Get ready for a fantastic weekend in Wellington! We've got hands-on art sessions, an immersive nature journey, and plenty of indoor fun across the region for Saturday, March 7th, and Sunday, March 8th, 2026.
See our top picks
Te Papa Museum Exploration
Te Papa
Free entry for NZ residents and endless interactive exhibits for kids.
Junglerama Adventure Playground
Newtown
Indoor adventure playground with slides and climbing structures perfect for burning energy.
Colonial Cottage Museum Tour
Mt Cook
A short, guided look into history specifically welcoming ages 4+.
· March 7
4TOI ART SATURDAYS: SIT AND SKETCH : Head to Te Papa's Toi Art gallery for some creative time inspired by the current exhibitions. Bring the kids along to sit, look, and sketch whatever catches their eye in the gallery space.It's a perfect structured, creative activity happening mid-morning on Saturday.
EAT YOUR ART OUT : Treat the family to a wonderfully visual high tea experience at Te Papa. They offer several sittings throughout the day, allowing you to align it with your museum visit.It’s a delightful, scheduled activity offering a unique twist on afternoon tea.
THE PATH: A PERFORMANCE JOURNEY THROUGH BREATHE | MAURI ORA : This is a unique evening performance featuring poets, musicians, and dancers responding to the incredible immersive worlds inside the 'Breathe | Mauri Ora' exhibition. A perfect late evening activity if you have older kids or babysitters sorted.It’s a special one-off performance tied to a major exhibition, happening on Saturday night.
: The ANZ Festival of the Arts is in full swing this weekend, offering diverse music, theatre, and visual arts across the city. Check listings for whānau-friendly showcases happening Saturday or Sunday.It’s a major city-wide festival running right through this weekend, offering something cultured for everyone.
Also On· anytime this weekend
12FREE : This major immersive digital art experience at Te Papa uses neon and nature to create a stunning sensory world. Perfect for all ages to explore together this weekend.It's the main attraction running all weekend that inspired Saturday's performance, ensuring great programming during the day on Sunday.
FREE : If the weather turns, you can always fall back on Te Papa's permanent exhibits, which include four dedicated child-focused areas for touching and creating. Entry is free for NZ residents!It’s the city's premier family destination, always a safe bet for Sunday afternoon, and many exhibits are free.
: Take the iconic trip up the hill from Lambton Quay. It's a classic Wellington adventure that kids always love, running frequently throughout Saturday.It’s a reliable, fun transport/sightseeing experience available both days.
: Located near the top of the Cable Car, this museum tells the history of the iconic carriages, including viewing the old winding gear. A great addition to a trip up the hill on Sunday.It pairs perfectly with the Cable Car ride and offers a specific historical focus that older kids might enjoy.
: Located right next to the Cable Car top station, you can dive into space with a show in the state-of-the-art planetarium. Ideal for a Sunday outing after your ride.It capitalizes on the Cable Car location and provides strong educational content for kids interested in space.
: If Saturday involves rain, this massive indoor playground in Newtown offers climbing structures, inflatable slides, and obstacle courses to burn off energy.A high-energy indoor option for Saturday, great for younger kids to run wild.
: This Lower Hutt indoor playground boasts a giant climbing frame, inflatable slides, and even free amusement rides, making it a great destination for younger children on Sunday.It's an excellent alternative indoor option located slightly outside the city centre, advertised with free rides.
: Take a guided tour through Wellington's oldest original cottage to see how the Wallis family lived generations ago. Suitable for kids aged 4 and up.It’s a unique, small-scale historical experience suitable for younger children (4+) on Saturday.
: Explore the history of policing in NZ with fascinating objects and displays. This is a great educational stop slightly outside the CBD on Sunday.It offers a genuine piece of NZ history that usually appeals strongly to older kids interested in crime/justice.
: Indoor rock climbing that caters to everyone from beginners to advanced climbers, including very young children. A fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon indoors in Lower Hutt.A great active option for a Sunday when Te Papa might be too crowded, and it caters to a wide range of ages.
: This indoor venue brings the circus glamour for a Saturday of arcade games and competitive fun. It’s a lively spot perfect for keeping older kids entertained.It's a major entertainment hub right in the city, great for Saturday evening or afternoon.
: Have a crazy round of mini golf at this venue located in the same building as Archie Brothers. They have two different nine-hole courses to tackle on Sunday.Mini golf is a universally fun activity that works well for family competition on Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Wellington this weekend?
The best free option this weekend is exploring the general exhibits at Te Papa Museum (entry is free for NZ residents). For other options, you'll need to look into ticketed events like Toi Art Saturdays or the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
Where can we find guaranteed indoor fun on Saturday?
For guaranteed indoor fun on Saturday, check out the Junglerama Adventure Playground in Newtown, or head downtown for arcade action at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq.
Are there any unique arts events for families this weekend?
Yes! Te Papa is hosting 'The Path: A Performance Journey through Breathe | Mauri Ora' on Saturday evening, and the city-wide Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts is running with whānau-friendly showcases.
