BEST THINGS TO DO IN AUCKLAND WITH KIDS

INSIDE: The Best Things to Do in Auckland with Kids. Updated 2024.

I didn’t love this city the first time I visited.

It felt bland, and a little boring.

But like all good things that grow on you, Auckland is now one of our favourite places to go in New Zealand.

The people are delightful, everything is close by, the harbour views sparkle, and even that upward slog when you walk to the Myers Park playground from the New Zealand Maritime Museum doesn’t seem so strenuous.

Take a look at our travel finds below!

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Table of Contents

BEST THINGS TO DO IN AUCKLAND WITH KIDS

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in NZ dollars, unless otherwise stated

New Zealand’s harbour city with kids is fabulous too.

It’s safe, kid-friendly, and the public transport is easy.

(Kids ride free on the Skybus from the airport to the city too.)

The only downside is the cost of eating out.

You definitely need to make friends with the local supermarkets in New Zealand so you can buy fruit, snacks, yoghurts, muesli bars, bread, and ready-to-eat food for breakfast and in-between meals.

RELATED: Best New Zealand Souvenirs for Family, Friends and Gifts (UNIQUE!)

No.1: Auckland Maritime Museum with Kids

There’s TONNES of fun for kids at the the NZ Maritime Museum.

Seriously.

Every exhibit has a hands-on element, and the kids were thrilled.

Book tickets with Get your Guide here

No.2: Odyssey Maze Auckland

THIS indoor maze experience is not cheap, but it’s a ONE OF A KIND adventure.

We LOVED it!

Buy tickets here

No.3: Putt Putt Golf Auckland NZ

Play amongst the DINOSAURS at the indoor mini golf course in the city!

That’s just one of the putt putt courses in Auckland.

There’s about five all up.

No.4: Time Out Arcade Auckland CBD

This giant-sized indoor games parlour is one of the best things to do on a rainy day in Auckland.

There’s a GIANT claw machine!

Plus, old school arcade games, and so much more.

PS: Check out the Pacman seats!

No.5: MORE Auckland attractions for kids on holiday

Visit SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium to see a unique collection of marine animals
Head up Sky Tower for the best views of the city centre and harbour
Take the kids to Auckland Zoo

Check out the posters around town & the local newspapers for the best local events, live music, free things to do, pop up Auckland art galleries, and outdoor activities – it’s our secret tip for finding the non-touristy stuff.

SHOPPING IN AUCKLAND – SOUVENIRS AND MARKETS

No.1: Best Kiwiana Gifts

You can’t visit New Zealand and not buy at least one item of Kiwiana.

What is Kiwiana, you ask?

Read our guide here, and find a whole bunch of Kiwiana shops too.

No.2: Where to shop for New Zealand Souvenirs in Auckland?

Read our guide to NZ souvenirs

It lists the best places to go souvenir shopping in Auckland, but also around the country.

No.3: New Zealand craft shops

Knitters, Felters, Sewers…. bookmark these posts

No.4: New Zealand shopping guide for arty crafty people

First up, check this round up of the best craft shops & artist hubs in NZ.

This is where you’ll find MADE IN NEW ZEALAND goods.

Hot tip: You can buy pottery Hobbiton mugs from the Green Dragon Inn at Hobbiton.

Take a sneak peek inside the Hobbiton shop here.

No.5: Best New Zealand Food Souvenirs

Check out this helpful info too.

Best New Zealand Candy
Best New Zealand Snacks & Drinks
Best NZ Chocolate (& gourmet artisan chocolate factories to visit in New Zealand too)

Hot tip: Take back some NZ candy, NZ chocolate, & NZ snacks as gifts for family back home.

No.6: Where to find New Zealand Supermarkets?

Read this guide: New Zealand Grocery Stores in Auckland (and what New Zealand food to buy there)

No.7: Best Markets in Auckland?

Check out the Farmer’s Markets on your travels to catch up with the locals, and support small businesses who hand make their goods.

WHERE TO EAT IN AUCKLAND WITH KIDS

No.1: MOTAT cafe

Enjoy lunch or morning tea at MOTAT Araroa Tearooms.

The MOTAT cafe is open to visitors who buy a ticket to the Museum of Transport and Technology. (A highlight of our last family trip to this vibrant city.)

There’s a top menu, and it’s reasonably priced.

BEST PLAYGROUNDS IN AUCKLAND

No.1: Myers Park Playground Auckland

We LOVE this unique playground in the city.

It’s one of the best playgrounds in Auckland for kids.

Combining Art, Design and Play, this award winning playground is up there among the best of the Kids Activities Auckland has to offer.

The design of this award-winning playground is magnificent!

Pop the Myers Park Playground on your bucket list of things to do with kids in Auckland.

It’s definitely worth a look.

Smack bang in the centre of the city, this green oasis of beautifully designed play equipment has stuff for all ages to do.

Myers Park is just 5 minutes walk from Aotea Square at Sky World Entertainment Centre, and the yummy hole-in-the-wall food stalls opposite.

Auckland Art Gallery and Auckland Library are nearby too.

Toddlers and preschoolers will love the animal sculptures.

Can you find the birds, the snail, and the caterpillar?

The play equipment at this Auckland playground is a little unique, a modern twist on old favourites.

There’s:

spinning disks
a giant squash pumpkin slide
toddler swings

And…

giant reimagined “leaves” to climb over and around, and
soft artificial grass to soften any falls.

BYO marbles to run down the spiral marble runs.

Find one on a Flower Petal pole.

This is one of the best Playgrounds in Auckland for older kids and young teens.

They won’t be bored at Myers Park Playground either.

Parkour is the name of the game here, with:

a climbing gym with slides
chain ropes, and
balance beams.

See how long it takes the family members to get around this climbing frame without touching the floor.

Try the monkey bars with a difference.

Watch out – those metal circles move unexpectedly!

Nearby, the giant concrete steps, and the wooden platform with ledges and angled rises, challenge for the most nimble of feet.

My boys loved the spider web basket swing – super LONG chains help it swing super dooper high!

I loved the rubber mat flooring underneath the climbing frame and swings.

Where to eat near Myers Park Auckland

Head downhill to Sky World Entertainment Centre on Queen street, and cross the street to find a row of yummy fast food options.

Or BYO picnic.

There’s plenty of vintage-style bench seating, lush green grass for your picnic rug, and city views to boot.

Myers Park playground – Location, Opening hours

Address: The Myers Park Childrens Playground in Auckland City is located at Upper Queen Street Auckland.

Access from Upper Queen Street, just south of Scotia Place and opposite City Road, via the link pathway to Greys Avenue. The entrance is in front of the Myers Park Kindergarten building.
You can also enter Greys Ave, or under the bridge at Mayoral Drive.

Opening Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Entry Fees: Free

How to get to Myers Park Playground Auckland City

By Bus: Click here for bus timetables

By SkyBus: Catch the Sky Bus from the airport to the City. Exit the bus at Queen street.

By Foot: Myers Park playground is in the centre of Auckland CBD. It’s 5 minutes walk from the Sky World Entertainment Centre.

By Car: Click here for google map directions from your location

Auckland City Parking

Limited on-street paid parking, or try one of Auckland’s parking bays near Queen street. Close to the Civic Car Park.

Toilets: Yes including baby change table (call Auckland Council if there are any issues with cleanliness)
Enclosed: No. Not fenced but surrounded by buildings and greenery.

Disability access: Yes
Picnic tables: Yes
Electric BBQs: No
Dogs: On leash only

BEST AUCKLAND ART GALLERIES, MUSEUMS, AND LIBRARIES

No.1: Auckland MOTAT NZ

The MOTAT museum is one of the best one day adventures for kids in town.

Find hands on activities in 8 sheds, outdoor areas, and other buildings on site.

DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE.

No matter how hard he tried, Ned could not work out how to spin the dial correctly on the old telephone.

His most successful try was with an UPSIDE DOWN thumb!

Watching him struggle brought my mum and I to tears of laughter.

It’s not that long ago that these telephones were the norm, but modern kids have never faced the struggle.

Equally strange, I’d forgotten how long it took to call a friend!

This fun experience is just one of the fun things to do at MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology.

The Telecommunications Shed #4 was the highlight of our visit, with fun activities such as being able to call one another on vintage dial phones.

My mum tried her hand, once again, at the old-school switchboard.

50 years after she’d been given a job as a switchboard operator, with no experience at all, and left to fumble her way through a day of patching person to person, she giggled at the absurdity of it all.

Our day was made hearing old familiar telephone ring tones, and watching the boys delight as they dialled one another on phones 70 and 71.

But this was just the first shed.

Motat 1 has nine sheds of activities in total on this site.

Best Things to do at MOTAT Auckland

Here’s an overview of all the MOTAT activities and attractions the whole family will enjoy.

The first thing you’ll see is the train playground.

This outdoor playground in Auckland is centrally placed between the sheds, so no doubt you’ll be back here again and again if you are travelling with toddlers in New Zealand!

No.1: Whisper Experiment

The second thing you’ll see upon entry is the WHISPER sound reverberation experience.

Send one child to one disc, and the other to the one far away, and let them see if they can hear one another’s quiet words!

Then it’s time to head to Shed 1.

No.2: Get Smart Exhibition

Hall 1 is home to the Get Smart exhibition, a look at the evolution of technology in New Zealand.

Kids can play old school arcade games here, including:

Donkey Kong
Pac Man

No.3: MOTAT Face Space Exhibition

But the most popular part of Get Smart is the chance to take a selfie and watch it reappear in miniature on the FACE SPACE.

Can you spy us?

Look for Jack and I, right in the centre of the pic above!

No.4: MOTAT Accelerate exhibition

Hall 2 is home to “Accelerate”, Driving New Zealand’s exhibition of NZ vehicles from past to present.

No.5: MOTAT VR experience

The boys LOVED this Virtual Reality engine activity, where they could learn about the parts of the engine that make a car go.

No.6: The Pumphouse MOTAT

Hall 3 houses the Pumphouse.

It’s home to the Beam steam engine, a piece of New Zealand’s history.

This steam engine machine was responsible for supplying clean water to Auckland residents from Western Springs back in 1877!

It’s awe inspiring to read its’ history.

No.7: MOTAT Telecommunications Hall

Hall 4 at MOTAT is where you’ll find the vintage phones.

AND plenty of other hands on activities that kids will love.

Let them:

have a go on the rotary phone like Ned did
decipher morse code
answer the phones on the switchboard, and
chat to one another through the phone lines too.

There’s a Print Shop, open on Sundays to showcase this labour-intensive art from yesteryear, making newspapers and highlighting the skill of letter writing.

If you visit, you can take home a hand printed souvenir of your time there.

No.8: MOTAT Firehouse

Take a peek inside the Fire Station nearby, full of a historical collection of New Zealand’s earliest firefighting equipment.

You can read the displays to learn the history of New Zealand’s heroic and courageous firefighters.

See these fire equipment pieces up close:

vintage gas masks
medals
old school fire alarms and more

No.9: MOTAT Machine Makers

Hall 5 is full of fun hands-on activities that showcase innovation for life.

Kids can:

play a video game by jumping on a Springfree Trampoline
play with simple machines and life-size human pulleys
build bridges
make craft
race the wheels
play the drums, and more.

No.10: Design a Robot activity

Kids love the design a robot game too.

No.11: Explorium

Hall 6, the Explorium, has all kinds of science activities for kids too.

No.12: MOTAT Trams Barn

Hall 7 is the Trams Barn full of vintage trams and motors.

It’s the place to learn about the restoration work of Tram Trailer 21, and discover the history of Auckland’s tramway.

No.13: Road Transport Hall

Hall 8 is the Road Transport Workshop.

It’s home to MOTAT’s extensive automobile collection.

No.14: MOTOTS

Hall 9 is MOTOTS, a hands-on activity space for the under 5’s.

There’s plenty of room for adults to sit and watch, so enjoy a bit of down time while the kids play.

Things to do at MOTAT for toddlers

Kids can play with:

wooden airplanes on pulleys
a weighing and measuring balance game with green frogs trying to escape the pond
a shaky bridge to cross

The highlight of this room is the Shake & Scoop activity, where kids crank the wheel and watch the scoop pick up the balls, and wobble it to make them rain down again.

No.15: MOTAT play area for kids

At the bottom of the indoor garden creation, there’s a complex of rainbow light-beam fuelled tunnels to climb through too.

Even my 10 year old loved it!

MOTAT Cafe

Getting hungry as you wander around all these fun exhibitions?

Head to MOTAT Araroa Tearooms Cafe.

The Araroa Tearooms Motat Cafe is opposite Waitakere Station.

The entrance to the historical Cropper House near the Model Railway.

MOTAT Museum Weekend Experiences

Weekends at MOTAT go all out with themed events and things to do.

Every Sunday, the Blacksmith Forge fires up, the Print Shop comes to life, there’s hands-on demonstrations of vintage arts and crafts, and heritage horse and carriage rides.

There’s also random fun, like Science Saturdays and Sundays, Bubble Weekend experience, or Motat Lights Night Light illuminations.

Click here to see the Events Calendar.

MOTAT School Holidays Activities

Check the website for current school holiday activities at MOTAT too.

Arts and crafts workshops, as well as performing arts activities are popular.

MOTAT Events (MOTAT Halloween & MOTAT Christmas)

MOTAT frequently hosts fun seasonal events including:

MOTAT Halloween
MOTAT Christmas lights
MOTAT Movie Nights
The Great MOTAT Bear Hunt

Like the MOTAT Facebook page to keep an eye on upcoming events.

The MOTAT Tram

A return tram ticket is included in your Motat admission fee, so you can get from MOTAT 1 to MOTAT 2 Aircraft Hanger, and back to the parking lot.

Tram stops are situated at:

MOTAT’s Great North Road Entrance
Motions Road Corner
Auckland Zoo and
MOTAT’s Meola Road site.

A request stop is also situated midway along the Western Springs Park edge on Great North Road, and outside The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC).

MOTAT tram timetable

Trams run every 30 minutes, or more frequently at peak times

Please check the Tram Schedule for the day at the Meola Road tram station if you’ve parked at M2, or the M1 tram station (Great North Road entrance) if you’ve parked on Stadium road.

MOTAT trams run between M1 and M2, through Western Springs Park, and past Auckland Zoo, The Auckland Performing Arts Centre and Western Springs College.

The tram ride journey takes approximately 10 mins each way.

For the latest MOTAT tram timetables operating times view the tram timetable at the MOTAT shop.

Shopping at MOTAT shop

The main MOTAT shop is located at MOTAT 1.

This MOTAT gift shop stocks:

a range of branded MOTAT merchandise
a variety of fun and educational toys
science kits
puzzles
Crazy Scientist Packs (Balancing robots, Cosmic Rockets, Thinking Putty)
transport and vehicle models
Aircraft models
Kiwiana gifts and souvenirs

Heads up! There’s a MOTAT Souvenir Penny Machine

Add a MOTAT pressed penny to your collection.

There’s a few different planes, trains and automobiles to choose from at the MOTAT Museum Auckland.

MOTAT, Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology, is New Zealand’s largest transport, technology and social history museum.

Spread across 40 acres, MOTAT is the place to explore and discover the achievements that have helped shape New Zealand.

MOTAT – Location, Tickets, Opening Hours

MOTAT Address: The Motat address is 805 Great North Road & Meola Rd, Western Springs, Auckland 1022
Telephone: The MOTAT phone number is +64 9 815 5800. Freecall 0800 668 2869
Website: Click here

MOTAT Opening Hours

Motat hours are 10am – 5pm
Open 7 days a week (excluding Christmas Day)
Last entry into the Museum is at 4:30pm.

MOTAT Prices

Motat Auckland prices are:

Adults $19 NZ
Children (5-16 years) $10 NZ
Children under 5 – FREE
MOTAT Family Pass (2 adults & up to 4 children) $45 NZ
Overseas Seniors (Non NZ, 65 years +) $10 NZ
Students with NZ student ID card – $10

The MOTAT entry fee includes admission to the Motat Aviation Hall

A return tram ticket is included in the price.

MOTAT Discount Entry

If you are worried about the cost to visit Motat, you’ll be pleased to know there’s many places to grab a discount code or voucher.

The Auckland A-Z tourist magazine has a discount coupon for Motat. 25% off adult admission.

GrabOne
Hello Auckland (you do need to give your email to get the code)
Book Me (search Auckland discounts for all kinds of attractions)

AA Members save 20% on full priced MOTAT general admission

NB: Motat free entry does not apply to tourists.

MORE MOTAT Deals

Annual passes start from $45 NZ for an individual and $95 for a family.

So if you want to visit more than once, this is a good deal.

How to get to MOTAT Museum in Auckland

By Car, Bus or Taxi: Click here for details

Motat Parking

Park for free at MOTAT 2 Aviation Display Hall
Purchase your MOTAT entry ticket here and catch the MOTAT vintage tram to and fro between the two sites for FREE.
Find limited parking for this NZ museum at M1 on Stadium Road and along Great North Road.

Facilities at MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology Auckland

Toilets: The parent’s room facilities include changing tables; chairs; a kitchen sink and microwave; hand sanitiser; and a small ‘time out’ area for overwrought children.
Disability access: Yes. Click here for details.
Closest ATM: Credit card and EFTPOS facilities available.
Closest playground: Western Springs playground is on the northern side of the lake. Access by one of the park’s walkways, or from Motions Road.
Picnic tables: Yes. Picnic Areas are in front of Tram 91 and on the historic Village Lawn at our MOTAT Great North Road, and in front of the train station at MOTAT Meola Road.
Notes: There’s FREE public WIFI at Motat.

Motat Museum Auckland NZ was an unexpected surprise! A MUST DO for families.

No.2: MOTAT Aviation Hall

There’s MONSTER-SIZED planes at MOTAT Aviation Hall in Auckland next door!

Motat 2, the Motat Planes exhibition hall, just a tram ride away.

Be wowed by the giant planes inside the MOTAT Aviation Hall – the MONSTER SIZED SHORT SUNDERLAND aircraft is the biggest one of all.

It’s truly a sight to be seen!

It’s one of four left in the world, and the only complete example in New Zealand.

The Sunderland served with the British and New Zealand Air Forces, in Maritime Search, Reconnaissance, and Mercy missions.

The Sunderland played a central role in medical evacuations, childbirth emergencies, search for missing vessels, medical supply drops, and surveys of hurricane damage.

Don’t skip this family friendly attraction, no matter how late in the day it is.

The kids will be in awe.

There’s so much to see at the MOTAT Aviation Hall.

Giant aircraft and planes, vintage uniform displays, and the odd press-a-button experience to bring it all to life!

All about the MOTAT Aviation Hall Auckland Short Sunderland V NZ 4115

This mammoth aeroplane was gifted to MOTAT when it was retired from military service.

MOTAT are currently raising funds to complete the full restoration project.

To date, the Sunderland has been:

cleaned
stripped and sanded
repainted with a new coating over the body.

The interior lighting and the keel has been repaired, and they are currently cleaning the interior, and restoring the gun turrets.

The tail of the Sunderland has been removed for repair work on the tail planes, fin and rudder.

The entire tail will be reattached to the body of the aircraft when the work is complete.

The whole project is estimated to cost in excess of $120,000.

If you’d like to contribute to the project, give a little here

The MOTAT Aircraft Display

Sir Keith Park Memorial Aviation Display is located in the multi-award winning Aviation Museum at MOTAT Meola Road.

Motat Exhibitions

There’s exhibitions by Jean Batten, and the Walsh Brothers, other collections & engine displays too.

Plus, historical displays of old posters, travel documents, aircraft log books, statues of notable figures, displays of uniforms, Bomber command medal displays, and more.

The aircraft inside this hall include recreational, top dressing, commercial and military aircraft including:

planes that were part of the Royal New Zealand Airforce
the de Havilland Mosquito
Lancaster bomber
flying boats
the modern Skyhawk, and
Aermacchi.

The exhibition celebrates the evolution of New Zealand aviation since February 1911.

Size of the MOTAT Plane Display

One thing is for sure, there is NO WAY that photos can do these airplanes justice.

You will GASP OUT LOUD at their size, just like we did.

Don’t miss the large aircraft outdoor display too.

Things for Kids to Do at MOTAT Sir Keith Park Memorial Aviation Display

There’s a couple of fun hands-on activities for kids at the far end, left hand side of the hall.

Best MOTAT Activities for Kids

Kids can:

play with a giant puzzle of people dressed in Aviation Gear
play with the controls on the miniature aeroplane
dress up in Aviation costumes

Hot tip:

Go upstairs and in front of the lift, there’s a button.
Push it, and you’ll hear the roars of an aircraft taking off! It reverberates throughout the entire shed.

MOTAT Events

Book in for an aviation workshops by arrangement.

Other special events include:

steam train rides from Keith Park and Waititiko rail stations on live days
military vehicle experience, and
rail workshops throughout the year too.

Keep an eye on the MOTAT website for details of MOTAT school holidays activities too.

Motat Gift Shop at Aviation Hall

The main MOTAT gift shop is in the main site M1.

But there’s a second place to buy your MOTAT souvenirs, and it’s just as you enter the MOTAT Aviation building entrance at M2.

The MOTAT store at M2 has a great selection of aviation, rail and military themed models and books, plus another Souvenir Penny machine.

Shop for:

books on aviation
history books
maps and compasses
model aircraft kits
aircraft toys for kids
mugs and cups, with logos and insignia
model vehicles
books by local authors, and more.

The MOTAT Cafe Araroa Tearooms

The only food on offer at the Aviation Hall is a snack machine, and a hot drinks machine.

We recommend heading back to eat at the MOTAT cafe in the historic Cropper House building.

MOTAT Aviation Hall – Location, Tickets, Opening hours

Address: The Motat address is Building 1 MOTAT 2 – Aviation Display Hall. 190/200-208 Meola Rd, Western Springs, Auckland 1022, New Zealand
For all other details, check No.2 abov.

Motat Aviation Hall Hours

10am to 5pm
Tuesday to Sunday
Closed Mondays

Public Toilets: Yes, including baby change table.

How to get to MOTAT Auckland Aircraft Hanger – MOTAT 2 Meola Road Auckland

By Car, Bus & Bike: Click here for details

Motat Parking

Park for free at MOTAT Aviation Display Hall. Entrance via Meola Road.
Purchase your MOTAT entry ticket here and catch the MOTAT vintage tram to and fro between the two sites for FREE.
Find limited parking at M1 on Stadium Road and along Great North Road.

WHERE TO STAY IN AUCKLAND

No.1: Waldorf Tetra apartments Auckland

We stayed in this budget-friendly accommodation right in the heart of town.

The Waldorf Tetra apartment hotel had a self contained kitchen, was super clean and tidy, a no-fuss hotel for families just a few hundred metres walk from the best playground in the city for kids.