What to Do with Kids in New Zealand
Adults can find plenty of things to do when they visit New Zealand. From outdoor adventure to cruises on sailboats to the nightlife in the City, New Zealand has plenty to offer adults. Many adults can enjoy these things, but they have something else to worry about. You may wonder if New Zealand has as much to offer the kids as it does the adults. For sure, you will not be disappointed about what you are able to find out.
8 Things to Do in New Zealand
1. Beaches
There are plenty of beaches that can be found in New Zealand. Kids love to play in the water or build castles in the sand. Parents can choose to take the kids to one of the secluded coves for privacy or they can go to some of the bigger beaches where more people are around. Kids can also enjoy all of the water activities or they can take a horseback ride in the sand. Of course, the parents are welcome to join in on the fun.
2. Sky Tower
This tower is the tallest man-made structure in the Southern Hemisphere. It is part of the area in Auckland known as SkyCity. Visitors to Sky Tower can enjoy a 360° panoramic view that allows them to see things 80 km away or more. They will also find more than 20 restaurants, cafes, and bars. While the kids enjoy the view from the tower, the parents can try their luck at the casino.
3. Museums
Visitors to Auckland will find several great museums to take the kids to. Auckland museum offers a look at the history and culture of New Zealand. MOTAT offers a peek at how technology had the changes through the years as affected life in New Zealand. The Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum allows visitors to discover the history of the ocean, sailing, and anything else maritime-related in New Zealand.
4. Rainbows End
There is one thing that every kid will enjoy when they visit New Zealand. Rainbows End is a theme park that offers a wide variety of thrilling and fun rides for everyone that visits.
5. Tour Weta Cave in Wellington
For movie fans, young and old alike, this is a cool, quick stop. Take a tour of the Weta workshop, learning the basics of how movie props are made, and getting a brief introduction to digital effects.
6. Go for Mountain Biking in Taupo
Taupo, the adventure capital of the North Island, is very similar to Queenstown on the South Island. Here you can go bungy jumping, jet boat riding, paragliding, and skydiving. Taupo is laced with many trails of all difficulty levels, perfect for kids and family. You can rent bikes and go north out of Taupo, biking along the Huka River to Huka Falls.
7. Skiing
There are plenty of places that people can go skiing in New Zealand. Kids will find hills that are perfect for their skill level whether they are a beginner or an expert skier. SnowPlanet is located near Auckland and offers the chance to ski, snowboard, or toboggan all year long.
8. Sightseeing
Going around seeing different sites may not sound exciting for kids, but New Zealand offers ways to do it that can interest any child. Sightseeing plane trips can take the kids on tours of the volcanoes, glaciers, or other natural wonders that can be found. Hiking trails are abundant and great fun. Kayaking is another method to see the sites of New Zealand. It is just a matter of choosing the best way that the kids will enjoy the most.
What kids can do online in New Zealand?
In the current scenario when the novel Coronavirus or COVID 19 hit the world, there are many fun activities that kids can get involved in learning, growing, entertaining, and more all online over the internet. Here is a home guide to online resources for kids in NZ.
Many parents have given kids access to mobile or tablets to learn new things online and to keep their kids engage when they are at home.
Online and Virtual Classes for Kids in NZ
Here are some of the popular online and virtual classes for kids in NZ to keep them busy:
1. Nanogirl’s LAB: a new science adventure every weekday
Join Nanogirl on her quest to become a science-powered superhero! Subscribe now for a new fun-filled science adventure every weekday. 50 instructional videos and worksheets for your children and a daily cheat sheet and weekly webinar for parents. Perfect for children aged 7 to 11 years old. Find out more here: nanogirlslab.com
2. SCRATCHPAD: online teacher-led coding, robotics, Minecraft modding, and 3D design classes
As featured on TV1’s Seven Sharp, SCRATCHPAD is at the forefront of teaching kids technology. SCRATCHPAD’s fun and intuitive teaching develop life skills such as collaboration, problem-solving and creative thinking. In these precedented times, SCRATCHPAD is running online sessions in Coding, Robotics, Minecraft Modding, and 3D design. These online sessions are conducted by trained instructors and you can start anytime during the year. Learn at your level and pace. Suitable for ages 5 years plus. Find out more & book a FREE online session: scratchpad.co.nz
3. MOTAT Fun: FREE daily activities, videos, and more for kids
Every day MOTAT will share new FREE activities, experiments, videos, games, puzzles, stories, and all the good stuff for kids! Plus there is a dedicated section for parents and teachers too. Find out more here: motat.fun
4. Bricks 4 Kidz: online teacher-led STEAM, LEGO, stop-motion, coding, and game design classes
This online educational program is for kids aged 2 to 13 years to learn and explore STEAM concepts with LEGO. Architecture around the world – teaches History, Technology, Architectural, and engineering principles, with LEGO building challenges. Stop motion animation LEGO movie making. Video game design and interactive animation in Scratch Coding. Build to connect – LEGO building challenge and speech development. Rhythm and Build – Pre-school early learning class. Find out more here: www.bricks4kidz.co.nz
5. TED-Ed: FREE video lessons worth sharing
This platform is working with expert educators and TED speakers though out the world to provide FREE quality interactive, video-based lessons for kids and teens. Find out more here: ed.ted.com
6. Swift Playgrounds
Designed by Apple for the iPad Swift Playgrounds is a FREE app where kids can solve interactive puzzles in the guided “Learn to Code” lessons to master the basics of coding or experiment with a wide range of challenges that let users explore many unique coding experiences. It requires an iPad with iOS 12.0 or higher. Find out more here: www.apple.com/swift/playgrounds
Online Games for Kids in NZ
There are also many online games for kids in NZ to keep your kids busy as well as entertaining. Here are a few of the popular online games for kids to enjoy:
1. Peppa’s matching cards club
Peppa Pig is loved by kids and their parents around the world. This simple game involves clicking on the cards to find the matching one. Not only is Peppa involved, but it helps develop memory skills in a fun situation.
2. Nasa Kid’s Club
For any budding space explorers, the NASA Kids’ Club will be their new favorite site. As part of NASA’s official website, the interactive games teach kids more about the solar system and outer space. In the various games and activities, they can launch off to Mars, take a look at Earth from space, paint rockets and learn more about the International Space Station.
3. The Wiggles’ Sun Safety with Dorothy
In the game, the player helps Dorothy the Dinosaur from The Wiggles to fill her beach bag and get ready for the day. Kids will choose, for example, whether Dorothy should pack a long-sleeved shirt or a singlet. If they choose the less sun-smart item, it won’t work, but if they choose the sun-safe option, they get to move on to the next round.
4. Quiz whiz
The National Geographic’s Kids’ Club boasts a host of quizzes ranging on subjects from animals to comets and meteors to pop culture. Some of these questions had us adults stumped, so you might need to help them a little bit, but they’ll be full of facts by the end of it.
5. The Magic School Bus Maze Craze
This one on the Scholastic website requires the player to navigate their way around a maze in the iconic Magic School Bus and collect escaped animals and plants from their environment. For each item they collect, they learn a fun fact. They just need to avoid the mud piles or they’ll lose points.
There is no reason to fear bringing kids to New Zealand. There will be plenty of things to do these kids from one to one hundred will enjoy.
