With a wide range of outdoor activities on offer throughout New Zealand, it’s no surprise that there’s also a great selection of recreational parks and kids playgrounds available for the younger adventurers in the family.
We’ve selected a few of our favourite playgrounds for your family to explore and enjoy during your next Family Parks holiday.
ROTORUA
Playground at Volcanic Playground Rotorua Lakefront – Credit: Kids on Board
If you can get the kids out of the all-weather swimming pool and away from the life size dinosaurs located within All Seasons Holiday Park, the Volcanic Playground on Rotorua’s lake front is well worth a visit. The playground includes swings, slides, monkey bars and equipment to climb or balance on, so you’ll find something here for a wide range of ages.
A large grassy area nearby allows families to enjoy ball games or kite flying. BBQs and BYO picnics can be enjoyed under the mature trees by the playground, or enjoy the convenience of a nearby café which offers takeaways.
TAURANGA
Memorial Park Tauranga – Credit: Kids on Board
Located only 80m from one of New Zealand’s favourite beaches, Mt Maunganui, Cosy Corner Holiday Park offers a dream location for families to enjoy over the long hot summer.
Not only is Mt Maunganui and the city of Tauranga spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches, a wide range of unique parks are also available for families to enjoy.
One of our favourites is Memorial Park. This lively park is the city’s premiere park. It consists of 11 hectares and is located next to the harbour, between 11th and 7th Avenues. The park offers something for everyone with two large playgrounds which include swings, slides, climbing equipment, sea saws, bridges, climbing ropes and monkey bars. A nearby skate park, miniature railway train and mini golf course complete the extensive activities available.
Families can easily spend the day at Memorial Park, with the chance to cool down during the summer months in the outdoor swimming pools and provide lunch for the team, using one of the free BBQs located onsite.
WHITIANGA
Harbourside Holiday Park in Whitianga is a comfortable holiday park catering to families with kids of all ages. The fabulous harbour side location allows families the chance to easily explore the Whitianga waterfront, while the onsite playground and swimming pool will keep everyone happy during those lazy, balmy Coromandel days.
If exploring a little further afield, families can’t beat the Fun Zone Adventure and Family Park, located only 7 minutes south of Whitianga. The beautifully laid out adventure park surrounded by rich native bush, offers nine activities and experiences, suitable for all ages – from toddlers to grandparents, all conveniently in one location.
Activities include kids quad rides, laser clay shooting, soccer golf, outdoor laser tag, archery for beginners, target paintball shooting, and the park’s highlight, the Argo ride, a unique mini adventure which takes families on a fun trip across the river, through native bush, forestry and farm land to check out some of the area’s incredible native fauna – complete with magnificent views of Mercury Bay.
Younger kids are well catered for with the miniature “Kidz Quadz” bikes a favourite for those aged between six – ten years. The bikes allow kids to steer their own four-wheeler through a fun track (while capping their speed for safety reasons), allowing them to test their driving skills.
Electric trucks and cars as well as a playground will keep the littlest adventurers happy. Families are also welcome to bring a picnic or enjoy the free BBQs available at the park.
HANMER SPRINGS
Hanmer Springs Domain playground – Credit: Kids on Board
The natural beauty and small town feel of Hanmer Springs makes it a favourite holiday location year round, for both locals and tourists.
The setting of the family-oriented Alpine Adventure Holiday Park is hard to beat; only five minutes’ from Hamner Springs, the park is set in a quiet bush-clad valley, at the foot of Jack’s Pass. Families will appreciate the onsite facilities which include a playground, swimming pool and games room.
Depending on the age of the adventurers in your family, there are two playgrounds in Hamner Springs. Younger children and pre-schoolers will enjoy the playground located on Chisholm Crescent in the centre of Hamner Springs. Swings, a little slide, tunnel and noughts and crosses will keep them entertained, while shade sails cover the equipment to keep them protected from the sun. Across the road is Chisholm Park which offers walking tracks (suitable for riding bikes and pushing buggies), with plenty of space for ball games as well as free BBQs and picnic tables for families who come prepared!
For the older kids, the Domain is a great location to burn off some energy. A 10 minute walk from the Hamner Thermal Pools, behind the Health Centre at 59 Jacks Pass Road, this playground appeals to a wide range of ages, with options available for younger children too. Rope swings, climbing walls and adult gym equipment is located in the domain with a skate park also available. The park is also an ideal location for picnics, ball games and flying kites on a windy day.
CHRISTCHURCH
Margaret Mahy Playground – Credit: Christchurch NZ
North South Holiday Park is located in a park-like setting and conveniently only five minutes’ away from Christchurch International Airport. A swimming pool and onsite playground will keep the family entertained for hours, however, for those looking to explore a little further, the Margaret Mahy playground, believed to the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, is a must-see.
Located on Armagh Street (with free parking available), in Christchurch CBD, the playground is well loved and well used by the city’s locals. A range of activities are available for kids of all ages, such as slides, climbing ropes, swings, a flying fox and a water and sand play area, which is unsurprisingly popular in the hot summer months. Mum and Dad can relax on the grass and enjoy a coffee from one of the nearby cafes or coffee carts while overseeing the kids play. Across the street the family entertainment continues with a mini golf course and a free scooter park available for little speedsters.
No matter where you are in New Zealand, there is a Family Park located close to a range of family friendly activities – with something on offer for everyone!
