Things to Do with Kids in Wellington

Just minutes from the city centre, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is the world’s first fully fenced urban ecosanctuary and one of the best places in the country for kids to see native wildlife up close. Follow the forest trails and keep your eyes peeled for kākā, takahē, tuatara and giant wētā, with more than 40 native bird species recorded in the valley. It’s open daily from 9am to 5pm (last entry 4pm), and the cafe is a handy spot for a mid-walk snack.

Aotearoa’s first zoo, Wellington Zoo in Newtown is a guaranteed hit with little animal lovers. Wander between lions, giraffes, red pandas and kiwi, catch a keeper talk and peek into The Nest Te Kōhanga, the zoo’s animal hospital, where you can sometimes watch the vets at work. It’s open 364 days a year, with tickets valid for 90 days if you can’t fit everything into one visit.

Kids love the ride up the hill on the Wellington Cable Car, which leaves Lambton Quay every 10 minutes and climbs to Kelburn in under five. At the top, take in the view over the harbour, then wander down through the Botanic Garden ki Paekākā, stopping at the playground near the top of the garden and feeding the ducks at the duck pond on the way down.

Right beside the top of the cable car, Space Place at Carter Observatory invites you to ‘come in and see the universe’. Kids can wind through a dark maze of interactive displays, try catching the sun like Māui, learn about Matariki and the Māori names for the planets, then settle in for a planetarium show. On clear nights, you can even peer through the historic Thomas Cooke telescope. Check opening hours before you go, as they change between term time and the school holidays.

The waterfront is made for a family day out. Start at the Frank Kitts Park playground, which reopened in 2024 with a lighthouse, climbing nets, swings and an interactive waka, then stroll along the water to Oriental Bay. On a sunny day, the city beach is perfect for a paddle and a sandcastle or two, with plenty of grassy spots for a picnic.

Wellington’s favourite surf beach, Lyall Bay is a great spot for a run on the sand, a rockpool ramble and watching the surfers (and the planes coming in to land at the airport next door). Refuel upstairs at Maranui Cafe, set in the heritage surf club building with sweeping views over the bay. It’s popular, so don’t be surprised to find a queue on the stairs at weekends.

For an adventure along Wellington’s wild south coast, the Red Rocks Coastal Walk follows the shoreline from Ōwhiro Bay past the striking red rocks. The full walk is 7.4km return (allow two to three hours), but little legs can turn back whenever they like. In the winter months, keen walkers may spot kekeno (fur seals) near Sinclair Head - just keep your distance and never walk between them and the sea.

The national museum is a rainy day hero. Te Papa is free for New Zealanders and open daily from 10am to 6pm, with six floors of exhibitions to explore. Don’t miss Te Taiao Nature, where kids can experience what an earthquake feels like and come face to face with New Zealand’s unique wildlife, and keep an eye on the events calendar for free kids’ activities.

Housed in an 1892 heritage building on the waterfront, Wellington Museum makes learning about the city’s history a real pleasure. The ground floor transports you back to the busy port days, with replica cargo and the sounds of the docks playing through hidden speakers, while the Ngā Heke floor lets kids use tokens to vote on the stories behind mysterious artefacts. Keep climbing to explore The Attic at the very top.

For budding filmmakers and fantasy fans, Wētā Workshop Experiences in Miramar opens the door to the creative team behind some of the world’s biggest films. The 90-minute guided tour moves through immersive spaces filled with armour, creatures, costumes and miniature worlds, and is best suited to school-aged kids and teens.

Wellington’s convention and exhibition centre Tākina regularly hosts family-friendly exhibitions, from dinosaurs to superheroes, so it’s worth checking what’s on. It sits on the edge of Courtenay Precinct, where you can also catch a show at the Embassy or St James Theatre, or burn off some energy at Timezone. For a full itinerary, see our guide to a family weekend in Courtenay Precinct.

Down in Island Bay, the Empire Cinema & Eatery has been screening films since 1925. These days it’s a cosy neighbourhood cinema with a fully licensed eatery, making it an easy option for a family movie and a bite to eat when the weather turns.

No family day out is complete without a scoop or two. Hamilton’s much-loved Duck Island has a permanent home on Cuba Street, decked out in pastel pink tiles, with a cabinet full of inventive flavours that will have the kids pressing their noses against the glass.

Also on Cuba Street, Zelati makes its gelato in small batches at its Tawa freezeria using the freshest ingredients. With plenty of flavours to choose from, it’s a sweet way to finish an afternoon exploring the city.

Tucked away in the Akatarawa Valley, Staglands is a 25-acre wildlife reserve where interacting with the animals is encouraged. Pick up a bag of animal food with your tickets and hand-feed the ponies, Highland cows and farm animals, walk through the kea and whio aviaries, and hop on the free tractor-trailer ride. It’s a beautiful drive over the hill from Upper Hutt.

Upper Hutt’s Maidstone Max Adventure Playground is the playground of every kid’s dreams. There’s a castle fort on the hill, a double flying fox, sand play in the ‘quarry’, a musical play area, a pump track and a skate park, with wheelchair-friendly features so everyone can join in.

A rainy day saviour in Upper Hutt, Brewtown is practically an indoor theme park. Daytona Adventure Park has karts, ice skating, tenpin bowling and a 600 square metre trampoline park, and there’s mini golf too, so you can easily make a day of it.

In the foothills of the Tararua Range, Kaitoke Regional Park is a lush spot for a family day out. Wander the bush walks, cool off in the river on a summer’s day and visit the filming location of Rivendell - a must for young Lord of the Rings fans. There’s a campground too, if you want to stay the night.