Spring into the school holidays with an array of exhilarating and family-friendly events that will excite even the hardest-to-please member of your whānau.
Whether you need to keep tamariki / children occupied for a whole day at a school holiday programme, or you’re just looking for something short to give you a break, Auckland Council has a range of options to keep the kids entertained.
School Holiday programmes
Auckland Council Leisure Centres are here to help your tamariki to have fun with their friends and make some new ones!
Perfect for kids aged 5-13, Auckland Council’s school holiday programme has something for everyone, from sports days to going to the movies, or getting splashed with colour from head-to-toe on a colour run!
Once you’ve signed the kids up for some fun, remember to send them along with a packed lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, a hat, and a smile!
Auckland Council’s school holiday programme is available at 10 locations across Tāmaki Makaurau, check out the Auckland Leisure website for more details.
Learn more about your heritage
Auckland Heritage Festival returns with over 160 events – many of which are free and low-cost – to help your tamariki have fun and learn more about the heritage of their city.
This year’s festival theme is peace, love and protest – marking 50 years since the anti-nuclear protests were embraced by the nation.
From heritage hunts and walking tours, to making origami floats as part of a fleet of paper ships or learning how to churn butter, there are plenty of fun activities to help your tamariki learn more about Tāmaki Makaurau and the people who have lived here.
Full event details are on the Heritage Festival website - use the search function to filter events designed for families in your neighbourhood.
Get the kids reading
Get ready for an adventure exploring secret sites, seeking out treasure troves, and following in the footsteps of amazing adventurers!
Join Auckland Council Libraries to find out how to be a treasure hunter these school holidays with Beanstack, an easy-to-use reading challenge app.
Kids and teens can log their reading and complete activities online on Beanstack to earn activity and reading badges and go in the draw to win prizes!
Head to your local library for free and fun events and chat with our friendly staff for some great reading recommendations to earn your Beanstack badges!
Download the Beanstack Tracker app on your Apple or Android device and select ‘Auckland Libraries’. Or you can visit the Beanstack website to register.
Visit an ancient world
Get ready for fun with the pharaohs as the popular Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs exhibition runs over these school holidays.
Travel back in time to explore the fascinating world of ancient Egypt in a spectacular new international exhibition featuring over 300 original artefacts.
Make sure you get your tickets online and don't miss out on this exclusive experience 4,500 years in the making.
Head into the great outdoors
Make the most of daylight savings and some spring sunshine with some time outside amongst nature in Auckland Council parks, reserves and playgrounds!
Junior Rangers assemble! This September school holidays, tamaraki aged 6 – 12 years are encouraged to join Auckland Council Rangers at Henderson Park or Glen Fern Gardens in Birkenhead for bug hunts, nature treasure hunts, and to learn the secrets of our native plants.
There are plenty of guided walks happening this school holidays across Tāmaki Makaurau, including walk and talks along the Maraetai and Beachlands walkway to get views of the Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel Peninsula; or see the colours and smells of Spring with a special guided walkthrough around centrally located Auckland Domain and the historic 1920s Winter Gardens.
For all our ranger-led activities, make sure you are dressed for the elements with closed-in footwear, warm clothing and a raincoat, and bring your reusable water bottle and snacks to keep you going!
Get arty
Head out to Mairangi Arts’ Centre so your young artists can try their hand at painting, drawing, knitting and clay in a series of holiday art classes designed to ignite their imagination.
Auckland Heritage Festival also has plenty of opportunities for your little ones to get creative. Rangatahi / teenagers are invited to learn how to make their own protest poster with renowned Kiwi illustrator Toby Morris at New Zealand Maritime Museum; or they can have a go at making their own protest badges at New Lynn War Memorial Library or Corban Estate Arts Centre.
Take in a show
Live on stage this school holidays - join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they follow the yellow brick road through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home.
This classic performance is held by Hawkins Youth Theatre in Papakura at various times throughout the school holidays, to accommodate a time that suits for you and your whānau. Book online now!
