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Baby’s Day Out: 10 Toddler-Friendly Locations in Auckland

In Auckland, there are plenty of activities for you and your toddler.

Auckland is a beautiful city. It’s full of natural wonders and many things to do for families with young children. But if you are planning a trip to Auckland or are new to the neighbourhood, you might wonder what activities are best for toddlers and small children? Not to worry, we’ve done all the research for you! Auckland is a great place to raise kids. It’s full of fun things to do with them, and there are plenty of other parents around to share your experiences.

Aucklanders are renowned for the number of beautiful parks and playgrounds in their backyard. As a result, Auckland is one of the safest cities to take your kids to for an afternoon. Besides all the great playground equipment, many features such as Wi-Fi and public toilets make it perfect for families and groups of friends. This is a great first option if you’re looking for something to take your kids away from their screens and give them a break.

Here’s a list of the top ten things to do in Auckland with your toddler:

 

  1. Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo is a great place to take your toddler. It’s an excellent way for them to learn about the animals that live in New Zealand, conservation, and the environment.

There are various kinds of animals at Auckland Zoo: koalas, lemurs, penguins, flamingos and even lions! You can also see some rare birds like kakapo parrots or takahe.

Suppose you’re travelling with little ones curious about what goes on behind the scenes at zoos (and I’m sure most of them are). In that case, it is the perfect opportunity to have a hands-on experience about how animals are cared for at Auckland Zoo by people who work there every day.

Toddler-Friendly Locations in Auckland

  1. Butterfly Creek Wildlife Park

Butterfly Creek Wildlife Park in Auckland, New Zealand, is a centre of exuberant activity. It’s like stepping into a Disney movie! The park’s 173 acres (0.7 km2) are home to more than 100 animals and about 11 non-animal exhibits, including the Crocodile Display, a New Zealand Alligator farm and a variety of exotic birds such as cassowaries. Just 1 minute from Auckland Airport, Butterfly Creek is home to Australasia’s premier Tropical Butterfly House. It’s also home to NZ’s only saltwater crocodiles, native Kiwi, and otters.

There are picnic areas, and you can even find a cafe if you want to stay for lunch or dinner. Apart from the wildlife, it contains a dinosaur area, playground, and train that spins & whistles throughout the day. This is an ideal place to educate your little ones about butterflies! Butterfly Creek in Auckland is a great place to spend time with your children, & adventurous kids will love it!

 

  1. Rainbow’s End Theme Park

Rainbow’s End Theme Park is a terrific way to get your toddler out of the house and onto something fun. Located just 20 minutes from the city, this theme park is perfect for any age group.

  • What to expect: The park has a variety of rides, including roller coasters, family rides, water attractions and more. There are also many food options available. You can decide to picnic at the park instead of eating in their cafe area before entering the park. Plenty of picnic tables are available in shaded and sunny areas, so don’t worry about bringing along a blanket/towel! Rides cost between $10-$20 per person depending on how long they last or what type they are (i.e., roller coaster vs family ride).
  • The entire day will cost around $60-$90 per person, depending on whether you choose one or two meals while there and any souvenirs purchased during your visit, but it’s worth it! Please note that if you have young children under 36 inches tall, they will not be able to ride some rides due to safety reasons, which means mommy/daddy might need to accompany them.

Toddler-Friendly Locations in Auckland

  1. Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium

 

The Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium is a splendid place to visit if you want to learn about marine life. It’s also perfect to learn about the ocean’s ecosystems with your kids! There are over 60 exhibits at this aquarium, including sharks, penguins, jellyfish, stingrays and more.

Here at the aquarium, you can see how jellyfish change colour as they move through their environment, from feeding and spawning to being netted by scientists who want to take them back to sea for research purposes. Children love watching fish swim around and exploring every corner of the large tanks. They will enjoy watching the fish swim around and learning about their natural environment.

 

  1. Saint Heliers Beach and Playground

 

St. Heliers Beach is a popular playground for Auckland families and a great place to take your child for a fun day in the sun. The beach has a surf club, open to the public, and plenty of grassy areas where you can sit down on a blanket with your kids or picnic basket. There’s also an onsite café if you need to grab something quick and eat outdoors.

Toddler-Friendly Locations in Auckland

 

  1. ERTH’s Dinosaur Zoo

 

The ERTH’s Dinosaur Zoo is a forward-thinking temporary exhibition that has become the institution’s most popular permanent attraction. You can discover the world of dinosaurs, fossil finds, and the evolution of plants, alongside displays rich in information about these fascinating creatures that once roamed our planet. You and your child can learn about dinosaurs and prehistoric life at Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo. It is located on the North Shore and is a good choice if you’re staying in that area of Auckland.

 

  1. North Shore Events Centre

 

If your toddler is into music, they’ll love the North Shore Events Centre, where they can see shows like Barney or Disney on Ice. You’ll also find other family-friendly options such as skating and bowling here. The activities are designed in order to reinforce skills and introduce new ones. The centre’s professional staff provide fun and exciting experiences for every child, from babies to adults! Suppose you have had a picky eater or an overly active child. In that case, Northshore Events Centre will satisfy your child’s hunger and give them plenty of exercise.

 

  1. Swimming and hanging out at the beach. Favourites include Mission Bay, Takapuna, Cornwallis, and Orewa.

 

If you have a toddler who loves the water, swimming is a great way to keep them active and engaged. For very young children (18 months old or younger), head to the indoor pools where you can get some exercise. You can also take your little ones for a leisurely walk around Cornwallis Beach—less than a kilometer from Bayshore Café in Takapuna, where people usually go for coffee!

 

  1. Silverdale Adventure Park

 

This is a great place to take your toddler. Various activities are available, including mini golf, a petting zoo, and paintball. The park is open to everyone all year round and offers free activities such as an animal nursery and farm shop and paid activities like archery or laser clay shooting. Prices vary depending on your choices, but all the prices are displayed on each attraction’s entrance sign, so you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into before entering! When it comes time to pay at one of these attractions (after your toddler has had their fill of fun), there’s no need to worry about having enough change for small bills because they accept card payments too! If you’re feeling hungry after all this excitement, don’t worry. There are plenty of food options inside the park, too (though, if possible, try not to get distracted by these while trying out new activities).

 

  1. Ambury Farm

 

Ambury Farm is an excellent place for a day out with your family. There many activities for kids of all age ranges, including:

 

  • A petting zoo where one can find friendly goats and sheep
  • A playground with slides, climbing frames and swings
  • A cafe that serves delicious coffee and cake (it even has gluten-free options!)

 

Before heading home, you can also pick up some souvenirs at the gift shop (including pyjamas!). Ambury Farm is located in Silverdale, Auckland.

 

 

We hope you enjoyed our list of toddler-friendly activities in Auckland. If your toddler is like most, they’ll appreciate any activity that involves animals or that gives them a chance to run around and play. So next time you plan a trip, consider taking your kid to one of these places instead of a traditional attraction. I’m sure they will love it!

 

Spending time with your toddler is essential for several reasons. One of the most important reasons is growth. Your little one will grow faster if you spend time with them. When you play with your little ones, they will learn about the world around them. They will also learn about what is happening in their environment and how to interact with others.

 

The bonding that occurs when you spend time with your toddler can benefit both of you. You will share many things and become close friends as a result. This can help you feel better about yourself and give you more confidence in other situations, like school or work!