Teenage Dreams

Create some memories you will want to look back on. This list offers you family time with minimal – perhaps even zero – moaning involved.

MANGAWHAI BOWL JAM – NORTHLAND

Gather around the skate bowl and bear witness to some of the best tricks, flips and ollies going. The Bowl Jam annual skating comp sees some incredibly talented skaters throw their board in the ring, under the encouragement of a fully supportive crowd.

EDMONDS BAKING SCHOOL – AUCKLAND

Your teen will satisfy that ravenous appetite while learning a life skill, and with many classes to choose from and cakes to make they’ll be begging to go back to this school.

SPOOKERS – KINGSEAT,AUCKLAND

Technically they won’t be moaning, they’ll be screaming, but then laughing…maybe. Professional ghouls and terrifying tormentors will chase your beloveds through this house of horrors and out the other end to you. Unless, of course, you want to go in with them?

THE MOUNT – MT MAUNGANUI, TAURANGA

The Mount’s surfy vibe with its mix of buzzing cafés and cool beachy shops make it the perfect place to loosen the reins and give your teens a bit of freedom to roam.

WHAKAREWAREWA E-BIKE TRAIL – ROTORUA

Race up the hills as if you are on the flats… zero whining guaranteed! E-biking on this trail is a new venture and because teens are eating machines, you can pre-order a picnic hamper to enjoy along the way.

3D TRICK ART GALLERY – ROTORUA

Keep your phone at the ready to take some hilarious family snaps. Mind-bogglingly created, these trick paintings and installations will produce side-splittingly funny results.

3D Trick Museum, Rotorua © the7thsister

RIDING THE NEW TRACKS AT THE SKYLINE LUGING – ROTORUA

One run is never enough. Luckily there are three new ones to challenge even the most experienced riders. These new tracks boast multiple corkscrew turns, panoramic views of the city and four newly lit tunnels, perfect for night luging too.

TANDEM RAIL BIKING – GISBORNE

If you really want to put your relationship to the test, then get on a tandem bike. You may argue over who is doing all the work, but there’s no risk of getting lost and having to ask for directions.

SNORKEL AND SWIM WITH STINGRAYS – TATAPOURI, GISBORNE

There will be plenty of squeals of fear and joy in equal measure when you meet these majestic beings in their natural habitat. Guided trips run from January to March due to the need for optimum conditions and warmer waters, for both you and the stingrays.

Stingrays – Tatapouri, Gisborne © Tairāwhiti Gisborne

MUSEUM OF NEW ZEALAND TE PAPA TONGAREWA – WELLINGTON

A major draw to Te Papa is still the heart-wrenching Gallipoli exhibition with realistic scenes and larger-than-life soldier figures created by Wētā Workshop.

CABLE BAY ADVENTURE PARK SKYWIRE EXPERIENCE – NELSON

If you are looking to bond a family, what better way than to be strapped in all together and launched over the treetops? They can’t say you aren’t fun anymore now, can they? You get a bonus ride backwards to the start afterwards, too.

Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire, Nelson © George Guille

UNDERWORLD ADVENTURES – CHARLESTON

How wet do you want to get? Choose from the Glowworm Cave Tour if you are after a slight dampening or the Underworld Rafting tour if you prefer a good old soak. Both offer spectacular trips through these magical ancient caves.

PARASAILING – QUEENSTOWN

What goes up must come down, and the folks in charge will try and give your toes a wee dip in the waters of Lake Wakatipu after reaching the maximum height of 600 feet in the air. They can fly up to three people at a time.

AJ HACKETT BUNGY – QUEENSTOWN

Even if you are dead set against trying to detach your retinas, you will enjoy the friendly vibe down at the Kawarau Bridge site while you watch other people get a dunking.

AXE THROWING – AUCKLAND & WELLINGTON

The Sweet Axe Throwing Company offers folk the chance to make like a viking and chop that target. If you are 12 and over then you can have a pop at this heart-in-yourmouth activity.

ARCHIE BROTHERS – NEWMARKET, AUCKLAND

Roll up for this insanely cool, circus-themed entertainment hub. The burgers in pink buns, fries that come riding on their own ferris wheel and drinks topped with candy floss will be demolished before you even hit the bumper cars, bowling and arcade.

Archie Brothers, Auckland © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Archie Brothers, Auckland © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

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