See the props, gadgets and movie magic at Weta Workshop Studio Tours. If you are visiting in the school holidays they have school holiday workshops for the kids too.

The Maranui Cafe at the Maranui Surf Life Saving Club is a fun place for lunch.  Plus there is a fun playground on the beach.

Space Place shares the stories of the southern skies through multimedia exhibits, interactive galleries and exhibits. See the historic Thomas Cooke telescope and watch a show in the full-dome planetarium.

Start at Frank Kitts Park with the light house slide and art sculptures. If you are there on a Saturday you will find a market on too.  Further down the waterfront  you will come accross a skate park at Waitangi Park. If you keep walking you will get to Oriental Bay Park.  In summer the kids can swim at Oriental Bay if you bring their togs too.

Wellington Museum is a another free museum which is great for kids that shares the stories of the Wellington region in a heritage 1892 building.   Kids will enjoy pretend playing in the Wellington store fronts in the late 1800s, playing in the rowboat while watching the ship wreck movie. Don’t miss The Attic where the steampunk-styled exhibit space has lions and flying saucers.  Wellington Museum shares the fascinating stories of the Wellington region. All housed within the beautiful 1892 heritage building designed by leading architect Frederick de Jersey Clere.

Visit Island Bay Education Centre in the middle of Taputeranga Marine Reserve on the shores of the Cook Straight.  It feels like a million miles away from Wellington, but its only 6km from the city centre. Kids will learn about New Zealand’s marine environments with the touch ponds, octupus and more.  The centre is only open on Sundays. 

Explore Cuba Street’s colourful shops and cafes.. Take a photo with Wellington’s famous bucket fountain. Keep a look out for the street entertainers too.