Looking for some free, family fun to keep the kids entertained these school holidays?
Takapuna has you covered. There are so many things to do in Takapuna that are perfect for school holiday adventures – check out our handy list of ideas below – or check out our activities page for some other fun things to do these holidays!
Why not make a day of it? Treat the kids to lunch at a fantastic whanau-friendly eateries like Burger Burger, The Elephant Wrestler, Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina, My Fried Chicken, Catch 21 or Street Organics.
Or treat them to a sweet, refreshing, frozen treat from KiwiYo, Duck Island, Phat Phillip or Movenpick after a great time running around the Takapuna Beach Playground!
If the weather’s nice, why not pack a picnic or grab some takeaways from one of the epic cafes, and find a sunny spot on Takapuna Beach Reserve and build some sandcastles – or relax on the grassy shores of Lake Pupuke and explore around The PumpHouse!
Check out some of the awesome places to go for scenic walks around Takapuna, plus walks, parks and places to refresh with the fur baby of the family.
If the ocean isn’t your jam but you’re after some watery fun these holidays, don’t forget about Takapuna Pools and Leisure Centre on Killarney Street.
If you’re after a spot of shopping, you’ll also find lots of toys and things to keep the kids entertained from places like Farmers, Smiggle, ChockaBucket, Retrospace, Card Merchant / Kids N More and Whitcoulls!
Free activities and workshops at Shore City!
Join us in Takapuna these school holidays, for some hands on adventures with Bricks4Kidz and explosive bubble excitement with NanoGirl!
Secure Your Spot for the Ultimate LEGO® School Holiday Adventure. Plus, come and join in the bubble fun with Nanogirl.
Bricks4Kids (booking required – click here)
- 4-6 October
- 10am, 11am, 12pm
- 11-13 October
- 10am, 11am, 12pm
Nanogirl Bubble Show (No booking required)
- 7 October
- 11-12pm
- 9 October
- 11-12pm
With 2 hours free parking, Shore City is the perfect place to bring the kiddies to enjoy some fun with their favourite characters, then grab some lunch or a coffee in the food court from Buns & Rolls, Blazin’ Burger, Wicked Chicken or Majestic Tea Bar, and get a little shopping done around the centre while you’re there, with Whitcoulls, Farmers, Smiggle – or get the groceries done at New World Metro!
Our Dream Blooming with Hope – Korean Arts and Culture Exhibition at Shore City
Shore City Shopping Centre will also be hosting a Korean arts and culture exhibition for the holidays!
Opening Ceremony:
Date: 29th Sep, 3pm
On-site Workshop:
Wishing Card Making: Create your own card filled with hope!
Date: 29th Sep – 12th Oct 2024
Venue: Shore City, Takapuna
Weekend Event:
Find me! Where’s me? Solve exciting missions and win special prizes!
Date: 29th Sep – 12th Oct 2024
Venue: Shore City, Takapuna
Catch Matilda The Musical at the Bruce Mason Centre
24 Sept – 13 Oct – Matilda the Musical
Matilda The Musical is the multi-award winning musical inspired by Roald Dahl’s beloved book and with original songs by Tim Minchin. It is the winner of over 100 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!
Grab your tickets to see Matilda LIVE while you can!
Looking for some pre or post show snacks, dinner or treats? Check out our list of places to visit while enjoying a show in Takapuna!
Mrs. Wishy-Washy – LIVE from the Tim Bray Theatre Company at The PumpHouse
“Oh, lovely mud!” exclaim Mrs Wishy-Washy’s farm animals Cow, Duck, and Pig. These beloved characters from Joy Cowley’s series of picture books are about to come to life in a hilarious stage performance by Tim Bray Theatre Company. While the animals just love getting mucky, Mrs Wishy-Washy is determined to keep them spotless for the Big Farm Fair.
In this funny farmyard adventure, audiences will be treated to comical chaos as Mrs Wishy-Washy attempts to give her muddy animal buddies a good scrub. This tale teaches valuable lessons about determination, friendship and the consequences of one’s actions, while offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy some good, clean, laugh-out loud fun.
ON NOW until 12 Oct at The PumpHouse.
For tickets and more information, visit the Tim Bray website here.
Looking for some pre or post show snacks, dinner or treats? Check out our list of places to visit while enjoying a show in Takapuna!
Kids play FREE and discounts at Escape HQ
Get ready for adventure at ESCAPE HQ this school holidays!
Unlock 20% off your escape room experience, including the thrilling outdoor game around Takapuna—just use code HOLIDAYFUN when booking on weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Bring the entire family with the 2 Kids Free offer: book for 2 paying adults and the kids join in for free using code FREE2KIDS.
Check out the Escape HQ website for all their options!
Thrillzone & Escape Quest Holiday Programme:
Looking for a fun day for your kids while you’re at work? Thrillzone’s Holiday Programme offers 4 hours of excitement with supervised activities like:
- Tactical Laser Tag, Escape Games (Indoor, Outdoor & VR), Virtual Reality (Omni VR, Hologate VR), Race Car Simulators, and more!
Perfect for kids of all ages, they’ll be entertained while you focus on your day.
Join us at Thrillzone Takapuna and Escape Quest for an unforgettable holiday experience!
Half Days, and Full Days available with pricing starting from $59pp
For more information and to BOOK – visit the Thrillzone website here!
Deals for kids and students at Takapuna Beachside Cinema
Child tickets are $10, Monday to Friday before 5pm!
Combined with your adult $15 Coffee & Cake Club Ticket, you have a sweet deal for the holidays
Enjoy some of the latest flicks from Beetlejuice, to Runt, The Wild Robot, Harold and the Purple Crayon, to Transformers One!
Check out the schedule of movies, book your tickets, see pricing info and other deals and packages on the Takapuna Beachside Cinema website here!
Free activities at the Takapuna Library!
There’s plenty to do at Takapuna Library these school holidays – enter the TIME WARP!
- CHILDREN’S WRITERS FESTIVAL
- Saturday 28th September
- 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
- Meet authors Karen McMillan (Elemental Heroes: Hydrogen Showdown) and Jez Smith (Pu and Ru’s Bird Beak Clues)!
- MOVIE MAGIC
- Sunday 29th September
- 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
- Go back in time with this popular time travel movie!
- ANCIENT EGYPT
- Monday 30th September
- 10.30 – 11.30 a.m.
- Visit the pyramids and learn about hieroglyphs!
- VICTORIAN RHYMETIME
- Wednesday 2nd October
- 10.30 – 11.00 a.m
- Sing and dance with us in this old-fashioned rhymetime
- DINOSAUR CRAFTS
- Friday 4th October
- 10.30 – 11.30 a.m.
- Travel back to the Mesozoic Era and make your favourite dinosaurs out of cardboard!
- WILD WEST
- Saturday 5th October
- 10.30 – 11.30 a.m.
- Make a wanted poster and go prospecting for gold
- MOVIE MAGIC
- Sunday 6th October
- 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
- Go back in time with this popular time travel movie!
- MEDIEVAL JAPAN
- Monday 7th October
- 10.30 -11.30 a.m.
- Welcome to the world of ninja! Take part in our origami shuriken ninja challenge!
- ANCIENT GREECE
- Wednesday 9th October
- 10.30 – 11.30 a.m.
- Create your very own Greek vase!
- VINTAGE PRINTING PRESS WORKSHOP
- Friday 11th October
- 9.30-12.00 and 2.00-4.30 p.m.
- Learn about using a printing press! 8 years old and over. Limited spaces; bookings are essential. Email: takapunaevents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
- ANCIENT MESO-AMERICA
- Saturday 5th October
- 10.30 – 11.30 a.m.
- Make Lego buildings inspired by Chichen Itza and Macchu Picchu!
- MOVIE MAGIC
- Sunday 13th October
- 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
- Go back in time with this popular time travel movie!
Don’t forget, the Takapuna Library will also be running their Rhymetime, Wriggle and Rhyme, Friday Crafts and Storytime sessions as usual over the school holidays – so head in to check out the schedule, or visit the Takapuna Library Facebook page for all their events and workshop details!
Pupuke Birdsong Project – School Holiday Programme
Join us as we explore our coast and parks!
Our school holiday programme will offer a range of family-friendly nature-based guided tours showcasing our unique ecological taonga.
Discover Takapuna Reef – Calling all those with inquisitive minds and eagle-eyes! Come with us as we adventure along Takapuna Reef to see creatures great and small that live on the water’s edge. We will provide specimen trays and guidance to view the amazing sea life that we share our shores with.
Twilight Nature Tour – Walk with us as we explore our local reserves to learn about how they help us prevent erosion and protect native wildlife. As we meander through the reserves at twilight, we will identify how features of the natural environment help to protect against flooding and how a thriving ecosystem encourages flood resilience.
- 30 Sept – Discover Takapuna Reef (10.30am)
- 30 Sept – Twilight Nature Tour (6.30pm)
- 1 October – Discover Takapuna Reef (10.30am)
- 10 October – Twilight Nature Tour (6pm)
Find tickets to all the tours here.
With thanks to BlueSky Community Trust and the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. Twilight Nature Tours are free thanks to the generous support of the Auckland Council Healthy Waters Team.
Are you offering a special or deal for these School Holidays, and want your offer mentioned on this page? Send us an email now!
