Wondering what to get up to with the kids this school holidays? Look no further! Whether it is indoors or outdoors, a full day care, or doing something together for a few hours as a whānau, Auckland Council has your July school holidays sorted.
There are lots of amazing events and activities across Tāmaki Makaurau to have fun doing. From nature treasure hunts on our Junior Ranger Explorer walks, to close encounters with pharoahs at Auckland Museum, there’s plenty going on to get tamariki, and the whole whānau, excited.
Here are a few highlights this July school holidays:
Amazing holiday programmes
For parents who need something to occupy the kids for the week or a few days during the holidays, Kids Crew has some great options.
Auckland Council Leisure Centres aim to keep tamariki active. The school holiday programme for 5 to 13-year-olds is full of adventure and fun.
Tamariki who attend can be involved in team sports and games as well as cooking and arts and crafts. There will be chances to head out on trips to places like Rainbow’s End, Butterfly Creek, and mini-golf.
Spaces are limited, for more information check here.
Matariki
Mānawatia a Matariki! Celebrate Matariki, the Māori new year, and learn more about our newest public holiday with a host of activities across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Matariki Festival celebrates te ao Māori through stories, film, entertainment, discussions, performance, food and art. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is the festival’s partnering iwi in 2023. There is plenty for the whole whānau to enjoy at Matariki Festival, running from 11-22 July.
More details on Matariki Festival will soon be announced, with a full list of over 90 events and activities to be updated later this month.
For those looking to celebrate at home, Auckland Council Libraries has a challenge for tamariki and rangatahi combined. Download the Beanstack app to learn more about Matariki this school holidays!
Participants will be invited to explore the themes of the nine stars of Matariki through reading lists and fun activities. They can go star gazing, try their hand at various crafts, do science experiments, get involved in a beach, stream, or waterway clean up, create a vision board, and heaps more.
Get active with the whānau
Get your walking boots out! Junior Ranger Explorer walks are back by popular demand, with walks planned on July 4 at Beach Haven and July 6 at Massey. Best suited for children aged 6 – 12, your little adventurer will get the chance to go on a bug hunt, or a nature treasure hunt with your local Auckland Parks ranger.
Help to grow our urban ngahere (forest) and celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 with a special planting event at Puhinui Reserve in Wiri. Learn more about caring for the environment with special talks on maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), composting and waste minimisation, and a BBQ lunch.
Or dust off your togs and head to Takapuna Pool and Leisure Centre for an Aqua Fun Run from 4-7 July.
See something new at an old favourite
Auckland Stardome has re-opened and has partnered with Brain Play to bring Auckland tamariki Stardome + Brain Play School Holiday Sessions! Lucky participants can watch a planetarium show and then design their own rocket, Martian base, entire planet or whatever else they can imagine using 3D design software. Book in advance!
At Auckland Museum, Ay the ancient Egyptian Grand Vizier has been tasked with filling King Tutankhamun's tomb with everything he may need in the afterlife, and they need help to collect all the required items. Filling Pharoh’s Tomb Trail invites tamariki to journey around the galleries following clues and answering questions. Pick up your trail map from the Te Ao Mārama South Atrium and fill out an answer sheet for a chance to win an awesome Egyptian prize pack.
Don’t miss the chance to see a new side to two Auckland institutions this July school holidays.
