Spring has officially sprung and so have the school holidays.
If you’re looking for fresh ways to keep tamariki entertained, there are plenty of activities happening across Tāmaki Makaurau. From outdoor adventures and creative workshops to heritage discoveries and after-dark experiences the whole whānau can enjoy.
Dig into Auckland’s history with the Auckland Heritage Festival
Photo reference: Photograph by Rykenberg Photography. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1269-19671214-07.
Explore the rich history of food heritage in Auckland with this year’s Auckland Heritage Festival, Tastes of Tāmaki: A Heritage Feast which brings over 150+ free or low-cost events to Aucklanders.
Families can enjoy historic walks, talks, performances and hands-on workshops while discovering the flavours and traditions that have helped shape Tāmaki Makaurau over the years.
Book in some library fun
Libraries are always buzzing with fun whānau friendly activities, but even more so over the school holidays. From dinosaur-themed fun to arts and crafts, Dungeons & Dragons, scrapbooking and even wilderness exploration. Check out what’s happening at your local library and turn the page on holiday boredom.
Or step into the ring at Central City Library with ‘King Pin’ a new exhibition that reveals the raw energy, drama and visual culture of boxing and wrestling. From early world champions to the rise of radio, television and global wrestling entertainment, discover how these sports shaped popular culture across generations.
Make a splash at Auckland Council Pool and Leisure Centres
Dive right into the break with Auckland Council’s Pool and Leisure Centres’ school holiday programmes.
Designed for tamariki aged 5-13, these engaging and cost-friendly programmes include a wide range of activities like arts and crafts, baking, movie outings, games, team challenges and even outdoor adventures exploring our regional parks. Book now for the perfect way to keep young minds and bodies active throughout the break.
Branch out with nature adventures
The little ones will love being out in the bush learning about Auckland's lush ecosystem and hidden creatures amongst the greenery.
Spring is the ideal time to explore Auckland’s epic backyard.
For inspo to visit your local park, check out Auckland Council’s Connect to Nature programmes which encourage tamariki and wider whānau to step outdoors and enjoy meaningful experiences in nature close to where they live, boosting wellbeing, building a sense of connection to the natural world, and fostering appreciation for Auckland’s native biodiversity.
Families can also join Junior Ranger Explorer Walks, Wild Thing Programmes and guided outdoor adventures that help grow a lifelong connection with our te taiao (environment).
Or consider a visit to any one of our 29 stunning regional parks. Spring is a special time as lambing season is in full swing, so remember to keep your distance and enjoy from afar.
Stop and smell the flowers at Auckland Botanic Gardens
The Auckland Botanic Gardens are bursting into colour for spring, so be sure to stop by and smell the flowers with the free Flower Finding Safari kids trail. This hands-on opportunity welcomes tamariki to explore the flowers blooming in spring. Grab a leaflet from the Visitor Centre upon arrival and follow Flora the Explorer and Jungle Jim on a fun safari through the Camellia Garden and Spring Blossom Valley.
Other drop-in activities include Microgreens for Kids where tamariki can learn how easy it is to grow their own food; create your own spring flowering bulb from paper materials, create your own lavender bag, learn the different parts of a flower through fun and colourful drawing activity or create your own spring inspired badge to wear proudly.
Get inspired at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Photo credit: Lee Oakes (Tainui, Whakatōhea), Ko au te poi, ko poi ko au 2026,
Creativity takes centre stage at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki these school holidays.
Pō Rewa kicks things off with an evening celebrating rangatahi creativity and brings together workshops and performances spanning waiata, taonga puoro, uku, dance, design, multimedia and more, led by creatives from leading art and design schools across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Explore Kiritai, a photographic exhibition featuring artworks by ākonga from kura across Tāmaki Makaurau. Created through artist-led workshops, the works respond to the theme Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au (I am the environment, and the environment is me), exploring ancestral connection, belonging and identity. This year's participating schools are Mount Albert Grammar, Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, Ngā Tūmanako o Kahurangi (Auckland Girls Grammar), Pukekohe High School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Kōtuku and Tipene.
Visitors are also welcome to join in on the free kids and whānau create sessions that offer tamariki a chance to make their own artworks inspired by the art they see in the Gallery.
All aboard for discovery at MOTAT
The classic tram from MOTAT is a great way to wind back the clock by taking a tram ride, admire the local lake and learn a little about vintage machinery.
Hop on a journey through Auckland’s transport history at MOTAT’s All Aboard: How tāmaki moves’ exhibition.
From the trams that once travelled Queen Street to the City Rail Link of today, the exhibition explores how public transport has helped shape Auckland across generations through interactive displays and fascinating stories, in partnership with Auckland Transport.
Go on an island adventure at the New Zealand Maritime Museum
Set off on a Kiribati island adventure at the Maritime Museum these school holidays as part of Our Ocean of Islands, the brand-new exhibition celebrating the cultures of 24 island nations across Moana Oceania.
Discover the mighty bakoa (shark), a fierce guardian of power, bravery and victory who protects the people of Kiribati. Spot the shark-tooth patterns woven into beautiful Kiribati mats and clothing, then create your own woven artwork using colourful fibres, fabric and paper. Pick up an activity booklet and become an Island Explorer as you hunt through the exhibition for Kiribati stories, language, dance and voyaging tales and discover real shark-tooth swords on display!
Unlock an after-dark adventure at Auckland Museum
Do you accept your top-secret mission?
These school holidays, Night at Auckland Museum: Top Secret transforms the museum into an immersive after-hours experience featuring theatrical characters, interactive activities and unexpected encounters across three levels. Families can choose how much they want to participate, making it a fun night out for curious minds of all ages. Plus, on offer is a New Zealand Sign Language interpreted performance of Night at Auckland Museum: Top Secret.
Check out Auckland Zoo’s new Waimihi soundscape
For a first of its kind Auckland Zoo experience, be sure to slow down with your whānau and friends and take in the beautiful new Waimihi soundscape on the pathway and gardens leading down towards Te Puna café. Created in collaboration with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Auckland Council Māori Outcomes this pao – a form of waiata/song, honours the significance of Wai-a-te-Ao/Motions Creek and encourages us to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living things and the vital role water plays in sustaining life, culture, the environment. Don’t forget to check out the Dinosaur Discovery Track before it too goes extinct!
From heritage and history to wildlife, creativity and outdoor adventure, there’s no shortage of ways for tamariki and the wider whānau to make the most of the spring school holidays. Wherever you choose to go, fun is sure to blossom.