Things To Do With Kids

From free playgrounds to rainy-day museums, here are the best things to do with kids in Wellington.

A melting pot of rich culture, incredible cuisine and plenty of fun, Singapore is the ultimate getaway for families. 

One of the side effects of becoming the Editor of Urban List is friends and strangers alike are always sliding into my DMs asking for recs (which I dig, by the way—she loves a flex). So I decided I should really be spilling my secrets here, for all of you, too. 

From quaint Cotswoldian farmers' markets, quietly trading beneath Gothic grandeur, to sleepy seaside towns and suburbs swapping crafts every Saturday. We’re gonna take a wander, you and I, and you’ll want to pack your pocket money. ‘Cause these are the Best Markets in all of Otautahi Christchurch (and slightly beyond).

Sick of being a passive bystander in a movie theatre? Perhaps it’s time to become the lead in your own story.

If you reckon yourself pretty logical, or maybe you’re the team’s creative, or even you’re the one who’ll touch every single thing in sight just to see if something will happen, tag a team together to conquer these Christchurch Escape Rooms.

I'll be honest, the speed at which July has arrived is nothing short of frightening—not just because it means we've officially passed the half-way point of the year, but because it also signals the start of the winter school holidays. 

Whether you'd love to spend your weekend gazing at art-adorned walls with a quizzical look on your face thinking ‘what the heck is that!?’ or simply elevate your mind by marvelling at stunning artwork then we have found the best places for you.

Although we may have reluctantly come to terms with the fact that we don’t possess the golfing prowess of Lydia Ko or Rory McIIroy, it doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy an 18-hole game from time to time.

We caught up with the Kiwi sports team of the moment, the Black Ferns, to talk game day routines, mental health and pump-up tunes. 

Auckland's a pretty fun place to grow up. Not only do we have world-class beaches on our doorstep and all the usual family-friendly tropes like a zoo, arcades, and a museum, there's also a host of city exclusives like our very own marine reserve to swim around, a Wonka-esque sugar factory to explore and of course, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere (which, btw, kids over 10 can even jump off!).

The warmer weather is here, and that means it’s the season for lavender to bloom. Here are the best farms across New Zealand where you can stroll amongst the fields, take a picture for the gram and pick your own lavender. Hot tip: pop a few flowers into your next glass of champagne.

One of the best things about Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is the fact that writing a list of the best beaches within a region is absolutely possible.

Grab your tickets to this free family-friendly event filled with fireworks, local dance and drum performances, lion dancing and beautiful lanterns lighting up the grounds. With over 60 food stalls and lines out the door each year—we’ve rounded up our top food picks while enjoying the sights and lights.

Sunflower season is short but sweet and while there might not be an abundance of sunflower farms in Aotearoa, there are five magical spots you’ll definitely want to visit.

It's official—Onehunga is one of Auckland's most hip albeit underrated suburbs. Studded with historic buildings and delightful villas, this charming neighbourhood has really amped things up in recent years on the eating-out front, with a host of top-notch bars, restaurants and cafés coming to the fore.

We’ve scoped the waterfalls around the city to bring you a list of the best in Auckland. Take a picnic!

If you’re like us and love a juicy berry punnet or two, then read on to find the best pick-your-own strawberry fields in Tāmaki (and beyond). 

Nothing has us feeling more festive than a completely over-the-top display of Christmas lights—this is definitely a case of the more the merrier! Lucky for us Aucklanders, a decent dose of holiday twinkle is never far away.

Summer has officially started which pretty much means three things: ice cream, cocktails and swimming.

Kiwi summers are incomplete without heading out to the wild exploring the beautiful nature the land has to offer. Read on to learn about the five spots in Hamilton to relax this summer. 

Legend has it that at summer’s end or ‘Samhain’—the inspiration behind Halloween traditions—the veil between the world of the living and the underworld is at its thinnest. The dead will walk.

Māori Language Week is just around the corner (14-21 Mahuru/September to be exact) and here are 10 ways to celebrate. 

Calling all snow homies, holiday heroes, music-mad, and just plain festy frothers—epic destination festival, Snow Machine is next week. And. You. Don’t. Want. To. Miss. Out. 

Father’s Day is just around the corner (1 September if you’re wondering) and while not all of us have a father we almost certainly all have someone who’s unabashedly cracked dad jokes with reckless abandon.

Here are 52 things to do in Auckland this winter that will (almost) distract you from missing summer.

Want to challenge your taste buds? Read on as we shine a spotlight on dining in the dark. 

Don’t get us wrong, we love a night in with Netflix but it just doesn’t compare to seeing movies on the silver screen, a bucket of popcorn in hand.

Swooning for a hooning? Feel the need for speed? Careen around the race track and leave your mates in the dust at one of Tāmaki Makaurau’s best spots for Go Karting.

Commissioned by Auckland Transport, pockets of Māori mahi toi (art) are woven through the city centre. What starts as a functional project—say revamping infrastructure—becomes a powerful art project. 

Forget what you know about the Southern Lights. Aurora Australis? Please…we have something much more exciting for you! Come Queen’s Birthday weekend, Queenstown’s waterfront is set to transform into a magical forest wonderland, lit up with interactive light sculptures and illuminated art installations.

Ponsonby Central has long been renowned as a vibrant precinct. Its eclectic restaurants and bars serve up everything from Cambodian to Korean and feel-good American fare. 

At long last, women’s sport is taking centre stage and we are here. for. it. As we head into the cooler months, all eyes are on our Black Ferns and their highly-anticipated 2024 test calendar. 

Camping is as much a part of Kiwi culture as remembering to blow on the pie. Whether you’re camping in a tent, campervan or prefer a cute cabin, if you’re after lakefront, beachfront or in the middle of the bush, Northland’s got you. 

So, you’ve put up the tree, locked in the menu for the big day, and sorted an outfit for the work party. Wondering what else to add to your Christmas bucket list this year? If a series of holiday markets hosted by the city's premier shopping destination sounds like your cup of festive tea—then listen up.

So if you don’t know your drop kick from your dropout, don’t worry, you can still get some skin in the game.

A town in the shadow of an incredible picture-perfect volcano, and with a mix of art and adventure on offer, New Plymouth makes for a great weekend getaway.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup has kicked off in New Zealand. Held every four years, the event showcases talent from 32 countries—making it the largest women’s sporting event in the world. 

If you’re anything like us, your resolution to get fit may seem like an uphill battle—literally. But here in the City of Sails, we’re lucky enough to be sitting on a whopping 53 volcanoes, and they all offer striking views of our wonderful city. 

After taking Auckland and then Christchurch by storm, entertainment masters Funlab has announced that its biggest (and best) Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq AND Holey Moley will be opening right in the heart of Wellington.

Want to experience a ‘true’ winter this year? Luckily you don’t have to venture far to experience the gleeful joy of gliding on ice.

If you’ve got kids in tow, Wynyard Quarter has a multitude of experiences the whole family can enjoy. Whether it’s scoping out the hottest playgrounds, getting cultured with diverse artworks, or enjoying a leisurely weekend picnic, there’s plenty to see and do.

Green does not mean boring, folks. And, proving they know what’s what when it comes to all things good, The EcoFest Festival is returning for a month-long party of all things seriously eco! 

We're spilling our secrets on all the best tours you need to get amongst to make the most of your time in Auckland. 

Between free bottomless popcorn, in-film snack deliveries and a Tarantino-approved space, we’ve found the very best of Auckland’s bustling boutique cinema scene. 

What’s up, long weekend? Big thanks for gracing us with your presence—it’s been a while. There’s no better way to welcome three days of no work than with a cheeky roadie. Lucky for us Aucklanders, some seriously beautiful spots are just a couple of hours drive away.

Take a break from the gym and opt for the outdoors this season because these walks are worth it—we promise. 

Whether you're a total novice or expert-level skier, Queenstown has you covered for an epic ski season. This winter wonderland ticks all of the boxes, from gear hire to transportation, lessons and the all-important après-ski scene. 

Is there anything more calming than falling leaves in autumn? Yes, they’re technically dead leafy corpses but they’re still Insta-worthy AF.

Whether you’re feeling a bit cash-strapped in the lead up to payday or just love a freebie, Wellington has oodles of fun-tastic things to do that are absolutely, positively free.

Sometimes things get a little tight…the washing machine breaks down the same week as the car does, and then the dog gets sick. And, let’s face it, as much as we love the City of Sails, it’s bloody expensive to live here. But this doesn’t mean you need to be bored—with a little creativity and a whole lot of thriftiness, we’ve found the best free things to do in Auckland. You’re welcome.

If you haven’t heard of Rotoroa Island, you better catch up, stat, because you’re definitely missing out.

Summer is here which means one thing…ice cream, and lots of it. While plenty of the sweet stuff can be found in the Capital’s concrete jungle—we’ve done the hard yards and nailed down a list of the very best. And we take our job very seriously indeed. Here are the best ice cream stores to be found in the windy city.

Artweek is just around the corner and 2020 marks a massive ten years for the week-long festival. Once again, it's time to celebrate all the dynamic, abstract and awe-inspiring pieces right here in the City of Sails. We’ve narrowed down our top picks for some of the best events this year's programme has to offer, so come along to appreciate all the wonderful art that has flourished while the city has been in lockdown. 

Grab your tent and round up your posse, we’ve found the very best camping spots in Auckland. 

Nothing beats good food and breathtaking views, so why not combine the two and head out for a picnic. We've taken the hard part out of your picnic organisation and put together a list of seven of the best spots you can set yourself up at around Auckland. 

Calling all people with small ones in tow—winter school holidays (Saturday 10th-Sunday 25th July) are looking realll good this year with a multitude of activities and events around Auckland to keep the littlies entertained, no matter what the weather.

The snow gods heard your cry for alp. Take your mittens out of hibernation and pop on your snuggliest coat because Auckland is getting a whole lotta snow!

Winter is coming, and that means ski party season is too. So, dust off your boots and grab your warmest jackets, because things are about to get seriously cool.

Travel may be off limits for now but with Disney’s The Lion King coming to our shores, spending an evening in Africa just became possible, no quarantine needed. 

Ah, winter. That delightful season when jammies and slippers become a fashion statement, social outings become rarer than a blood supermoon, and Netflix and chill takes on a whole new meaning. To help combat the winter blues and lure you out of hibernation, St John’s Bar and Restaurant are bringing back their ultra 'Gram-worthy pop-up igloos for a limited time.

When it comes to delivering a multi-sensory retail experience, Comvita has raised the bar with the launch of the new Comvita Wellness Lab right at the heart of the city. What used to be a traditional retail store for its deliciously golden honey, has now expanded into a beautiful space inspired by everything that goes into the art of honey making.

Whether you love a good photo op or simply have an appreciation for the arts—the enchanting Night Lights at MOTAT will be right up your street. From Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June, MOTAT will be coming alive at Matariki with light installations, live music, fire performances and much more. 

There’s nothing more exciting than when the carnival comes to town—the sweet smell of candy floss in the air, the buzz of anticipation—it’s basically carte blanche to return to the days of childish abandon. 

After taking some time out in 2020, the luxurious, two-hatted Hippopotamus Restaurant and Cocktail Bar is back in full swing and ready to treat you to a fabulously chic culinary experience.

The nights are drawing in and there’s a chill in the air, so what better time than to check out this epic new pop-up ice rink right by the beach? The good folk at Auckland Council have set up a fully enclosed space measuring 10 by 25 metres courtesy of the legends at Paradice events which makes it a perfect activity in any moody weather.

Adventure enthusiasts, unite! Banff Mountain Film Festival is just around the corner and it’s packed with enough jaw-dropping moments to set even the most adrenaline junkie of hearts a flutter. 

If one thing’s for sure, indoor plants sit in a very special place in our hearts these days. You know, those cute, spiky little cacti sitting on the windowsill, or those stunning, draping string of pearls hanging on the wall. Many of you will agree that having plants around the house just makes life better.

Ever since the first lockdown (remember that?) ‘Fairy Houses’ have started popping up in a Hobsonville park and to say they’re cute as a button would be an understatement. 

If recent events have taught us anything, it’s that we should take up any chance to get together and celebrate. 

Load Up your boot on covetable botanical goodies at Auckland Plant Market happening on March 21 at Smales Farm. Expect botanical art, live music, cute planters, colorful pots, jewelry, and skincare so whether you’re looking for adorable little succulents or kokedamas, you can find it all here.

New Year is possibly the best holiday in existence. There’s something incredibly freeing about the idea of a year ticking over making us feel like we’re ready to face anything. 

From 5 February to 28 March, Wellington’s streets will become centre stage for a free, city-wide programme of music, art, dance and theatre as part of the newly launched festival, What If The City Was A Theatre? 

There are few things we love more than a healthy dose of retail therapy, but when a day of shopping is paired with live tunes, epic eats and entertainment, well, that’s a recipe for the ultimate day out. 

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight…Aucklanders, while the South Island may be famous for its skies, we’re pretty damn lucky too. 

Move over monopoly, escape rooms are our new favourite way to get competitive and tackle some good old fashioned problem solving with our friends. Here are the best escape rooms in Wellington.