The Best Family-Friendly Stays In New Zealand For You And The Crew

Seeking a spot where humans big and small can play their own way? This is a five-bedroom Airbnb that offers a whole lot of fun for the whole fam. You’re minutes from the epic wineries of Blenheim here, and close to the walking and mountain biking tracks of Wither Hills, so the crew can get out and about in that fresh New Zealand air if and when they wish.

Back at base, you’re going to want to slip right into the sparkling magnesium pool. There’s a spa and heated outdoor shower too for a post dip dowsing, plus there’s a tennis court to hit a ball around later if you fancy a game.

Throw in the fact that this pad has a huge outdoor area for lawn games, and one of the best covered outdoor entertaining zones we’ve seen (oh hello pizza oven), and we reckon this is one of the most family-friendly NZ Airbnbs out there.

Reckon the rascals will enjoy whiling away a few hours in the best games room with a ping pong table and actual stand-up arcade machine? Thought so. Seventeen on Cheltenham is your New Zealand family-friendly getaway, offering a comfortable four bedrooms just three minutes from the area’s hot pools, forest trails, cafes and shops.

You don’t even need to leave the doggo behind for a trip here, as this Airbnb is pet-friendly and has a secure yard for early morning sniff-time. For the humans, there’s a heap of tempting inclusions, we’re talking an interior with a well-stocked kitchen and cosy log fire, plus a lovely outdoor area complete with barbecue and dining zone.

Fire up that barbie for a family feast before letting the kids retreat to the games room to make full use of the home-theatre set-up inside. Meanwhile, the adults can take a load off on the comfy couches and enjoy a nightcap and a natter.

This New Zealand Airbnb may be an old rural school house, but the small peeps are going to have way more fun than they would during lesson-time. This flexible family-friendly stay has numerous sleeping options—from double bedrooms to bunks—and more can be accommodated with air beds in the living space or in tents or camper vans in the fully-fenced grounds—just chat to your hosts.

You’re surrounded by friendly farming types here, and the country roads are suitable for walking or cycling if the mood takes you. But back at your accommodation there’s so much to do you won’t even need to head out and about. You’ve got the actual school pool to play about in, and it’s perfect for littlies as it’s very shallow (no diving please!), plus there’s a tennis court and a rugby paddock that you can use for footy, frisbee and dog zooming (oh yep, did we mention the Floof can come too?)

That’s not even all. The outside of this place is truly epic in more ways than one. There’s drinking fountains, hop scotch and four square to keep the gang entertained, a brazier for the obligatory marshmallow-toasting and of course gas and charcoal barbecue facilities for that delicious mega feast. Phew!

A finalist for Best Family Stay in the 2024 Airbnb Host Awards, this NZ home offers a warm and welcoming space for groups of ten. Before we delve deep into what’s great for the kids, we just have to give a nod to the man cave which we reckon the bigger humans will be falling over themselves to score a stint in. It’s got a massage chair. Yup. Zen-time here we come.

You’re going to have to boot the kids out first though, as (unfortunately for the adults) the man cave is also home to a two-player arcade machine, an Xbox Series X with a game pass and a fridge in which to store all those fizzy drinks and snacks. Thankfully, there’s heaps more places the adults can hang, including the outdoor spa for six which pairs perfectly with bubbles of the drinking sort.

Need more stuff for the kiddies? No probs. Bouncing sessions aplenty loom thanks to the trampoline in the garden, plus there are four actual TVs in this house, all with paid Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+. While the gang is fully absorbed in a movie, we reckon it’s time to fire up that barbecue and get the burgers sizzling.

Kayaks and bikes? Check. Fishing rods? Yup. How about access to the beach? Oh yes, that too. This four-bedroom New Zealand Airbnb is one of the larger homes available to rent at Patons Rock, and that suits us because it means more space for the kids to play.

It’s a top spot for a couple of families to convene in, and being right on the beachfront you are literal steps from the sandy stuff—without a road to navigate. It also has bathrooms both up and downstairs, which is pretty handy, plus a hot outdoor shower for washing off those toes after a day’s play by the water.

Pour yourself a cuppa and head to the comfy couch on the outdoor deck to relax while watching the kids muck around on the lawn. Later, you can get the barbecue going before munching dinner at the big table outside while admiring  that sea view.

You wanted family-friendly New Zealand Airbnbs? You got it. If the small peeps in your crew have a love of all things feathered and furry this uber-memorable stay is a must-visit. Yes, the accommodation is basic (so don’t expect five-star luxury or hot tubs) but it’s great value, with brekky, complimentary animal tours, miniature horse rides and unlimited animal time included in the price.

Your home for the weekend is a self-contained rustic cottage, complete with a large deck and a barbecue for family feasts. Inside, there’s a queen bed and four singles, plus a sofabed for making use of if the need arises. 

There are more than 60 rare-breed animals at this farm stay experience, run by a lovely retired couple who are passionate about animals and want to share their property with like-minded people. Expect so many critters you won’t know what to do with yourself: kittens, ostrich and emu, the mini horse, a pig and puppies when it's the right season. Oh yes, book the kids in here and they’ll be talking about it for years to come. An added bonus? You’re minutes from the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

How about a place where you can play a game of pool, do a spot of reading on the deck with a serene forest view and yet pop out to cafes, shops, markets and wineries on a whim? This family-friendly bush retreat is handily located to the south of Auckland in Papakura, and with five bedrooms and heaps of parking, it’s a top spot for a break on the way to the South Island or the Coromandel Peninsula.

It’s worth noting the home is split on multiple levels, so it’s better for bigger kids who can handle the stairs, but with a bunk room and a separate entertainment room there’s plenty of space for them to roam.

We expect the teenagers will spend most of their time on the second floor, where a theatre with a 65-inch TV calls out for movie-time, and there’s that pool table for family comps. You, meanwhile, might fancy heading to the outdoor deck where you can crank up the barbecue, sip on something tasty and take in those lovely bush views. 

Any fly fishing enthusiasts among you? This family-friendly New Zealand Airbnb on the Tukituki River gives an opportunity to explore one of the country’s top spots for the sport. While the fisher folks in the crew go searching for some rainbow trout for dinner, the rest of you can jump right on in to your own private hot tub for some serious chillaxing. 

While the adults soak away (with a sneaky G&T perhaps?), the kids can have a bounce on the trampoline, play a spot of footy on the lawn or meander down to the paddock to collect some eggs from the resident chooks.

What’s useful about this accommodation is the fact it has three separate living areas and three and a half bathrooms, so you can all gather together when the mood takes but not be tripping over each other. No one manage to catch dinner? Thankfully, the Patangata Tavern is just two minutes down the road, and the shops of Waipawa and Waipukurau are a short drive away for essentials.

Ok, get ready for one hell of an adventure. Parawai Lakehouse Sanctuary is your slice of family-friendly paradise an easy ten-minute drive from the heart of Rotorua. You’re right on the waterfront here, with your own private jetty, and your champion hosts provide complimentary kayaks, paddles and life jackets for you to use. Woo!

Love a spot of cycling? Bring your mountain bike, because there’s a secure lockable garage to store it in, complete with a repair rack and wash down station which is darn handy. Skyline Mountain Bike Park is just five minutes away and within 15 minutes you can be at Whakarewarewa Forest where there’s trails for peeps of all abilities.

Back at base, it’s time to wind down in the games room we think. (Although perhaps wind down is the wrong phrase given there’s ping pong, foosball and air hockey for adrenaline-fuelled comps.) Other fun stuff right at hand include darts, chess and a load of board games, plus an acoustic guitar (yep, really) for the musically-minded  in your team.

Wondering what an Airbnb that’s in the top five per cent looks like? This is it—and it’s a feast for the eyes if you’ve got a fam to keep entertained. Your New Zealand accommodation is newly-built and located in a quiet area just 20 minutes out of Christchurch.

Buckle up, because this is where stuff gets interesting. Your space can sleep eight adults and four children across queen, king single and bunk beds, and the games room is something to behold. You’ve got a sound system, a home-theatre set-up with a 87-inch HDTV and paid streaming apps, plus an Xbox Series X console with a game pass, foosball and more. That’s all before we’ve stepped foot outside to the fully-fenced backyard, where you’ll find an epic playground for the kids—Slide? Yup. Trampoline? Yep. Swing? You bet. There’s outdoor furniture and a dining table out here for the big kids too.

Obvs, we don’t want to talk about boring things like work, but if you need to check those emails, there’s a dedicated workspace in a private room and high-speed wifi you can use. Oh, and did we mention the massage chair?

You can roll on out of bed and right on to the sand at this NZ beach house Airbnb, which boasts a private deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Sit in the lounge, look out the window and you’ll literally feel like the waves might come and greet you. 

Shell-gathering, sandcastle-making and leisurely strolls along the glittering white sandy beach are a must-do here, and families will enjoy the nearby tennis courts, skateboard ramp and bike trail.

Back at your accommodation after a day spent exploring we reckon a fish and chip takeaway might be just the thing—or you can crack open a can and get that barbecue going.

There’s your run-of-the-mill family-friendly Airbnb and then there’s Cresta Vista—a New Zealand stay that can fit a small army inside. This epic pad has enough room for 16 peeps, split across seven bedrooms, and it boasts a main house and attached two-bedroom guest house just to add to the appeal.

Those who love being immersed in nature will love this accommodation. Not only does it sit on 1.2 hectares of semi-rural land at Coatesville’s highest point (with a flock of sheep no less) but it has four whole living rooms each with spectacular views. 

The kids are well and truly sorted, thanks to The Playroom—an area in the single garage with beanbags, toys, books and a play mat. There’s also The Hangout, a place where bigger kids can have a ball playing ping ping pong or giving the arcade machine a go. There’s also a home theatre and a DVD collection for that post-fun movie night.