Family-friendly Things to Do in Taupo
Adventure, relax, learn and have fun as a family with these amazing things to do in Taupo with kids!
With activities for families to suit a range of tastes, budgets and whatever the weather is doing, you’ll hardly get bored when visiting the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake.
Dive into our list of things to do in Taupo with kids below and get more travel advice in The Guide to Taupo for Families.
Table of Contents
1. Cruise New Zealand’s Largest Lake and See the Maori Rock Carvings
Don’t just look at it, get on the “Great Lake” on one of the amazing cruises of Lake Taupo!
For instance, join Chris Jolly Outdoors for a catamaran cruise with informative commentary of ecology, volcanology and cultural history of the lake on your way to the Maori Rock Carvings.
Alternatively, set sail on Sail Barbary or Taupo Sailing Adventures for a relaxing wind-powered (if conditions are right) cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings, each with their own perks like refreshments, music and more.
Location: Tours depart from Redoubt Street (Lake Taupo Marina), Taupo town centre.
© Chris Jolly Outdoors2. Blast Down the Waikato River on a Jet Boat Tour…
If you’re the type of family who prefers adventures to relaxation then opt for a jet boat tour! Your choices are Hukafalls Jet and Rapid Jets – both offering exceptional and unique blasts on different sections of the Waikato River.
Hukafalls Jet will take you on a ride with 360 spins and super speed to the base of the mighty Huka Falls, while Rapids Jet will take you to ride the rapids and even catch some air.
Children only need to be over 1 metre (3 feet) tall to participate. See how these jet boat tours compare in the 20 Places to Jet Boat in New Zealand.
Location: Hukafalls Jet – Karetoto Road, approximately 8km (5 miles) from Taupo town centre. Rapids Jet – Nga Awa Purua Road, approximately 13km (8 miles) from Taupo town centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. … Or Gently Float to Natural Hot Springs on a Family-friendly Kayaking Tour
Kayaking is one of the favourite pastimes in Taupo, but the best option for families is not on the lake but what is known as the “Waikato River Float”. Join Canoe & Kayak Taupo for a family-friendly journey along part of New Zealand’s longest river.
Let the gentle current (and your kayaking guide, of course) take you on a journey where you’ll stop by some natural thermal springs for a soak.
The tour is typically two hours long and there are double kayaks available should the smallest member of your family need to kayak with an adult.
Location: Canoe & Kayak Taupo – 54 Spa Road, Taupo town centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Let the Kids Loose on the Slides While You Relax at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
A good go-to any time of the year in any weather is one of the hot pool complexes in Taupo. A popular choice for families is Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort thanks to its warm water playground and waterslides.
Kids love playing on the slides, spinning wheels and water mushroom, while the four-story Dragon Slide, where kids slide out of the dragon’s mouth, is pretty epic!
There are multiple hot pool areas to enjoy a soak, as well as freshwater cooler pools where you can enjoy a family game of Marco Polo.
Location: 76 Napier-Taupo Road, approximately 4km (2 miles) from Taupo town centre.
© Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort5. Tackle the Choppy Rapids of the Tongariro River on a Family-friendly White Water Rafting Tour
It can be done in the rain or shine, so there’s no excuse to miss rafting the gentle rapids of the Tongariro River! Join Rafting New Zealand who offer special trips for families navigating the choppy grade two rapids of the Tongariro River’s crystal clear waters.
Look out for rare birds along the way, like the Blue Duck (Whio) and warm up with hot drinks, either before during or after the adventure, depending on which company you’re with.
See more activities like this in the 20 Things to Do in Taupo on a Rainy Day.
Location: Both rafting companies are based in Turangi, approximately 50km (31 miles) from Taupo town centre. Transport from Taupo is available.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Marvel at the Mighty Huka Falls
No visit to Taupo is complete without seeing Huka Falls, one of New Zealand’s most famous natural attractions.
Just a short drive from Taupo town, these roaring waterfalls offer a spectacular display of power as the Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge, sending over 220,000 litres of water crashing per second.
Families can admire the falls from safe viewing platforms or take one of the easy walking tracks nearby, perfect for little legs and strollers. Kids will be captivated by the rushing water and surrounding bush, while parents can enjoy the scenic beauty and photo opportunities.
For an extra touch of adventure, some tours offer jet boat rides that get you closer to the falls’ spray, providing a thrilling perspective for older children.
Location: Huka Falls Road, 5 km (3 miles) from Taupo town centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Explore the Sculpture Park at Lava Glass
Lava Glass in Taupo isn’t just a glass-blowing studio, it’s a vibrant sculpture park that sparks curiosity for the whole family.
Kids can wander among 600 colourful, whimsical glass sculptures set against beautifully landscaped gardens, spotting everything from giant flowers and a glass rainbow to fantastical animals and abstract creations.
The interactive experience often includes live glass-blowing demonstrations, giving children a fascinating insight into how molten glass transforms into intricate art.
Parents and kids alike can try their hand at creating small glass souvenirs under expert guidance, making it a hands-on activity that’s both educational and creative.
With pathways suitable for strollers and picnic spots where the family can rest, the sculpture park offers a calm, inspiring space to explore at your own pace. On-site, you’ll also find a café to relax in when you’re done exploring.
Location: 165 State Highway 5, Wairakei, approximately 10 km (6 mi) from Taupo town centre.
© Pixabay8. Fish for Prawns at the Huka Prawn Park
For a uniquely interactive family experience, the Huka Prawn Park is one of the top things to do in Taupo with kids.
This hands-on adventure combines education and entertainment, allowing visitors to try their luck at catching freshwater prawns in specially designed ponds. Kids of all ages will love using the provided kid-friendly nets and bait.
Beyond prawn fishing, families can explore touch pools to learn about local aquatic life, enjoy mini-golf, feed animals, and even take guided tours explaining prawn biology and sustainable farming practices.
The on-site riverside restaurant serves up delicious meals, making it easy to spend a full day at the park.
Location: Karetoto Road, Wairakei, approximately 7 km (4 miles) from Taupo town centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Watch the Bees in Action at the Huka Honey Hive
For a sweet and educational experience, families should buzz over to the Huka Honey Hive.
This fascinating attraction offers an insight into New Zealand’s famous Manuka honey and the busy world of bees.
Children can safely observe live bees at work through interactive displays and observation hives, learning about honey production and the vital role these tiny pollinators play in our environment.
Knowledgeable guides share engaging facts and stories, keeping young visitors enthralled while providing a hands-on educational experience. Families can also enjoy tastings of various honey varieties, from mild floral flavours to the distinctive Manuka honey.
There’s a small shop with bee-themed souvenirs, perfect for taking home a sweet reminder of your visit.
Location: Karetoto Road, Wairakei, approximately 6 km (4 miles) from Taupo town centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Venture to Tongariro National Trout Centre
On your way in or out of the Taupo, don’t miss the Tongariro National Trout Centre just outside of Turangi. Lake Taupo and the Tongariro River are famous for their trout fishing, which you can learn about in a fun and interactive way for kids.
See New Zealand’s native and introduced freshwater fish species in the aquariums, browse the museum and feed the trout in the shallow crystal clear streams surrounding the centre.
The highlight is fishing for trout in the kids’ pool, as well as seeing the rare Blue Duck in the creche and enjoying short bushwalks where birdlife thrives along the Tongariro River.
Location: 257 State Highway 1, Rangipo, approximately 53km (33 miles) from Taupo town centre.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About Taupo with Kids
That’s it for our guide to things to do in Taupo with kids; for more information about family-friendly activities in New Zealand, check out the following articles:
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Taupo.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Love Taupō (Regional tourism website)
- Taupō District Council (Local council website)
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