2021 is the year for exploring our own beautiful country and making the most of what we have on offer – which is a lot!
Whether you are heading away and exploring our lovely backyard or having a staycation, we have gathered together the best of what’s on, plus our favourite crafts and activities to keep the kids busy in-and-out of the house.
Travel Around The World With Disney+ Destinations
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Queenstown’s Family Favourites and Hidden Gems
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Wrap Up For Winter School Holiday Fun
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Be in to win
Audition to join our Kidspot Creators team and be in to WIN 1 of 3 $150 Prezzy Cards!
Kidspot is looking for parents and their families who’d love to be on our “real parents” list of creators to create recipes, do crafts, review products and more!
All you need to do is send us a video 1-2 minutes long on one of the topics below and introduce us to your family 
A recipe or craft tutorial
A day in the life of your family
Review of a toy or product
Top tip video
Our top tips for your vids are to have fun, and be yourselves – tantrums, tears, tiaras, pyjamas, warts and all! Be engaging and entertaining!
We can’t wait to see your videos!
What’s on these holidays
What’s on the small home screen, and the big movie screen?
Whether you are heading out to the local movie theatre, or relaxing at home, there are some great new movies out this summer.
In a cinema near you from 16 July 2021
Streaming now on Disney+
Spin off series streaming on Disney+ from 7 July 2021
This classic is now streaming on Neon
School holiday activities
See company websites for T&Cs
Looking to make a saving on your school holiday fun? Check out some of our favourite family deals on activities and backyard breaks here.
Top Queenstown picks
Queenstown’s fun and high-energy activity destination
Location: in the heart of Queenstown at 53 Shotover Street
When: Daily
What: Step into Thrillzone for an awesome range of exciting and adrenaline-fuelled indoor and outdoor attractions that cater to all ages. Enjoy the latest VR technology, a range of indoor action-packed gaming scenarios, DX Race Car Simulator, UV blacklight mini golf, 12D motion theatre and more!
We make people happy!
iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown
Location: 27 Brecon Street, Queenstown (on the way to the Gondola)
When: all weather, 7 days a week, well into the evening
What: Watch your little ones build confidence and smile as they experience the ultimate feeling of flight with iFLY, Queenstown’s Superhero Flying Academy. Simulating the freefall of skydiving in our vertical wind tunnel, iFLY is fun and safe for anyone aged 5 – 105. #skydivingapprovedbymum.
Family Pack only $299 – Includes 8 flights shared with up to 4 people, on sale now!
Shotover Jet – NZ’s ultimate thrill ride!
Location: Shotover Jet Beach, Arthurs Point (just ten minutes from central Queenstown)
When: 7 days a week (weather permitting), with our jet boats operating hourly from 10am until 4pm
What: Experience fast wall-to-wall canyon action and exciting spins on the thrilling Shotover Jet boat ride in Queenstown! Make the most of the epic family pass offer these school holidays – just $299 for two adults and two children – and create family memories you’ll never forget.
Active indoor entertainment for everyone
Location: Basecamp Adventures Queenstown, 3/15 Red Oak Drive, Frankton
When: every day throughout the holidays
Cost: $15 preschoolers, $25 everyone else
What: Indoor climbing has never been easier or safer than at Clip ‘n Climb. There are lots of climbs to tackle and when you are done, the automatic belay devices lower you gently and safely to the ground – no previous climbing experience is necessary! Add to the fun by taking a Leap of Faith onto our flying trapeze or plunge down the Vertical Drop Slide.
A-maze-ing fun in Queenstown
Location: 57 Shotover Street in the heart of Queenstown
When: Holidays daily 10am to 9pm (10pm on Saturdays)
Cost: Kids under 15 just $22
What: Enjoy an adventure where all your senses are challenged with quirky physical obstacles, illusions, lighting effects, scents, sound effects and strange sensations. Have fun with your senses, explore the different spaces at your own pace, and prepare to be a-maze-d! Recommended for 8+ years.
Holiday fun near you
First EVER Winter Lights event at Rainbow’s End
Location: Rainbows End, 2 Clist Crescent, Manukau, Auckland
When: Open daily
What: Launching for July School Holidays, come and see the Park as it sparkles with never-before-seen lights draped along your favourite areas. Experience the glittery streetscapes of Kidz Kingdom and glide through the Log Flume’s Enchanted Forest sparkling with magical fairy lights and projections.
With two time sessions available pick the best time for you to make magical memories!
School Holiday Experience: WOW Science
Location: MOTAT, 805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland
When: 10am to 4pm, 10 to 25 July 2021
Cost: Included in MOTAT admission price, under 5’s free
What: See WOW SCIENCE at MOTAT these school holidays! Build your own paper caravan and test your skills on the giant floor puzzle. Use microscopes to see the hidden world of everyday items, and watch digital designs become physical objects at the 3D Print Lab. There’s something for kids of all ages, don’t miss out!
Play, slide, tube, have fun. Show your kids how much fun the snow can be!
Location: Snowplanet, 91 Small Road, Silverdale, Auckland
When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12 to 9pm, Wednesday 12 to 4pm, Friday 10am to midnight Saturday & Sunday 10am to 10pm
What: Winter Wonderland is a safe, family-friendly alpine village with snow-capped trees and activities for you to explore. Set apart from skiers and snowboarders, there are two snow tubing tracks for longer, faster rides, a tobogganing area and plenty of play space for kids and grown-ups to enjoy a unique experience on the snow.
Winter Wonderland is on the snow, and is a chilly -5 degrees. Dress warm, wear gloves, a beanie, and warm waterproof boots.
Jackets, pants, gloves and boots can all be hired if you don’t have your own.
Oodles of creative options these school holidays
Location: Play HQ, Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington
When: 9.30am to 3.30pm. Monday to Saturday during the holidays
Cost: prices vary
What: These school holidays Capital E have a huge range of fun, creative events for children. From one day only classes to daily theatre, there is something for everyone.
Put Kiwi kids’ energy to good use for FREE
Location: online at mindlabkids.com
Cost: Free
What: The Genesis School-gen programme and Mind Lab Kids have got together to offer kids all over New Zealand FREE access to fun, interactive activities that encourage creative thinking and learning while they’re at home. Kids can access a safe online space that has been developed by educators where they can create, innovate and share their creations and be in to win cool prizes!
FREE fun for all ages this school holidays at Highbury Centre
Location: Corner of Highbury Bypass & Birkenhead Ave, Birkenhead, Auckland
When: Circus Workshops – Sunday 11th & Monday 12th, 11am – 1pm and Lego Building – Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd, 11am – 1pm
What: FUN for all ages this school holidays . Join us for FREE circus performances and workshops in week 1, and FREE Lego creation sessions in week 2!
Pyjamarama!
Location: Otago Museum Galleries, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin
When: 6pm – 8pm, Friday 9 July 2021
Cost: $2 per person
What: Put on your PJ’s, and bring your torches and teddy bears down to Otago Museum for a pyjama party to kick off the school holidays. This is a night that your child will remember. Tickets sell out quickly every year, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Whoa! Studios – The Cheshire’s Smile
Location: 8 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson, Auckland
When: Wednesdays to Sunday 9am to 4m
Cost: prices vary
What:A 45-minute colourful modern musical using puppetry, 3D projection and a host of international and original music, The Cheshire Cat’s Smile gives new meaning to why the Cheshire Cat is always smiling.
Celebrate Matariki these school holidays
Location: Te Awamutu Museum, 135 Roche Street, Te Awamutu
When: 13 to 22 July 2021
Cost: $5 per person
What: Join Oriwa Morgan-Ward as she presents fun-filled creative activities for all ages about Matariki, this July School Holidays. Activities include poi making, designing your own tī rākau and learn the waiata/song, and learning the ukulele. Bookings essential!
Fun and educational STEAM focused activities
Location: Tūranga and various Libraries around Christchurch
When: weekdays throughout the holidays
Cost: prices vary
What: Imagination Station Holiday Brick School and other great STEAM-based holiday activities for kids available in various Christchurch locations.
Support local
Spend these school holidays supporting Kiwi companies
Local businesses need our support now more than ever, so these school holidays we’re encouraging our families and each other to get out and back Kiwi’s. See some of our favourite family activities and school holiday programmes below + search for options in your area in our wider directory.
