Keep the kids entertained these school holidays
Whatever the weather, the Wellington region has plenty to keep the kids entertained.
Hannah Carr at the Children’s Bookshop.
Hannah Carr fell in love with Wellington when she moved to the capital for university. But when she became a parent, she found herself in a bit of a rut. “We kept ending up at the same café and playground. Until we realised we could keep the routine but change the location.”
Now, Hannah and her family pick a new suburb to explore each weekend. This practical idea soon became a passion project and a way of seeing Wellington through fresh eyes. Hannah documents their ‘Saturday in the Suburbs’ adventures via her Instagram. “It’s been such a fun way to discover new cafés, parks, and just how much Wellington has to offer young families.”
Child-friendly places to eat
Eating out with kids can feel daunting, but Hannah says some Wellington spots make it much easier. “There are definitely spaces that are easier to enjoy with kids.”
Common Ground Café in Johnsonville was one of the first places she visited with a newborn, and it ticked all the boxes for Hannah. “Great cabinet food, plenty of seating, and all the practical things like highchairs.” Common Ground is part of Waitohi Hub. This is home to the Keith Spry Pool and Johnsonville Library. These facilities, along with the adjacent Memorial Park, make it an enticing prospect for parents.
Te Korōria in Karori is another favourite café. Hannah says it is “great on a rainy day with a play area built into the café, easy parking, and they make an excellent scone.”
Outdoor family adventures
The ‘Saturday in the Suburbs’ project has taken Hannah and her family to the far reaches of Wellington city, and she continues to discover new spots to keep children occupied. For outside jaunts, she cites Wadestown Play Area beside the playcentre, Churton Park Play Area off Abilene Crescent and Shoreland Playground in Island Bay.
Two family favourites include the Botanic Gardens Playground with its enclosed, fully fenced preschooler area, and Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne. The eco sanctuary, just beyond the Karori Tunnel, provides a massive 225-hectare ‘playground’ to navigate. “Our kids love searching for critters and watching the kākā feed. We love that it’s a pram-friendly track through some of the most beautiful native bush right in the middle of the city.”
Rainy day activities for kids
Libraries play an important role in Hannah’s routine. “We have little bookworms, so we regularly frequent Wellington City Libraries. ‘Baby Rock and Rhyme’ is a great free programme for bubs and a good way to meet other parents.” The programme caters for 0-to-2-year-olds and is available at branches across the city. Gym Jam is a more active programme involving bouncy castles and soft equipment. It runs in Wellington Recreation Centres from Kilbirnie to Khandallah.
For children of all ages
Hannah is passionate about supporting local shops that welcome families. The Children’s Bookshop in Kilbirnie is a standout. She calls it “a hidden gem, with the most knowledgeable staff and the best selection of books and toys for all ages.” The toy store on the top floor of Moore Wilsons gets a big tick for the range and quality of products.
While most of Hannah’s experience is with under-fives, she is looking forward to what comes next. “Zealandia kids’ night walks, and Space Place looks so fun for older kids. We can’t wait to take ours when they’re a bit bigger.” A day at Wellington Zoo is also hard to beat. With over 500 animals ranging from pygmy marmosets to giraffes, there’s plenty to spot and talk about.
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