Family Friendly Activities in Auckland for All Ages
Auckland's family friendly activities cover rainy days and blue sky days in equal measure, an interactive rugby experience beside the Sky Tower, a maritime museum on the waterfront, a behind the scenes look at movie effects, and easy island ferries for a change of pace once everyone needs fresh air. Most sit within a short walk or ferry ride of the CBD, so a full family day rarely means long travel times. Here is what is actually keeping families entertained in Auckland right now.
All Blacks Experience Guided Tour
The All Blacks Experience takes families through five interactive zones covering more than 120 years of rugby history, a powerful 180 degree haka performance and an interactive training field to test kicking and passing skills. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, the tour finishes at New Zealand's largest official All Blacks store.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Admission
The New Zealand Maritime Museum sits right on Auckland's waterfront, with interactive galleries covering the Great Pacific Migration, Sir Peter Blake's yachting triumphs and the marine life of the Hauraki Gulf. Family friendly learning zones and a waterfront cafe make it an easy half day out, wheelchair and pram accessible throughout.
Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour
The Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour at SkyCity Auckland takes families through three original movie sets covering fantasy, science fiction and horror, with hands on encounters with creatures, robots and dinosaurs. A free souvenir video from the film set rounds out this 1.5 hour behind the scenes experience.
Odyssey Sensory Maze
The Odyssey Sensory Maze offers an immersive light and sound maze experience suited to families with younger children looking for an indoor activity away from the weather.
Rangitoto Island Ferry
The Rangitoto Island Ferry crosses in just 25 minutes to New Zealand's youngest and largest volcanic cone, with a self guided walk to the summit for panoramic views over the Hauraki Gulf, an easy add on for families wanting an outdoor finish to the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is the All Blacks Experience suitable for young children?
Yes, it is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, with infants aged 0 to 5 admitted free and interactive challenges open to all abilities.
How long should we allow for the New Zealand Maritime Museum?
Around 1 to 3 hours, depending on how many of the galleries and interactive exhibits your family wants to explore.
Is the Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour good for a rainy day in Auckland?
Yes, it is an entirely indoor, guided experience at SkyCity Auckland, making it a reliable option regardless of the weather.
Do I need to book the ferry separately for Rangitoto Island?
Yes, the Rangitoto Island Ferry is booked as its own experience, with the crossing taking around 25 minutes from downtown Auckland.
What age groups are family friendly activities in Auckland suited to?
Most of these experiences welcome all ages, with child and infant rates applied at individual attractions such as the Maritime Museum and Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour.
Local tip: pair an indoor activity like the Maritime Museum or Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour with an outdoor finish like the Rangitoto Island Ferry, giving the family a change of pace no matter what the Auckland weather does.
Book your Auckland family friendly activity above, whether that means a rugby experience, a maritime museum, a movie studio tour or an island ferry crossing.