Need some ideas for the kids these school holidays? Looking for activities to do in the city or in the country? We’ve compiled a list of ideas from around New Zealand for kids and adults to enjoy
- Northland: If you’re heading to Northland, a trip over to Waipōua Forest to visit the majestic Tāne Mahuta is not to be missed. The 51m giant is New Zealand’s largest known living Kauri Tree. This 5min walk is suitable wheelchairs, buggies, and people of all abilities.

- Auckland: Sea Monsters Exhibition at Auckland Museum. An exhibition 180 million years in the making, when dinosaurs ruled the land, giant marine reptiles hunted the depths of the sea. This incredible exhibitions includes more than 70 displays to learn about prehistoric ocean predators. Need more Auckland activities, check out The Urban List’s School Holiday Ideas
- Waikato: Running from 12 – 20 July, the Waikato Museum holiday programme is offering activities including Dancing with Dragons, Optical Art, Jungle Jam, and Celebrating Matariki

- Rotorua: For something a little different, the award-winning Redwoods Treewalk experience offers both day-time and night-time walks. This 40 min immersive nature experience caters to all fitness levels, and they even have purpose-built strollers so you can take the little ones!

- Wellington: Discover the Zealandia eco-sanctuary with over 40 species of native wildlife, and you can take the kids and walk amongst rare birds such as the hihi, kākāriki and takahē. Even better, kids go free during July with every paying adult!

- Kaikōura: If you haven’t experienced whale watching, now is the ideal opportunity. Check out Whale Watch Kaikoura and for the school holidays, kids travel free with every paying adult
- West Coast: Start your day by getting up close and personal with kiwi, tuatara, eels, crayfish, and whitebait at the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika and finish your day at the Glacier Hot Pools in Franz Josef
National Kiwi Centre National Kiwi Centre
- Dunedin: The New Zealand International Science Festival is offering an amazing range of activities and experiences from the Bang! Science Show to the CODE Virtual Reality & Gaming Centre through to the Imagination Playground or the Indoor Outdoor Forest

Whether its checking out a school holiday programme, a visit to an eco-sanctuary, or a night time tree walk, there is plenty to do these July school holidays. For more inspirational ideas for kids and adults, you can also check out Stuff’s kids vs Adults experiences.