What to do in Takapuna these school holidays
Looking for some free, family fun to keep the kids entertained these school holidays?
Takapuna has you covered. There are so many things to do in Takapuna that are perfect for school holiday adventures – check out our handy list of ideas and places to go!
Takapuna Holiday Hunt
Bring the kids into Takapuna these school holidays for some FREE exploration and fun!
Complete the I Love Takapuna Holiday Hunt to redeem your free sweet treats!
Simply:
Start by visiting the Takapuna Library to register* and pick up a map (anytime from the 10th!)
Follow the map to the local businesses, complete their activity and receive a stamp
Return to the Library and show your completed map to receive your treat!
The trail can be started and completed at any time during the July school holidays (during participating businesses opening hours – approximately between 10am – 4pm).
**Please note that one of the participating business opens later than 10am, but check their window for an alternative!**
One treat will be given per child that completes their map (parental help for younger ones is absolutely accepted!).
The trail should approximately take around 1 hour to complete – depending on the little legs in tow!
Games and Puzzles in Takapuna – at Shore City
This school holidays, bring the kids to Shore City Shopping Centre Takapuna for some FREE fun with POPs Games!
POPs Games will have a range of their giant games and puzzles for everyone to enjoy during their visits.
The games will be located in Centre Court (outside Farmers), and will be free for all to enjoy!
These games are proudly brought to you by I Love Takapuna, Shore City Shopping Centre and POPs Games.
Parents, please note – parental supervision is required at all times.
Visit our Facebook event page for more information.
Introduce the kids to theatre with The PumpHouse and Tim Bray Theatre Company
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
3rd July – 17th July | Show Run Time: 50 mins
In collaboration with the APO and UNITEC, Tim Bray Theatre Company presents a new and exciting addition to our repertoire of theatre for children.
Fusing the classical and contemporary, actors will perform an original physical theatre piece set against Vivaldi’s renowned The Four Seasons performed by a live string quartet. We’re proud to be showcasing the up-and-coming talent of TÄmaki Makaurau by featuring APO Aspiring Musicians and Unitec third-year acting students.
Your children will be mesmerised by the sights and sounds of a live quartet along with the clever, dynamic storytelling driven by the beauty of this much-loved classical music piece.
For more information and tickets, visit the show website, here.
Hit the Stage! with Tim Bray Theatre Company
19 – 23 July | at The PumpHouse Theatre
Tim Bray Youth Theatre is happy to bring Hit the Stage! back to The PumpHouse Theatre these holidays, 19-23 July.
Don’t miss out on an amazing 5-day creative fun roller coaster for your children that ends with a live performance on stage!
Visit the Tim Bray Theatre website for more details and to book.
Get outdoors and play on the Auckland’s favourite beach! (FREE)
With beautiful white sand, large grass beachside reserves, changing facilities and a large playground – it’s a popular place all year round. Add to this its clear ocean waters, many activities and natural beauty – no wonder Takapuna Beach regularly features in New Zealand’s top 10 Instagram spots!
The breathtaking coastal beachside walk from Takapuna north to Milford – known as the ‘lava’ trail – can be walked at any tide (allow 45 minutes each way), winding its way over rocks, along beaches, and interesting pathways, overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and out to Rangitoto Island the entire way. The Takapuna-Milford walk is included in the Te Araroa Trail, a continuous 3,000 km walking track spanning Cape Reinga in the tip of the North Island and Bluff in the South Island. Setting off from Takapuna beach you will see at low tide, by the boat ramp, parts of a fossilised kauri forest, a very rare sight anywhere in the world. These fossils were formed by lava flowing from the nearby freshwater volcanic crater lake Lake Pupuke, and engulfing a kauri forest.
Relax at Monterey Lounge Cinema with a new movie!
Monterey Lounge Cinema have a great new refurbished look, and they bring a little style and luxe to the cinematic experience in Takapuna. Relax on a comfy couch seat, enjoy a meal or snack from their fantastic new menu and indulge with your favourite drink or a delicious icecream Sundae – all while enjoying a classic, or a new release movie!
They’ve got some fantastic deals on for this school holidays – check their website for all movie details, as well as the Monterey Magic Movie Pass or their Small Crowd, Big Screen deals for a group of people!
Indulge your sweet tooth, at House of Chocolate Dessert Cafe & Cakery
House of Chocolate have got your late night sweet cravings sorted! (or midday cravings … or anyday cravings!). The Team is serving up piping hot Belgium Hot Chocolate, coffee and steaming fresh Liege Waffles till 10pm daily.
View their Menu here. Come for visit, serving up both a Savoury Toast Menu and Dessert Menu. Along with Supreme Coffee, and fresh, hand-crafted boutique chocolates – create you own bespoke box from the flavours available in our chocolate cabinet. There are also a range of cakes and slices in store daily.
Re-discover the Takapuna Library (FREE)
Come along to the Takapuna Library these July school holidays as they celebrate the nine stars of Matariki and Taku taiao, Taku tuakiri – My environment, My identity.
From arts and crafts, to movie days, to waiata and rhymetime, to Lego sessions and workshops – there’s something for all young ones at your local Takapuna Library!
Check out their Facebook event page here for dates, times and the schedule of events.
Challenge your friends and family to a challenge with 15% off at Escape HQ!
Unlock 15% off your escape game these holidays!
book online for 3 or more people between 10th – 25th July using the code: SCHOOLHOLS15.
Combine a social activity with interactive adventures and challenging puzzles at Escape HQ players are immersed in an entirely different world. Everywhere you look is a potential clue and a code waiting to be cracked. But hurry, the clock starts ticking the moment you enter the escape room!
The perfect screen-free activity this school holiday – and fun for the whole family!
Head to the Escape HQ website, or give them a call on 09 489 4999 to find out more!
Explore Shore City Shopping Centre
Take the opportunity to visit and re-discover Shore City Shopping Centre!
Let the kids enjoy the Pops Games and Puzzles by Farmers on the ground floor for free, and then head around to discover the rest of the centre!
With its calm ambience, ample undercover parking (including 3hrs free parking!), elegant beach-side feel and select mix of fashion and lifestyle stores, Shore City is a specialty shopping experience.
Entertain everyone with Thrillzone’s adventures and activities!
If you’re looking for some action and adventures for your bunch over the school holidays, look no further than Thrillzone Takapuna. They have a range of Virtual Reality, Adventure games and simulators to keep everyone occupied!
Check out their range of games and adventures on the Thrillzone website, and book online now!
Get Creative at Lake House Arts Centre!
The Lake House Arts Centre has a range of workshops and activities for those kids that want to get a little creative these school holidays!
From baking, clay work, sculpting, painting, robots to movie making – there’s something for every child at Lake House Arts – check out their full schedule and more details on their website here.
The Warrior Within is also holding holiday workshops specifically for girls aged 7 – 12years, where they can enjoy getting creative, meeting others, whilst feeling free to be themselves. As with all their workshops, they incorporate activities and conversations around confidence, positive self talk and aim to make each child feel special, included and worthy, whilst having heaps of fun and meeting new friends.
Check out some more information, pricing and times on their website, here.
