Looking for school holiday activities in Auckland? Wanting some fun, free school holiday activities on the North Shore? Bring the kids to Takapuna these school holidays!
School holiday time is finally here! Hear the children rejoice – and maybe just a teeny bit of “yikes” from parents as your brain leaps straight to the big question: how am I going to keep my high-energy angels entertained for two whole weeks? Well, you’re in luck, because our slice of Auckland is tailor-made for fun with kids.
Burn off some of that school holiday energy with a visit to the playground and a hoon on the beach if the weather plays ball. Follow it up with your pick of indoor activity – the young and young at heart will love the games and problem solving adventures at Thrillzone or EscapeHQ. Don’t forget your fuel: coffee for parents, maybe a pick-your-toppings frozen treat at KiwiYo for the kids, and then the whole whānau can cosy into the plush seats of Takapuna Beachside Cinemas for a relaxing afternoon activity. And of course, there are retail treasures to keep both kids and adults happy; read on for more inspiration.
Entertainment time
Enter a world where anything’s possible at Thrillzone, Takapuna’s VR and adventure gaming hub. Thrillzone has activities the whole family can enjoy, including multiplayer virtual reality experiences, laser tag, bruise-free bazooka ball and paintless paintball. If your family likes solving puzzles, check out Thrillzone’s variety of options: indoor escape rooms, VR escape rooms, and outdoor escape adventures that give you the opportunity to explore even more of beautiful Takapuna. Thrillzone also offers KidzClub, a child-minding service that keeps the kids happy and gives you a chance to enjoy some time out.
Escape HQ is also rocking a wide range of different escape room experiences, from Jail Break to Mountain Blizzard, and an outdoor-based Fugitive Hunt. You can even compete against another team in the Mountain Blizzard room to see who can escape the fastest!
Takapuna Beachside Cinemas is a perfect option for a rainy or cold winter’s day. Takapuna’s own independent cinema and all run by locals, it has all the new releases you’ve been wanting to see as well as some old classics, locally made films and specialty films. Some great kid-friendly movies on these holidays are: Inside Out 2, IF, Despicable Me 4, and The Garfield Movie.
Eat, drink, and be merry
Make sure you’re warmed, fed and caffeinated for your exploring by stopping in at one of the North Shore’s many wonderful cafés and restaurants. Step right in off the beach into Franc’s, where the kids can fuel up from the Little Franc’s menu and you can sort out your coffee needs along with some eggs, a burger, or some beachside calamari. Jam Cafe’s kids’ menu features sure-fire hits like eggs on toast, oat protein hotcakes and sourdough banoffee waffles; but before you get envious, don’t worry, there are big-kid versions of all that and more for you too.
In the eatery stakes, Aubergine is stacked with beautiful Mediterranean fare to keep you and your little Energizer Bunnies going, has a dedicated kids’ menu, and a $30 two-course lunch special. The Elephant Wrestler has a Little Wrestlers menu and plenty of family favourites like pizza and burgers, with some great vegetarian options to choose from for the omnivores and herbivores.
Live Theatre Entertainment
We’re lucky to have TWO awesome theatre venues in Takapuna, and both of them have some great live shows happening these holidays, so it’s the perfect time to get your little ones interested in the theatre!
Bruce Mason Centre has had some world-class shows and concerts through it’s doors, but these School Holidays there will be wild animals running around the stage – with Madagascar The Musical hitting the stage from 16-20 July! Join Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria on a thrilling adventure filled with infectious music, sensational dance numbers and laugh-out-loud moments. This high energy production is a feast for the senses, delivering an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. Get ready to ‘Move It, Move It’ to the jungle and embark on a journey like never before. Madagascar: The Musical – where the stage sizzles with excitement, and the fun never stops!
Grab your tickets for a wild ride with Madagascar The Musical today!
The PumpHouse is set on the picturesque Lake Pupuke, and is the perfect setting for a little live entertainment, an afternoon picnic and a wander through the park! And they have just the show for families these school holidays – check out Five Go on an Adventure!
Based on the famous adventure stories by Enid Blyton, adapted for the stage by Tim Bray and songs by Christine White. Oh, what a marvellous adventure!
Julian, Dick and Anne, their cousin George, and dog Timmy, head off together on an adventure and end up having to solve a dastardly mystery. Along the way they meet some frightfully awful baddies and get into all sorts of scrapes. Luckily, our five heroes are famous for getting out of trouble! ON NOW until 20 July at The PumpHouse.
For tickets and more information, visit the Tim Bray website here.
Retail therapy
Takapuna is a shopper’s paradise, even for miniature shoppers. If you’ve got the littlest of little ones, browse the beautiful babywear and gear at Mummumm. Seed Heritage caters for fashionable babies, children, teens and adults, and Vagabond Games is your go-to spot for magic tricks, Pokemon, board games, anime and more. Before you leave Takapuna, be sure to pick up an activity book, game or some craft supplies at Whitcoulls and know you’ll have school holiday entertainment sorted once you get home as well.
Best of all, shopping in Takapuna during June and July gives you a chance to win a trip for two to Fiji!
Simply spend $20 or more in any participating Takapuna retail business between 1 June – 31 July 2024, receive your unique code, enter online and you’re in to win.
Check out all the juicy prize details and how to enter here!
