It’s time to plan your school holiday fun
Discover the best school holiday activities in New Zealand for kids and families, with fun ideas, events, and experiences to keep everyone entertained.
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What’s on these school holidays?
There’s so much fun to be had these school holidays – check out what’s on offer.
(Refer to venue websites for terms and conditions)
Head to Te Papa for school holiday fun!
Te Papa offers a mix of free and paid experiences that make for a day of learning, creativity, and discovery for kids of all ages these school holidays.
🖼️ Enjoy the immersive video installations in the must-do experience Breathe | Mauri Ora
⛰️ Explore the nature exhibition zone, Te Taiao | Nature, and learn how to become a kaitiaki (protector) with The Path of Māui mobile guide
🎨 Get creative in Toi Art’s whānau-friendly Art Studio
🪖 Explore the extraordinary exhibit Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War
☕Breakfast, lunch or snacks are available at the café
➕ And there’s so much more with FREE entry!
Become a data detective at MOTAT
Dive into data these school holidays at MOTAT.
Jump, test and vote your way through a range of interactive activities exploring data science and statistics. Take on the Data Circuit, measure your reaction speed and more, then watch your results appear in real-time graphs. Discover how information is collected, displayed and used in fun, hands-on ways.
Included with General Admission.
Sculpt movie magic these school holidays with Wētā Workshop
Looking for creative school holiday fun? Kids can step into the world of movie-making at Wētā Workshop Experiences’ Junior Intro to Sculpting in Wellington.
Designed for ages 6-11, this hands-on workshop lets young creators learn real sculpting techniques to create their own take-home creature. This is a fun, screen-free activity that sparks imagination and creativity – perfect for budding artists. Sessions run throughout the school holidays.
$32 per person (parents and guardians are free)
Miramar, Wellington
Don’t miss out – spots are limited.
School’s out, climbing is in!
Join a Northern Rocks school holiday program to keep the kids active, engaged, having fun, and learning new skills. Full day programs are lead by experienced coaches and offer fun climbing games, body movement and literacy, the essential skills of bouldering, yoga, team building activities and of course, loads of fun!
$99 non-members / guests
$89 with Northern Rocks membership
Flexible drop off / pick up times on request
Buckle up and enjoy the new Thrill Coaster VR experience at
the Sky Tower!
A new immersive VR experience has just landed at the Sky Tower in time for the April school holidays and it’s one not to be missed! See the city from a whole new viewpoint with the Thrill Coaster, a high-speed virtual ride.
Experience the thrill of soaring high above the city with sweeping skyline views in every direction. The virtual coaster wraps around the Sky Tower, delivering heart-pounding altitude and cinematic thrills at the very top of Auckland’s most iconic landmark.
Just $15 per ride, per person.
Keep the kids active this school holidays at Snowplanet
Give your kids a holiday full of skill, confidence, and fun on real snow!
Snowplanet’s School Holiday Program runs Monday to Friday, with sessions designed for kids to learn in a progression-based program. From their first turn to improving technique, every child develops their skiing or snowboarding skills step by step.
They’ll be learning alongside other kids, building friendships, having fun, and gaining confidence on the snow, all with expert instructors and included gear hire.
Spaces are limited so book now and give your kids a holiday where they grow, learn, and thrive on snow!
April school holidays at Stardome: 3 April – 19 April
Stardome’s school holiday experience includes $12 daytime planetarium shows, half-day LEGO robotics workshops, and rocket launching! (weather dependent).
Choose from popular shows such as 3-2-1 Liftoff!, Dinosaurs of Antarctica, plus don’t miss the new show Moonbase: The Next Step.
Or get hands on in a workshop. Build a LEGO Mars rover, learn about design and basic coding to drive it across a Martian terrain. Each workshop also includes a planetarium show! For ages 7-14. Cost $60 or $45 for annual pass holders.
When: 3-19 April 2026
Where: Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Rd, One Tree Hill Domain, Epsom, Auckland 1023.
Galaxy Level Up at the Sky Tower
3 – 19 April
Blast off into an out-of-this-world school holiday adventure at Auckland’s highest point!
This April, the Sky Tower is teaming up with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to bring you an intergalactic playground where young explorers can power up, complete cosmic missions, and reach for the stars!
👪 $99 Family Pass – limited time offer for school holidays only
🌌 Galaxy Glow-Up Station (face painting at The Lookout, daily, 11am-2pm)
🎢 Tower Arcade – New Thrill Coaster VR Experience ($15 per ride per person), Super Mario Kart game and more
🚗 Free parking at SkyCity when you visit the Sky Tower these school holidays
Spotlight on …
Northern Rocks
What’s on screen these school holidays?
What’s on the small home screen and the big movie screen? Whether you’re relaxing at home or heading out to the cinema, there are some great new movies and TV shows out.
In cinemas now
In cinemas from 1 April 2026
Streaming now on TVNZ+
In cinemas now
School holiday fun at home
Crafts, baking, games, and more … make the most of the holidays to enjoy some fun activities.
Support local
Support Kiwi businesses these school holidays
Local businesses need our support, so these school holidays we’re encouraging everyone to get out and back Kiwis. See some of our favourite family activities and school holiday programmes below, plus search for options in your area in our wider directory.
