Don’t be fooled into thinking this place is just about butterflies – it isn’t! There’s also farm animals, a dinosaur kingdom, the Aquaria (2 big tanks, one with fresh water fish the other with tropical fish), crocodiles and bugs as well as the butterfly house!! If you’re short on time (perhaps…
Only 15 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, Devonport makes a good family day trip. Plenty of cafes to choose from once you’re there, the waterfront to stroll along all the way to North Head if you want and the Navy Museum. You can follow the pathway from the ferry…
Only open on a Sunday, this small but friendly mini aquarium on the south coast of Wellington is a great place to come to see the animal life that lives in the sea around this city. There are tanks which are home to fish of different sizes and colour like…
Lots of pools within this complex so should be something for everyone in the family; a 50m lap pool, a leisure pool (which includes waves and water features operational at certain times), a toddlers’ pool, hydroslide, spa and sauna (the last 2 available to adults only). All within walking distance…
If you’re looking to break a journey on the SH1 around the Kapiti Coast, and the weather isn’t good enough for a playground, this cafe is a good option because it has a covered shed that serves as a playroom for the kids to run around in and be occupied. The…
This is the largest complex of swimming pools in Waikato so should have something for everyone! The 6 pools include several 25m pools (some at 27 degrees and one at 32 degrees) and a designated toddlers’ pool inside. During the school holidays, there’s often inflatables which can include a bouncy…
Taking kids to a place displaying glass sounds nerve wracking but as well as a gallery and shop, this family firm of glass makers and artists has a glass blowing factory which is fascinating for kids. Glass is blown most days and kids are able to watch the whole process. It…
This pool complex was opened in 2014 and has a glass roof making it wonderfully light, although also very hot on sunny days (swimmers are fine in the water but spectators be warned). There’s a good separate toddlers’ pool with water features and from 1pm-5pm every afternoon at the weekends…
There are lots of interactive exhibits at this museum, which helps to keep kids entertained and engaged. You can pick up an ‘I Spy’ activity sheet (free) if you intend to have a general explore of the museum or head to one of the specific kids’ areas like Planet Warriors…
Surrounded by a pest proof fence, this is a great place to get into the bush and escape the noise of the city while trying to spot lots of native birds. Even with noisy kids, you should spot something! Walks of lots of different lengths are possible with various stopping points/distractions…
