Family friendly Activities

Visitors
Things to do
Family Fun
Family activities

The Waikato has to be one of the most fun regions to visit when considering a family holiday with the kids.

Whether it’s urban adventures that excite your kids, or the great outdoors with water fun, wildlife and nature to explore, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the Waikato - and the kids want to visit again and again.

Animal encounters

It’s exciting - and educational - at Hamilton Zoo where there is much to explore and the opportunity to see and learn about the zoo’s wide variety of rare and endangered animals from around the world. Daily ‘meet the keeper’ sessions will have your children enthralled and entertained.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a treasure trove of native wildlife and ancient forest that’s as close to the pre-human environment as you’ll find anywhere else in New Zealand. First declared a nature reserve in 1912, Sanctuary Mountain is protected with one of the longest conservation fences in the world. Walking trails weave through the trees and undergrowth and there’s a canopy viewing tower for a birds-eye view of it all. The mountain is home to a variety of birds, bats, frogs, lizards and insects - spot the tuatara anyone, or the weta?

Water activities

The mighty Waikato River and Lake Karapiro, home of competitive rowing and exciting waka ama racing, ensure plenty of opportunities for a great family day out on the water. If your kids are a bit young yet to paddle their own kayak, there are Camjet jet boat trips and leisurely boat cruises.

And if your preference is to enjoy the water but not get into it, there are walkways and cycle tracks that hug the banks of the river and lake, and provide great views with lots of places to stop off for a picnic or refuel at a nearby café.

Note: If you’re going to Karapiro, for some great views and an interesting learning experience, take the kids across Karapiro Dam, constructed in 1947 as part of the hydroelectric power station that still generates electricity today.

Surfing is at the heart of Raglan and visiting tweens and teens can be sure of plenty of fun in the water safely learning some surfing basics from qualified and experienced instructors at Raglan Surf School. Another way to enjoy the water is to hire a kayak from Raglan Kayak and explore the limestone coastline or the nooks and crannies of the harbour. Raglan has a range of family-friendly accommodations and some excellent child-friendly places to eat.

Middle-earth Movie Magic

There’s no better place to see first-hand the magic that is the stuff of the middle-earth movies, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. In the heart of lush green countryside near Matamata is where Hobbiton™ Movie Set is located. Here on a fun - and fact-filled tour you and the kids will see the hobbit holes tucked into the hillside, where Bilbo and Froddo and friends lived, and learn about a significant part of New Zealand’s film history.

Other middle-earth filming locations in the Waikato include Port Waikato, the location of Weathertop Hollow.

The Great Outdoors

Above ground you will find family friendly walking trails such as Taitua Arboretum, along with farm parks, farm shows and great dining options.

To the west of Huntly at Pukemiro Railway Station there’s a dream-come-true for kids - and adults - with a fascination for trains, in this case the old huffing, puffing steam trains and old diesel locomotives that were once a common sight as they hauled freight and passengers around the country. Thanks to dedicated the volunteers of the Bush Tramway Club, on the first Sunday of each month, visitors can ride the Glen Afton Line Heritage Railway aboard restored trains on restored lines.

Across the Waikato are plenty of playgrounds for the younger ones to explore - here’s a handy list of playgrounds

Although a degree of fitness is a prerequisite for some of the great walking and cycling trails to be found throughout the Waikato region, there are walks that are stroller friendly and suitable for energetic youngsters.

Head to Hamilton Gardens with the family and keep the kids entertained on an enchanting journey through the Enclosed Gardens with a kid’s activity sheet. Discover the wonder of the gardens, tackle fun tasks and uncover hidden gems along the way. Upon completion, adventurers will gain their official Garden Bud or Garden Ranger badge. Collect your kid’s activity sheet from the Gallagher Visitor Centre, free with entry to the Enclosed Gardens.

At the gardens and at nearby Hamilton Lake there are idyllic spots to enjoy a picnic, buy ice creams, see the birdlife and even walk the dog (on a leash of course).

A quick trip from Hamilton takes you to The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum, where you can enjoy an Out of the Box family game that turns the park into a life-sized game board. Solve clues and uncover mysteries as you explore over 100 sculptures nestled in stunning gardens.

Just south of the Bombay Hills in northern Waikato is Hampton Downs, the home of motor sport action. As well as watching the pros, there’s the chance to get behind the wheel and race around the track or go go-karting.

Indoor Fun

Wet days can sometimes be a bit of a challenge when you’re on holiday with children, but luckily the Waikato has the answer in a range of indoor attractions.

SkyCity Hamilton provides hours of family entertainment all under one roof, with tenpin bowling, an escape room and cafes and restaurants to refuel afterwards.

Also in Hamilton there’s Waikato Museum which specialises in making learning fun. Inquisitive children of all ages can spend happy hours in total absorption in the Exscite interactive science gallery. Meanwhile, the changing exhibitions bring the Waikato’s many and varied stories to life, with a focus on the region’s rich culture and engaging hands-on experiences.

Morrinsville Art Gallery is a fantastic indoor activity for families, offering a welcoming space to explore vibrant local and contemporary artworks. It’s the perfect way to spend a rainy day while enjoying quality time together.

Some energy to burn off? Take the kids to an indoor trampoline park, or drive them up the wall at Extreme Edge Hamilton which specialises in child-centred rock climbing, or head for some exhilarating karting on purpose-built indoor tracks at Blastacars Hamilton.

A warm welcome awaits families in the Waikato, the picture-perfect place to make memories for generations to come.