Upgrade your next playground adventure in Rotorua
Instead of shipping the kids off to a holiday programme or taking them to the same old playground, why not take the whole family on a fun-filled adventure?
For the best family activities that New Zealand has to offer, spend the school holidays in Rotorua. Full of exciting attractions and thrilling parks, you won’t be short of things to do, even if the weather is a bit grey.
For when the typical park and swing set doesn’t cut it, here’s how to upsize the action, with some of the best playground adventures in Rotorua for families for you to include in your next school holiday or weekend itinerary.
Velocity Valley
A favourite with families from all over, the epic Velocity Valley has something for everyone. Featuring some of New Zealand’s most unique and fun-filled rides, this Rotorua adventure park will be on every tamariki’s holiday wish list.
Jump into the exciting Shweeb Racer that’s fuelled by adrenaline and your own pedal power. There’s no other ride quite like this one – with its high-speed acceleration, your kids will love racing each other around the track!
For a true test of courage, try out the Swoop, a superhuman swing that’s suspended 11 stories high. Whenever you’re ready, release the ripcord and swoop 0 to 130 km/hr in just one second!
If you’ve got older children, they’ll be begging for a turn on the gravity-defying Freefall Xtreme. Taking on zero gravity at full force, this ride gives you the thrill of skydiving without the parachute, plus it’s a lot safer!
A Rotorua icon that has some of the best rides around, Velocity Valley also has great value family packages, to share 6, 8 or 10 rides amongst the whānau.
Off Road NZ
Get off the beaten track by treating your family to a day out with Off Road NZ. Offering rugged 4×4 adventures in the heart of the volcanic Mamaku Plateau, Off Road NZ has plenty of four wheel drive activities that are perfect for families.
Explore magnificent native forests in the self-drive 4WD Bush Safari that’s set on tracks that logging pioneers used back in the early years. Full of exciting twists and turns, gloriously muddy holes, and steep, nail-biting climbs, this adventure is the perfect thrill for adults and children alike, and those under 5 ride free!
Something the kids will be sure to love is the Monster 4X4 Thrill Ride. They’ll get buckled up in a real-life monster truck, with no doors or roof, to tackle exciting obstacles. It’s a true thrill ride that will have the whole family smiling from ear to ear.
Motion Entertainment
When the weather’s looking a bit ominous, the place to be in Rotorua is the Motion Entertainment centre. Not just a bad weather back-up, Motion Entertainment is home to plenty of indoor activities that will have the kids jumping for joy, even if the sun is shining.
The centre boasts a raft of activities, including ten-pin bowling, mini golf, laser tag, and even a Timezone Arcade.
To help the kids get rid of any excess energy, the Xtreme Air Indoor Tramp Park is a place where they can jump, flip, and bounce to their heart’s content.
For the younger children, Motion Entertainment is also host to Chipmunks Playland, a place of wonder and unlimited play for children from 0-11. Featuring a dedicated area for under 5s, you can rest assured that your little ones will have just as much fun as the older kids.
Rotorua Agrodome
If you like to incorporate a bit of learning into your family holiday, the world-renowned Rotorua Agrodome is your best bet. Only 10 minutes from Rotorua’s city centre, the Agrodome is the perfect place for some old-fashioned family fun.
Featuring a fun and educational farm experience, the Agrodome plays host to the popular Farm Show. An hour of entertainment featuring 19 different breeds of sheep and other furry and feathered creatures, this show is something you definitely won’t want to miss.
After the show, hop on board the all-terrain vehicle that will take you on a tour of the farm itself. Your family will get to hand-feed a variety of different animals, including sheep, cattle, llamas, ostrich, and pigs. There’ll be learning opportunities and laughs aplenty.
