, Arrowtown

A walk along the river in Arrowtown brings you to a partially restored small settlement of huts that were occupied by Chinese Miners who were brought over to NZ during the gold rush. For more information on what life in the Chinese settlements might have been like, see the website link. The…

BMX jump park and learn to ride area, Cromwell

A brand new BMX jump park and circuit for kids and adults alike, was opened in late 2015, although it wasn’t officially opened until later 2016. The tracks are of varying difficulty, from a paved learn-to-ride area with street signs and intersections up to a jump loop, so something for all…

Jet Boat Ride, Wanaka

This isn’t a cheap activity but if your kids are thrill seekers and you’re on the lookout for a treat, this is an adrenaline sport that doesn’t have a lower age limit or height restrictions. Lakeland Adventures Wanaka operate jet boat rides from their base on the shores of Lake Wanaka to…

The Lake and Lakefront @ Lake Wanaka

There’s lots to do along the waterfront in Wanaka! Hire a double Kayak or SUP so that kids can go with adults and get out on to the water. There’s more than one place to hire them from so check out which has the best deal on the day. Paddle…

Auckland Zoo

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This zoo is huge with a big selection of animals on show, some of which aren’t at any other New Zealand zoo. If you’re planning a visit, it’s worth showing your kid(s) a map of the zoo so you can try to have an idea about which animals they’re most…

Picnic Cafe and city end Botanic Garden, Wellington

Set in the Rose Garden, which is one part of the Botanic Garden, this cafe has been serving up breakfast and lunch in beautiful surroundings for years! This is a great place for families to eat, whether it be for a snack or full meal. They are very child friendly,…

Chocolate Fish Cafe, Miramar, Wellington

This is a well known little gem of a cafe on the Miramar Peninsular to the East of Wellington. There is indoor seating but most people go when the sun is shining, to take seats outside and relax while their kids are playing. There’s a big concrete area with a wide…

The Seaside Market, New Plymouth

This family friendly market runs on the first Sunday of every month (check website for dates) and is the biggest market in Taranaki. A good atmosphere is created by local artists who come along and play music. There are stalls selling food and locally made produce including clothes, jewellery and home…

Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt

A great playground within a lovely park with a lot to do for the whole family. There’s an area for bigger kids that allows climbing, sliding, balancing and swinging skills to be tested. There’s also a good long and reasonably fast flying fox. Just across a grassy area there a…