What's on this weekend
The best of what's on this weekend in Auckland for Kids: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March 2018
Our pick of the best weekend events on for families, children and teenagers in Auckland, New Zealand
Saturday Events
Kids Learn 2 Ride: Forrest Hill
Greville Reserve, Forest Hill Road, Auckland
Saturday 3 March 2018: 10am to Noon (Weather dependent)
Auckland Transport Cycling
Learning to ride a two-wheeler is one of those big childhood milestones, and being a part of that experience as a parent is a thrill. However, if you are wondering how to get started, or experiencing a few bumps along the way then check out the #Learn2Ride sessions.Auckland Transport’s team of qualified instructors work along side parents to get kids riding. Whether starting on a balance bike or making the transition to pedals the team is there to help. If your child doesn’t yet have a bike but is keen to give it a go, there will be bikes available on a limited basis.
Cost: Free entry
Smales Farm Outdoor Movies: Moana
Smales Farm, 74 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland
Saturday 3 March 2018: 3:00pm to 8:00pm
www.smalesfarm.co.nz
Facebook event page: Smales Farm
Starting with activities for the kids (and kids at heart) to enjoy from 3pm, then sit back and relax from 5pm enjoying the movie Moana.
Cost: FREE event
Little Day Out – Family Fun Day
Mt Eden Village Center, 449 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Saturday 3 March 2018: 10:00am to 1:00pm
www.mtedenvillagecentre.co.nz
Cost: FREE admission
Out & About Summer Skate Series
Owairaka Skatepark, Owairaka Avenue, Mount Albert, Auckland map
Saturday 3 March 2018: 10:00am to 1:00pm
Out and About Auckland
Grab your skateboard and your mates for a chance to win loads of prizes. Divisions: U 13s, U 17s, Girls and Open
Cost: FREE entry
Kiwi Skate Day
Activezone Afternoon
ActivZone Indoor Sports Arena, 30 Downing Street, Auckland
Saturday 3 March 2018: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
ActivZone Facebook event page
Demonstrations from the Auckland Roller Derby League, Vipers Inline Hockey, and the ActivZone Roller Figure Skate team. Skating and skate hire will be free of charge during the free-skate times on the day.
Cost: FREE
Kiwi Skate Day – Skate the Bays
Watene Reserve, 9 Tamaki Drive, Orakei map
www.skatenz.org.nz/kiwi-skate-day-2018
Skate the Bays for Kiwi Skate Day. You can hire skates from Fergs Kayaks if you don’t have your own and do it at your own pace.
Cost: FREE, skate hire is $12.50 per person for 2 hours.
Skateland SUPER Session
Skateland, 66 Mountain Road, Mt Wellington map
www.skateland.co.nz
Saturday 3 March 2018: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Super session with FREE skate hire, demos and a fun skate for Kiwi Skate Day..
Cost: $7 entry
Kiwi Skate Day – West Night Session
The Trusts Arena, 65-67 Central Park Drive, Henderson
Saturday 3 March 2018: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Facebook event page
Fun skate with demonstrations and games. Free skate hire is available.
Cost: $5 entry, skate hire FREE
Nanogirl vs The Elements Auckland Arts Festival Event
The Civic, Corner Queen Street and Wellesley Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Saturday 3 March 2018: 5:00pm
www.aucklandfestival.co.nz
Visually spectacular and suitable for all ages, Nanogirl vs. The Elements will showcase an adrenaline filled line-up of huge experiments that demonstrate the power of science like you’ve never seen before. With the help of audience volunteers (and lots of safety equipment), you will be on the edge of your seat as Nanogirl takes you and your family on an explosive and educational adventure.
Tickets: Children $22 to $32; Adults $35 to $45
Saturday and Sunday Events
Auckland Lantern Festival Editors Pick
Auckland Domain, Auckland
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March 2018
www.aucklandnz.com/lantern
Celebrate Chinese New Year at the 2018 Auckland Lantern Festival and welcome in the Year of the Dog with friends and family. See the hundreds of spectacular Chinese lanterns, try the delicious food stalls. There is a fireworks display at 10.15pm on Sunday evening.10 useful tips for visiting the Auckland Lantern Festival with children
Cost: FREE entry
Let Me Be Myself – The Life Story of Anne Frank
Sainsbury Horrocks Gallery, Auckland Museum
Saturday 3 March to Sunday 13 May 2018
www.aucklandmuseum.com/visit/exhibitions/let-me-be-myself
Imagine spending years in hiding because of prejudice and hate. Developed by Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the international exhibition Let Me Be Myself – The Life Story of Anne Frank explores how life was for Anne Frank and her family, and looks at the events surrounding the Holocaust and the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. Auckland Museum is the first to host this exhibition in New Zealand as part of a three-year tour supported by The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand.
Cost: FREE for Aucklanders
Vector Lights – Lantern Festival Light Show
Auckland Harbour Bridge
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March 2018: 9:00pm to Midnight
Vector Limited
See Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge join in the celebrations with its first Lantern Festival light show.
Cost: FREE
The Haier Big Hoot Auckland 2018 Public Art Trail Editors Pick
Super-sized owl sculptures will descend on Auckland for the Haier Big Hoot art trail. Over 100 owls will roost in parks, public spaces, malls and libraries, turning Auckland into a virtual aviary. There are 47 giant owls (1.65m) that have been individually designed by Kiwi and International artists. Joining the giant owls are 60 owlets (90cm) – many designed by Auckland school students. The giant owls at the end for the trail will be auctioned off to fundraise for Child Cancer Foundation.Find them all using the trail map within the Big Hoot 2018 app – available to download from the App Store or Google Play from 01 March, and collect rewards as you go.
Cost: FREE
Saturday and Sunday Events
Bug Lab at Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo, 99 Motions Road, Auckland
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March 2018
The blockbuster science exhibition from Te Papa and Weta Workshop is on at Auckland Zoo this summer. Featuring massive 3-D bug models within four magical chambers, Bug Lab is a spectacularly immersive and interactive experience for all ages that offers visitors the unique opportunity to learn from the genius of bugs.
Read about Auckland for Kids visit to Bug Lab here
Tickets to Bug Lab: Kids under 4 years old are FREE; Children $13, Student $16.50; Adult $18.50; Family Pass – 1 adult and 2 children $36; Family pass 2 adults and 2 children $50
Yayoi Kusama: The obliteration room at Auckland Art Gallery
Auckland Art Gallery, Corner Kitchener and Wellesley Streets, Auckland
Saturday 3 March to Monday 2 April 2018
www.aucklandartgallery.com
The obliteration room is a family-friendly installation by one of the world’s most popular, well-loved artists, Yayoi Kusama. Beginning as a stark white interior in December, it encourages you to transform the space with a rainbow of brightly coloured dots. Watch as, over time, a dizzying blur of colour is built up by visitors applying brightly coloured stickers in various sizes to every surface.
Read about Auckland for Kids visit to the obilteration room here
Cost: FREE
Knot Touch at NZ Maritime Museum
NZ Maritime Museum, Corner of Quay and Hobson Streets, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
Saturday 3 March to Sunday April 29 2018: 10:00am to 5:00pm
www.maritimemuseum.co.nz
An installation by Jae Kang that invites visitors to touch and play.Cost: FREE for Aucklanders.
Sunday Events
Ports of Auckland Round the Bays 2018
Start at Quay Street, Auckland and finish at Vellenoweth Green, Tamaki Drive, St Heliers, Auckland
Sunday 4 March 2018: 9:00am to 2:30pm
roundthebays.co.nz
Facebook: roundthebays
One of the world’s largest fun runs and New Zealand’s largest mass participation sporting event, the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays fun run attracts more than 30,000 participants. With an emphasis on fun, the course promises entertainment to cheer you on along the way – whether you’re walking, jogging or running the 8.4km journey from the city along the waterfront to St Heliers Bay.
Tickets: Children 4 and under $5; Children 5 to 15 $15 to $30; Adults $22 to $40
Children’s Day at Stardome Editors Pick
Stardome, 670 Manukau Road, One Tree Hill Domain, Royal Oak, Auckland map
Sunday 4 March 2018: 10:00am to 4:00pm
https://www.stardome.org.nz/show/childrens-day-at-stardome/
Bring your little aliens to Stardome for a fun family day exploring the universe! Includes short planetarium shows running every 30 minutes, rocket launching, solar telescopes and loads of science fun! (Please note that some of these experiences are weather permitting).
Cost: $2 per person
Orewa Beach Kindergarten Ducky Derby
Orewa Beach Kindergarten, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa map
Sunday 4 March 2018: 10:00am to 1:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/299829413874872/
Come along for OBK’s annual fundraiser racing hundreds of rubber ducks down the Orewa Estuary. You can be in to win amazing prizes including an hour flight on the police helicopter, $500 or a two night getaway. Facepainting, food, drinks, games, bouncy castle, raffles, live entertainment and more at this family fun day out.
Cost: FREE entry
Flotilla Whau 2018
Archibald Park, Auckland
Sunday 4 March 2018: 8:30am to 2:00pm
Flotilla WHAU
A whanau friendly event with opportunities for all to get out on the local Whau waterway in a raft, kayak, boat etc or enjoy festivities on land and meet your local community. If you are coming in your own vessel. remember to bring your lifejacket or contact Flotilla WHAU to book a place on a raft at flotillawhau@gmail.com. On shore there’s a Cultural Food festival, games, art and a water slide – so bring your togs, sunscreen & water bottle.
World Sport Stacking Association NZ (WSSA NZ)
Murrays Bay Intermediate School Hall, 37 Sunrise Avenue, Murrays Bay, North Shore, Auckland map
Sunday 4 March 2018: 9:30am to 5:00pm
www.speedstacks.co.nz/pages/auckland-tournament
Fun family event where Spectators may join the sport stackers, instructors and volunteers.. This is the first sport stacking tournament of the year in New Zealand and members of the NZ Black Stacks are looking to record some fast times before heading off to Orlando, USA for the World Sport Stacking Championships next month.There will be a table set up with cups, mats and timers for spectators to have a go with volunteers there to show you how to stack in sequence. The WSSA NZ looks forward to seeing you at this fun, family event.
Cost: FREE for spectators. Competitors need to register online.
