School Holiday Fun

  1. Visitors
  2. Things to do
  3. Family Fun
  4. School Holidays
Discover something new and explore the hidden gems of the Waikato with your family this Spring! It's just magic!

Accommodation

From Out Of Town? From inner city hotels and motels to lodges and holiday parks, the region boasts a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes.
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Hamilton Airport

From Out Of Town? With direct flights daily from Wellington, Christchurch and more, it's easy for the extended family to fly to the Waikato for a visit.
Hamilton Airport

Waikato Hot Deals

Grab a deal or discount on everything from activities & entertainment to accommodation and dining in the Waikato region.
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School Holiday Events

28 September - 13 October: Hamilton Gardens.
Embark on an enchanting journey through Hamilton Gardens these school holidays, with a new kid’s activity sheet. Discover the wonder of the Enclosed Gardens, tackling fun tasks and uncovering hidden gems along the way. Upon completion, adventurers will gain their official Garden Bud or Garden Ranger badge. More information

28 September - 13 October: Exscite - Waikato Museum
Exscite is a hands-on space where tamariki can play and learn through tactile and immersive surroundings. More information

28 September - 13 October: Kids Go Free - Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
Come on a hīkoi with your family, look for the spring flowers and new growth, enjoy being surrounded by spring birdsong, have a go at some of our kids activity sheets, or simply enjoy spending time in the forest together. More information

28 September - 13 October: Children $59 on The Limestone Express Holiday Special
Looking for a fun and exciting way to connect with your kids these school holidays? Join us on the Limestone Express, where you’ll paddle through an ancient seabed, exploring Raglan’s stunning natural wonders together. This unique guided kayak tour is a perfect chance for families to bond while discovering breathtaking pancake rock formations and learning about our vibrant cultural history and wildlife.
Our special school holiday deal makes it even easier to get outdoors—kids 16 and under can join the adventure for just $59 (reduced from $79), while adults paddle for $99. Give your children the gift of exploration, fresh air, and a sense of wonder as you enjoy this unforgettable experience in nature! More information

30 September - 11 October: Bricks4Kidz Hamilton
Looking for a creative and exciting way to keep your kids entertained these school holidays? Join us at Bricks4Kidz Hamilton for our Oct 2024 Holiday Program. More information

28 September - 13 October: School Holidays Special - Thundercross Valley Dirt Bike Park
Book any two hire bikes or packages & receive a $100 discount; using the code SKLHOLS. More information

28 September - 13 October: School Holiday Fun with Raftmaking Challenge - The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
Visit the Park these October school holidays and take up the challenge. Work together to create a raft to float on the pond then take a photo and send in your entry to info@sculptiurepark.co.nz. More information

2 - 11 October: DIY October School Holiday Sessions (in-store) - Hoops & Scoops.
Enjoy a delicious, fun-filled time with friends & family as you get creative decorating your own donuts & ice cream! Here in the heart of Te Awamutu. More information

30 September - 13 October: Camjet Kids Party Adventure - Camjet Cambridge.
CamJet is holding an Extreme Kids Party deal as a one-time-only offer during the school holidays. This is the way to tick adventure, excitement and adrenalin off the list all at once, at a great rate. The base cost of $220.00 includes 1x adult, 2x children and you can add extra children for $40.00 each. More information

30 September - 13 October: Go Kart Special - Hampton Downs
Go Kart track is open 7 days these School Holidays! Take on a kart circuit with these awesome weekday deals: 1 session for $45 - use code: HOLIDAY45. 2 sessions for $79 - use code: HOLIDAY79
Every Monday - Thursday these Holidays. Online bookings only. More information 

30 September - 13 October: School Holiday Programme - The Pottery Studio Hamilton
Let the kids get their hands dirty (in a good way!) at our super fun and creative pottery workshops. They’ll play with clay, get messy, and shape their wild ideas into something cool and unique. More information

30 September - 13 October: Free School Holiday Events - Waikato District Library
Lots of fun to be had at your local library this Spring school holidays. More information

5 October: Garden Place Movie Night-Barbie -
Garden Place, Hamilton
Come and enjoy Barbie on the big screen in Garden Place these school holidays. Treats and Barbie photo box from 6.30pm. Movie starts at 7.30pm. More information

30 September - 13 October: School Holidays Special - Restaurant on Alma, Novotel Tainui Hamilton
Treat the family to a pizza night these school holidays: pizza, fries, sundaes & drinks for 4 for $65 (Ts&Cs apply). More information

4 - 6 October: Wendy - The Peter Pan Musical - Clarence St Theatre 
The National Youth Theatre brings you the Hamilton premiere of Wendy - The Peter Pan Musical at Clarence St Theatre 4-6 October. A reimagining of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, this October hot off the heels of last year’s highly successful Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. More information

28 September - 13 October: Breakfast Fun School Holiday Special - Maakona ibis Hamilton Tainui.
Treat the whole family to our delicious buffet breakfast these school holidays and let the kids go while with our interactive pancake-making station, complete with toppings galore. More information

28 September - 11 October: School Holiday Fun programme - Hamilton Pools - Waterworld and Gallagher Aquatic Centre
What better way to start the school holidays than with half price hydroslides at Waterworld and an inflatable race at Gallagher Aquatic Centre. More information

30 September - 11 October: School Holidays Fun - Hamilton City Libraries
Join us for fun activities including art classes, paper craft workshops, sustainable crafting, scratch coding, chess, Reading Buddies, Biketober events and Harry Potter craft workshops. More information

30 September - 13 October: $10 Movie Ticket - Lido Cinema Hamilton
Looking for something to do, enjoy a family trip to the cinema at a great price. $10 tickets - 4 great movies to choose from. More information

30 September - 13 October: School Holiday Fun - Confinement Hamilton
Confinement is open for extended hours during all school holidays, so join Confinement for an exciting indoor or outdoor adventure. Explore a variety of mind-bending games suitable for various ages and skill levels. More information

30 September - 3 October: School Holiday Programme - Waikato Society of Arts
Exciting school holiday programme for 12–17 year-olds these October holidays. More information

30 September - 13 October: School Holidays Cupcake classes where - Sweet Pea Parties
Book your kids in for some creative fun with our School Holidays Cupcake classes where they will get hands-on and creative decorating 6 delicious cupcakes with buttercream, fillings, sprinkles and lollies. More information

30 September - 13 October: School Holiday Programs - Cornerstone Alpaca Farm
Going to the farm is a cool experience for any student and by going to an Alpaca Farm, students can learn and experience a rare animal they may not be familiar with. More information

Top Activities

top pick Des Frith
from
$140
Tamahere

Tieke Golf Estate

Designated as one of New Zealand’s Marquee golf courses by Golf New Zealand, Tieke Golf Estate opened to visitors in 2022 and has quickly become one of New Zealand's most sought-after golf experiences. Crafted out of sand from the original riverbed of New Zealand’s mightiest river, The Waikato River. Tieke uses the natural river sand, fine fescue turf, creeping bent grass putting surfaces, and a sensational design to provide a wonderful golfing experience for all levels of golfer. Tieke provides a special blend of links and private valley golf, leaving a feeling that you are the only golfers on the course. After your golf, relax at our renowned Tieke Café and Bar and enjoy the panoramic views of the golf course.
top pick Hobbiton Movie Set
from
$120
Matamata

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

Experience Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Your guided tour starts with a drive through our picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Journey past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, including the iconic Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, before arriving at Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home. Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will enjoy a complimentary, exclusive beverage Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range to conclude your Middle-earth adventure.
top pick SkyCity Hamilton
Free
Hamilton

SkyCity Hamilton

SkyCity Hamilton is situated inside the former Chief Post Office, in a building designed to maximise a superb riverside location on the banks of the Waikato River. With a range of dining and entertainment outlets, including EATBurger - voted the Waikato's best burger and The Local Taphouse - the first Good George bar in the CBD, there is something for everyone at SkyCity Hamilton! Enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of the Main Gaming Floor with over 300 gaming machines and 23 table games (R20 to enter the casino) or strike up a little competition on level two with Hamilton's only bowling alley, Bowl and Social, a world-class venue offering non-stop fun and state of the art technology!
top pick Natasha Halliday
from
$12
Hamilton

Hamilton Zoo

Featuring the largest free-flight aviary in New Zealand dedicated to native birds and plants, there’s always something new to explore. Connect with the animals up close and learn more about their counterparts in the wild and how you can make a difference to their survival. Hamilton zoo plays an important role in connecting people with nature and conservation, providing fun experiences that inform and educate visitors, and participate in breeding programmes for endangered species, as well as undertaking conservation and research projects and rehabilitation for our precious native animals.