Looking for easy, family-friendly ways to keep the kids entertained these school holidays?
Takapuna has plenty of winter holiday fun to fill a morning, an afternoon, or a whole day out. From playground adventures and beach walks to sweet treats, shopping stops and cosy lunch spots, there’s something for every kind of school holiday mood.
Use our handy list below for inspiration, or check out our activities page for even more fun things to do with the kids these winter holidays.
Why not make a day of it? Start with a run around Takapuna Beach Playground, then warm up with lunch somewhere relaxed and whānau-friendly. Grab burgers from Burger Burger, share some snacks or the signature Monster Nachos from Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina, crispy favourites from My Fried Chicken, a café classic from JAM, or something nourishing from Street Organics.
For a post-playground treat, you can’t go wrong with a frozen yoghurt stop at KiwiYo, a scoop from Duck Island, or sweet treat from Mövenpick. Because school holidays and treats go hand-in-hand — we don’t make the rules.
If the weather’s playing nice, rug up warm and head outdoors. Pack a picnic, pick up takeaways from one of Takapuna’s many cafés, and find a sunny spot at Takapuna Beach Reserve for sandcastle-building, beach walks and fresh air. Or head over to Lake Pupuke for a peaceful wander, a play by the water, and a visit to The PumpHouse.
Weather not playing ball? Takapuna has plenty of places to browse for toys, books, games, crafts, activities and little treasures. Takapuna is home to some awesome family friendly entertainment places like Takapuna Beachside Cinemas, Thrillzone for VR and adventure fun, and Escape HQ for some team-building and puzzle fun! Or pop into stores like Farmers, Smiggle, ChockaBucket, Retrospace, Kids N More, Paper Plus Takapuna or Whitcoulls to find something to keep the kids busy at home, too.
Don’t forget – while you’re out and about in Takapuna these school holidays, every purchase over $20 in a participating retailer, will get you an entry to our Shop and Win competition! Check out all the details here, and make sure you get all your entries in before the competition closes on 31 July!
However you spend the holidays, Takapuna makes it easy to get out of the house, keep the kids entertained, and enjoy a winter day close to the beach.
Holiday fun at Shore City
Discover what’s on at Shore City these July school holidays! 🎉
Enjoy free face painting, join the free Bricks 4 Kidz LEGO® workshops (don’t forget to book!), and enter for your chance to win a Toy Story 5 prize pack.
Visit shore-city.co.nz to find out more!
1-9 July – Matariki Colouring Competition
Celebrate Matariki at Shore City and be in to win a Smiggle & Whitcoulls prize pack valued at $50! ✨
Collect your colouring sheet from Customer Service, complete your artwork, then place your completed entry in the entry barrel at Customer Service.
The winner will be drawn on 9 July.
4-19 July – Win a Toy Story 5 Prize Pack!
Colour Buzz to win a Toy Story 5 prize pack!
Collect your colouring sheet from Customer Service, complete your artwork, then place your completed entry in the entry barrel at Customer Service. The winner will be drawn on 19th July.
6-9 July – Bricks 4 Kidz Workshops
Whether your child is a seasoned LEGO® builder or just starting out, the MOTORISED LEGO® sessions are the perfect way to keep kids aged 5–12 years engaged and learning through play.
🎨 Plus, don’t miss our LEGO® Minifigure Colouring Competition for the chance to win a $50 LEGO Birthday Party Voucher!
Spots are limited, so secure your place today.
Live entertainment at the Bruce Mason Centre
10 – 11 July– The Addams Family
Get ready for a wickedly fun night at the theatre! The hilariously spooky musical comedy The Addams Family creeps into the Bruce Mason Centre this July for a strictly limited season, bringing everyone’s favourite kooky clan to gloriously ghoulish life on stage.
Don’t miss this laugh-out-loud, spine-tingling production showcasing the exceptional talents of Auckland Performing Arts Academy’s students on the Bruce Mason Centre stage!
Gather your family and friends, snap up your seats, and experience a gloriously gothic night of live theatre that will leave you screaming… with laughter!
14-18 July – Dog Man: The Musical
Based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey (Dog Man, Captain Underpants, Cat Kid Comic Club), Dog Man: The Musical is coming to the Bruce Mason Centre in time for the July school holidays!
Best buddies George and Harold have been creating comics for years, but now that they’re in year 5, they figure it’s time to level up and write a musical based on their favourite character, Dog Man – the crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO! How hard could it be?
With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture.
But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?
Find out in this epic musical for ages 6+, featuring the hilarity and heart of Dav Pilkey’s beloved characters.
The Spencer Hotel: Make School Holiday Memories
School holidays are for making memories, not stretching the budget. Escape to Takapuna and enjoy a family getaway with plenty of room to relax.
Studio Rooms from $159 per night
(Prepaid Rate | Minimum 2-Night Stay)
Your stay includes:
- Spacious Studio Accommodation
- Late Checkout Included
- Minutes from Takapuna Beach, Cafés and Shopping
Whether you’re planning family adventures or simply a change of scenery, The Spencer Hotel is the perfect base for your school holiday escape.
Valid during the Winter School Holidays. Subject to availability. Prepaid, non-refundable rate. Terms and conditions apply.
STAY LONGER & SAVE:
The longer you stay, the better the savings. Stay an extra day or a week because we let you linger longer with special pricing up to 18% off.
Visit Old Macdonald’s Farm at The PumpHouse!
Old MacDonald has minded the farm and nearby ngahere for decades, and all that time, the animals of the farm and forest have been at odds. Who really belongs on this whenua? When an interloper shows up and tries to take the farm for himself, mammals and manu have to join forces to save their home.
This is a pantomime for the whole whānau, with singing, dancing, slapstick comedy, audience participation and a costume parade!
WHEN: 5th – 13th July
WHERE: The PumpHouse
School Holiday fun at Thrillzone!
Make this school holiday one to remember at Thrillzone Takapuna!
Our action-packed Holiday Programme is filled with exciting activities, including VR experiences, laser tag, escape rooms, race car simulators, and more.
With half-day and full-day sessions available, kids can stay active, make new friends, and enjoy a safe, supervised environment while parents enjoy peace of mind.
Book now to secure your child’s spot before spaces fill up!
Entertain the kids at Takapuna Beachside Cinema
Treat your little ones to a some new movies these holidays, and head in to Takapuna Beachside Cinema for $10 weekday tickets before 5pm – or $20 including a small combo!
With new movies like Minions 3, Toy Story 5, Moana and SuperGirl – there’s plenty to see at the Cinema!
LITTLE ONES session – Toy Story 5
For those with little ones under 3 years old, have your own special screening. Fresh tea and coffee available and no toys to clean up afterwards!!
Book your Little Ones session here.
For more session times, movies, and all the upcoming details and deals, check out the Takapuna Beachside Cinema website via the link below.
Enjoy some great entertainment the weather won’t ruin.
BIG Blue Building in the 💙 of Takapuna
Your local cinema, owned by locals, supporting our community !
Creative Art Workshops at LakeHouse Arts!
Way more than your average holiday programme, our art classes are educational with a focus on a rich development of the creative process, encouraging individual creativity and artistic interpretation as well as time to explore and experiment with ideas and visual arts techniques.
Our workshops are perfect for children who love to create, and are designed to encourage children to think creatively and critically. Sessions are limited to 13 children per workshop with 1 educator, and are education based, having been written by a qualified primary school teacher, and taught by practising artists and experienced educators/teachers. We aim for these workshops to be fun, creative and inspiring for children, as well as a calm, positive environment for your children to thrive.
July Programme Schedule:
(all 9am – 3pm for ages 5-13 years)
- Monday 6th July – Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
- Tuesday 7th July – Magnificent Mobiles
- Wednesday 8th July – Fantasy Garden
- Thursday 9th July – Starlight Stories
- Monday 13th July – Vibrant Burai Birdies
- Tuesday 14th July – Magnificent Minimalism
- Wednesday 15th July – 3D Dinos
- Thursday 16th July – Beautiful Bottle People
- Friday 17th July – Landscapes in Layers
FREE Activities at Takapuna Library
Come and enjoy heaps of fun, free school holiday activities at Takapuna Library!
Check out the full events schedule on the Takapuna Library Facebook page here.
5 July, 10am – 12pm | POPCORN AND MOVIES
Come watch a Kiwi family movie with us, while eating yummy popcorn!
7 July, 10am – 11am | WAIATA FOR UKULELES
Learn to play the ukulele and learn some simple waiata for Matariki! Suitable for older children. Limited spaces available – bring your own ukulele to avoid missing out!
9 July, 10am – 11am | MATARIKI WALL HANGING
Create a wall hanging in honour of the whetū (stars) of Matariki
11 July, 10am – 11am | MAKING MEMORIES CLAY ART
Work with local artist Debbie Barber to make a clay charm to take home with you. This event is in collaboration with the Angela Morton Room. Suitable for older children. Limited spaces available.
12 July, 10am – 12pm | POPCORN AND MOVIES
Come watch a Kiwi family movie with us, while eating yummy popcorn!
14 July, 10am – 11am | PAPER PLANE COMPETITION
Come build and fly paper planes with us, with awards for the best planes in different categories.
16 July, 10am – 11am | INKIANA PRESS PRINTMAKING
Design and print your own emoji with Graham Judd from Inkiana Press. This event is in collaboration with the Angela Morton Room. Suitable for older children. Limited spaces available.
19 July, 10am – 12pm | POPCORN AND MOVIES
Come watch a Kiwi family movie with us, while eating yummy popcorn!
Become a Squash Star at North Shore Squash Club!
Join us at North Shore Squash Club for our Squash Stars School Holiday Programme. A fun, engaging, and active programme designed for kids of all skill levels. Whether your child is new to squash or they already play, this programme is the perfect mix of learning, improving, and having fun!
Squash Coaching Every Day – Sessions tailored to ALL ability levels, run by qualified squash coaches.
Fun Sports Activities on Court – Soccer, table tennis, hockey, cricket, and more!
Fitness & Movement Games – Fun drills to keep kids active and energized.
Arts & Crafts – Offering a variety of fun, creative craft activities for all ages.
Quiet Time Options – Reading, drawing, puzzles for those who need a break.
Free Time During Lunch – A balanced day of movement and relaxation
WHEN: Monday 6th July – Thursday 9th July / Monday 13th July – Friday 17th July
TIME: From 8:30am until 4pm
WHERE: North Shore Squash Club
Whether your child is returning or trying it out for the first time, we’d love to have them with us these holidays. Come along for active days, new skills, and plenty of fun!
Contact Lisa: admin@northshoresquash.co.nz
Mid-Year Sale at Radicool Kids!
Our MID YEAR SALE is on NOW – 30% OFF Autumn / Winter ’26 Collections! The freshest styles, premium fabrics, get your crew fitted out in the RADest styles at a great price!
See our website for more details: radicoolkids.com
Or visit us at: 18 Northcroft Street, Takapuna
Check out the Sunday Markets in the town square!
Get the kids and family up and out for a little market browsing on Sunday – the fantastic Takapuna Sunday Market is on every Sunday from 8am – 1pm in the Waiwharariki Anzac Square (behind the bus stop on Lake Rd).
Enjoy a range of performances while you browse through the different goods for sale whilst enjoying a beverage from your favourite cafe, or grab a little breakfast at one of the nearby spots – or come down a little later and grab a snack for lunch, then head to the beach for an afternoon of sun, sand and playground fun!
Treat the family to some delicious lunch or dinner out!
Itching to get the family out of the house?
Have someone else do the dishes, treat yourself (and them!) and take them out to one of Takapuna’s buzzing family-friendly, kid-friendly and tasty-licious dining establishments.
We’ve got cafes, restaurants, takeaways and desserts for everyone in your whānau.
Check out our suggestions here!
Enjoy the sunshine and spend an afternoon at the incredible Takapuna Beach Playground with a refreshing sweet treat!
Just visiting town? Long time admirer, first time player? Looking after someone else’s kids and need something awesome to burn off some energy? If you haven’t been here yet, you should remedy that ASAP.
First thing you’ll notice is the MASSIVE tower. Kids (and adults, let’s face it) have an in-built need to be at the top of towers. Release them and they’ll be up the ladders in a flash, popping out the three slides (five if you count the wee ones on the bottom level). The best way to reach the top is to climb up the ropes on the neighbouring A-frame and cross through the tunnel made of netting – it’s hard to beat for beach views!