What are some fun (free) activities for kids in Auckland?

[A.C. Slater]

We're excited about the idea of raising our toddler in Auckland. What are some fun, cheap things we could do on a typical weekend?

[Oregonkiwi]

This afternoon I'm taking my 8yr old son to Wynyard Quarter http://www.wynyard-quarter.co.nz/Wyn...rter/Home.aspx
He loves riding his scooter around there, playground, etc. Free except for bus fare (or parking) and I'll probably buy him some food at the Silo Park Market http://www.silopark.co.nz/Silo-Park/Markets.aspx

Beaches are free with (usually) free parking. There are lots of parks and playgrounds and volcanoes to explore. http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/E...ages/Home.aspx

My son likes riding his scooter through One Tree Hill/Cornwall Park to the playground and looking at the sheep, and around the Panmure lagoon (many other places for this kind of thing, these are close to our home.)

The museum and art gallery are free and often have kids' activities http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/ http://www.aucklandartgallery.com/
Libraries run free preschooler activities during the week http://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz...eandrhyme.aspx

Maritime museum is free for Auckland residents http://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/home and Motat often has special free entry months to look out for (eg free for west Auckland residents one month, then east Auckland the next month) http://www.motat.org.nz/

[jmh6110]

good place to look is 'eventfinder' we have been to no end of school fairs and familyfun days some a totally free others have a charge for certain things (the mini4wds, train etc)
family funtfest has been n gone this yr but we have been it the last 2 yrs n love it free fair ground rides!

[LVKris]

I am not there yet, but I have been researching the same thing. I found that every month the Ports of Auckland and 360 Discovery Cruises offer free tours around the Waitemata Harbour.

You will definitely have to book these well in advance.

[kiwihusker]

We spend a lot of time at the beaches swimming, building sand castles and boogie boarding, my boys and hubs have gone fishing on many different wharfs and we have gone on heaps of hikes. The Auckland Museum is free if you are a resident and it is amazing! We have older kids, but we did lots of this stuff even when our boys were younger. Good luck and have fun.

[dharder]

The beach if your kids like it. Up to a certain age, that is. I think at some point, we had to add something to it: kayaks/sailing dinghy, sandcastles alone don't seem to cut it with our teenagers.

We occasionally cycle into town, and go for walks quite regularly. There's Auckland Museum, which may appeal (I just find it weird), and Motat, which for our sons was not interesting anymore from 9 onwards, and never really intersted the girls all that much. Gallery is free to get in (I seem to recall), but the kids' activities usually cost money.

For the older child, it can be quite tricky to find interesting things once you've been here for a while. We went to the busker's festival this year, and I realised half of the acts had been here before and we'd seen them...

But if you can get (and keep) yours interested in the beach, you're sorted.

Daniela

[72andsunny]

Disc (AKA Frisbee) Golf! (Some equipment required).

[Janey]

lots of beaches and skate parks, for very little money we have been to Point Erin pool its an open air pool and really fantastic

[batgirl1001]

Besides the beaches and parks mentioned by many others, you can:

a) Visit the Auckland Art Gallery (it's free and there are many activities to do, including some for kids) and don't forget the other museums and exhibitions around the area.
b) Weekend markets are great - visit Avondale/Otara for an ethnic feel to it or the Sunday markets like Matakana, Clevedon or suburban markets in areas like Browns Bay, Takapuna, Kumeu, Devonport. Glebfield Westfield has a night market where you can buy some rare ethnic food like Japanese octopus balls, Taiwanese cuisine, Spanish churros etc
c) Go sand-boarding at Bethell's Beach sand dunes. All you need is a cardboard box as a base. Walk to the beach -
d) Explore the tunnels at North Head in Devonport. Explore maritime museum.
e) There is also a pond at the gold course in Devonport, where you can feed the ducks and an organic fruit/vege farm right across the road where you can drop in and check out. You can also feed the ducks at Lake Pupuke at Takapuna but the geese can get really close and aggressive.
f) Visit the stardome (some activities can be free, the exhibits at least are)
g) Take a scenic drive to Awhitu, it has gorgeous views and a real historic lighthouse with a friendly/curious ? caretaker dog who will be your guide.
h) Always go for fireworks events - it is worth the effort.
i) Get an annual zoo pass and visit the Auckland Zoo because there is always something to see. It may cost some money but worth it in the long run.
j) Check out the community newsletters in your suburbs because it will list all the various activities in the area which include family events like fun fairs, kids theme events. They are free and great fun because it usually includes story-telling sessions, performances, kids constume activities, make-up and toys, play areas for kids.
k) Seasonal activities we do: go strawberry picking for $10 a bucket during the summer, visit the North Shore Aero Club during their fair day, it is great fun, free and you can see some nice aerial displays, go for the Devonport & Waiheke Food & Wine Festivals, Diwali festival held annually for rich Indian food, dance and culture, Santa parades held everywhere but the biggest most extravagant is in the city, lots of free music fairs and performances throughout the year in Auckland so worth checking out the events calendar.

[Mrs_Timber]

This sunday we are off to Abes Bagels Family Teddy Bears Picnic. Only been in Auckland for nearly 3 weeks, but we are managing to find something to do as a family every weekend, even if most weekends are spent at the beach.
Eventfinda is a great website and keep an eye in your local free paper. events and things are often advertised there