School's Out, Auckland's In!
Spend these school holidays in Auckland where there's plenty of cool things to do! The region is packed full of activities to keep kids entertained and parents smiling!
Rain or shine, Auckland has activities that educate, entertain, stimulate and delight children and parents alike. Spend a day meeting animals, enjoy an entertaining show or be Tarzan at Tree Adventures. Get involved in projects at Auckland Museum or learn about early New Zealand immigrants at the Maritime Museum. Enjoy a day of thrills at Rainbow's End or take a rainforest adventure at Auckland Zoo. Whatever you choose, it's sure to be fun!
Talk to the animals
A visit to one of Auckland's animal playgrounds is a fun way to spend a day these holidays! Visit SheepWorld just north of Auckland or Butterfly Creek in Manukau to pet a number of friendly and inquisitive animals including sheep, llamas, goats, ponies, pigs, dogs and more. At Butterfly Creek, children can also discover hundreds of tropical butterflies! Other fun animal attractions include Clevedon Animal Farm, Crystal Mountain and Kiwi Valley Farm Park.
Enjoy an entertaining show
Shows are so much fun and offer a great way to treat and entertain the children! These school holidays the Bruce Mason Centre is turning weird and wacky to host Rumpelstiltskin. Alternatively spend a few hours playing by the lake in the scenic grounds of The PumpHouse before settling down in the theatre to watch Grandpa's Slippers.
Be Tarzan for the day at Tree Adventures
Swing through the trees just like Tarzan at Tree Adventures. Tree Adventures have several courses set up throughout Woodhill Forest that suit all levels of ability. There is a children's trail which includes a small flying fox and a beginners trail that offers the thrill of a suspended net, tunnel and swing. For more information visit www.treeadventures.co.nz.
Auckland Art Gallery art workshops
At Auckland Art Gallery, there is loads of fun to be had during these school holidays. Children can create their own toy figure that will be stuffed full of special treats! They can also design and make all sorts of great things to decorate their own mystic tree. For more information visit www.aucklandartgallery.govt.nz.
Take a rainforest adventure at Auckland Zoo
Enjoy an action-packed adventure at Auckland Zoo's rainforest. Help Captain Tongue-Tied and first mate Paddlepop Lion solve rainforest clues and join in the search for lost treasure at two free daily shows. Also, kids can meet 'Bugman' Rudd Kleinpaste and his amazing creepy-crawlies up-close. For more information visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz.
Land Ahoy
During the school holidays, the Maritime Museum is ready to show you what life was like as onboard the ships of early New Zealand immigrants! Kids can participate in several fun activities. Try cooking damper bread and butter (and then eat it!), make a ship in a bottle, make a seafarer's diary, hear Salty Sam's stories in the rocking cabin and learn knot tying and how to rig up a small boat! For more information visit www.nzmaritime.org.
Spring school holidays at the Auckland Museum
There's lots going on at the Auckland Museum over the school holidays. From day time activities to special night time events, there's something for everyone. Explore the museum at night time with your torch and hunt out some dinosaurs or during the day discover the wacky world of Charles Darwin, enjoy the Discovery Centre, learn cool drawing techniques and get creative! For more information visit www.aucklandmuseum.com.
Rainbow's End
Get caught up in the excitement of a runaway cart ride through an abandoned goldmine. Marvel at the wonders of the enchanted forest log flume and go for the thrills of New Zealand's only double-corkscrew roller coaster. Under ten-year-olds will love the dream castle, with special rides just for them, and their very own mini-coaster. For more information visit www.rainbowsend.co.nz.
Even more school holiday ideas...
If you're still looking for holiday ideas, why not spend a day in the snow at Snowplanet where a holiday programme is available for kids? Or step back in time and learn about Howick's history at Howick Historical Village. Hours of fun is to be had go-carting or at Glenbrook Vintage Railway and kids can burn off energy at MOTAT.
Also, don't forget about Auckland's natural attractions. Learn of Auckland's cultural and natural history at one of the region's volcanoes; visit One Tree Hill, Mount Eden, Mangere Mountain, North Head, Mount Victoria or Rangitoto Island.
For further information on holiday ideas, accommodation or travel, phone Tourism Auckland on 0800 AUCKLAND or +64 9 367 6009. Alternatively email reservations@aucklandnz.com.