Top Activities for Families in Auckland

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, yet it retains a suburban, family-oriented atmosphere, much like the rest of the country.

Locals prioritize outdoor activities for children, and with abundant natural spaces near the city, it’s easy to have an enjoyable, active day out without significant effort or cost. Here’s how to explore with kids.

Is Auckland a good destination for children?

Children typically enjoy playing in areas with other kids, so visiting Auckland’s parks, beaches, and pools will make your family vacation both fun and relaxing. The Auckland Regional Council provides a comprehensive directory of parks and reserves to explore.

Many Kiwi kids love to scooter, so you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly cycleways and scooter parks. Consider bringing a lightweight scooter for your child or buying an inexpensive one once you arrive.

Given New Zealand's distance from the rest of the world, allow ample time for everyone to recover from jet lag after your arrival. When you’re ready to explore, check out Auckland For Kids or GrabOne for discounts on food and activities. Most attractions and tour operators offer family passes, though “kids” pricing can vary widely.

Families with children are generally welcome in most restaurants, except for the most upscale ones. However, many establishments still place changing tables only in women's restrooms. Highchairs are widely available, and some cafes and restaurants offer coloring activities to keep kids entertained. Kids' menus are common as well, with many places moving beyond standard chicken nuggets and hot dogs to provide more adventurous and nutritious options.

Public restrooms in Auckland are typically free, clean, and accessible. For emergencies, download Continence NZ’s toilet location maps or the CamperMate app.

You can use your stroller in most parts of the city, including on buses and trains, but keep in mind that Auckland is hilly, which may leave you feeling winded in some areas.

What are the best spots for kids in Auckland?

For energy-filled play, Auckland offers a wealth of options. Parks, pools, beaches, skate parks, basketball courts, and cycleways can be found throughout the city. Museums, art galleries, and various events are also well-suited for families in this kid-friendly destination.

Classic family attractions include the Rainbow’s End theme park and the interactive aquarium SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s. Both are delightful, though they may feel a bit small to worldly kids familiar with larger international parks.

One downside of the city is its traffic, which can make traveling with the family frustrating and slow. Public transport may not be as frequent or comprehensive as what you're used to back home, and traffic congestion can quickly lead to short tempers.

Many parents in Auckland find it less stressful to plan one major activity for the first half of the day and a quieter, nearby option for the latter half. For travelers, this might mean visiting a park close to your accommodation or stopping by a library to keep restless, hungry kids (and adults) entertained.

Top Activities for Babies and Toddlers in Auckland

Auckland boasts a variety of indoor and outdoor swimming pools equipped with toddler-friendly areas, which are always a hit. Some pools even feature splash pads that will delight everyone from toddlers to teens. For a park-like splash pad experience, visit Potters Park in Balmoral, which also has grassy spots with trees and excellent Asian cuisine on nearby Dominion Rd, including New Flavour and Barilla Dumplings.

The countryside surrounding Auckland offers delightful petting zoos, such as Kiwi Valley Farm Park in Henderson, where children can cuddle baby animals, ride ponies, and feed ducks, goats, and chickens.

When everyone needs a break, find a nearby library and check out the free activities for babies and toddlers scheduled through Auckland Council’s website. Popular offerings include storytime and music sessions like Rhymetime and Wriggle and Rhyme, and you don’t have to be a library member to join. Your older kids can relax in beanbags with their headphones and a fresh stack of young adult novels.

Top Activities for Kids in Auckland

Auckland, known as the ‘City of Sails,’ has a deep connection to the sea, and its beaches are a major draw for residents. Mission Bay is a popular, picturesque spot near the city, offering plenty of dining options, a family-friendly atmosphere, and playgrounds.

On the North Shore, just across the Harbour Bridge, Browns Bay features calm waters, stunning views, a vibrant playground, barbecue facilities, and grassy areas. Kelvin Strand in Te Atatu is a charming suburban beach park perfect for kids, with its grassy space, large tidal range, walkway, playground, and impressive city views.

Auckland Zoo is a tranquil green haven in the heart of the city, providing parents a chance to relax. With giraffes, tigers, elephants, rhinos, and a lively flock of flamingos, there are also wide, stroller-friendly paths for kids to safely explore the green spaces. The meerkat exhibit features fun kid tunnels and pop-up pods. Be sure to check the schedule for feeding times and animal encounters.

Adjacent to the zoo, the spacious Western Springs Lakeside Park is ideal for energetic play or relaxing in the shade. Nearby is MOTAT, Auckland’s transport and technology museum, which is a hit with young train enthusiasts. It often hosts kid-friendly activities and exhibitions, as does the stunning Auckland War Memorial Museum, set in beautifully expansive grounds.

Top Activities for Teenagers and Tweens in Auckland

Auckland is an excellent destination for keeping teens and tweens active and entertained. If your teen has brought along their skateboard or favorite wheeled toy like a foldable scooter, check out one of the many skateparks in the area.

Picking up a basketball at a place like The Warehouse and heading to a local outdoor court for some fun, followed by burgers or pizza, makes for a simple, budget-friendly family outing in Auckland. For teens eager to hone their snow skills, the indoor ski field Snowplanet is sure to be a hit, as is Stardome for those fascinated by astronomy.

Teens love zipping around on e-scooters and bikes, which are available for rent throughout the city. Explore the extensive cycleways and bike paths, or check out the newly revamped waterfront area at Wynyard Quarter and Silo Park near downtown. This vibrant car-free zone features repurposed shipping containers, basketball courts, impressive superyachts, outdoor movies, kids' workshops, street food, and art installations, making it a lively place to stroll and explore.

Take advantage of the beautiful, accessible water. Head across the harbor to Devonport for lunch and a swim at the expansive beaches, all while soaking in the stunning scenery. (Interestingly, this is also the location that Kiwi singer Lorde wasn’t proud of in her hit song Royals.) Don’t miss the eerie North Head gun tunnels in Devonport, a self-guided adventure that kids love.

For a more adventurous outing, visit Auckland’s stunning western beaches like Piha, renowned as one of the country’s top surf spots, perfect for a scenic walk or a splash in the water (just watch out for strong currents). You can impress (or embarrass) your kids by showing up at Bethell’s Beach and recreating Taylor Swift’s scene from her Out of the Woods music video, which was filmed here.

Encourage your teen’s adventurous spirit by taking a ferry ride—soon to be replaced by the largest fully electric ferries in the southern hemisphere—to explore nearby islands. Discover the stunning, upscale Waiheke, the volcanic Rangitoto, or the bird sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi. The ferry ride also offers caregivers a chance to unwind after all that driving, paying, and bribing—sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views of this beautiful coastal city as it reveals itself from the water.