Here's how you can keep the kids busy for the SECOND WEEK of these July school holidays!
We’re in the second week of the school holidays now! If you’re looking for ideas, things to do and those all-important wet weather options, we have you sorted with our handy guide on FREE and paid activities.
Plus, to help with the cost of parking ParkMate have 30% off parking from 6 July – 21 July enabling you to Do More with the kids & stay sane these school Holidays!
A way to entertain kids of all ages for FREE in Auckland
Take the kids to Milford Shopping Centre for FREE Bricks 4 Kidz Lego Workshop/ Here kids can get creative with Lego on until 12.45pm. To make this a longer day out our recommendation is to park at Takapuna and take them along the golden mile walk along the beach front where you can walk from Takapuna to Milford, this will burn some energy off before they get creative with Lego! You can then get the bus back to Takapuna for a fun day out experience.
Best Carparks: The Hustmere Road carpark (Takapuna) or Milford Shopping Centre for (Milford parking)
Take the kids to the Auckland Museum where the team are hosting their Weird & Wonderful Weekends! The kids will have the opportunity to get in amongst crafts, storytelling and songs all while you can grab a coffee at the cafe while they stay busy creating till their hearts are content!
Best carparks: Parnell Road (Lower & Upper), 80 Broadway
Story time at Maritime Museum - one for little ones every Friday at 10:30 the Maritime Museum hosts story time perfect for little ones up to the age of 6. The stories are all based around the sea with interactive songs and dance. We’d recommend arriving early and getting a coffee and treat from the café, with free fluffies for little ones with any coffee purchased. You could then walk up to Movenpick for an extra treat.
Best carparks: Princes Wharf, Viaduct Carpark.
Other free Auckland events:
What: Heard Park After Dark on until 21st July at 5>30am
Where: Heard Park
Best carparks: 8 Heather Street, 290 Parnell Road, St Georges Bay Road
What: July School Holidays Brilliant Birds on dally until the 18th July at 10am.
Where: NZ Maritime Museum
Best carparks: Princes Wharf, Viaduct Carpark.
Auckland cost-friendly events:
Five go on an Adventure – step back in time and enjoy an Enid Blyton classic as Tim Bray adapts this classic for theatre. Perfect for kids ages 5- 10 years old, this show will remind us that fun, friendship and courage will always win the day. Join Julian, Dick, Anne and their cousin George and of course Timmy the dog for this terrific tale on at The Pump House in Takapuna
Best carparks: The Hustmere Road carpark, Como Street carpark, Takapuna Police,
Aotea Square Ice Rink: Get your skates on everyone! Aotea Square is bringing back the ice-skating rink that everyone has said is their favourite past time during the Winter school holidays! Friday nights the kids can enjoy some iconic beats from the DJ, or if they bring their student I.D they can get a sweet discount upon entry! Let the kids burn some energy while you watch from the sides or send the older ones on their own with friends for the day so you can enjoy a quiet household. Either way this is an event that needs to be on your list!
Best carparks: 89 Greys Ave, St Matthews, 450 Queen Street
Other paid Auckland events:
Weta Workshop: Create your own Family Cres
Best carpark: Finance Centre, Elliott Street
July School Holidays – Brilliant Seabirds
Best carparks: Princes Wharf, Viaduct Carpark.
Nature by Night Tours
Where: Sylvan Park
Best carparks: The Milford Shopping Centre Carpark
Night at Auckland Museum
Where: Auckland Museum
Best carparks: Parnell Road (Lower), Parnell Road (Upper), 80 Broadway
A way to entertain kids of all ages for FREE in Wellington
If you’ve got little ones, head to Topsy Turvey Play Space for Under 5s on in central Wellington at Capital E at 4 Queens Wharf/. Designed for 0 –5 years olds Topy Turvey is a play event for little ones to explore their senses with their hands, feet, eyes and ears! The space is open from 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Best carparks: Queens Wharf, VSPC, HSBC Tower
Get out and about cycling – the school holidays are a great time to explore with bikes and don’t just think local, if you have a bike rack it’s a great opportunity to load the bikes and explore a new area or park. We’d recommend cycling along Oriental Bay in Wellington.
Best carparks: Chaffers Street, Lower Tory Street, 25a Taranaki Street
Other Free WLG Activities:
Visit Tots to Teens for more school holiday ideas. ok at this website for ideas:
Wellington cost-friendly events:
Get your skates on everyone! The Wellington Ice Rink is back for Winter and perfect the school holidays. Wednesday nights are student nights and the kids can enjoy some iconic beats from the DJ, or if they bring their student I.D they can get a sweet discount upon entry! Let the kids burn some energy while you watch from the sides or send the older ones on their own with friends for the day so you can enjoy a quiet household. Either way this is an event that needs to be on your list!
Best carparks: Queens Wharf, VSPC, HSBC Tower
For older kids, take them to a show they won’t forget, The International Grand Magic Show. The show will feature never before seen magic creations and illusions, escapes and even a little comedy as 4 top Magicians bring lots of sparkle which will have your little ones on the edge of their seats.
Best carparks:
Best carparks: 25a Taranaki Street, Bond Street, Lombard
For a morning of learning take the kids to Capital E for their Let’s get Digital: 3D Game Design. Here kids can take part in a 2 hour workshop to create a complex virtual game of their own design and design challenges and puzzles inside the game. The event takes place at Quen Wharf.
Best Carparks: Queens Wharf, VSPC, HSBC Tower
Other paid Wellington events:
Where: Escape Rooms Wellington, 118 Tory Street, Wellington
Best carparks: 29 Marion Street, Marion Street, Ghuznee Street
A way to entertain kids of all ages for FREE in Christchurch
For a fun day activity, take the kids to Chch Botanic Gardens, where you can walk around the gardens, take a picnic and take a football! There is also a free event on over the holidays Gnome Quest, Here you need to find the 12 gnomes who have been on holiday and are hiding in the Botanical Gardens. Even better there is a prize pack up for grabs if you can find them all. The event is on daily until the 21st July.
Best carparks: Tu Waka Waipapa, 56 Worcester Boulevard, 63 Worcester Boulevard,
For a winter warmer option head to Cosy Storytimes. This is a great wet weather option and perfect for ages 7 -12 years old. At his free event kids can get cosy with blankets a hot chocolate and listen to a chapter from various kids favourite books.
Best carparks: 3 Abros Place, 567 Wairakei Road (Please note both carparks are ParkMate only)
Christchurch cost-friendly events:
What kid doesn’t love Puss in Boots. On at Colombo Lodge, you can take the kids to a live theatre show of everyone's favourite and funny story tale. The event is on from the 6th July – 21st July at 11am – 12pm.
Best carparks: The Beckenham Baptist Church
For ballet lovers take the kids to a watch a magical tale with A Fairy’s Tale on the 17th July! This tale tells the story of love, fairy’s, witches, friendship and a boy called Jamie all to beautiful ballet and amazing costumes.
Best carparks: 36 Bath Street, 237 Moorhouse Ave, 20 Welles Street, 81 Manchester Street
Take the kids to the theatre adaption of the classic tale The Little Mermaid. Here the Disney classic will come alive with the talented performers from Ōtautahi Christchurch. For tickets and more information click here.
Best Parking: The CDHB Park n Ride carpark
Other paid Wellington events:
What: Puss in Boots.
Where: Colombo Lodge
Best carparks: The Beckenham Baptist Church
