Here are 19 fun things to do in Tauranga with your kids these school holidays.
1. Walks
Go on one of these awesome walks.
2. Learn to surf
If the kids can brave the freezing cold water, then there are plenty of surfing schools along the beaches. Discovery Surf School provides surf coaching for all ages and abilities.
3. Marshalls Animal Park
Situated within McLaren Falls Park, Marshalls Animal Park is home to both domestic and exotic animals that the kids can get up close and personal with.
4. Ride the train
Ride the miniature railway run by the Tauranga Model Marine & Engineering Club. Little kids will adore the ride that travels along the tracks, through tunnels, over the bridge and through the train crossing. A perfect adventure for these school holidays,
5. Waimarino Water Park
Situated 10 minutes out of Tauranga, Waimarino Water Park is a great day out for the whole family. If the kids can brave the cold water then the water trampoline, climbing wall and slip ‘n’ slide will provide heaps of fun, or if you prefer to be on the water rather that in it, Waimarino have some fantastic kayaking tours.
6. Baywave
Baywave Pools has a leisure pool with a wave machine and hyroslide which sounds like a super exciting day out to us.
7. TECT All Terrain Park
TECT All Terrain Park is over 1600 hectares of pine forest and native bush located just outside Tauranga. There are loads of tracks perfect to let the kids loose on their bikes for the day.
8. Tauranga Mini Golf Fun Park
Tauranga Mini Golf Fun Park is 18-holes of family fun and competition.
9. Dialled Indoor Tramp Park
If the kids are bouncing off the walls, let them bounce, flip and jump at Dialled Indoor Tramp Park instead.
10. Mount Hot Pools
With the pools at the perfect temperature, the whole family will enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Mount Hot Pools.
11. Rock climbing
Let the kids climb up a wall … a rock climbing wall, that is. Rocktopia offers 26 different climbing challenges to keep the kids entertained.
12. Classic Flyers Museum
Enjoy a nostalgic journey back through New Zealand’s aviation history at the Classic Flyers Museum. The museum showcases some of the best classic and vintage aircrafts with both static and hands-on displays.
13. Adrenalin Forest
Get the adrenalin pumping by doing one of the six courses that Adrenalin Forest has to offer. Each course has a range of challenges including bridges, nets to cross, barrels, swings and, of course, the classic flying fox.
14. Bumper Ball (as pictured above)
Head along to Bumper Ball where the kids can take part in games like Bubble soccer, Ballrush and Last One Standing, all while strapped into a giant inflatable ball.
15. Visit Hairy Maclary and Friends
The Hairy Maclary sculpture brings to life the characters of the beloved children’s books. The whole gang is there, including Scarface Claw, Slinky Malinki, Hercules Morse, Muffin McLay, Bottomley Potts, Schnitzel von Krumm, Bitzer Maloney, Zachary Quack and of course Hairy Maclary. So if you’re passing through Tauranga these school holidays, or having a staycation, make sure you add this to the holiday plan.
16. Visit one of these awesome playgrounds
Tauranga is full of amazing playgrounds to enjoy. How many have you been to?
17. Tauranga Art Gallery
The Tauranga Art Gallery has some fabulous exhibitions to explore. But don’t forget to visit the Tag Art Studio to encourage the budding artists in your family.
18. Tauranga Historic Village
Experience the charm of yesteryear at the Tauranga Historic Village. A collection of original and replica buildings from the early days in Tauranga. While you wander the cobbled streets, explore the 50 business that call the village home.
19. Bay Karts
Round up the kids and their friends, and let them battle it out on the race track at Bay Karts. Kids race in slightly less powerful karts, but there is still loads of fun to be had. There are restrictions on how many kids can be racing at one time, so be sure to book in advance.
Image at top: Bumper Ball
More Tauranga activities with kids from tots to teens: