Along the Wellington Waterfront & Harbour

Some of he best kids activities in Wellington can be found along the waterfront close to the two main museums.  Take your pick from interactive play-stations, swimming pools, go-karts, kayaks to in-door clown-town and bounce centres. Te Papa has to be one of the most child friendly museums you’ll ever visit. Great for all the family with two cafe restaurant areas. Spread over 6 floors, you could spend the whole day here easily. There are loads of interactive child play-station type rooms. Some have excellent games and activities ranging from playing musical instruments to costume dressing up and playing ‘shops’.

Te Papa Museum Interactive Centre – just one of the many great kids activities in Wellington

If it’s a sunny day, we recommend stopping off at Frank Kitts Park where there’s a super long slide. At weekends you can usually find child friendly motorised cars which your kids will love! There are swings and climbing frames and all within sight of Wellington’s stunning coastline. Make sure you take your camera. Click here for a detailed list of some of our other favourite Wellington playgrounds and parks.

Final lap but who is going to win? Kids electric cars at frank Kitts park

Next up is the Wellington Museum situated close to the TSB Arena. This museum looks at the maritime history of Wellington as well as early Maori and European settlement. There are 4 floors with various interesting exhibitions, especially during New Zealand school holidays. In 2011 the UK’s Telegraph newspaper voted it as one of the worlds 50 best small museums.

One of Wellington’s oldest and most beautiful buildings – The Wellington Museum

Other Great Kids Activities in Wellington

How does the idea of taking your children for a swim suit you? The popular Kilbirnie aquatic recreational centre is especially geared up at weekends when the ‘dragon’ inflatable comes out! The smaller pool for toddlers is state-of-the-art and much warmer than the main pool too. There’s also interactive play area for the kids under 5 called Tiny Town right next door. Older children can roller-skate or blade their way round the gym next to it which is always a bonus.

Alternatively, the indoor inflatable kids paradise called Junglerama  in Newtown has fabulous climbing facilities and jungle themes. They cater for kids parties and the cafe there serves hot drinks and food. If your children are a bit older you can take advantage of the bowling alley that’s right there too. Fun for all the family!

If you like animals a visit to Wellington Zoo is a must to kids activity. Now over 100 years old, it was New Zealand’s first Zoo. The zoo also has 13-hectares dedicated to over 100 different species of fauna from across the globe. Bring your walking shoes as there is a steep hill but other than that this zoo is a great morning or afternoon activity for all the family. The alternative to this would be a trip to the amazing conservation and wildlife sanctuary area known as Zealandia. The interactive exhibition and education centre is a big hit for children and the site is just 15 minutes from the centre of town.

Food and Drink Options

Somewhere among all this fun and charging around you’re going to have to find time to address grumbling stomachs. Happy kids, happy parents we always say! The good news is there are many great child-friendly cafe and restaurant options in Wellington. To begin with we suggest checking out the wonderful seaside café close to the suburb of Miramar known as the Chocolate Fish Cafe. Put in your order for their yummy fresh whitebait fritter sandwiches, kids sausages and milk shakes. Here you can watch your kids playing on the numerous tricycles and bikes provided by the owner (all free). If the sun is out the grown-ups in your party can then grab a bean bag on the grass and enjoy the views across the bay.

Another waterfront choice is the Crab Shack housed in its quintessentially seaside kiwi beach hut-type wooden building. This casual dining establishment which specialises in highly affordable seafood is very popular with families. Especially on Sundays when your kids can eat for free.

For a list of other popular child friendly restaurants and cafes email or call the team here at What to do in Wellington. Some of us have kids too so we know all the best places!

Enjoying the bikes and lollies at the Chocolate Fish Cafe – what a treat!