Five child-friendly activities to do in Auckland

Auckland is one of the best cities in the world to raise children.

We’re welcoming, safe and our 3702km of pristine coastline provides many relaxing (and adventurous) reasons to get out and about. There’s also an abundance of child-friendly restaurants, cafes and fun family activities.

It’s easy to make family memories that last a lifetime.

Here are five activities for kids in Auckland:

1. Climb a volcano

   Maungakiekie, One Tree Hill is an extinct volcano rich in Māori history. Climb to the top and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the city.

   Have a picnic in the parklands that surround the cone and you might be joined by the sheep and cows that have made it their home.

   From 2.00pm, after a play on the flying fox, enjoy some stargazing at the Stardome Observatory Planetarium.
    

2. Take a dip

   Auckland has many public pools to enjoy and they’re all free for children under 16. Adults pay a small fee, generally NZD$3 to $8.

   Along with hours of lifeguard-patrolled fun, many of these facilities also provide ‘learn to swim’ programmes to keep yourself and your family safe in the water. Our favourite is Parnell Baths.
    

3. Talk to the animals

   Auckland Zoo has New Zealand’s most diverse collection of wildlife, including many native animals like our world-famous kiwi.

   It’s a world-class zoo spread over 17 hectares of land and located only 10 minutes from Auckland’s CBD.

   The kids will enjoy seeing the animals in their natural enclosures and there’s the chance to go behind the scenes, walk through the zoo at night or even be a keeper for the day.
    

4. Catch a fish

   The areas surrounding Auckland offer some great fishing options.

   But for a child, sometimes it’s enough to drop a line down and feel the fish nibble. There are plenty of places across the city to do this − check out this page for details.

   Our favourite spot is Torpedo Bay in Devonport. Pack a picnic and catch the ferry from downtown Auckland to Devonport wharf.

   If the fish aren’t biting, there are plenty of other things the kids will love to do in this seaside town.
    

5. Go to the beach

   There are many safe beaches just minutes away, wherever you live in Auckland. The toughest thing about this activity will be agreeing on which beach to go to!

   Try Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore. Only 10 minutes from central Auckland, Takapuna offers calm and safe swimming and a playground with activities for a wide range of ages.

   When everyone gets hungry after a day at the beach, Takapuna offers an impressive choice of child-friendly restaurants and cafes.

These ideas are just the tip of the volcano when it comes to entertaining kids in Auckland. You can discover more here.

We look forward to welcoming talent back to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The New Zealand Government’s plan is to safely reopen our borders in stages, allowing people to travel to and from Aotearoa New Zealand. Visit immigration.govt.nz to find out what this means for you.