Children's entertainment in Auckland

“I grew up around this place - used to have a paper round that passed by it (back when it was surrounded by fields) and I still like to pop back and visit on occasion. Though it always seems smaller than I remember. There are some great bush walks, a nice picnic area, and in the summer, swimming pools.”

“Hands down, the best childcare centre in Auckland. Large format, heaps of parking, amazing, experienced teachers who connect with your child and constantly go above and beyond. From the moment you step in the centre, you're greeted with a smile and the vibe is very comforting and calm. The best thing about this centre is they have dedicated, separate rooms for ALL age groups so children under 1 have 1 room, children between 1 and 2 have a separate room and vice versa. This enables children to get the absolute best environment to learn at their own pace and flourish. There are 5 separate rooms for children and each one is heavily equipped to provide the best possible care for your child. Highly recommended!”

“Having enjoyed the magnificent views at sunrise today, 16/2/2024, we are so blessed to start our beautiful day off every Friday. At around 6:50am, the Sun rose gradually above the sea level. We stood on the grass which was a bit wet and watched the sunrise peacefully and gracefully. There were not many people there at that time, apart from a few joggers who do their daily jog along the trail. We enjoyed our packed breakfast and homemade coffee in our car with the amazing sunrise picturesque view. We highly recommend you to watch sunrise there if you live near Bucklands Beach or Half Moon Bay in East Auckland.”

“Came here this afternoon for a short walk and a picnic. Very calming site, nice community and surroundings.”

“Such a great playground for smaller children. The playground is situated as you enter the parking lot of the cockle bay beach. There are four different swings two for very little children with one that has a adult swing attached. The other two are a small child swing with a chain and a big round rope swing. Also a smaller climbing frame with a slide and a bigger child slide amd frame. Great park all and all”

“Great beach for a nature break in the city; fantastic with takeaway/packed meal at low tide to walk off street the nom nom noms. Not recommended for inexperienced or young people to swim due to long jagged rocky foreshore bed.”

“Omana Beach Road Playground is a fantastic destination for families in East Auckland. The playground itself is well-equipped and provides plenty of fun for kids of all ages, making it an ideal spot for an active day out. It's set in a lovely location, perfect for enjoying the outdoors. While the public toilets aren't the best, it's good to know they are available on site. Overall, it's a highly recommended spot for a family outing, offering a pleasant and enjoyable experience near Omana Beach!”

“I regularly start and finish my walk of the Omana Perimeter Loop Track from here. There are splendid water views especially from the higher parts of the track. And the walk along the farmland border and through the bush and wetlands is very pleasant.”

“Had my daughter’s 3rd Birthday here and it was honestly so incredible. Ryan and his team communicated everything so well, from the party room, to the decorations to what kind of food we wanted. The actual playground is clean and tidy and the viewing space for adults is big! You don’t feel crowded at all. We have gone to other indoor playgrounds before and the space is so cramped and uncomfortable! They have such a huge range of party decorations and themes and add on options for the parties it really is a one stop shop!! Will definitely be recommending this to all my Mummy friends and will be back to celebrate more of my kids birthdays! Thank you Ryan and Team!”

“Great space fun for all ages. Plenty of shade.”

“A lovely well managed little community centre with different size rooms for hire and many community and business activities.”

“We really enjoyed this playground. There are things for all ages to do”

“Barbara Jenner's review above has confused two venues. She is criticising the large Torbay Community Hall which is owned by the TCA - Torbay Community Association. Torbay Theatre, an amateur theatre group, owns the small Gate Theatre which is attached to the Hall. I hope this clarifies things?”

“Such a lovely playground! Smaller area suited to younger children. Lots of shady spots to picnic. A nice little track for riding bikes too!”

“Auckland Zoo is an easy standout. The staff and volunteers are genuinely friendly and make the whole place feel welcoming. The animals look well cared for and the habitats are clean and well maintained. Plenty to keep the kids entertained with lots of space to explore and learn. Also, the coffee at the front cafe is surprisingly good which is always a win. A smooth, enjoyable visit from start to finish. Great place for families. Parking was closed due to renovations, so we had to park near MOTAT. Nice walk through the park though.”

“Really nice park. They are as of 13/07 they are repairing the basketball hoops so you can't play but the netball hoops are still working and they haven't closed those off. There is a lot of plants and trees and open space, saw a couple of rainbow lorikeets which was pretty cool. The only thing they need is a dog bowl connected to the water fountain. Apart from that it's great.”

“Te Reo class #1 Awesome turnout”

“Beautiful setting and environment. Children play ground as well as walking tracks, one of which leads down to water front. Grounds gets very soggy on wet winters, this is so to the basketball court, paly ground, refer photos. Good summer picnic spot, quite and a hidden gem.”

“Monarch Park is a picturesque park that combines natural beauty with excellent amenities. Its lush greenery, walking trails, and well-kept picnic areas make it a perfect spot for families, joggers, and nature enthusiasts. The park's calm and welcoming atmosphere provides a refreshing escape from the hustle of daily life. Whether you're looking for a place to relax, enjoy outdoor activities, or connect with the community, Monarch Park is a fantastic choice.”

“Great facilities. Had an awesome afternoon.”

“Great little park...mini bush walk and playground, and need to mention the Tui's.”

“Amazing place for birthday celebrations. I had my 5 year Olds celebration today and the host was amazing.”

“We booked our corporate Christmas party at GameOver and could not have been more pleased with the choice. Your staff are absolutely great. From quick replies and great service to all of our pre-party correspondence to support and guidance on the day to ensure our large number of guests could seamlessly enjoy the various activities and lunch without a hitch. Our team thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

“I visited with a friend of mine looking for a daycare close to their work. I loved the natural focus on the centre. Earthy colour scheme in the large classrooms, and a huge outdoor area, even a bush walk for the children to enjoy. Some of the preschool children had just pulled some radishes out of the garden and were proudly showing us what they had grown. The staff and management were friendly and professional, and to my delight, there was even a teacher who taught my son in a neighbouring daycare 6 years ago, whom we thought of highly back when my son was at daycare. There were also two male teachers, which is excellent as they are so hard to find in ECE and super valuable, especially if you have a boy. I would thoroughly recommend this daycare!”

“Such a fantastic building with tons of culture. A cozy theatre just big enough for the medium sized event. While awaiting the upcoming performance the theater itself gives so much to look at and admire. Parking building around the corner but tight streets, may suggest Uber to your event.”

“my son has been on Youth Theatre classes run by Tim Bray Productions. Its been absolutely great to see him growing confidence in speaking in front of others and being willing to share his ideas with others. He's been enjoying so much as it is also a lot of fun playing with friends together. it's a really great way to get kids involved with learning in social and individual ways.”

“Last international act I saw was back in the 80s in the 'super top' with UB40. Boy things have changed. And for the better. Plenty of kiosks & free water. The arena's sound system is 1st class & its probably the way I would like to see acts from overseas.”

“Beautiful venue with ample parking close. Show we went to see was great. Snacks and drinks available. Kids friendly.”

“Really enjoyed our visit here. The show and guide was really good.”

“We have been with Learning Tree Westgate for nearly a year and have been so glad we picked them to look after our 6mth old. They make you feel so welcome, it’s a safe and friendly atmosphere and our son (now a bum shuffling 15mth old) loves his garden and sandpit adventures daily. He also makes the most of the in house chef on site, eating better meals than his parents most days. We’ve been so happy with our choice we’ve successfully suggested the centre to two other families.... and counting. Can not recommend enough!!”