During the school holidays we need to keep our kids entertained. We've put together a list of the best family friendly activities in Rotorua for you to keep the kids and yourself happy during the break! You will all have a world of fun and get to experience some of the best things to do in Rotorua.
1. The most mind-blowing of things to do in Rotorua - 3D Trick Art Gallery
The 3D Trick Art gallery is the wackiest of things to do in Rotorua. Some of the Rotorua Canopy Tours team went to check it out and they were very amused and had a whole lot of fun! It is the first trick art gallery in New Zealand with 50 artworks and 5 different themes, so it is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Rotorua. The gallery is open 7 days a week from 9.00am - 10.00pm. The paintings were created by professionals to show optical illusions so the trick art will encourage your kids to think of creative ways to take photos with the paintings. Even better, it's close to a few of our other favourite things to do in Rotorua like the Rotorua Canopy Tour and RotoRocks areas!
Where to find it: Located in the centre of a Rotorua hotspot, the 3D Trick Art Gallery is situated on Fairy Springs Road, opposite the Rainbow Springs Nature Park.
Photo: Pip and Nicki, Rotorua Canopy Tours team members acting as penguins at the 3D Trick Art Gallery.
2. Getting out and about, one of the newest outdoor things to do in Rotorua - Roto Rocks
Inspired by the latest craze in New Zealand centred around uplifting others and inspiring happiness, Roto Rocks is a perfect activity for the kids. It's definitely one of the most unique outdoor things to do in Rotorua. Your children can create colourful, designer rocks and entertain themselves for hours! Hide them around Rotorua and leave them for others to find. The kids can search for other people's rocks and share them around. If #rotorocks is painted on the rocks, they can be identified if they venture outside of the city. If you join the Facebook page you get updates on where you can find rocks or let others know about your secret spots. It's about enhancing creativity and sharing positive but simple ideas around the country and community. This definitely makes it one of the best things to do in Rotorua!
3. Rotorua Canopy Tours - the most thrilling and educational of things to do in Rotorua
Bring your kids on an exciting but educational experience with Rotorua Canopy Tours. It's a must do on the list of things to do and we can guarantee that zipline tours are an awesome family activity! This 3 - 3.5 hour experience will take you and your children ziplining through New Zealand native forest. The tour is suitable for kids over the age of 6 years old, so this activity caters for most families looking for things to do in Rotorua during the school holidays! The children can either go tandem with an experienced guide or they can zipline solo. Not only do you experience flying above the canopy but everyone will get to learn about the history of the forest and it's native animals and birds.
Where to find it: Rotorua Canopy Tours is located at 147 Fairy Springs Road.
Photo: A tandem zipline experience with Rotorua Canopy Tours Guide Josh!4. Puarenga Walking Trail - a simple, beautiful walk on our list of things to do in Rotorua.
Taking the kids for some fresh air has never been easier with the Puarenga walk. It's high on our list of things to do in Rotorua as a simple fix to boredom for the kids! The walk can be found behind the Waipa sawmill where different sections go through ponga tree forests. The ponga trees are spectacular and the trunks have woven into one another to create amazing shapes. The walking track takes around 30-40 minutes to complete plus you're close by the Redwoods forest for other things to do in Rotorua!
Where to find it: Puarenga walk is located on Waipa Bypass Road. Keep driving until you pass Planet Bike on the left hand side of the road. At Forestry Road turn onto the gravel where the beginning of the Puarenga track begins.
5. Create your own Tracking Tunnel for the backyard
Children can easily make tracking tunnels at home, and one of our favourite things to do in the rain during the school holidays. The children can work with friends, other family members or siblings to create a tunnel of their own. Tracking tunnels determine if there are any rats or mice living in backyards. They can be made by using basic materials around the house. The kids can then check and relocate the tunnels around different locations in the backyard. You can watch the step by step video of Ana making a tracking tunnel below.
