Things to do in Taupo with kids

Things to do with kids in Taupo centre on water: a lake large enough for a cruise and calm enough along the shore for paddling, a river you can ride on a jet boat, and geothermal streams that run warm. These kid-friendly things to do in Taupo suit a range of ages, from babies on a scenic cruise to teenagers after a jump.

Kid-friendly days on Lake Taupo

A lake cruise is a simple way to get the family out on the water. The Lake Taupo scenic cruise is a 1.5-hour outing on a large, comfortable catamaran with tea or coffee and a hot muffin included, and it sells child, infant and family tickets.

A sailing cruise to the Maori rock carvings is more hands-on: guests can help hoist the sails or take the wheel, and the trip ends with a swim in the lake, with warm ponchos on board. The shallow, calm water along the lakefront suits toddlers who just want a paddle in summer.

Jet boat rides for families

Rapids Jet sells family tickets and takes a 35-minute ride through the Nga Awa Purua rapids at Rotokawa, with jet boat spins on the way. Life jackets and spray coats are supplied.

The Huka Falls jet boat tour is a 30-minute run from Wairakei Tourist Park and has a family ticket as well. It passes the Huka Prawn Park and the Aratiatia Dam along the way.

Outdoor stops close to town

Huka Falls is a 10-minute drive from town, with a viewing bridge and short walks that have information panels. The Waikato River squeezes into a narrow canyon there.

The Spa Thermal Park is a 25-minute walk from the town centre and has warm pools along the Otumuheke Stream beside the Waikato River. Changing rooms and lockers are nearby, and a coffee kiosk covers the grown-ups.

Older kids and teens who want a thrill

Teenagers who want more adrenaline can look at the Taupo Swing over the Waikato River, which has a child ticket for the younger end of the age range, or at parasailing on Lake Taupo, where a solo, tandem or triple flight lets a family go up together.

More choices run under Taupo activities, from bungy jumping to skydiving.

Winter and wet days with kids in Taupo

Winter brings snow sports to Taupo, and Mt Ruapehu's ski fields are within easy reach of town. Warm geothermal pools take the chill out of the day afterwards.

Wet weather does not shut everything. Jet boats run all year, the Taupo Swing operates in the rain, and the sailing trips on Taupo cruises come with warm ponchos and hot drinks.

Planning a family trip to Taupo

Taupo is a 3.5-hour drive from Auckland, a 1-hour drive from Rotorua and a 2-hour drive from Napier or Hamilton, so a family can build a trip around it. Taupo tours and Taupo attractions cover the guided and sightseeing options, and more waits across things to do in Taupo.

Frequently asked questions

What are good things to do in Taupo with kids?

Families in Taupo can take a lake cruise with a swim stop, ride a jet boat on the Waikato River, watch Huka Falls from the viewing bridge and paddle in the geothermal stream at the Spa Thermal Park.

How old do kids need to be for a Taupo jet boat ride?

Rapids Jet sets a minimum age of five years, and children need to be one metre tall to ride in the jet boats.

Are there family tickets for Taupo jet boat rides and cruises?

Yes. Rapids Jet sells family tickets for 2 adults and 2 children or 2 adults and 3 children, the Huka Falls jet boat tour has a family ticket, and the Lake Taupo Scenic Cruise sells child, infant and family tickets.

Can children do the Taupo Swing?

The Taupo Swing sells a child ticket for ages 10 to 14 years, and a tandem swing is booked by buying two tickets that suit the riders' ages.

Are Lake Taupo cruises suitable for babies and young kids?

Yes. The Lake Taupo Scenic Cruise is a 1.5-hour trip and has child tickets for ages 4 to 16 years and infant tickets for ages 0 to 3 years.

What can you do with kids in Taupo in winter?

In winter, kids can go to Mt Ruapehu's ski fields, soak in geothermal pools, ride a jet boat, which runs all year, or take a lake cruise.

Taupo with kids is mostly about water, whether that means a cruise, a jet boat or a paddle at the lake's edge. Pick one big outing a day and fill the gaps with a stop at Huka Falls, then see what else Taupo has for the family.