25 of the BEST things to do in the October School holidays 2019 in Auckland for Kids
Auckland for Kids pick of the top 25 fun things to do in the October school holidays 2019 with your kids and teens in Auckland, New Zealand.
1. Visit the Auckland Diwali Festival of Light
Auckland Queen Street and Aotea Square Shore,Ā North Auckland
Saturday 12 October to Sunday 13 October 2019
Event info
Auckland’ sĀ Queen Street and Aotea SquareĀ will be transformed into aĀ colourfulĀ and mouth-wateringĀ spectacleĀ when the 18th Auckland Diwali FestivalĀ takes place.Ā Kids can enjoy the bright lights,Ā energetic danceĀ performances,Ā incredible Indian delicacies culminating in an incredibleĀ fireworks display on Sunday evening. This free, family-friendly event is a highlight of Aucklandās major events calendar, and one of New Zealandās largest cultural festivals.
Cost: FREE entry
2. Take the kids to the fun FREE spring school holiday activities at the Auckland Botanic Gardens
Auckland Botanic Gardens, 102 Hill Road, Manurewa, South AucklandĀ
Drop in holiday activities differ each day, and include:
–Ā Epic voyages adventure hunt sheet
– Make a calendula (marigold pot) Event info
– Make rope from cabbage tree and harakeke leaves and create your own mini raftĀ Event info
– Create a map of a new place never discoveredĀ Event info
– Make a bird kite to flyĀ Event info
– Epic voyages adventure hunt sheet is available to complete after each activity.
Cost: FREE
3. Colour in the Sky at the world’s highest colouring wall up the Sky Tower
SKYCITY, Victoria Street & Federal Street, Central Auckland
October 2019 school holidays
https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/holidays/
Make your mark on the worldās highest colouring wall at the Sky Tower in the October school holidays!Ā Sky Tower unveils its giant 6.5-metre-long colouring wall, 186 metres above the ground. Complete with dinosaurs, animals, magical fairies, sports themes and even space aliens, this will be an exciting new fun event for the whole family. You canĀ bring the kids for just $6Ā each by booking online here.
4. Check out the FREE Kids Japanese Festival – Hello Japan
Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place,Ā Central Auckland
Thursday 3 and Friday 4 October 2019: 10:30am to 3pm each day
Event info
Explore Japanese culture at the Japanese Kids Festival.Ā Watch the Japanese films which will be shown in English from Studio Ghibli and Studio Chizu. Try your hand at the Yo-Yo balloon game, Japanese calligraphy and oragami. Look at the Mangas in the bilingual reading room. Watch the Taiko Drum performance and attend a mini Japanese lesson.
Cost: FREE admission
5. Join in the “Top Secret” FREE kids activities at your local Auckland library
Local Auckland Libraries
Central Auckland, North Auckland, South Auckland, East Auckland, West Auckland
October school holidays
https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz
Investigate mysterious events and check out intriguing reads these school holidays.Ā Bring in your young spies to make gadgets, delve into programming and solve all kinds of mysteries at your local library.Ā Pick up aĀ Top Secret Spy HandbookĀ and the kids can carry out more spy missions at home too.
Cost: FREE holiday activities for kids at your local library.
6. Teach your kids how to ride a bike
Get the kids riding bikes in the school holidays. Learning to ride a two-wheeler is one of those big childhood milestones, and being part of that experience as a parent is a thrill.Ā If you are wondering how to get started, come along to one of Auckland Transport’s bike events in the school holidays:Ā
Kids learn to ride in AvondaleĀ Event info
Kids learn to ride at Greville Reserve in Forrest HillĀ Event info
Biketober in the new space 38HURSTMERE in TakapunaĀ (shown in the lead image)Ā Event info
7. Explore the Auckland Museum at night with the kids
Auckland Museum, Park Road, Grafton,Ā Central Auckland
Tuesday 1, Wednesday 2, Thursday 3, Sunday 6, Friday 11 and Sunday 13 October 2019: 6pm to 8:30pm
Event info
Grab a torch and join the adventurers and suffer a sailorās life on-board, and navigate the southern oceans with Cook and company at Auckland Museum.Ā Discover stories and traditions of tangata whenua as encountered by that first bewildered bunch of seafarers.Ā
Tickets: $30 per person.
8. Take the kids for a FREE swim
Auckland indoor heated pools
Central Auckland, North Auckland, South Auckland, East Auckland, West Auckland
October school holidays.Ā (Please check the operating hours for the pool on the day you are going.)
Enjoy visiting one of the Auckland Council operated indoor pools where children and teenagers aged 16 years or younger get to swim for FREE.
9. Explore your way to wellbeing and learn how animals keep themselves well at Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo, Meola Road, Western Springs, Auckland,Ā Central Auckland
Saturday 28 September to Sunday 13 October 2019: 9:30pm to 4:30pm each day.Ā
https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/
These holidays, through Wildlife Wonders, the Zoo is proud to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, and its wonderful theme āExplore your way to wellbeingā ā WhÄia te ara hauora, Whitiora. On arrival, kids can collect the Wildlife Wonders activity sheet to start exploring the Zoo and the āfive ways of wellbeingā stops. At each stop you can get active, learn, connect, or give (to yourself and others!) and also learn about how animals keep themselves well.
After your outdoor exploration, venture inside to The Domes. Dance to your heartās (and lungs!) content at the silent disco, build giant foam homes, enjoy cool craft activities, contribute to the community artwork wall and support a conservation project, or just chill out!
Book your tickets in advance online andĀ SAVE up to 20%Ā on same-day prices.
10. See a live family show or concertĀ
Choose one of these fun live theatre shows or concerts to enjoy with the kids in the winter school holidays:
The Little Yellow Digger at the Bruce Mason Centre Show info
Tu Meke TÅ«Ä«! at the Herald Theatre in the Aotea CentreĀ Show info
Zoe and the K-Pop Kids at the Bruce Mason CentreĀ Show info
Alice in WonderlandĀ at TAPACĀ Show infoĀ
Aladdin at Hawkins TheatreĀ Show info
Auckland Youth Orchestra free concertĀ Show info
Shrek the Musical at Centre Stage TheatreĀ Show info
PJ Masks stage show at NorthWest Shopping CentreĀ Show info
11.Ā Let the kids try surfing at the FREE Have a Go Surf Day
Te Arai Beach, 708 Te Arai Point Road, Te Arai, Auckland
Sunday 6 October 2019: 9:30am to 3pm. (Bookings are essential.)
Event info
Give your kids aged 4 to 16 years old the opportunity to try surfing when they are young. All surfboards, wetsuits, sunscreen and coaching will be provided by internationally qualified and experienced instructors, from Aotearoa Surf School for free on the day.Ā
12.Ā Go on a FREE guided farm walk of Cornwall Park
Cornwall Park, Auckland Central
Event info
Join Cornwall Park’s farmer Peter to chat all things agriculture.Ā Cornwall Park has rich history of farming and is a unique site to see in the middle of a bustling city.Ā Take a walk through the farm paddocks, the kids (and adults) will learn about the urban farm and get up close with a few of the animals.Ā
Numbers are limited and registrations essential, please email info@cornwallpark.co.nz with your name, contact details and number of people.
13. Go on a heritage cruise aboard the tugboat William C Daldy steam tugboat
Queens Wharf, Auckland.
Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Saturday 12, Sunday 13: 10am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm tours
Event info
Cruise back in time, touring Aucklandās busy port aboard the historic William C. Daldy steam tug on a family-friendly tour. The kids can discover the inner workings of the steam tugboat by visiting the engine room, the heat of the boiler room and the wheelhouse up top.
Price: Children under 2 go FREE; Children over 2 years are $5; Adults $15
14. Have dinner at one of Auckland Night Markets
Various Auckland locations
http://aucklandnightmarkets.co.nz/
Take the family out for dinner at a night market. The Night Markets are in different Auckland suburbs each night. You can find them at:
Sylvia Park (under PK Furniture) on a Monday night from 5pm to 11pm
Mt WellingtonĀ (under Countdown) on a Tuesday from 5pm to 11pm
Botany Town Centre (under Hoyts) on a Wednesday from 5pm to 11pm
Henderson (under Kmart)Ā on a Thursday night from 5:30pm to 11:30pm
Papatoetoe (under Kmart) on a Friday from 5:30pm to Midnight
Pakuranga (under the Warehouse) on Saturday from 5:30pm to Midnight
Glenfield Mall on Sunday from 5:30pm to 11pm
15. Go on an urban playground crawlā
Auckland playgrounds
You don’t always get time to take the kids to playgrounds outside of your local neighbourhood during the school term. Make the most of the spring school holidays and discover new playgrounds to explore across Auckland for the day.
Cost: FREE apart from your petrol or public transport fares.
16. Enjoy a family picnic and playing old time games at Tui Glen Reserve
Tui Glen Reserve, 2 Claude Brookes Drive, Henderson, West Auckland
Sunday 6 October 2019: 10am to 3pm
Auckland Heritage Festival event info
Celebrate 175 years of Henderson as a destination for journeys great and small ā from kauri timber headed east to the harbour to Aucklanders headed west to buy fruit or wine, picnic, or have family days out. Tui Glen, New Zealandās first AA-registered motor camp, will be the stage for the 175 Henderson Heritage Picnic. Enjoy a picnic on the banks of Oratia stream and admire veteran, vintage and classic cars, play old-time games like sack races and egg and spoon races,Ā listen to live music and sample the delights from the food stalls.
Cost: FREE
17. Go to the movies to see a family movie
Auckland movie theatres
Head to the movies on a wet cold spring day in the holidays to keep the kids entertained. New family movies showing in the October school holidays include:
– Dora and The Lost City of Gold Editors Pick
– UGLYDOLLS
– Abominable
– The Angry Birds 2 Movie
18. Go out for lunch at on one of Auckland’s kid friendly cafes
Auckland family friendly cafes and restaurants
Take the family out for lunch at one of Auckland’s best kidĀ friendly cafes and restaurants here.
19. See the planets, stars and constellations over Auckland by Looking Up
Stardome, 670 Manukau Road, One Tree Hill Domain, Central Auckland
Saturday 28 September toĀ Sunday 13 October 2019: 4pm show
https://www.stardome.org.nz
Kids shouldnāt miss out on the opportunity to explore the celestial sights above Auckland simply because their bedtime is too early to see the stars twinkling above the city lights.Ā Looking Up gives you the opportunity to keep the kids happy on this late-afternoon, immersive adventure of the cosmos, which mirrors the real night sky in a 360-degree planetarium dome experience. Theyāll be taken on a guided tour of what to spot in the real-night sky, fly out to our Solar System, visit neighbouring planets and learn how to spot constellations and characters hidden among the stars.
Tickets: Children $10; Adults $12; Family (2 adults and 3 children) $40.
20. Encourage your kids to donate or sell their unwanted toys
Encourage your kids to part with their toys that they no longer want by selling them at a Kids Market or donating them to charity.
Donate their toys that are in good condition to:
– Auckland Womenās Refuge
– Salvation Army Family Stores
– Red Cross Shops
Or book a table to sell their toys at kids market after the holidays, such as the Howick Kids Market on Saturday 19 October.
21. Take the kids for a FREE horse and carriage ride in Onehunga
Starting point: Outside Onehunga Police Station, 126 Onehunga Mall, Central Auckland
Event info
Celebrate Onehungaās rich heritage with a free horse and carriage ride along historic Onehunga Mall. Thereās free face painting and balloon twisting for the kids while you wait too. Book yourĀ timeslot for your horse and carriage ride on the day.
Cost: FREE
22. Climb to the top of one of Auckland’s mountains and take in the view
Choose from Mount Eden, Mount Roskill, Mount Wellington, Mount Albert, OneĀ Tree Hill, North Head, Mount Victoria.
Open during daylight everyday in the school holidays
Pack a picnic and take the family for a walk to the top of one of Auckland’s mountains. Or if the kids have lots of energy, then you could always try climbing a few of them in one day.
Cost: FREE
23. Visit the Huge Day Out at the 50th Kowhai Festival
Wharf Street, Warkworth Town Centre, North AucklandĀ
Sunday 13 October 2019: 9am to 5:30pm
Event info
Enjoy the Huge Day Out at Warkworth’s annual Kowhai Festival which celebrates the arrival of spring and flowering kowhai. Watch the dog shows, walking parade and street entertainers.Ā Enjoy the performances, music and kids entertainment.
Cost: FREE entry
24. Vist the Rainbow’s EndĀ Spooky School Holidays
Rainbow’s End, South Auckland
Event info
It’s thrills and chills with treats and sweets these spooky school holidays at Rainbow’s End. Experience the pop-up walk-through attraction Manic Manor; The Witches Lair (great for preteens and teens), and under 8ās will love the Monster Mash Disco, Storytime with Witchy-poo, and Tricks for Treats in the Kidz Kingdom zone.Ā
25. Take the kids to enjoy a FREE holiday activity at your local shopping centre
Local Auckland shopping centres
Lots of Auckland shopping centres have fun FREE things for the kids to do in the school holidays. Choose from:
LEGO Star Wars School Holiday Zone at Westfield St LukesĀ Event info
PJ Masks Stage show at NorthWest Shopping Centre Event info
Ready, Set, Fun! sunflower planting activities at Silverdale Shopping CentreĀ Event info
Ā LEGO City Play Zone at NorthWest Shopping CentreĀ Event info
