Rotorua Family Activities
With a whole host of lakes, forests and attractions, Rotorua is the perfect location for a family break. Check out our top picks for Rotorua family activities to keep the kids entertained!
The Redwoods
A favourite for Rotorua family activities is the Redwoods, Whakarewarewa forest. There are a variety of walking trails, or take the bikes on some of the world’s best mountain biking trails. Top tip – The Kids Loop from Waipa Mountain Bike Car park is a great option with the little ones.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Waimangu Volcanic Valley is a perfect Rotorua family activity. The whole family will be blown away by world-unique geothermal features, including one of the world's largest hot springs! Give the kids an info sheet and let them guide you around the valley, learning heaps about the geothermal activity! An area steeped in history, they’ll also learn about the history of the Mt Tarawera eruption and the Pink & White Terraces. Book a Family Pass!
Blue Lake
Blue Lake (Lake Tikitapu) is another favourite place to spend quality time with the kids. There’s a family friendly swimming area, kids playground and BBQ facilities. Parents will love the coffee from Airsteam café, and there’s a great selection of ice creams at the Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park.
Rotorua Duck Tours
Rotorua Duck Tours are one of the more quirky Rotorua family activities. They arm you with a quacker and take you out to explore Rotorua’s lakes in an amphibious vehicle. The kids will learn heaps about the local area, and the buzz of driving straight into the lake will appeal to young and old!
Mini Golf
Mini Golf Rotorua offers 18 holes of classic mini-golf with added rabbits! The friendly rabbits roam around the golf course, and add extra obstacles to the game. Visit at night to see the colourful illuminations and fairy lights for a magical family evening.
The Luge
You can’t talk about Rotorua family activities without mentioning the Luge! Designed right here in Rotorua, these gravity carts at Skyline Rotorua offer hours of entertainment. Kids under 110cm ride with an adult, between 110cm and 135cm can ride alone on the scenic and intermediate trails, and if they’ve over 10 years old and 135cm, they can try the advanced track!
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools is a family friendly hot pool complex, a short drive from Waimangu Volcanic Valley. There is the main splash pool with a shallow area for little ones, and a selection of other pools for passive bathing. There’s also the eco-trail, a beautiful short walk to Te Manaroa Spring, the source of the pools’ geothermal water.
