Our top recommendations for Things to do in Taupo with kids

Taupo is an absolute gem for families, with many activities that kids and adults can enjoy. We discovered some fantastic places on our recent trips that entertained everyone, from breathtaking waterfalls to thrilling water parks.

Whether you’re up for some outdoor adventures or prefer a relaxing day by the lake, there’s something here for every kind of family fun. Here are our top recommendations for things to do with kids in Taupo!

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Check out the Huka Falls

‘Wow’ is one word to sum up visiting the Huka Falls in Taupo! Apparently, it’s New Zealand’s most-visited natural feature, and it’s easy to see why!

This place is a must-see attraction for those who want to witness the sheer force of nature in all its glory. I hadn’t been in about 20 years and was so glad to take the family.

The waterfall itself isn’t massive but it’s the power of the water flow that’s so awe-inspiring.

Here, the Waikato River, normally around 100 meters wide, squeezes into a 15-meter space as it enters a narrow canyon. Then, the water bursts back out at the end of the canyon. It’s such a magnificent sight!

You could make a quick visit to the falls by driving to the car park. Or, take a cruise or jet boat ride for up-close encounters. Alternatively, a few different hiking and biking trails connect to the falls so that’s another option.

The Huka Falls is free to visit, so if you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in Taupo, don’t miss it.

Visit The Taupo Museum and Art Gallery

The Taupo Museum and Art Gallery is a small yet very adorable museum. One of its fantastic kid-friendly features is a treasure hunt where the little ones can find things hidden around the museum and mark them off on a card.

The museum has many artifacts and things I would have read if I didn’t have kids with me😆. We loved the Kiwiana-style caravan and old waka. Romy even tried her hand at lifting a rather heavy trout! Overall, the museum offers fun, interactive experiences and fascinating insights into Kiwi culture and history.

It even features a small art workspace, an art exhibition, and a rose garden outside. Our girls also loved the giant Moa puppets.

The museum also has an excellent location near the Tongariro domain (which has a fab playground) and the library. Check it out if you’re looking for things to do in Taupo with kids!

Play at the Tongariro Domain

If you’re looking for the best playground in Taupo, the Tongariro Domain may be it! It has excellent play equipment, beautiful gardens, and a fab location near restaurants, the lakefront, and the museum.

There’s even a little train that does a circuit around the park. Our local friends who visited with us said it was the first time they’d seen the train running. We went on a weekend during the summer holidays, so maybe that was a good bet. The girls spied the big, soft toy lion, so they were very happy to snuggle it in their carriage!

Splash about at the Taupo Aqua park

The Taupo Aqua Park is a super fun day for kids and adults. Ok, so I felt every one of my 40+ years while slipping, sliding, and falling all over the place, but it was mostly fun😆.

I noticed many adults sitting on the sideline, which could also be a wise choice🤔.

However, if your kid is under 6, you must be in the water with them. Everyone wears a life jacket, so non-swimmers can also join.

Some older kids might also need an adult with them. Climbing back up on the inflatables, even at the designated entry spots, takes some grit. Our girls loved it, and Ayla (age 10) could do everything in the park unassisted.

Romy (5) needed a boost to climb back up from the water, and a few features, like the “blob,” monkey bars, giant wall, and swing, are most suited to older kids (and younger adults, perhaps😆).

The park only opened in November 2023. It was previously a small wakeboarding park. Depending on demand, they might still offer wakeboarding in the off-season (May-October).

The park costs $15 per person for an hour, with under 6’s free with a paying adult. They also offer two-hour and full-day specials. An hour was enough for me, although the others would have stayed longer🤣.

The water wasn’t too cold, and apparently, no one wears wetsuits, but feeling the cold as I do, I’m glad I wore mine!

I got some scrapes, bruises, and a few aches, and Colin’s muscles were a bit sore the next day, but we survived!

Relax at Taupo DeBrett’s Spa resort

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort is a fab place to take the kids for a swim in Taupo, where you know the water is warm year-round!

This gorgeous thermal resort offers accommodation and swimming day passes. They’re undergoing renovations at the moment, so the prices are a bit cheaper than they used to be. Adult day passes are 24 NZD, kids’ passes are 13 NZD, and a hydro slide pass is 6 NZD.

The resort is converting from natural thermal water to chlorinated water. Since it has lost the rights to use the geothermal water, it will close one pool at a time to change it.

They have makeshift changing rooms at the moment. I was also surprised that there was very little space to sit and hang out – just a few benches but no grass area. So, I guess people spend most or all of their time in the pools.

Other than that, DeBretts is a fab attraction for all ages. There’s a splash playground for the littles, and our 10-year-old loved the hydro slides (minimum height 120 cm, maximum weight 90 kg—and they do weigh everyone!).

The Lakewood Reserve Playground

The Lakewood Reserve in Nukuhau has been recently refurbished, so it’s a good option if you’re looking for a playground in Taupo.

The only downside is that we didn’t see any washroom facilities, so it’s just somewhere to hang out until nature calls!

Things to do in Taupo with kids | In conclusion

Taupo is packed with exciting activities and beautiful spots perfect for family adventures. Whether you’re racing down waterslides, soaking in hot pools, or exploring the stunning natural scenery, there’s no shortage of fun things to do with the kids. So grab the kiddos, make some plans, and enjoy all the amazing experiences Taupo offers.

If you’re traveling around the central North Island, check out these fantastic things to do with kids in Whakatane, these tips for walks in the Whirinaki Forest Park, and our experiences hiking the Galatea foothills trail.

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