Auckland for Kids weekend what's on guide
Weekend what's on guide: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018
Our pick of the best weekend events on for families, children and teenagers in Auckland, New Zealand
Saturday Events
Motutapu Snorkel Day 5 years plus
Auckland CBD ferry building to catch the 8:30am ferry to Motutapu Island
Saturday 13 January 2018: 8:30am ferry
Sea Week
Experiencing Marine Reserves Facebook Event Page
Ever wondered what lives under the water at Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf? Join Experiencing Marine Reserves for a snorkel with EMR’s experienced guides and get FREE mask, snorkel, fins & wetsuit hire. See baby parore, spotties, eagle rays, triplefins and possibly an elusive snapper. Safe fun for the whole whanau .Bring togs, towel, sunhat, warm clothes, raincoat, water bottles, walking shoes, a picnic lunch and a torch if you want to explore the tunnels. There will be a 45min walk to get from the ferry at Home Bay to the snorkel site. Reasonable level of fitness required. Register here This event is now full
Cost: Snorkeling is free, but the ferry costs $22 per person. Safe fun for the whole whanau! The ferry ticket is non-refundable and the trip will run rain or shine.
ASB Classic Men’s Week Finals
ASB Tennis Centre, 1 Tennis Lane, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
Saturday 13 January 2018: Noon
www.asbclassic.co.nz
World-class tennis meets New Zealand’s cultural summer scene at its best. Catch your favourite international player on court at the ASB Tennis Arena and enjoy Auckland’s best restaurants, pop-up bars and music line-up off the court.
Tickets: $13.50 to $123.50
Jazz on the Green
The Green, The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland
Saturday 13 January 2018: 2:00pm to 7:00pm
www.takapunabeach.co.nz
Enjoy the afternoon listing to jazz and blues musicians: The Denis Hepi Trio, Jonathan Besser and the Zestniks, The Blue Pearl Band, Lady Sings the Blues, and DJ V. Bring a picnic or buy something from one of the food trucks or local restaurants.
Cost: FREE event
Out & About Beach Day at Lynfield Cove
Lynfield Cove, Gilleta Road, Lynfield
Saturday 13 January 2018: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Facebook OutandAboutAKL
Afternoon of fun traditional beach games, volleyball, cricket, touch, beach races, sandcastle competitions and a range of giant games, swing balls to keep everyone entertained.
Cost: FREE
Music in Parks: Ijebu Pleasure Club, Unchained XL and Aro
Omana Regional Park, Ngahue Drive, Auckland
Saturday 13 January 2018: 3:00pm to 6:00pm
www.musicinparks.co.nz
Enjoy Auckland Council Music in Parks. Be sure to bring along sunblock, drinks and snacks to keep you going through the summer sun.
Cost: FREE event
Nicola Jackson: Paint a Plate Workshop at Uxbridge
UXBRIDGE Arts & Culture, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick
Saturday 13 January 2018: 11:30am to 1:30pm
uxbridge.org.nz
Join Dunedin artist, Nicola Jackson for a fun free workshop exploring some of the ideas found in her exhibition, The Bloggs. Participants will look at personal expression, colour and illustration and paint their own plate design then glaze it to take home. All materials provided, suitable for children aged 8 – 16.
Spots are limited.Cost: FREE
Summer Night Vibes at Rainbow’s End
Rainbow’s End , 2 Clist Crescent, Manukau, Auckland
Saturday 13 January 2018: 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Night Vibes is also on Saturday 20 and Saturday 27 January 2018
https://rainbowsend.co.nz
Enjoy the rides and music at Rainbow’s End Summer Night Vibes. The Kidz Kingdom outdoor area will be open until 9pm especially for children 8 years and under to enjoy the night rides as well.
Prices: Kidz kingdom tickets are $22.Online discounted superpass discounts are $35 for children and $40 for adults.
Saturday and Sunday Events
Trillion Trust FunFest 2018
Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Manukau, Auckland
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018: 9:00am to 5:00pm
www.funfest.co.nz
Free event for Auckland families featuring free rides. Funfest rides include: Hurricane, Round Up, Sizzler, Rockin Tug, Dragon Wagon, Jet O Plane, Cup and Saucer and Kids train
You are welcome to bring your own food, water and drink.
Cost: FREE entry, FREE rides and FREE parking
The Extravaganza Fair
Matakana Country Park, 1151 Leigh Road, Matakana, Auckland
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018: 9:00am to 5:00pm
www.extravaganza.co.nz
The Extravaganza Fair is a unique market/festival across New Zealand. You will find market stalls, arts and craft, food, musical entertainment and kids shows. Watch talented musicians playing sweet tunes for your ears, with kids shows running throughout the day – where your children can shine like ‘Stars’ and get involved.
Cost: FREE entry.
Sculpture in the Gardens
Auckland Botanic Gardens, 102 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland
Saturday 13 January to Sunday 25 February 2018: 8:00am to 8:00pm
www.sculptureinthegardens.nz
Biennial sculpture show held in the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Take a picnic for a fun free family day out to look at the sculptures and gardens.
Cost: FREE.
Workshops on the Wharf
Playspace in Silo Park ( if it’s raining, in the Karanga Kiosk, temporarily located by the bridge hut opposite Karanga Plaza), Wynyard Quarter
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018: 11am and 2pm
www.wynyard-quarter.co.nz
Free drop-in workshops where kids play, make, create and problem solve, at the Wynyard Quarter. On Saturday there will be arts and crafts with Anne Larnach and on Sunday there will be the 3 Ring Riot circus workshop.
Cost: FREE drop in workshop
On Ya Bike holiday experience at MOTAT
MOTAT, 805 Great North Road and Meola Road
Saturday 13 to Monday 29 January 2018: 10:00am to 5:00pm daily
www.motat.org.nz
The On Ya Bike school holiday experience will take kids on a journey into the fascinating science behind bicycles, before diving into the weird and wacky side of cycling.
Cost: Usual admission charges apply.
Latin Fiesta Auckland Live Summer in the Square
Aotea Square, Queen Street, Auckland
Saturday 13 January 2018: 12:30pm to 11:30pm
Sunday 14 January 2018: 12:30pm to 6:00pm
www.aucklandlive.co.nz/event/summer-in-the-square
Enjoy the Latin music, dance and celebrations all weekend long. The food will be delectable and the outfits fabulous.
Cost: FREE event
Saturday and Sunday Events
Bug Lab at Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo, 99 Motions Road, Auckland
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018
Bug Lab is on this summer at Auckland Zoo.
http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/bug-lab
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.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
Tickets to Bug Lab & Auckland Zoo Entry: Kids under 4 years old are FREE; Children $17.50, Student $28.50; Adult $35.50; Family Pass – 1 adult and 2 children $65; Family pass 2 adults and 2 children $95.
Fresh Eyes- Mixit Summer Production
Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson map
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January 2018: 2:00pm and 7:00pm
www.mixit.co.nz
FRESH EYES is all about storytelling, explored through dance, drama and the use of light. Seen through the eyes of young people looking at old and new stories about love, life, the universe and everything. Presented in an industrial shed at the Corban Estate Arts Centre in West Auckland FRESH EYES will use light, dark and shadow as a dynamic platform to illuminate, hide and reveal how a group of young people see and share stories that resonate for them. In the words of the participants – ‘How we see it”.
Cost: $15
Far, Far Away: An exhibition for the school holidays
The James Wallace Arts Trust, The Pah Homestead, 72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough, Auckland
Saturday 13 to Sunday 28 January 2018
Opening Hours: Tues to Friday: 10am to 3pm, Saturday & Sunday: 8am to 5pm.
Are you curious about a world full of objects, figures and places which look unlike anything you know? On your arrival you will receive a passport and stamp, so you can travel to this faraway place. You can use the art activities in your passport to help you navigate through this foreign world. Suitable for kids 2-10 years old.
Cost: Entry by donation.
New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year
Special Exhibitions Hall, Auckland Museum
Saturday 13 January to Sunday 25 February 2018: 10:00am to 5:00pm
www.aucklandmuseum.com
www.nzgeo.com/photocomp
See the brand new photographic exhibition featuring stunning images from the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year 2017 Competition. The exhibition showcases the work of some of New Zealand’s top photographers.
Cost: FREE for Aucklanders.
Yayoi Kusama: The obliteration room at Auckland Art Gallery
Auckland Art Gallery, Corner Kitchener and Wellesley Streets, Auckland
Saturday 13 January 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.
Cost: FREE
The Corsini Collection
Auckland Art Gallery, Corner Kitchener and Wellesley Streets, Auckland
Saturday 13 January 2018 to Sunday 21 January 2018
www.aucklandartgallery.com
From the private collection of the eminent Corsini family in Florence, Italy, comes this fascinating exhibition featuring Renaissance and Baroque painting by artists such as Botticelli, Andrea del Sarto, Caravaggio and Pontormo. There is a fun family trail for the kids to enjoy the exhibition too.
Tickets: Children 12 and under are FREE; Members FREE; Adults $19
Sunday Events
Takapuna Family Beach Day
Takapuna Beach, Takapuna, Auckland
Sunday 14 January 2018: 1:00pm to 7:00pm
Family Beach Day, join us in an all-day acoustic jam. There will be live music, food trucks, and heaps of entertainment for the family including the Ray White Sand Castle and Sand Art Contest at 1pm. Talented local artists will be jamming on stage including the winners of the Takapuna Bar Open Mic and the amazing Hollie Smith. Bring the whole family, it’s going to be a blast.
Cost: FREE entry
Interislander Summer Festival Ellerslie Races
Auckland Racing Club, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Avenue, Ellerslie, Auckland
Sunday 14 January 2018: 11:00am
www.theraces.co.nz
Bring the family with your favourite summer accessories – jandals, deck chairs, sun umbrellas, shorts and a picnic and enjoy the races in a relaxing and fun atmosphere outside on the public lawn. Kids free activities include: colouring in competitions, face painting, sack races, tug of ward, pin the tale on the horse and more.
General admission: Children under 15 years are FREE; Adults $5 per person.
Photography workshop Dare to Explore
East Coast Bays Library, 8 Bute Street, Browns Bay, Auckland CBD
Sunday 14 January 2018: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz
Bring your own camera or device and learn some tips and tricks for taking interesting photos, then try out the techniques in the village green. Print your best shots and show them off in an exhibition. For ages 8 years and up.
FREE event
