There is so much to do at Te Papa for adults and children. There are four child-focused areas with exhibits and activities children can touch, create and have fun with. Be a detective and solve the murder, step inside a dinosaur print or learn about Maori culture. Go back millions of years on the Blastback or try a virtual tour fifty years into the future. For children aged 18 months to five years, StoryPlace offers 45 minute sessions of storytelling, songs, art and more to keep them amused. The events and exhibitions at Te Papa are changing all the time so check the website for current details. The Kids' Store at Te Papa is full of delightful gifts for children that are educational, fun, and distinctively New Zealand and two cafes offer a selection of food and drinks.

Wellington Zoo has more than 500 animals living in enclosures designed to be as natural and similar to the environment they live in as possible. Cheetahs, lions, tigers, reptiles, birds and fish are just some of the animals you can see at the zoo. School and community groups can book a sleepover at the zoo – mattresses, supper and breakfast are all provided. Would you like to hand feed a red panda or a giraffe or spend a day behind the scenes? Book a close encounter at the zoo and enjoy a truly unique animal experience. Pushchairs are for hire for $20 including a $10 bond. Toilets are situated throughout the zoo and there is a parent’s room in the entrance foyer. Don’t forget to visit the Zoo shop for a fantastic range of soft toys, souvenirs and children’s t-shirts.

For all those budding actors, technicians and television presenters Capital E is the place to go! Capital E present professional theatre, hands-on exhibitions, events and school holiday programmes as well as offering children exciting opportunities to work creatively in their video and sound engineering suite and fully equipped television studio.

Owned by Olympic Gold Medallist, Ian Ferguson, Ferg’s Kayaks hire, sell, coach and guide kayaking, climbing, and inline skating on Wellington’s waterfront. The indoor rock wall is the largest in New Zealand and caters to all levels of climbing. There is no age limit for the rock wall, although children must be able to walk.

The Farm Show is an all weather fun and educational experience including a shearing and milking demonstration, and the chance to handmilk a cow or feed the baby animals with a bottle. Take some food on the farm walk and most of the animals will eat from your hand. There are toilets, a café, restaurant and picnic areas.

Visit the world of the native New Zealand owl, known as the morepork or ruru. Guided tours range from 30 minutes to 2 hours and there is no barrier between you and the birds so you will see the owls close up. As well as owls, Owlcatraz has two ostriches, deer and other animals. A miniature train near the picnic area will take you to the Lolly Shop and there is also a craft shop.

This modern facility is designed for all those fans of wheelbased activities like skateboards, bikes, scooters and skates. Kilbirnie has a 20m by 40m concrete rink with a barrier and safety netting and removable ramps and obstacles. The centre is also home to Tinytown, a preschool play space with a safe, fun, interactive play area and ride-on toys. Phone Kilbirnie for details on skate and Tinytown sessions.

Take your family or friends on a discovery tour from Oriental Bay to Kumutoto on an Enormous Crocodile quadricycle. These two or four seater, four wheeled, covered cycles are fun for the whole family (but person hiring must be at least 18 years of age).