Finding creative ways to keep the kids entertained and engaged in the school holidays can be a mission. So, to help all you parents and carers out there, we have come up with a list of the 10 coolest Numat destination playgrounds to visit this summer wherever you might be in the country.
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Kopupaka Reserve, Auckland
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Cornwall Park Playground, Hastings
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Margaret Mahy Family Playground, Christchurch
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Rotary Park, Wanaka
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Queenstown Gardens Playground, Queenstown
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Whangarei Town Basin, Whangarei
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Parliament Playground, Wellington
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Scarborough Park, Christchurch
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Potter’s Park Playground, Auckland
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Shorland Park Playground, Wellington
1. Kopupaka Reserve, Auckland
This playground has everything to entertain the kids with a large feature slide, water play area, kick-a-ball space, flying fox and ecological education area. Opened in December 2020, it’s one of the country’s most recent destination playgrounds. This is sure to keep the kids engaged and buzzing for hours.
Location: Maki Street, Whenuapai, Auckland
Designer: Auckland City Council
What to bring: Ball to kick around and sunscreen.
2. Cornwall Park Playground, Hastings
This destination playground is only a few years old and is one of the coolest play spaces around. Designed to reflect the surrounding park environment, the playground has an oak leaf and acorn theme. It is a bright, colourful playground with a 10-metre-tall Acorn Village climbing structure, wet play area, flying fox, trampolines, electronic interactive memory game and lots more to keep your kids exploring all day long. With lots of different areas to discover and fun play activities, this playground will have something for everyone.
Location: Roberts Street, Hastings
Designer: Creo
What to bring: Kid’s togs and towels, a ball to kick around and a picnic lunch.
3. Margaret Mahy Family Playground, Christchurch
Margaret Mahy Playground is one of the largest destination playgrounds in New Zealand. With multiple play options including a splash zone, Pour‘n’Play ‘hills’, a four-meter-wide slide, double flying fox, sandpit, climbing nets, trampolines, tunnels, and an 8-metre-high tower with a spiral slide, this park is a great place to spend the day with public BBQ’s available, a picnic area, as well as nearby shops. So, pack some lunch and come on down to spend the day at this marvel of a playground.
Location: Manchester Street, Christchurch
Designer: Catherine Hamilton
What to bring: Sunscreen, towel and togs, sausages, patties, and coins for the BBQ.
4. Rotary Park, Wanaka
Located on the stunning lakefront of Lake Wanaka, this children’s playground is fully equipped with play elements and surroundings to keep the whole family entertained this summer. There is a great junior play structure for the young ones, balance balls, and a surrounding picnic area. Dogs are also welcome around the area but should be kept on leads. Wanaka Rotary Park is close to shops and cafés, has easy access to the lake if you can brave the chilly water, and is surrounded by plenty of shaded areas so you are safe from the harsh rays of the summer sun. If you are heading down this way this summer, make sure Wanaka Rotary Park is on your list.
Location: Lake Front, Wanaka
Designer: Creo
What to bring: Togs and towel, sunscreen, and a picnic lunch.
5. Queenstown Gardens Playground, Queenstown
Tucked away in Queenstown and surrounded by the breathtaking Remarkables mountain range, this playground is the perfect pit stop as you explore the Queenstown waterfront. The playground itself is located on the edge of the tree line with lots of natural logs and stones creating a multi-sensory experience with musical elements, bridges, as well as classic playground equipment like swings and slides that are a crowd favourite.
So, whether you are just passing through or want to spend the afternoon by the lake, this is a great destination playground to take the family.
Location: Marine Parade, Queenstown
Designer: Reset Urban Design
What to bring: Ball to kick around, sunscreen, kid’s togs and towels, picnic lunch, and bread for feeding the ducks.
6. Whangarei Town Basin, Whangarei
The Whangarei Town Basin reopened early this year complete with an amazing, open, play space for locals and visitors to enjoy. The bright colour surface plays on the theme of tides and time, fitting to its seaside location, and there are plenty of fun and challenging play opportunities to excite the family. With plenty of cafés, shops, and restaurants nearby there is something for everyone.
Location: Whangarei Town Basin
Designer: WSP
What to bring: sunscreen and some lunch.
7. Parliament Playground, Wellington
If you’re planning a trip to the capital, then you’ve got to check out this play space. Located on the Parliamentary lawn, this simple space is a great spot to rest, have a play, and take some fun photos of the Beehive. Who knows, you might even run into one of our country’s decision-makers.
Built with the aim of increasing accessibility and interest in Parliament for children and young families, the Parliament Playground is complete with a unique feature slide, timber steppers, and timber balance beams.
Location: Parliamentary Lawn, Wellington
Designer: Studio Pacific Architecture
What to bring: Sunscreen and a picnic lunch.
8. Scarborough Park, Christchurch
Sumner has always been a hot summer destination for those around Christchurch and Scarborough Park has been popular with locals since its open day. Located right near the beach it’s the perfect kiwi summer playground. With plenty of play options including a large rocking horse, dancing snake rope swing, and a 5.8-metre-high climbing tower, slides and various accessible play options, this space is sure to keep your young ones busy.
Location: Sumner, Christchurch
Designer: Christchurch City Council Landscape Architect, Jennifer Dray
What to bring: Towel and togs, a picnic lunch, and sunscreen.
9. Potter’s Park Playground, Auckland
Potters Park in Auckland is a vibrant and eye-catching public space, full of a range of play activities and challenges catering to users of all ages and abilities. If you’re keen to have some fun with water play on the splash pad, test your skills in the balance play area, or have a game on the basketball court, then this is the park for you.
Location: Balmoral Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Designer: Auckland City Council
What to bring: Ball to kick around, sunscreen, picnic lunch, basketball, kid’s togs, and towels.
10. Shorland Park Playground, Wellington
Shorland Park has been a local favourite playground for many years. Its seaside location makes it the perfect spot to spend a summer afternoon after an adventurous day at the beach. With equipment pieces for junior children and plenty of green space to run around and kick a ball around, there’s an opportunity for play everywhere. If you’re in the Wellington area this summer, make sure to check it out.
Location: Reef Street, Island Bay, Wellington
Designer: Creo
What to bring: togs and a towel if you’re popping in the ocean for a swim, sunscreen, a ball, and a picnic lunch.
