Rainy day? The best indoor playgrounds and activities for kids in Auckland
It rains a lot in subtropical Tāmaki Makaurau, especially during the winter months. But, good news: Auckland is packed with fun, exciting, and even free indoor activities for kids of all ages.
Whether you want your kiddos to burn some serious energy, or you’d simply like a change of scenery, we’ve rounded up the best indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks, and family activities for rainy days.
Auckland’s best indoor playgrounds
Indoor playgrounds are a lifesaver on wet days — safe fun for the kids, with coffee and seating for you. Too good! Here are some of our most loved indoor play centres in Auckland.
My Wonderland (Albany)
One of our absolute favourites. My Wonderland is clean, bright, and caters for toddlers through to older kids. With tunnels, ball pits, climbing zones, and super speedy slides, there’s something for every age.
Roam tip: Show the Roam With Kids app to score a free coffee!
Magic Loft (Avondale or Browns Bay)
Great for both imaginative and physical play. Expect climbing frames, ride-ons, trampolines, a baby zone, and fun party spaces.
Hippo Playground & Cafe (Botany)
This is a great East Auckland option with padded areas, mini trampolines, ball pits, and more.
NeverLand (Burswood)
Another great East Auckland option, NeverLand has slides, climbing walls, trampolines, and a designated toddler area.
Bounce around at Auckland’s top trampoline parks
If your kids have energy to burn, trampoline parks in Auckland are the ultimate rainy day solution.
BOUNCE Inc (Avondale, North Shore, Takanini)
With three locations across the city, BOUNCE is a crowd favourite. Each venue offers wall-to-wall trampolines for school-aged kids and teens, plus dedicated soft play areas for under 5s. Sessions are timed to avoid overcrowding, and there’s a café onsite so you can grab a snack and relax while the kids jump.
Flippin’ Fun (Westgate)
Flippin’ Fun is an action-packed trampoline park in West Auckland. With wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball courts, slam dunk lanes, foam pits, and a free-jump zone, there’s something for every age and ability — from little jumpers to teens who want a challenge.
Gravity NZ (Manukau and Mount Wellington)
Gravity NZ offers over 1,000m² of action-packed fun, including trampoline dodgeball, foam pits, basketball hoops, and a ninja course for your little daredevils. The best part? You can relax with a barista-made coffee on the central viewing platform.
Explore free indoor activities in Auckland
Not all indoor fun comes with a price tag. These free indoor activities in Auckland are perfect for rainy days when you want to get out and about without spending up large.
Auckland Libraries
Libraries are an underrated goldmine. They’re warm, welcoming, and quiet(ish), with books, pizzles, and often a few toys or colouring supplies. Many libraries also run free storytime sessions for preschoolers, toddlers, and babies.
They’re all worth a visit — but these three are extra special in our books (pun intended!):
Devonport Library. Cosy and charming, this North Shore spot has cute reading nooks, a kids’ table with colouring sheets, and a warm, community vibe. Plus, it’s across the road from one of Auckland’s best playgrounds — Windsor Reserve — so pack your wet weather gear just in case the rain eases up.
Takanini Library and Community Hub. Famous in our family for its indoor slide, this South Auckland gem is modern and fun, with plenty of space to roam and play. There’s also a separate space for littlies
Te Manawa (Westgate). One of the most family-friendly libraries in Auckland, Te Manawa includes a play kitchen, baby and toddler toys, puzzles, and cosy reading areas. It’s a top pick for West Auckland families on a rainy day.
Auckland Art Gallery
If you’re looking for something a little different, Auckland Art Gallery has a designated children’s room with colouring materials and space to get creative. A short visit (even just 30-45 minutes) can be a lovely way to spend time out of the rain, and you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly cafés nearby for a treat afterwards.
Bunnings & Mitre 10 Mega
Did you know most of these stores have free indoor playgrounds? They’re small but fenced, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Bonus: there’s usually a café right next door, too. Our favourite Mitre 10 Mega store is Mitre 10 Mega Glenfield. It’s bigger than most and features a bouncy castle and soft play area.
Museums
Museums are some of the best places to escape the weather. These three stand out for being kid-friendly, interactive, and free for Auckland residents.
Auckland Museum (Grafton). From volcanoes and dinosaurs to Māori artefacts and local history, there’s so much to explore here. Focus on 2-3 exhibits each visit so it doesn’t get overwhelming (this museum is big!). It’s also worth setting aside some time to chill in the atrium, as little ones love the light projection shows and space to roam.
New Zealand Maritime Museum (Viaduct). This harbour-side gem is a great choice for older preschoolers and school-age kids. On Sundays, they run Make Day, where your kids can craft something cool to take home — like tiny messages-a-bottle or floating cork sailboats. There are also big wooden boats just outside the craft area that kids can climb on and explore.
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum (Devonport). This small museum is ideal for younger kids. There’s a designated children’s room with colouring, picture books, and often crafts. The onsite café has a playground outside and views of the harbour and city skyline — it’s worth a quick photo alone!
What are your favourite rainy day activities in Auckland?
What did we miss!? We’ve shared our go-to spots, but we know there’s so much more out there.
What indoor playgrounds, activities, or family-friendly spots do you love in Auckland when it rains?
Share your faves by tagging @roamwithkids on social media!
