Indoor Activities
The best places to go on a rainy wet day with the kids in Auckland, New Zealand to keep your family entertained.
UPDATE: While New Zealand is at Alert Level 2, many indoor activity businesses have reduced operating hours and require online booking before you visit. Please check for the most up-to-date information by clicking on their link, before visiting with your family.
FEATURED INDOOR ACTIVITIES
Auckland Museum FREE for Aucklanders
The Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland
Re-opened during Alert Level 2
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm
www.aucklandmuseum.com
The Museum’s three floors tell the story of New Zealand. There is a Weird and Wonderful Discovery Centre that is great for the kids. Family events are regularly held on weekends and during the school holidays. All galleries are accessible by pushchairs and there is a parenting room for feeding young babies. Usually there are free school holiday activities for children at the museum too.
Cost: FREE for Aucklanders; Donation for NZ residents; Overseas visitors: Kids $10; Adults $25; Families $60.
Auckland Art Gallery FREE for Aucklanders
Cnr Kitchener and Wellesley Streets, Auckland
Reopens in late June 2020
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 5pm (except for Christmas Day)
www.aucklandartgallery.com
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, the home of the visual arts in New Zealand. Explore their collection of more than 15,000 artworks. There is a Creative Learning Centre for the kids. Usually the gallery has free activities in the school holidays for children too.. There is a cafe on site, cloakroom, drinking fountains and change tables.
Cost: FREE (Charges may apply to special exhibitions)
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
309 Broadway, Westfield, Newmarket, Auckland
Reopened during Alert Level 2
www.archiebrothers.co.nz
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Think Cirque du Soleil meets Glastonbury. Mind-blowing decorations will lead you through to an extensive range of activities for fun-loving Kiwi families to partake in from dodgem cars to carousels, bowling, mini-rides and arcade games.
Once the kids have worked up an appetite, head to the American-style diner to indulge in colourful burgers, hotdogs, loaded fries and more.
Escape Masters
Level 11, 300 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Open during Alert level 2
escapemasters.co.nz
This internationally popular phenomenon promises a vivid experience where you can become the main character of a captivating mystery. An adventure, where you and your friends are locked in a themed room with the common goal to break out within an hour. To escape, you will need to find clues and solve unique puzzles. A choice of 6 experiences and identical rooms to race in Auckland CBD. There is an emergency exit in each room, so it’s perfectly safe and no one will jump out to give you a fright.
Try the brand new rooms! Can you escape? Select one of the themed rooms, choose your own difficulty level and bring a team of 2-8 people per room. The real-life escape game where every second counts.
Kidz Kingdom and Rainbow Playlab at Rainbow’s End
2 Clist Crescent, Manukau, Auckland map
Rainbow Playlab is open at Alert Level 2 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and School Holidays. Kidz Kingdom is closed at Alert Level 2.
Open every day except Christmas Day, with Night Rides on selected dates during the year
rainbowsend.co.nz
Kidz Kingdom at Rainbow’s End has lots of rides especially for kids 8 and under and is fully covered. Your kids will never forget their first roller coaster or conquering their fears on a new ride. Rainbow’s End is the perfect place for those special family moments of magic!
If you love technology check out Rainbow Playlab, the state-of-the-art entertainment centre with Virtual Reality, Virtual Sword Fighting, E-Sports and Escape Room! Entry is free to the Playlab and charges apply for each game.
Snowplanet
91 Small Road, Silverdale, Auckland
Open during Alert Level 2 from 14 May with reduced operating hours
Open week days from 10am and weekends from 9am
www.snowplanet.co.nz
Snowplanet is Auckland’s only indoor ski slope. Grab your beanies and warm jackets for a fantastic day out, only 30 minutes north of the city. At Snowplanet there is something for everyone; a chilly snow dome to ski, snowboard or snow tube and a warm relaxing restaurant for a bite to eat and coffee with panoramic views to watch all the action.
Call 09 427 0044 | 0800 SNOWPLANET
Bounce and Beyond
10A Kerwyn Avenue, East Tamaki
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm
Reopened during Alert Level 2
www.bounceandbeyond.co.nz
The whole family will have a blast playing at Bounce & Beyond’s indoor playground. There are inflatable slides, obstacle course, bounce houses, interactive games, toddler activities and more. Bring a book, bring your friends, and enjoy a coffee while your little one runs wild in the 1800 square metre inflatable playground.
VR Voom
391-393 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland map
Reopened during Alert Level 2
Open daily expect public holidays
https://www.vrvoom.co.nz/
VR Voom provide the latest VR high quality games paired with custom made 4D motion platforms to create an immersive experience. Anyone from school aged children to adults can enjoy gaming at VR Voom. Choose from No Man’s Land 96, Matrix, Time Machine, Speeder and Sword Master games.
Don’t worry if you or your kids haven’t tried VR gaming before either as the VR Voom team will teach you how to play.
Escape Hunt
495 Lake Road, Takapuna, Auckland map
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
https://escapehunt.com/nz/auckland
Escape Hunt is all about quick-thinking and teamwork to solve tricky puzzles and crack codes in a race against the clock. It’s exciting, challenging, educational and fantastic fun for families and friends in groups of 2-6 players.
Escape Hunt has 5 interactive escape rooms, with 3 fully immersive themes and a comfortable lounge for refreshments. Suitable for the whole family, with no adult themes, gore or scares! You can book duplicate rooms and race head-to-head for the ultimate challenge.
Pah Homestead, TSB Wallace Arts Centre FREE
72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough, Auckland
Open at Alert Level 2 from 14 May 2020
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 10:00am to 3:00pm Saturday and Sundays: 10:00am to 5:00pm
tsbbankwallaceartscentre.org.nz
The Arts Centre hosts a changing programme of exhibitions. There is a cafe onsite where you can have coffee on a covered veranda overlooking the sculpture garden.
Cost: Entry is by donation
New Zealand Maritime Museum FREE for Aucklanders
Cnr Quay and Hobson Streets, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
Reopened during Alert Level 2
Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas Day)
www.maritimemuseum.co.nz
The Maritime Museum is a place of stories, ambition, courage and exploration. Through seven different galleries, find out how the first Polynesian people made the epic migration to Aotearoa, the early European exploration and settlement of New Zealand, right through to our modern-day yachting success.
Cost: FREE for Auckanders
Stardome Observatory and Planetarium
670 Manukau Road, One Tree Hill Domain, Royal Oak, Auckland
Reopen on selected evenings during Alert Level 2 for planetarium shows
www.stardome.org.nz
Observatory Planetarium with planetarium shows, telescope viewing and gallery & exhibits.
Stardome’s gallery & exhibits are open every day and night, except Monday night. Planetarium shows play weekday evenings and weekend afternoons and evenings.
Cost: Space Gallery & Exhibits – $2 per child and $1 per adult
Planetarium Shows – Kids aged 3 to 15 years $10 to $12; Adults $12 to $15; Senior citizens $10 to $12; Family pass $40 (2 adults & 3 children)
AUCKLAND INDOOR ACTIVITIES
FLIPPIN’ FUN
Trampoline Park
19 Fernhill Drive, Westgate, Auckland map
Open during Alert Level 2
Open 7 days per week from 10am
www.flippinfun.co.nz
FLIPPIN’ FUN is true fun for the whole family, where the rules of gravity don’t apply! It’s a spring-loaded, urban playground offering a great time to be had by all. Whether you’re a seasoned adrenaline junkie, or a family with toddlers and young children, everyone will enjoy themselves at FLIPPIN’ FUN. Contact FLIPPIN’ FUN to book Flip classes, parties or your group event.
MOTAT
805 Great North Road & Meola Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Reopened at Alert Level 2 on 26 May 2020
www.motat.org.nz
MOTAT is Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology. Although MOTAT is spread across 40 acres, if you bring your umbrella or rain coat to get the kids between the different buidlings there is plenty of fun things to entertain you inside out of the rain for the day.
Movies
Your local Auckland cinema
Go to the cinema and watch a movie with the kids.
Kelly Tarltons
23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland
Open during Alert Level 2
www.kellytarltons.co.nz
Kelly Tarlton’s showcases over 30 live animal exhibits in spectacular habitat displays, including the world’s largest Antarctic penguin colony exhibit and amazing underwater viewing tunnels.
Their Animal Adventures offer unique and thrilling ‘up close’ underwater encounters with huge sharks, including the Shark Dive Xtreme and Shark Cage experience. You can also head out onto the ice to get up close to our amazing penguins with Penguin Discovery.
The VR Club
33 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland
Closed during Alert Level 2
www.vrclub.co.nz
The VR Club is the premier virtual reality lounge in Takapuna dedicated to providing the best social multiplayer and a wide range of immersive solo experiences for ages 6 years and up.
Live and Virtual Shows
Stay at home to stream a virtual show or see a live theatre play with your family.
Sky Tower
Corner Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland CBD
Open during Alert Level 2
www.skycityauckland.co.nz
Sky Tower is the tallest man made structure in New Zealand at 328 metres tall.
Auckland Libraries
Your local Auckland Library
Reopen during Alert Level 2.
www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz
Visit your local library and let the kids choose their books to take out. There are often fun activities and events happening at the libraries for kids. Find out what’s on at your local library here.
Indoor Swimming Pools
Auckland Council managed pools are closed and other pools are open with restrictions.
Take the kids to one of Auckland’s indoor swimming pools. The Council run pools are FREE for children and teens aged 16 and under too.
ClimbZone, Extreme Edge and Adventureland
40c Morrin Road, Panmure
www.extremeedge.co.nz
60 top-ropes, accessing a huge range of climbing walls, with another massive overhanging wall reserved for lead climbing. There are more than 200 routes to climb at any one time from absolute beginner to expert.
Extreme Edge
5 Waikaukau Road, Glen Eden
www.extremeedge.co.nz
More than 200 climbing routes ranging in height from 10 to 12 metres.
Metrolanes Ten Pin Bowling
Level 3 Metro Centre, 291 Queen Street, Auckland
www.metrolanes.co.nz
Featuring twelve full size Ten Pin Bowling lanes uniquely split into three different areas and two dedicated Route 66 spaces for children of all ages.
Glowput Minigolf
28 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna
https://www.gloputt.co.nz/
Glow in the dark 16 hole mini golf course with buildings, foliage and pathways illuminated with glowing technicolour. The course is completely indoors, so you can always have fun inspite of the weater.
Clip ‘N Climb
Capital Cinema Building, 610 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland
www.clipnclimb-auckland.co.nz
34 fun, yet challenging climbs, that will test everyone. Plus there are 2 additional features, the Leap of Faith and Vertical Drop Slide.
