Bay of Plenty, Family Activities

Paddle along the beautiful Lake McLaren on your way to experience the unique combination of kayaking and viewing New Zealand glow-worms. The Glow Worm Kayak Tour is the only tour in the world to offer this combination, and it is truly a magical experience.

Your evening begins with a decadent spread of delicious New Zealand cheeses, superb wine from the award winning Mills Reef winery and other refreshments on the lakes edge. Watch the glorious New Zealand sunset as your kayaks are set up for you. As twilight throws her cool, dark blanket over the landscape, you will be briefed on effective kayaking, before launching out onto the glassy waters of Lake McLaren. Once there, you can experience this popular paradise under the calming light of dusk.  Once you enter the magical glow worm canyon, you will be totally captivated when you see the glowing constellations cast by these amazing, tiny wonders. Definitely a perfect end to your day.

Your kayaking tour will last approximately one and a half hours and all equipment and safety gear is provided. Moderate fitness is required; however, this memorable adventure is very popular with families and suits people of all ages.

This 35 acre animal park is located within the beautiful McLaren Falls Park. Children are able to feed and play with a host of farmyard animals and see the unusual Tibetan yaks, giant African ostriches, Texas longhorns, several breeds of sheep, deer, goats, birds, pigs and horses from the mighty shire to cute miniatures. There are also pony rides, flying foxes and a playground. A shop sells essentials like pies and ice creams, or bring your own picnic to enjoy at the picnic tables set up in the park.

This is a popular summertime destination for leisurely swimming or fitness training. An on-site barbecue makes this the ideal location for family and group get-togethers.

Aquarobics, Learn to Swim Classes, Gymnasium and Swim Shop. A variety of pools for fitness, relaxation and therapy. Open Mon Fri 6am 8pm, Sat Sun 9am 6pm.

This is the place for kids from 8 to 18 to get in the water and learn a number of great sports including windsurfing, sailing and paddleboarding. Ideal base for birthday parties.

Have a ball at Bowling Tauranga! They have a special party room, a café, kiddies menu and 20 bowling lanes, with ball ramps and light balls for the littlies.

Stand Up Paddle and Outrigger company – tours, lessons, hire and retail. We welcome school groups and after school programmes are offered. You can also experience surf canoeing with us.

Depart from the North Islands largest man made dam and travel across the majestic Matahina Lake. Take in the amazing views of the spectacular ignimbrite cliffs leading to the Rangitaiki River with it's weeping waterfalls and willowed banks.

A hidden gem in Tauranga is AvGas Café & Bar, located at the Classic Flyers Aviation Museum. Inside the café there is a fenced play area for your little one complete with ride on plane, toys, books and musical instruments. Outside there is a large playground, Torpedo park that is also fenced with a mini plane and train, swing, slide, underground tunnel, life-size war planes and helicopters that you can climb inside and play. This playground is adored by children both young and old. There are covered picnic tables outside so you can watch your little ones while they play. The “Little Friends” coffee deal which consists of a coffee, muffin or scone, fluffy and a ride in the pedal car for little ones is only $10 during 9am-2pm weekdays. A great way to spend the morning.

We all know children love to be creative! Do you want a party for your child that promotes confidence, builds on skills and is environmentally focused? Do you like the idea of your children using natural materials and celebrating with the elements of the natural world with fun craft activities based on nature, recycling and creating something unique. I come to your home or venue, set up the activity and clean up afterwards, all you need to supply is a table and chairs or a floor space for the children to work on, and some party food - I’ll bring the rest! Minimum 5 / maximum 12 children. Options include: fairy gardens, crystal hanging, jewellery, sand art, nature mandalas and more.

With four pools, an indoor wave pool, toddlers pool and hydroslide, Baywave is a great place for the children to have fun in the water. They also have a café offering café style meals and a variety of hot foods for children, including wedges, pies, pizzas and ice cream. Kids Klub operates during school holidays, with pool games and activities for children between 5 and 13 years of age (bookings are essential). Little Splashes childcare will look after children between three months and five years from 9 to 11 and 11 – 1 (weekdays only).

Have a blast on these land sailing machine; super easy to use and great fun, these machines are awesome when the wind blows.

Blokart Recreation Park also has a new activity that is sure to impress. The all-new electric Drift Karts are the latest attraction. These three wheeled machines are perfect for those of you looking for a bit of sideways fun! Both activities are suitable for anyone aged 8 years and over and minimum of 1.2m.

Rocktopia represents adventure and fun for the entire family, a place where you can connect, be encouraged, have fun and enjoy problem solving scaling up one wall to another.  Suitable for all ages and abilities, there are 26 climbing challenges and 31 fun climbs on offer making this a great place to get your friends and family together!  Try something new - Climp N Climb offers fun and bright climbing walls, whilst Rock On has been built by climbers for climbers.  There are after-school climbing clubs, membership options available for unlimited climbing to progress your skills, or you can book one of the party rooms for your child's next birthday party - party packages come complete with invites, great party food options, access to Climp N Climb or Rock On, plus the help of an exclusive host to assist you.  Click on 'read more' for further information.

Off-road bike park catering for motorcycles and quads. Main MX track for seniors & juniors with separate track for minis. Also 2km and 15km native bush trail loops. Open 7 days but weather dependent.

Hibiscus Surf School caters for all levels of surfing. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced surfer, we will teach you at the level you require and get you out on the water and progressing your skills in no time!

One main hot pool surrounded by towering tree ferns, or choose one of our gorgeous private thermal hot pools, perfect for a family group.