15 Best Things to Do in Palmerston North with Kids

1. Spend the Day at Victoria Esplanade

Going to the park might sound like an unimaginative thing to do with the kids, but you’ll certainly earn some brownie points and might even enjoy yourself at Victoria Esplanade. You can spend hours on end at Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North’s premier city park, with its array of gardens and family-friendly attractions.

Ride the mini railway, operating weekends and public/school holidays, through the park and native bush. Let the kids loose on the playgrounds and smell the roses at the “Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden”.

There’s a cafe and conservatory garden to check out too. What’s more, the park is part of the Manawatu River Pathway, which is a fantastic walk for families along the river that’s bike and stroller-friendly.

Location: Access is off Park Road, Manawaroa Street or Fitzherbert Avenue, approximately 3 km (2 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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2. Visit the Birds at Wildbase Recovery

Also at Victoria Esplanade, but an experience in its own right, Wildbase Recovery is a hospital for New Zealand’s native birds and reptiles.

You’ll have no trouble sticking to your family budget, as the wildlife hospital is free and open for visitors to see which patients they have in, whether its a kakariki, tuatara, blue duck, kereru, kaka or something else.

See more activities like this in the 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Palmerston North.

Location: At Victoria Esplanade, access is off Park Road, Manawaroa Street or Fitzherbert Avenue, approximately 3 km (2 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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3. Check Out the Exhibitions at Te Manawa

More educational experiences await at Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and Heritage, located near the city centre. The free museum has a range of exhibitions, many of which are interactive and ideal for little ones.

Learn about the journey of the Manawatu River that flows through the city, see native wildlife like weta or native fish and admire Māori taonga (treasure).

In the same building, you’ll also find the New Zealand Rugby Museum should you be travelling with any rugby fans.

Location: 326 Main Street, approximately 600 m (650 yards) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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4. Do the Tawa Loop Walk at Manawatu Gorge

For families who are feeling active, head to the Manawatu Gorge just outside of Ashhurst.

You’ll find the two-hour Tawa Loop Walk where you’ll venture through stunning native forest with twining trees and mosses and enjoy viewpoints of Manawatu Gorge along the way. At a junction on the trail, you’ll also see a giant metal Maori sculpture.

This also features in our 10 Best Things to Do in Palmerston North.

Location: 1631 Napier Road, just at the entrance of Manawatu Gorge at the Ashhurst end, approximately 16 km (10 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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5. Explore the Gardens of The Herb Farm

On your way back from the Tawa Loop Walk, make a delightful stop at The Herb Farm on the outskirts of Ashhurst. This peaceful countryside spot is perfect for families, offering 14 themed gardens where kids can roam freely and parents can unwind.

The big draw here is the beautiful and educational herb gardens, ideal for sparking curiosity about plants and their everyday uses.

Wander through winding paths, discover fragrant herbs, and keep an eye out for hidden fairy doors that will enchant little explorers.

The on-site café serves wholesome meals, often featuring ingredients grown right there in the garden, with kid-friendly options available.

Don’t miss the farm shop, where you can find natural health products made from garden ingredients.

Location: 86 Grove Road, Kelvin Grove, Ashhurst, approximately 17 km (11 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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6. Take a Farm Tour of the Robotic Dairy Farm

You may notice a lot of cows and grassy farm paddocks as you travel around New Zealand and the Robotic Dairy Farm is a great place to learn more about them.

Do a one-to-two-hour dairy farm tour to see how the cows milk themselves using a robotic system and get all your questions about cows and how milk is made answered by a Kiwi farmer.

There’s also a collection of vintage farming machinery in “Poppa’s Shed”, while a flavoured milk drink is also included in the tour.

Location: Bunnythorpe, approximately 11 km (7 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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7. Have a Lick of Some Honey Ice Cream at Waireka Honey

The activity won’t take you long, nevertheless, be sure to treat the little ones and yourself to a classic New Zealand honey ice cream at Waireka Honey.

It’s a great place for you to pick up some souvenir manuka honey that New Zealand is famous for, while the kids get to lick homemade honey ice cream! Make it a stop on the way to Hikurangi Beach.

Location: Corner State Highway 1 and Rongotea Road, approximately 26 km (16 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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8. Take a Road Trip to Himatangi Beach

What would a family trip in New Zealand be without the beach?! Just a 30-minute drive from Palmerston North, you’ll find Himatangi Beach, a stunning stretch of sand that’s part of New Zealand’s largest sand dune field.

It’s not just about building sandcastles here (although that’s certainly a fun option); families can collect shells, fly kites or enjoy a leisurely walk along the shoreline. The surf can be lively, so stick to calm conditions for swimming and keep a close eye on the little ones.

There’s also a children’s playground and holiday park right by the beach, making it easy to turn a day trip into an overnight adventure. According to our travel manager, Robin, “Himatangi Beach is a fantastic natural playground that offers something for everyone in the family.”

Location: Himatangi Beach Road, approximately 36 km (22 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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9. Get Competitive at the Daytona Indoor Raceway

For families with kids aged seven years and up, Daytona Indoor Raceway offers awesome go-karting undercover, so you can even do it when it’s raining.

They have karts for various age ranges, including “Junior Kadet Karts” for ages seven to 10, “Intermediate karts” for ages 11 to 14 and adult karts.

Join in for a casual race, racing other families or whoever else happens to be there, or you can book the entire track.

See more activities like this in the 15 Things to Do in Palmerston North on a Rainy Day.

Location: 23D Bennett Street, Cloverlea, approximately 3 km (2 mi) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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10. Have a Splash at the Lido Aquatic Centre

A local favourite is the Lido Aquatic Centre. This large indoor and outdoor complex has something for every age group.

Inside, you’ll find a leisure pool with waves, a lazy river and interactive play features. Outside, there are hydroslides, a heated pool, and plenty of space for summer fun.

Kids love the “AquaPlay” area with around 51 features to interact with, while teens can enjoy the thrilling “SuperBowl” slide and “Speed slide”, reaching speeds of up to 60 kph!

For the little ones, there’s a shallow toddlers’ pool and splash zones where they can play safely. Parents can relax in the spa or on the grassed areas while keeping an eye on the kids.

With lifeguards on duty and modern facilities, it’s a safe and stress-free outing for the whole family.

Location: Park Road, West End, approximately 2 km (1 mile) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).

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11. Try Blokarting at Manawatū Blokart Club

If your kids love trying something new, blokarting is a thrilling activity to add to your Palmerston North itinerary. Think of it as a cross between sailing and go-karting, small wind-powered carts with sails that zoom around on smooth tracks.

At the Manawatū Blokart Club, families can give it a go under safe guidance, with options for both kids and adults.

The karts are easy to handle, and with the wind in your sail, it doesn’t take long to pick up speed. Children as young as eight can usually ride solo, while younger kids can often share a ride with an adult. It’s an exciting way to enjoy the outdoors and learn a new skill together.

Location: Sanson Domain, Sanson, Manawatū-Whanganui, North Island. 20-minute drive from Palmerston North.

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12. Bounce Around at Cloud 9 Trampoline Park

For those rainy days or when the kids need to burn off some serious energy, Cloud 9 Trampoline Park is the ultimate indoor playground.

This massive arena is packed with interconnected trampolines, dodgeball courts, foam pits and slam-dunk zones where kids can flip, jump and bounce to their heart’s content.

There are special toddler areas to keep little jumpers safe, while parents can either join in or relax with a coffee in the viewing lounge.

Cloud 9 also runs fun extras like glow nights with music and lights, making it more than just your standard trampoline park.

Location: 37 Taonui Street.

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13. Make a Splash at Off the Loop Wake Park

Just a short drive from Palmerston North, Off the Loop Wake Park offers an exciting water adventure playground that’s perfect for families seeking thrills and spills.

This cable wakeboarding and water park caters to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned riders, with friendly instructors on hand to help kids learn the ropes.

The real star of the show for families is the inflatable aqua park, a floating obstacle course featuring slides, climbing walls and balance beams that guarantees hours of laughter and splashy fun.

Life jackets are provided, and the whole experience is supervised, so parents can relax knowing the kids are safe. For older children and teens, trying out wakeboarding or kneeboarding is an exhilarating way to take to the water.

Location: 10 Stewart Street, Foxton, 35 minutes drive from Palmerston North.

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14. Cool Off at the Splash Pad in Memorial Park

When the Palmerston North sun is blazing, the splash pad at Memorial Park is the place to be for family fun. This colourful water play area is a hit with kids, featuring jets, fountains and sprays that shoot up from the ground in playful patterns.

It’s completely free to use, making it one of the best budget-friendly activities for families in the city.

Parents can relax on the shaded seating areas or set up a picnic nearby while the little ones run wild through the water. The splash pad is part of a wider family-friendly park that also boasts a playground and skate park, perfect for a full day of outdoor entertainment.

Open seasonally in the warmer months, it’s a must-visit spot for summer fun in Palmerston North.

Location: Memorial Park, Main Street.

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15. Pedal Around at the Junior Road Safety Park

Get ready for some fun and educational biking at the Junior Road Safety Park! This clever little park is a hit with kids who love cycling and scooting while learning important road safety skills.

The child-sized road network features mini roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, road signs, and even traffic lights, allowing little riders to practice safe cycling in a controlled environment.

Kids can bring their own bikes, scooters, or ride-ons, while parents relax on nearby seating.

Location: West Street, West End.

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