Game Over Auckland - Jurassic Mini Putt
Twelve indoor holes through full-size animatronic dinosaurs. Twenty to thirty minutes a round, so pair it with the karts. If they can hold a putter, they can play.
Things to Do in Auckland with Kids
Do Auckland lists 57 family friendly activities across the region. Forty five of them have no minimum age at all, so they work with toddlers. Auckland Zoo is $19, Butterfly Creek is $16 and MOTAT is $19. Every listing shows the minimum age before you book.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Three floors of New Zealand's stories from Maori and Pacific cultures to natural history and military heritage. Set in a magnificent heritage building in Auckland Domain. Free for Auckland residents.
Game Over Auckland
Indoor electric go-karts on a two hundred metre track at Albany, with laser tag and a forty-machine arcade in the same building. Book ahead.
Kaipātiki Hot Springs (formerly Parakai Springs)
Indoor and large outdoor thermal pools heated to 32°C with a gently sloping beach area for kids and two thrilling hydro slides. BBQs, picnic areas and onsite cafe. Open year-round.
MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology
New Zealand's largest transport and technology museum across two sites in Western Springs. Aviation hall, heritage tram rides, historic village and hands-on exhibits make it a great family day out.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
Explore 64 hectares of beautiful gardens and native forest at Auckland Botanic Gardens, just 20 minutes from the city. Free entry. Includes themed gardens, sculpture trail and cafe.
Wero Whitewater Park
Two whitewater rafting courses (Grade 2 and Grade 4) plus the world's highest man-made waterfall. Kayak and SUP hire on the 9000 sqm lake.
Ambury Regional Park
Working farm just minutes from the airport with cows, sheep, chickens and pigs. Coastal walks, picnic areas and free BBQs. Great for kids learning about farming. Free entry.
Clip 'n Climb Mt Eden
Colourful, themed climbing walls including stained glass, glow-in-the-dark, timed walls plus a vertical drop slide. Auto-belay system means no climbing partner needed.
Newmarket Tenpin Bowling
Sixteen maple lanes and twenty pool tables under one roof on York Street. The pick for a big group that will not all want to do the same thing.
Cornwall Park & One Tree Hill
Auckland's largest urban park with sheep, cattle, walking tracks and a working farm. Climb to the summit of Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill for panoramic views. Free entry, open daily 7am to 7pm.
Treasure Island Adventure Golf
Pirate-themed mini golf with two 18-hole courses near Auckland Airport. Features shark-infested waters, blasting cannons and a pirate ship. Great for families and birthday parties.
New Zealand Maritime Museum
Discover New Zealand's seafaring story from Polynesian voyaging to America's Cup victories. Located on the Viaduct Harbour with options to sail on heritage vessels. Free for Auckland residents.
Otahuhu Pool & Leisure Centre
Six pools including a 25m lane pool, learner pool, toddlers pool, leisure pool, spa and a dedicated bombing pool. Stunning splash pad with flower fountains. Free for families.
Western Springs Lakeside Park
64-acre park in central Auckland with a spring-fed lake, walking tracks, native birds, eels and the Fukuoka Japanese Garden. Adjacent to the zoo and MOTAT. Free entry.
Tiritiri Matangi Island Sanctuary
World-renowned predator-free island bird sanctuary 75 minutes by ferry from Auckland. See rare native birds including takahē, kōkako and stitchbird. Optional guided walks available.
Odyssey Sensory Maze
13 zones of lighting effects, illusions, sounds and obstacles in the heart of the CBD. A self-guided 20-30 minute sensory adventure that all ages can enjoy. Open daily.
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre
Underwater playground with hydroslide, river run and a wave pool that turns on every 30 minutes. Caribbean Pirates theme keeps kids engaged. Indoor pool great in any weather.
Long Bay Regional Park
Family-friendly North Shore beach with safe swimming, picnic areas, BBQs, walking tracks and a playground. Great cafe nearby. Free, parking available, popular in summer.
Takapuna Beach
Stunning North Shore beach with views of Rangitoto Island, soft sand and safe swimming. Lined with cafes and restaurants. Great for sunrise photos. Free, easy access.
Zone Bowling Botany
Twelve lanes sharing a building with an eighty-machine Timezone, plus laser tag and bumper cars. Groups over six should book for lanes side by side.
Rainbow's End
New Zealand's largest theme park with over 20 rides and attractions, including a roller coaster, log flume, drop tower and Kidz Kingdom for under 8s. Located in Manukau.
Auckland Domain
Auckland's oldest park covers 75 hectares around an extinct volcano. Features formal gardens, the historic Wintergardens, sports fields, and is home to the Auckland Museum. Perfect for picnics.
Sky Tower
Three observation decks at 328 metres, glass floor included. Go near sunset, when the lights come up while you can still make out Rangitoto.
Piha Beach
Wild and rugged black-sand surf beach 45 minutes west of Auckland. Iconic Lion Rock divides North and South Piha. Surf lessons available; respect the strong currents and swim between flags.
Tepid Baths
Iconic central city swimming pool in a 100-year-old building. 25m seven-lane pool, 15m learners pool, spa, sauna and state-of-the-art fitness centre.
West Wave Pool & Leisure Centre
All-ages aquatic centre with one of NZ's longest hydroslides, wave pool, lazy river, 50m lap pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room.
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
Planetarium shows in One Tree Hill Domain, and on clear nights, telescope viewing with someone to point out what the southern sky has that the north does not.
Gloputt Mini Golf
Sixteen holes under blacklight in Takapuna. Fully indoors, no kitchen, bring your own food. Cheap, weatherproof, and you can usually just turn up.
Shakespear Regional Park
Predator-free open sanctuary at the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Walking tracks, beaches, cattle and sheep grazing, and native birds including takahe. Free entry.
Snowplanet
New Zealand's only indoor snow dome where you can ski, snowboard or snow tube all year round. Three lifts, terrain park and Winter Wonderland for kids. Just 30 minutes north of the city.
Extreme Edge Panmure
Over two hundred climbing routes in a converted aircraft hangar, plus auto-belays if you have no partner and a pirate zone for the under-nines.
Fergs Kayaks Auckland
Kayak, SUP and paddle board hire and lessons on Auckland's waterfront. Guided tours include Rangitoto Island summit, bioluminescence night kayaking and city lights night tours.
Eden Park Tour
Stadium tours of New Zealand's iconic sports venue, home to the All Blacks. Behind-the-scenes access to changing rooms, players' tunnel and the hallowed turf. 90 minutes.
Timezone Queen Street
Over a hundred machines across two floors on Queen Street, plus karaoke booths and mini bowling. Best as an hour in town, not an afternoon.
Cornwallis Beach & Wharf
Quiet sandy beach at the southern entrance to the Manukau Harbour. Historic wharf great for jumping off (summer only) and fishing. 45 minutes from CBD. Free, lots of picnic spots.
Auckland Zoo
Home to at least 130 species of native and exotic animals across 17 hectares in Western Springs. See kiwi, tigers, giraffes, orangutans and more. Also offers behind-the-scenes encounters.
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Step into a fantastical film effects workshop and explore the worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy from the five-time Academy Award winning Wētā Workshop. Hands-on, immersive experience.
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
Walk through shark tunnels, meet sub-Antarctic penguins and explore over 30 live exhibits at Auckland's iconic underwater attraction on the Mission Bay waterfront. Touch a starfish at the Rockpool.
Albany Stadium Pool
Modern aquatic centre on the North Shore with leisure and lap pools, splash pad, spa, sauna and over-pool climbing wall. Designed for families and exercisers alike.
Gravity NZ Trampoline Park
1000 sqm of connected trampolines, ninja course, extreme dodgeball, foam pit, basketball hoops and an under-5s area. Sessions on the hour. Two locations: Mt Wellington and Manukau.
Lloyd Elsmore Park Pool & Leisure Centre
Family-friendly Pakuranga pool complex with two 25m pools, learner's pool, splash pool, spa, steam room and sauna, plus an outdoor splash pad. Free for kids under 16.
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
Free museum exploring the history of the Royal New Zealand Navy through naval officers' stories from the World Wars. Includes naval-themed playground and seaside cafe.
Tikapa Moana Whale & Dolphin Cruise
4.5-hour wildlife cruise into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park spotting whales, dolphins, seabirds and possibly orcas. Departs Auckland Viaduct daily with marine experts on board.
Rangitoto Island
Take the ferry to Auckland's youngest volcano (just 600 years old) and hike to the summit through lava fields and the world's largest pohutukawa forest. Bring water and sunscreen.
BOUNCEinc North Shore
Trampoline park with huge free jump area, dodgeball court, X-Run obstacle course, high rope challenge and trampoline wall. Mini area for tots with slides and ball pits.
Butterfly Creek
Wildlife park near Auckland Airport with a tropical butterfly house, NZ's only saltwater crocodiles, kiwi house, petting zoo, animatronic dinosaurs and a mini-train ride. Family Pass $85.
Hunua Falls
Stunning 30m waterfall in Hunua Ranges Regional Park, an hour south of Auckland. Easy walk from the car park to the falls. No swimming due to safety, but great picnic spot. Free.
Auckland Hop-on Hop-off Bus Explorer
Open-top double decker bus around Auckland's top attractions including the Sky Tower, Parnell, Mission Bay and Mount Eden. 24 or 48-hour tickets with audio commentary on board.
Cornwall Park Cafe
Family-friendly cafe in the heart of Cornwall Park serving brunch, lunch and coffee. Outdoor seating overlooks the park where sheep and cattle graze. Open daily.
PINS Tenpin Bowling
The west Auckland lanes in Henderson, with a tap room called Pints attached. Disco bowling Friday and Saturday. Runs later than anything else here.
All Blacks Experience
A fully guided, state-of-the-art interactive tribute to the All Blacks and New Zealand's national rugby teams. Come face-to-face with the haka and learn about NZ's rugby heritage.
Howick Historical Village
Living history museum showcasing the early settlement of Howick from the mid-to-late 1800s. Explore real homes and daily life of early settlers. Educational and family-friendly.
Massey Park Pool
Family aquatic centre in Papakura with hydroslide, lazy river, wave pool, and a heated 50m outdoor lane pool in summer. Hosts 'wave raves' with pumping music.
Live Wire Super Park Highbury
Indoor entertainment hub with trampolines, foam pits, inflatable zone, ball pit, mini town playground, 6-lane bowling alley, laser tag, mini golf and arcade games.
Wynyard Quarter Waterfront Walk
Free walk along Auckland's revitalised waterfront. Pass restaurants, public art, the Silo Park playground and Karanga Plaza. Plenty of events, music and activities throughout the year.
Mission Bay Beach
Auckland's most popular eastern beach with safe, clear waters, palm-lined promenade and waterfront cafes. Swim, kayak, paddle board or relax under a pohutukawa tree. Free and accessible.
Minimum ages on the site run from zero to eighteen, so check the age range on the listing rather than guessing. Rainbow's End, Kelly Tarlton's and the Zoo take a hundred people, which makes them easy for birthday groups and school holiday outings.
Common questions
What can you do in Auckland with toddlers?
Forty five listings on Do Auckland have no minimum age. Butterfly Creek, Auckland Zoo, the Botanic Gardens, Western Springs and the council pools all take under twos.
What is there to do with kids when it rains in Auckland?
Trampoline parks, indoor climbing, swimming pools, MOTAT, the War Memorial Museum and Kelly Tarlton's all run whatever the weather. The rainy day filter shows everything indoors.
What is free to do with kids in Auckland?
Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland Art Gallery are free for New Zealand residents, and the beaches, Botanic Gardens, Cornwall Park, Albert Park and the Domain cost nothing at all.
Are there activities with a minimum age?
Yes. Some escape rooms start at seven, climbing and bungy sites start higher, and a few listings are eighteen plus. The age range sits on every listing page.