North Auckland School Holidays Things to Do

Great ideas for school holiday fun!

As school holidays approach once again, North Auckland offers a plethora of activities for family fun and school holiday programmes with over 60 things to do on both our Linku2 School Holidays North Shore and Hibiscus Coast pages you don't need to wander far!

There's school holiday programmes including fun for drama lovers with Artz on Show - Madagascar workshop on 15-19 July. Or if it's family fun you're after you will love glow-in-the-dark minigolf with Gloputt Minigolf - challenge the family in a glow-in-the-dark setting including glow in the dark buildings, foliage, pathways and fairways illuminated with glowing technicolor and of course glowing golf balls!

Another great place to visit for family fun is the incredible Winter Wonderland at Snowplanet. And keeping with the "cool" theme, if the kids want the kids to learn a great new skill, or brush up on their skills this winter holidays then they'll love a ski or snowboard holiday programme again with Snowplanet. With morning and afternoon options available check out details!!

For those lego lovers of course you can't go past a Bricks 4 Kidz school holiday programme. With fun using lego bricks, robotics and technology these programmes enhance children’s creativity, problem-solving, critical-thinking skills and a growth mindset for the future, and spark their interest in science, technology, engineering, art and maths (STEAM). With an Albany based programme as well as two other programme venues on the Shore, there are also lots of programmes right across Auckland , Tauranga, Hamilton and Wellington.

For those who love our heritage the Silverdale Pioneer Village are open every Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm throughout the holidays with great tales of early Silverdale life and history.

Why not then head on down to enjoy the great outdoors you can't go past the great cafes, restaurants, bars, shopping, great cycle and walking tracks and of course the beautiful stretch of golden sands for sun, sea and surf along Orewa beach.

Or if it's family fun outings or more great holiday programme providers you're after you will love all sorts of fun family activities right on your doorstep! Check lots out on our Linku2 School Holidays North Shore and Hibiscus Coast pages.

And if you want more great ideas read on ...

Take your kids to the beautiful beaches for a day in the sun, if the weather is good why not challenge your family to visit all the different beaches in North Auckland! Check these out at our North Shore beaches page and our Hibiscus Coast beaches page - which is your favourite?

Perhaps your kids love to explore the great outdoors and cycle and walking tracks? Spring is a great time to enjoy lots of great Hibiscus Coast walks and cycleways or on our North Shore walks and cycleways page you can link to plenty of options right across Auckland.

If you're kids love reading, check out the libraries in all the main centres - you'll find one near you on our North Shore libraries page or our Hibiscus Coast libraries page - check out recommended reads and more and each library will also have great holiday activities for the kids.

Pack a picnic and head to one of the many parks and playgrounds across both the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast, and there are lots, for a fun-filled family day. Check out what and where you can find these at North Shore Parks and Playgrounds and Hibiscus Coast Parks and Playgrounds.

If you're lucky enough to be heading away these holidays check out and follow our Linku2 Tiktok feed for some great ideas on places to visit around beautiful Aotearoa!

If your kids are food lovers, indulge in a delicious smoothie, ice cream, or sticky dessert at one of the many cafes and restaurants, and let your kids enjoy spending their pocket money at the malls and quaint local shopping centres. There are a number of larger malls including Westfield Albany, Glenfield Mall, Shore City in Takapuna, Milford Centre. Check out the options with Google.

If you'd rather visit the charm of a North Shore town centre there are lots scattered across the region with some of the main ones being -

1. Takapuna: Takapuna has an abundance of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. It has a historic theatre, The Pumphouse Theatre which was originally a water pumping station located on the banks of Lake Pupuke. It also has a popular, sandy beach so icecream then beach walk is always on the cards for the kids!
2. Devonport: Beautiful Devonport is full of charm with it's beautiful Victorian architecture, it is packed with history and filled with art galleries, boutique shops, and cafes. Also home to the iconic Devonport Ferry Terminal, its a great spot if you fancy taking the kids over to the city for a quick trip to downtown Auckland.
3. Milford: Milford is small but really bustling centre with a good range of specialty shops, cafes, and restaurants. Great to take the kids out and then head to the beach or check out the boats in the marina.
4. Albany: Albany was once a small centre and has a lovely pedestrian mall to the library, however in recent years it has grown rapidly and is home to lots of restaurants, cafes and is the home of Westfield Albany.
5. Birkenhead: Birkenhead is another historic town centre with another good range of shops, restaurants, and cafes, a large supermarket, a community centre and beautiful views of Auckland harbour.

But why not take a trip to some of the smaller town centres too as each have lovely treasures to be found and many with beautiful architecture.

But you may not always want to race around the shops or have the money for the kids to indulge, in which case, for those who just want a quick getaway from home when the kids are bored, or don't want to, or haven't got the funds to spend, you can have just as much fun just spending time together.

Enjoy the holidays!