What Are the Best Things To Do in Wellington With Kids?

 

Planning a family trip to New Zealand’s capital? Wellington is the perfect base for your adventures, and this guide is the best place to start.

We've rounded up the best things to do in Wellington with kids, including the biggest and best museum explorations, rainy day contingency plans that will make you embrace the wet weather, and even visits to New Zealand’s very own Willy Wonka factory.

Let’s explore what families are loving in New Zealand’s adventure-packed harbourside town.
 

Start your day of family activities in Wellington at Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s stunning national museum, located just a short walk from the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.  Entry is free for New Zealanders and residents, while international visitors aged 16+ will need a NZ$35 ticket, valid for 48 hours and available online or at the ticket desk. Children under 16 from overseas can still enjoy free entry, making it a great-value outing for families.

Inside, you’ll find engaging, hands-on exhibits (many of which are touch-friendly) that the kids won’t want to leave. Let them wander through sensory nature zones, dive into interactive discovery stations, and marvel at the ever-popular colossal squid. Younger ones will love the tactile nature play area, while older kids can geek out on the science and Māori culture exhibits.

 

Free vs ticketed — what’s worth it?

Te Papa’s main exhibitions are free, but keep an eye out for their rotating ticketed shows, often featuring dinosaurs, LEGO®, animation or space science. These can sell out during school holidays, so it’s worth booking ahead.

If you’re popping in for a quicker visit (perhaps between ferry rides to the islands or on a shorter visit), the free exhibits are perfect for an  immersive yet flexible experience. Similarly, if you’re on a budget or there are other family activities in Wellington you’d love to splurge on, opt for a free entry visit.

However, if you visit on a rainy day, or if your little ones are absolutely enthralled by the current exhibits and events at Te Papa, rest assured they’ll be well worth the ticket prices.

 

Wellington Museum

Just a 10-minute walk along the waterfront brings you to the Wellington Museum. It’s smaller and less overwhelming than Te Papa, with a brilliant storytelling focus that captivates kids.

Start in the Bond Store, where you’re transported straight to the waterfront of Pōneke in the late 1800s. Wander through the colourful, playful and immersive Te Whanganui-a-Tara area, with bright collections the kids will love. 

They’ll also love The Attic, a steampunk-style space that houses the weird and wonderful, from lions to flying saucers!

It’s fun, it’s free general admission, and it’s close to the hotel. Easy trips done and dusted.

 

Ice cream on the waterfront

No museum morning is complete without a reward. Just a few minutes’ walk towards TSB Arena is Kaffee Eis The Kiosk, an easy-access street-facing shopfront that scoops out creamy Italian-style sweet treats with a New Zealand twist. Oh, and it’s one of Wellington’s best ice cream places by a long shot.

A little further up is Gelissimo Gelato, an eight-minute waterfront walk from the museum that lets the kids stretch their legs before slurping down something icy. This ice creamery is known for its ever-changing menu, with past fan favourites including Hokey Pokey + Raspberry.

 

The Iconic Wellington Cable Car

 

Credit: Graeme Murray via Tourism NZ

 

Few family activities in Wellington beat the iconic Wellington Cable Car. This long-standing favourite turns one ride into a full and fabulously memorable outing that everyone will enjoy.

Ride up from Lambton Quay near the hotel and enjoy city views before exploring:

• Cable Car Museum: quick, engaging and free
• Wellington Botanic Garden: lots of paths, ponds and open space
• Space Place: interactive exhibits and stargazing shows in the planetarium

The Cable Car is also pram and wheelchair-accessible, and there are gentle walking paths through the Botanic Garden if you’d prefer to meander back down into the city. For quicker returns or tired legs, buses run from the garden entrance too.

 

Space Place after dark

Time your visit right, and you can catch one of Space Place’s evening stargazing sessions, where telescopes and planetarium shows bring the cosmos to life. 

Explore interactive galleries, immersive multimedia displays, and the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, all housed within a cutting-edge full-dome digital planetarium. Discover the wonders of our solar system, star constellations, distant galaxies, and New Zealand’s unique role in space exploration.

 

Animal Adventures For the Wild at Heart

 

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Just 10 minutes from the city, Zealandia is an urban eco-sanctuary home to over 40 rare native species. It’s stroller-friendly, and you can tailor your visit to a 1-hour loop or a full day. You might even spot tuatara, takahe, and kaka, all in their natural habitat.

Tip: Opt for the guided kids’ tour if available. They’re entertaining and full of fun facts.

 

Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo is New Zealand’s first zoo and remains one of the most accessible and walkable. Flat paths, plenty of shaded picnic areas, and popular keeper talks (like the cheetahs and giraffes) make it an easy half-day option. 

Get up close with the Close Encounter experiences or simply enjoy spotting lions, monkeys and red pandas.

 

Waterfront Parks and Outdoor Activities

 

Waitangi Park and Frank Kitts Park playgrounds

Right next to Te Papa is Waitangi Park, a great urban park and play space where kids can run free after an absorbing morning inside the museum. There’s a skateboard park, basketball courts, a playground and a café.

A little further on and right on the waterfront, Frank Kitts Park is another excellent playground that’s fenced, has shade sails, and features a giant lighthouse slide that the kids will race back to over and over. There are public toilets and coffee carts nearby (parents, you’re welcome).

 

Scooters and strolls along the promenade

The Wellington Waterfront is wide, flat and great for scooters or balance bikes. Or, of course, just a relaxed stroll on foot. 

Head out of Te Papa to trek the famous Wellington Waterfront Walk, which takes you up to Queens Wharf and then across the City to the Sea Bridge, which features large Māori carvings.

It’s about a 2km stretch from Waitangi Park to Frank Kitts Park, but if you’re up for a longer adventure, there are plenty more great hotspots and lookouts further on in each direction.

Along the walk, the kids will enjoy plenty of stops for climbing, spotting boats, and of course, grabbing snacks.

 

Cosy Options for Rainy Days

 

While Wellington isn't quite on par with England for rainy days, it does receive a moderate to high level of rainfall annually. The wet season is May to October, with June typically getting the most rain.

But fear not! The city is well-equipped to handle its weather, and with all the fun indoor family activities Wellington has on offer, a rainy day in Wellington with kids will actually seem like a dream.

 

Credit: Capital E

 

Nōku te Ao Capital E for creative play

Nōku te Ao Capital E on Queens Wharf offers interactive, creative play for kids under 12. They’ll be in absolute heaven with building zones and imaginative play areas, multimedia stations and storytelling spaces. 

School holidays are particularly eventful, with lots of hands-on workshops like game design on offer. Sessions often sell out, so booking ahead is recommended.

 

Willis Lane arcade games and bowling

Hidden beneath the streets of Wellington is a subterranean metropolis of action-packed fun and all-day feasting. Willis Lane is a sprawling labyrinth of eateries, activities and games with a touch of New York-subway flair, and it’s just a seven-minute stroll from our hotel.

There’s mini golf, 10-pin bowling, arcade games and every kind of cuisine all packed under one roof. You’ll find some of the best family activities Wellington has on offer here, including: 

• Holey Moley, the international mini golf favourite that’s packed with themed holes and quirky photo ops (like King Kong and The Flintstones).
• Right next door, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq brings old-school arcade fun into the spotlight with hoops, racing games and punch challenges.
• There’s also 10-pin bowling and karaoke inside, so you and the kids can strike and sing your hearts out.

 

Sweeten the deal at the Wellington Chocolate Factory

Wellington with kids just got sweeter, and you know they won’t need convincing with this one. The Wellington Chocolate Factory is home to sustainably sourced and made chocolate, and it’s like our very own Willy Wonka factory located just minutes from the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. 

Visitors can see the chocolatiers at work through glass windows before indulging in a hot chocolate at the café. If you’re visiting during the school holidays, treat them to the Junior Chocolate Experience. This hands-on and slightly sticky workshop will have them appreciating the fine art of chocolate making, wrapping and (of course) sampling.

 

Micro-itineraries for rainy afternoons

Okay, we'll cut to the chase, because we know busy parents need quick answers. Use these ready-made indoor activity itineraries if it's raining while you're navigating Wellington with kids:

• Te Papa museum + Kaffee Eis for ice cream + indoor play at Capital E
• Cable Car ride + Botanic Garden café + return via bus
• Lazy buffet breakfast at Whitby’s Restaurant + Wellington Museum + Wellington Chocolate Factory visit
• Brunch at Karaka Café + arcade games, mini golf and lunch at Willis Lane + room service dinner and a movie at the hotel

 

Easy Eats For Hungry Crews

 

There are kid-friendly restaurants around every corner in Wellington, and the food here is seriously good. Grab a table at:

• One Red Dog: fresh-made pizza, pasta and antipasto with casual seating and delicious kids’ options.

• Karaka Café: sprawling al fresco dining with plenty of accessible seating and delicious Māori-inspired cuisine to suit every palate.

• Mama Brown: American diner-inspired eatery with the best burgers and shakes in town.

• Willis Lane food court: let the kids (and adults) take their pick from a star-studded line-up of food stalls and cafés, with cuisine ranging from pizza and sushi to dumplings and ramen (not to mention the renowned Duck Island ice creamery).

• The Crab Shack: parents, get your seafood fill, and kids, enjoy the scrumptious kids’ menu with favourites like mac and cheese, burgers, fish and chips, and milkshakes.

If the weather’s beautiful, a family picnic could be the best thing on the menu. Pop into Moore Wilson’s or New World Thorndon for deli snacks, fruit and pre-packed lunches. Head to the waterfront or the Botanic Garden for a stress-free picnic with a view.

 

Getting Around With Ease

 

Many central attractions and family activities in Wellington are walkable from the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, but on tired feet or rainy days, Wellington’s bus network is efficient and easy to navigate. Rideshare services like Uber are also readily available and kid-friendly with booster options.

If you're driving to family activities around Wellington, keep in mind that there's limited parking near Te Papa, the Zoo and Zealandia, and time limits and fees apply. 

For city-based exploring, it’s often better to ditch the car and walk or catch public transport, or go on foot and stop at a few cafés when tummies start grumbling.

 

Sleeping Close Makes Everything Easier

 

 

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor puts you right in the centre of family-friendly Wellington. The Cable Car and Wellington Museum are just minutes away, and it’s a short drive or bus ride to Te Papa, the Zoo, Frank Kitts Park playground and plenty more.

 

Family rooms and rainy-day savers

We offer spacious family rooms, in-room entertainment and on-site dining that keeps things easy. When the weather turns, retreat to the hotel’s games room, fitness centre, or chill out with a movie and room service.

 

Late checkout and luggage hold

Need to time naps or stretch the day a bit longer? Ask about late checkout or use our complimentary luggage hold while you sneak in one last ice cream or quick visit.

 

Why Wellington With Kids Works

 

It’s compact, creative, and full of hands-on fun. Whether you’ve got toddlers or teens, Wellington with kids is equal parts relaxing and enriching. Enjoy short travel times, plenty of indoor/outdoor flexibility, and experiences that your family will genuinely enjoy.

And with James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Wellington as your base, you’re perfectly placed to explore the city’s best family activities without the stress. Book your stay and soak up the best of Wellington with your kids.