Things to do in Auckland these school holidays for families and kids

Social Animal is described as a solo tour de force.

The school holidays are officially here, with kids, parents and caregivers all making frantic plans to fill what can feel like endless days across the motu. Thankfully, there are more than a few fun and inspiring events and workshops for the whole whānau to get stuck into, many of them created with Aotearoa’s occasionally inclement weather in mind, and lots happening free of charge to be enjoyed by all. Read on for what’s rolling out in Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend and beyond, with much more on the way.

1) In the mighty jungle

Take a trip to the Swamp Forest at Auckland Zoo and you’ll soon be feeling the heat.

Missing the all-enveloping warmth of those long, hot summer days? Take a trip to the Swamp Forest at Auckland Zoo and you’ll soon be feeling the heat! Part of the South East Asia Jungle Track, the Swamp Forest is 28C all year round, and filled with the kind of sights and sounds that will make you feel like you’ve hopped on a flight to Bali. Immerse yourself in the unique habitat that is hot, humid and home to Sunda gharial crocodiles, a variety of South East Asian fish and diverse flora, before continuing along the track to the lowlands habitat to see tigers and otters, and high canopy primate habitat, playground to orangutans and siamangs.

2) Start dreaming

See the NZICC transformed into a glowing, interactive world of colour, light and sound.

A brand-new indoor festival is lighting up Auckland these April school holidays in the form of Dreamer, which fills the New Zealand International Convention Centre with large-scale indoor light installations and glowing pathways designed for families to explore together. In place now until April 12, it sees the NZICC transformed into a glowing, interactive world of colour, light and sound, creating an easy – and blissfully weatherproof – school holiday outing right in the heart of the city. Set inside the vast Ariki Hall (roughly the size of Eden Park’s pitch), expect pathways of illumination, playful spaces, and environments designed to spark wonder, imagination, and magical shared experiences. Tickets start at $12 for children and $18 for adults plus booking fee, but the little ones under 5 enter free.

Dreamer, an indoor festival.

3) Calling all conscious consumers

This Saturday morning’s Freida’s Market sees the community favourite return with a conscious twist.

Once a month, much-loved Grey Lynn watering hole Freida Margolis shifts from neighbourhood wine bar into market mode, and this Saturday morning’s Freida’s Market sees the community favourite return with a conscious twist. In the heart of West Lynn village, the market brings together a rotating mix of local makers, vintage and pre-loved clothing, art, jewellery, flowers, tasty bites and baking, with the occasional tarot reading woven in. Relaxed, a little eclectic, and quietly buzzy, today’s outing is part of EcoFest, so there’s a gentle focus on circular fashion and conscious making woven through the stalls, as well as a few hidden eggs scattered around the market for visiting tamariki to find. Held from 10am–1pm and always worth a visit, stop by for a browse, grab something to eat, and you may even be compelled to pull a card.

Freida Market in West Lynn village.

4) Imagination, unleashed

Wētā Workshop Unleashed has announced a series of prop making workshops.

Calling all young fantasy fans: Wētā Workshop Unleashed has announced a series of prop making workshops rolling out twice daily on various dates throughout the school holidays. Young creators are invited to design and build their own fantasy-inspired prop using cardboard construction techniques inspired by real-world moviemaking, as well as to discover how important props are for helping tell stories in film and fantasy worlds. Perfect for imaginative makers, storytellers and creative thinkers aged 6-14, no experience is required for the 60-minute sessions, just a willingness to get hands-on and properly stuck in! Places are $32 and all children must be accompanied by an adult, who gets to come along free and witness the creation of a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

5) The airship has landed

The super cute collective will be swaying to the beat of their own drum in Aotea Square. Photo / Ben Weinstein

Free and most definitely fun, Airship Orchestra by ENESS is popping up this school holidays in the heart of Auckland’s CBD. A joyful group of 16 huge, colourful inflatables (some reaching up to six metres tall), the super cute collective will be swaying to the beat of their own drum in Aotea Square, inviting you into their world to wander, play and explore. As you move around, you’ll hear gentle, magical music and see the airship glow in time with the sound, with sweet details like friendly LED eyes that blink and follow you from one creature to the next, adding a sense of playfulness to every encounter. Ready to be explored day or night and enchanting for all ages, the Airship Orchestra will be in place until May 6.

6) Prepare to be dazzled

Dazzlehands is a joyful ballet for the whole whānau. Photo / Stephen A’Court

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s much-loved children’s ballet Dazzlehands: The Ballet is back for the holidays, touring to 12 centres around the motu from April 4–19. Based on the award-winning picture book by author Sacha Cotter and illustrator Josh Morgan, Dazzlehands is a joyful ballet for the whole whānau that is bursting with humour, music and playful choreography. The production follows the sweet story of a pig who refuses to follow the rules – and discovers that being different might just be his greatest strength. Alongside the performances, there will be a range of family-friendly activities in place like pre-show dance workshops for tamariki to learn choreography from the show, and post-show meet-and-greets with the cast. Craft activities will also be available so kids can create their own dazzlehands gloves and pig-ear headbands. Fun, fabulous and full of sparkle, tickets are on sale now.

Dazzlehands: The Ballet. Photo / Stephen A’Court

7) Gone to the dogs

Opening this Tuesday at Auckland’s Loft at Q Theatre before touring New Zealand in June, Social Animal is described as a solo tour de force that “explores the fragility of fame and the unexpected paths to redemption”. Award-winning actor Stephen Papps inhabits a rich menagerie of characters - human and canine alike – as he plays disgraced actor, Joe Quigley, who is navigating life after the spotlight in the company of a stray, neurotic ex-racing greyhound. Presented in association with Greyhounds as Pets, the production also highlights a timely connection to the New Zealand racing industry’s upcoming closure in July 2026, and the thousands of dogs seeking new lives beyond the track.

8) Exploring the body as stamp

Body As Stamp: Carving Name Through Chinese Martial Arts offers an introduction to Chinese martial arts through guided movement, cultural context and learning.

Held at Ponsonby’s Studio One Toi Tū this Sunday, April 5 from 3pm–4.30pm, Body As Stamp: Carving Name Through Chinese Martial Arts is a free workshop that offers an introduction to Chinese martial arts through guided movement, cultural context and learning. Led by interdisciplinary artist Yin-Chi Lee, participants will explore how intention, posture, rhythm and pathways move through the body, as she guides the group through accessible sequences and grounding exercises. With no prior martial arts or movement experience required, the workshop welcomes beginners and martial arts practitioners of all fields to experience a new movement-based practice, with enrolment open now.

Coming up

• Helen Clark in Six Outfits: April 7-26, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland.
• K-Pop Live: April 7-18, nationwide.
• Milli: April 7-11, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
• & Juliet: April 9-May 3, The Civic, Auckland.
• Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge, April 9–May 3, Q Theatre, Rangatira, Auckland.
• Auckland Phil’s Six-thirty Session, Tchaikovsky 4: April 9, Auckland Town Hall.
• Darklight, The Hidden World: April 9-18, Aotea Centre, Auckland.
• NZSO Resonance featuring Jörgen van Rijen: April 10, Auckland Town Hall.
• Ultra Festival, April 10, Wellington Waterfront
• Finding Cynthia: April 10-11, Artworks Theatre, Waiheke Island.
• Voices From Gallipoli April 19-19, Q Theatre Loft, Auckland.
• Jimmy Barnes, Working Class Man: April 19, Spark Arena, Auckland.
• The Graduate Choir NZ Recital for Pope Francis April 21, St Michael’s Catholic Church, Remuera.
• The KidsCan GlowRun, May 2, Eden Park, Auckland.
• Forever Tomorrow: China Art Now, May 2–August 23, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
• Split Enz, Forever Enz Tour: May 6, Wellington, and May 9, Auckland.
• Matariki: Waiata Anthems in Concert, July 9, Auckland Town Hall.

Email canvasplanner@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.