Things to do with Kids

Things to do in Queenstown with kids range from feeding alpacas at a high country farm to a zipline through the forest, and the town has plenty undercover for wet days. The options below are grouped by the kind of day you want, with the ticket types noted so you can see which ones take younger children. For the wider picture, Queenstown tours, attractions and activities cover everything else in the region.

Farm visits and boat trips on Lake Wakatipu

A lake day suits mixed ages, because the travelling is part of the fun. The TSS Earnslaw cruise and Walter Peak Farm tour crosses Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship, then lets kids feed sheep, deer, alpacas and Highland cows, with morning or afternoon tea baked on the farm.

For more speed, the 1-hour KJet ride sells child and infant tickets, and the Dart River wilderness jet boat ride mixes gentle cruising with a few thrills in Mount Aspiring National Park. Under the same KJet roof, Time Tripper is a short underwater show with a view of ducks, eels and rainbow trout, and it also sells infant tickets. More boat days sit under Queenstown water sports.

Adventure for older kids

Ziplines, horses and Segways have ticket bands for school-age children. The 6-line Kea zipline tour combines the lines with a guided forest walk, and the Rees River horse trek from Glenorchy is a popular choice for riders of any skill level. The Segway tour of Queenstown Bay is a 1-hour ride around the bay, and both suit older kids more than toddlers.

Indoor things to do with kids in Queenstown

Thrillzone in the centre of town covers the wet-day end of the range. The Putt'n'Glow UV mini golf is a 9-hole glow-in-the-dark course with no time limit, the racecar simulator is a 30-minute racing session, and the VR escape rooms take teams of up to six through a 90-minute mission. The outdoor escape adventure is the exception, a 2-hour scavenger hunt through the CBD with up to four players per team.

Elsewhere in town, The Dreamery interactive gallery is a 40-minute walk through themed rooms, and lazer tag at Game Over is a 1-hour game with team and solo modes. The same Frankton venue runs indoor racing, covered under Queenstown go karting. For more ideas when the weather turns, see Queenstown rainy day activities.

Sightseeing days the whole family can sit through

Half-day coach tours with child tickets for ages 0 to 15 include two that stay close to Queenstown. The Glenorchy and Paradise tour stops at Lord of the Rings film locations with Kiwi-style morning or afternoon tea, and the Best of Queenstown sightseeing tour adds Arrowtown, where gold panning is on offer.

Choosing by age and energy

For babies and toddlers, look for tickets with an infant band: the Walter Peak farm tour covers ages 0 to 4 and Time Tripper ages 0 to 2. Primary-age kids suit the farm, mini golf, jet boating and lazer tag, while the Segway, ziplines and VR sit better with older kids and teenagers.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do in Queenstown with young kids?

Things to do in Queenstown with young kids include the Walter Peak farm visit, the Time Tripper underwater show and indoor play at Thrillzone, all of which sell infant or child tickets. Infant tickets cover ages 0 to 4 on the farm tour and ages 0 to 2 on Time Tripper.

What can kids do in Queenstown when it rains?

Kids in Queenstown can play indoors at Thrillzone, which has glow-in-the-dark mini golf, VR games and a racecar simulator. Lazer tag and indoor go karting at Game Over and The Dreamery interactive gallery are also undercover.

Is jet boating suitable for children in Queenstown?

Jet boating in Queenstown suits children on rides that sell child tickets, including the KJet 1-hour ride and the Dart River wilderness jet boat ride. The Dart River ride mixes gentle cruising with a few thrills, which makes it easier for families.

What is there for teenagers to do in Queenstown?

Teenagers in Queenstown can try the 6-line Kea zipline tour, the Segway tour of Queenstown Bay and the VR experiences at Thrillzone. The outdoor escape adventure is a 2-hour puzzle hunt through the CBD for teams of up to four.

Is horse riding available for children in Queenstown?

Horse riding for children in Queenstown runs on the Rees River trek from Glenorchy, which sells a child ticket and is described as suitable for riders of all skill levels. Glenorchy is a 45-minute drive from Queenstown, so the trek is a self-drive trip.

Are there half-day tours in Queenstown that suit a family?

Half-day coach tours in Queenstown suit families with children, because both the Glenorchy and Paradise tour and the Best of Queenstown sightseeing tour sell child tickets for ages 0 to 15. They include morning or afternoon tea or a coffee stop.

Things to do in Queenstown with kids cover farms, lakes, forests and indoor arcades, so there is a day for most ages and every kind of weather. Choose the one that matches your youngest traveller and book a date.