Keeping the kids busy — without spending a fortune — can be a challenge over the holidays. Luckily, the Hibiscus Coast is full of amazing, family-friendly activities that won’t drain the bank account. Here are some local favourites!
1. Explore Our Beautiful Beaches
Take your pick:
- Ōrewa for long walks and swimming
- Stanmore Bay for family picnics
- Red Beach for rock pools
- Army Bay for peaceful sunset views
Pack a ball, a bucket and spade, and snacks — done! Check out all our local beach options.
2. Visit Local Playgrounds & Reserves
There are fantastic spots for kids to burn energy:
- Hatfields Beach playground
- Western Reserve in Ōrewa
- Little Manly Reserve
- Gulf Harbour playgrounds
A picnic lunch makes it a half-day adventure. Check out some great local playground options and please let us know those we are still missing! Why not try the Playground Challenge this summer and see how many different ones you can visit and rate them to find the best!
3. Discover Shakespear Regional Park
Always is a summer favourite:
- Easy and scenic walking tracks
- Wildlife sightings
- Quiet picnic areas
- Safe spots for swimming
- Free BBQ's
It’s essentially a free family day out. Head up the hill on a clear day and you'll get the most magnificent 360 degree views.
4. Hunt for Local Christmas Lights
Many Coastie neighbourhoods go all out in December. Load the kids into the car one evening, put on Christmas music, and take a drive to explore the displays.
The ones we know of include Vista Motu in Whangaparaoa, Miller Rise, Harris Drive, and Major Henry Greens in Millwater, Kensington Park in Orewa and we are sure we are missing lots! Let us know for us to share with others.
5. Get Creative at Home
Low-cost ideas:
Beach treasure crafts, painting found rocks, baking simple Christmas biscuits, DIY decorations using recycled materials. Here are a few ideas that might inspire you -
Ornament and decoration crafts
- Salt dough ornaments: Use a simple salt dough recipe to create ornaments in various shapes and then decorate them.
- Fingerprint art: Create fingerprints that look like snowmen or Christmas lights on ornaments or cards.
- Puzzle piece wreath: Upcycle an old jigsaw puzzle by painting the pieces and gluing them onto a cardboard wreath shape.
- Handprint wreath: Cut out a circle from a wreath shape, and then have kids glue their handprints in alternating colors to fill the wreath.
- Popsicle stick trees: Create small Christmas trees using craft sticks that can be painted and decorated.
Decorating and fine motor skills
- Christmas jumper decorating: Use fabric paint, glitter, and other embellishments to decorate an old t-shirt or sweater.
- Sticker Christmas tree: Create a tree shape on paper and let kids decorate it by covering the area with stickers.
- Paper plate crafts: Make snowflakes or Santa hats using paper plates, which can be a fun way to practice gluing and cutting.
- Mosaic gingerbread man: Have kids tear or cut small pieces of colored paper to glue onto a gingerbread man shape to create a mosaic effect.
- Yarn-wrapped letters: Wrap yarn around letters to spell out festive words like "JOY" or "NOEL".
Sensory and recycled crafts
- Snow slime: Make a batch of homemade slime with a festive twist for a fun sensory experience.
- Cardboard tube characters: Use toilet paper or paper towel rolls to create characters like Santa, reindeer, or elves.
- Tin can lanterns: Transform tin cans into festive lanterns by punching holes in them with a hammer and nail (with adult supervision).
- Bubble wrap art: Use bubble wrap to create unique textures and patterns for Christmas-themed art, such as snowmen or snowflakes.
Easy, fun, and perfect to get the kids into the Christmas spirit and keep them busy!
You don’t need big budgets to create Christmas magic. The Hibiscus Coast is rich with places to explore, things to do, and simple moments families can share — all without the stress.
