In this live 360-degree experience, the planetarium presenter will take you on an extraordinary tour of the stars, planets and constellations visible on the night of your visit from our little corner of the globe, Auckland.

Be curious, ask questions, look up, and be amazed as you experience the Auckland night sky in ways you’ve never seen before. As Earth moves through the seasons, the view above is ever-changing so you’ll get a new perspective on the celestial sights every time you return.

If the weather cooperates, you’ll then get the opportunity to head outside and look through the telescopes to spot the real celestial sights in the skies above. If the weather doesn’t play fair, you’ll receive a rain check voucher to come back another time to experience the telescopes.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for shows. Late entry into the planetarium is not possible once the show has started.

Recommended ages 8 years plus.

Enjoy the FREE 2km sculpture trail of New Zealand artists at Auckland Botanic Gardens.

The sculpture trail is a perfect family day out at the gardens and a fun way for children to learn about New Zealand modern art.  The 2km outdoor sculpture trail features 20 impressive large sculptures made by New Zealand artists.

Don’t forget to pick up the free Fun Trail Guide booklet for the kids and an adults Trail Guide for yourself from the Visitor Centre before you set off on the trail.

The Visitor Centre is closed on Christmas Day only.

Read about Auckland for Kids visit to the Sculpture in the Gardens here.

Sculpture in the Gardens runs over summer until 1 March 2020.

A FREE fun time for preschoolers to play with big toys, be active and to make new friends on Thursdays.

​Bring your toddler and a coffee and enjoy the beautiful Bayswater park.

The event may be cancelled due to bad weather, if you wish to check if the event is still on please email: julia@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

Please note that the preschool play sessions will not be running over the Christmas holiday period from 19 Dec 2019 to 9 Jan 2020 or on Waitangi Day 2020.

Viist the kid friendly VOYAGE TO AOTEAROA: TUPAIA AND THE ENDEAVOUR exhibition at Auckland Museum.

Jump on board this Pacific adventure where you can sail a va’a around the Society Islands, experience life as a sailor, and the charting of the coastline of Aotearoa.

You and your family can experience life as it was 250 years ago in our action-packed new exhibition. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the world of Tupaia, the Tahitian navigator, high priest and artist, as he journeys on the Endeavour to Aotearoa New Zealand.

With three parts to this exhibition, each with child-friendly interactive activities, we feature the little-known story of Tupaia and the significant role he played in James Cook’s first voyage. Experience life as a sailor, navigate your vessel across the ocean, watch Tupaia’s paintings come to life, and more.

Summer school holidays – Quest of the Navigators activity
During the summer school holidays collect a map from the information desk  and follow the clues to discover what skills, tools and knowledge were used in the pre-digital age, while the kids and you explore the Museum galleries.

The exhibition is on until Sunday 15 March 2020.

A sneak peek into the world of a diverse family. Millie is a single mother of Liam, a boy with Autism and ADHD. Liam and Millie’s world is unconventional to say the least and school well, it’s tricky…

Together with Millie’s sister Sam they fill their life with stories, goddesses, rabbits, song and dance to show you how incredible and glorious life is outside the box…

This show aims to flip perceptions of disability and has been written by Charlotte Nightingale for whom disability is literally in her DNA. As a woman with a chromosome difference she is part of a diverse and unique family. The work is part personal experience and part experiences of whānau for whom like Charlotte disability is their norm. She is currently the General Manager of Touch Compass Dance Co, New Zealand’s leading inclusive arts organisation.

This immersive theatre experience has a diverse cast of professional and youth performers with and without disabilities and an original score from Gareth Pring and his 13 year old son Sonny. The show is performed partly in NZ Sign Language with direction and choreography from Jeremy Hinman. The lead role of Liam is played by talented youth performer Daniel Nielson.

This show has strong language. Recommended for audiences of age 13+

Grab a picnic blanket and sit underneath the stars and watch The Lion King movie in the Town Square at NorthWest for a great family Friday night.  Featuring the voices of Beyoncé, Seth Rogan and James Earl Jones.

Come along and  get messy at the Pop Up Creative Playground: Mud Edition at Myers Park in  Parnell.

This child-led event lets kids take the lead to make and create, imagine and discover with natural ingredients such as dirt, moss, crushed leaves and natures sprinkles.

The Creative Kids Collective are able to put this Out and About event on because of the support and enthusiasm of the Waitematā Local Board.

Get your gumboots and hard hats on and head along to the Mangere Digger Day for a weekend treat with the family.

There will be plenty of activities happening on the day. Take turns getting your photo taken on the seat of an excavator, a truck and plenty of other big machines, play in the sandpit and win some great spot prizes.

Enjoy a great selection of food and crafts from the community.

Please note: The Mangere Digger Day will go ahead in the event of rain, however, if the weather becomes severe, please look at the event link below which goes to the Facebook event page for updates.

The Mangere Digger Day is brought to you by the Dempsey Wood, Housing New Zealand and the Mangere community.

Start your weekend with some super-cool science fun at MOTAT, at SCIENCE SATURDAYS in February with UNDER PRESSURE.

From reactions to rockets look at what it is, how it’s made, and how pressure can help us in the real world. Watch how to blow up a marshmallow, create an expanding chemical reaction, and then finish things off with a bang in an explosive conclusion.

Demonstrations will run at regular intervals throughout the day.

Note:  Science Saturday ; Under Pressure runs on Saturday  1, 15, 22 and  29 February 2020. Weather may impact on location or schedule.

Silo park will be packed with giant wooden games & puzzles!

Come down and put your brain to the test! A pop-up (one-weekend only) park of giant games and fun puzzles to challenge your skills and co-ordination.

Fun and entertainment for all ages.

A block busting few days for the whole fam!

Join the amazing Circability team to play and learn circus skills like juggling, hula hoop, acrobatic, walking the tight wire or ride the unicycle. There will be something for everybody in your family to “have a go”. Our motto is “all ages, all abilities, all together”

Brought to you by Manurewa Local Board and Out and About Auckland.

Award-winning NZ singer songwriter Reb Fountain will be taking over Cornwall Park Band Rotunda with her noir punk-folk style tunes.

The critically acclaimed artist has worked alongside musicians such as Neil Finn, Marlon Williams, Don McGlashan, Finn Andrews, Tami Neilson and Julia Deans. Reb won the Tui for Best Country Album/Artist 2018 for her EP Hopeful & Hopeless, APRA Best Country Song 2018 for the title track ‘Hopeful & Hopeless’ and her album Little Arrows was nominated for Best Folk Album of 2018.

Don’t miss out on seeing this amazing artist perform in beautiful park surroundings. Bring a picnic and your friends and whānau for a fun musical evening.

Public transport, walking, cycling and carpooling is highly encouraged due to limited parking.