30+ Best Things To Do In Queenstown With Kids (2026)

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Queenstown might be known as New Zealand’s adventure capital, but it’s also an incredible destination for families.

From scenic experiences and outdoor adventures to playgrounds and unique activities, there are so many fun things to do in Queenstown with kids — no matter their age.

We’ve visited Queenstown as a family more than once and tested many of these activities ourselves, so this guide shares the best family-friendly things to do to help you plan your trip.

If you’re planning to go on holiday to New Zealand soon, make sure to include some of these fun activities in your Queenstown itinerary.

Queenstown With Kids – Quick Guide

• ✔ Best for: Families, outdoor adventures, scenic experiences
• ✔ Top activities: Skyline Gondola & luge, farm tour, jetboating
• ✔ Don’t miss: Walter Peak Farm Tour
• ✔ Time needed: 3–5 days
• ✔ Best time to visit: Year-round

Is Queenstown Good For Kids?

Short answer: Yes — Queenstown is one of the best family destinations in New Zealand.

There’s a great mix of outdoor adventures, scenic experiences, and relaxed activities, making it easy to plan a trip that works for all ages.

Queenstown surprised us with how family-friendly it is — there’s a great mix of relaxed activities and fun adventures. It has become one of our favourite family vacation destinations.

We recommend the Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park for a budget-friendly cabin, caravan and campervan accommodation. It is a short walk into town and near to food and attractions. Or check out The Glebe Apartments for something a little more luxurious. We loved both during different stays.

Fun Things To Do In Queenstown With Kids

When looking for family activities in Queenstown, you’ve got plenty of options!

It also helps to have a few wet-weather activities in case the weather turns bad. Thankfully, there ares plenty of indoor activities in Queenstown for all ages to prevent the rainy day from ruining your fun.

Now let’s check out the best things to do in Queenstown with kids:

Scenic & Must-Do Experiences

When you’re in a place like Queenstown, there’s no escaping the breathtaking scenery! Might as well make the most of it!

Skyline Gondola

It’s hard to miss the Queenstown cable car when you arrive in town, with the Skyline Gondola visible as it makes its way up and down the mountain. Enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown from above.

It takes you 450 metres above Queenstown to the top of Bob’s Peak, with incredible views of Lake Wakatipu from the top.

It looks like a spaceship lit up at night, being so high above the town! It is the steepest cable car lift in New Zealand, higher than the Christchurch Gondola.

TSS Earnslaw Cruise

For something more relaxed, a cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw is a great family-friendly experience.

This iconic steamship departs from the Queenstown waterfront and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains while giving kids a chance to explore the boat and even see the engine room in action.

You can also combine the cruise with a visit to Walter Peak Farm, which is a great add-on for families.

Click here to book your TSS Earnslaw cruise

Hiking Queenstown Hill

If your family enjoys being outdoors, the Queenstown Hill Time Walk is a rewarding hike with incredible views.

The trail winds through pine forest before opening up to panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.

It’s best suited to families with older kids, as the climb is steady and can take a couple of hours return.

Insider Tip: Bring snacks or a picnic to enjoy at the top — the views are worth it.

Visit Lake Hayes

A short drive from central Queenstown, you’ll find Lake Hayes. A serene location that’s ideal for a family picnic or afternoon walk. It’s just 5 minutes from Arrowtown.

The lake is encircled by a family-friendly walking track which is easy-going and suitable for all fitness levels. It will take 2 to 3 hours to complete the full circuit. There are plenty of spots to throw down a picnic rug and enjoy time outdoors.

In spring, the area surrounding Lake Hayes is a beautiful place to see native wildflowers in bloom. In winter, there are views of snow-capped peaks.

RELATED READING: Family-friendly South Island walking tracks

Animal Experiences

If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Queenstown, wildlife experiences are almost always a winner!

Walter Peak Farm Tour

One of our unexpected favourite activities was our visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm! We paid a little extra to visit via the TSS Earnslaw but there are other cruise boats to get you there.

There are several options – morning tea, afternoon tea or a BBQ lunch or dinner. We did the morning tea cruise, and it was the perfect half-day experience, taking around 3.5 hours.

Morning tea was delicious, and the farm animals were super cute. A guide takes you around to learn about and meet the animals. You can feed them too. Then you get a sheep shearing and sheep dog demonstration too.

Check pricing and availability for TSS Earnshaw Cruise & Walter Peak High Country Farm Visit

Kiwi Encounter

New Zealand’s national bird is the Kiwi bird, however, there aren’t that many of them left in existence.

It’s also VERY difficult to spot them in the wild, as they are nocturnal.

The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a perfect, family-friendly activity to experience with the kids.

They will have the opportunity to see the flightless birds and learn about them and the conservation efforts to increase their population.

The Wild Kiwi Encounter Tour leaves from Oban daily in the evenings. You will need to make the short trip to Stewart Island for this tour.

Check pricing & book tickets for Kiwi Birdlife Park

Horseback Riding

For an authentic and relaxing backcountry experience, enjoy horse riding in Queenstown, with three spectacular locations to choose from.

Be prepared to be amazed by the picturesque sights, surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu. The best part is that horse riding is suitable for riders of all abilities, including beginners!

The three locations to choose from are Walter Peak, Dart Stables, and Ben Lomond Trekking.

Or head to Cardrona Valley for horse riding with views over Lake Wanaka and the Crowne Range.

Adventure Activities

Queenstown is well known for being an adrenaline junkie paradise, with some epic snowfields during the winter and plenty of other exciting experiences nearby too.

While some of the more extreme thrills are more suited to older teens and adults, there are still plenty of family-friendly thrills too!

Shotover Jet Extreme

For a high-energy activity, jet boating on the Shotover River is hard to beat.

This fast-paced ride takes you through narrow canyons, with sharp turns and 360-degree spins that make it one of the most exciting experiences in Queenstown.

It’s suitable for kids aged 3 and up, although it’s definitely better suited to older kids who enjoy a bit of adrenaline.

This was one of our absolute favourite experiences — equal parts thrilling and fun.

Click pricing & availability for Shotover Jet Boat Ride

Skyline Luge Queenstown

Another experience we loved was the Skyline Luge. You need to ride the Skyline gondola to ride the luge. You can get a combo ticket or purchase luge passes when you get up there (it’s cheaper to pre-book).

We did 3 luge runs, but could have definitely done more. There are two different tracks. They do a quick training session with you before your first run, but they are easy to operate.

Our youngest was nervous, and honestly, I was a bit too, but it doesn’t take long to figure it out, and you can control the speed. By the 3rd run, we were zooming!

Ziplining in Queenstown

Ziplining is one of the most exciting (but still family-friendly) adventure activities you can do in Queenstown.

You’ll glide through the forest canopy high above Queenstown, with incredible views over Lake Wakatipu.

There are several zipline courses to choose from, with options suitable for kids aged 6 and up (depending on the course and weight limits).

Insider Tip: Book ahead during peak seasons — this is a popular activity and can fill up quickly.

Paddleboarding, Kayaking & Lake Activities

On a calm day, spending time on Lake Wakatipu is a great way to slow things down and enjoy the scenery.

You can hire paddleboards, kayaks, or pedal boats, making it a fun and flexible activity for families of all ages.

It’s a simple way to enjoy the outdoors — and a nice balance to some of the more adventurous activities Queenstown is known for.

Hydro Attack Boat Shark Adventure

If your kids love fast rides and a bit of adrenaline, a shark boat experience is another fun option in Queenstown.

These high-speed rides are unique submersible boats that dive and leap from the water. We never had the chance to go on one as they were booked out for the entire 5 days we were in Queenstown on our most recent trip but they looked exciting.

Check the age and height restrictions before booking, as these rides are better suited to older kids (6+).

Check availability and book ahead here

Free Things To Do In Queenstown With Kids

Queenstown can be an expensive destination, and while it’s absolutely worth it, having a few free activities is always welcome.

Queenstown Gardens

Located right on the lakefront, Queenstown Gardens is one of the best free places to visit with kids.

There’s a fantastic playground, plenty of open space to run around, and scenic walking paths along the water — perfect for a relaxed break between activities.

We found it hard to drag the kids away from the playground, making it a great spot to let them burn off some energy.

Play Frisbee Golf at Queenstown Gardens

One of the most fun (and completely free) activities in Queenstown with kids is playing frisbee golf at Queenstown Gardens.

This is a disc golf course set throughout the gardens, where you throw a frisbee towards metal baskets instead of hitting a ball into a hole. It’s easy to learn, fun for all ages, and a great way to spend an hour or two outdoors.

This is one of those simple activities that ended up being a highlight for our kids.

Queenstown Foodie Experiences Kids Will Love

Queenstown has plenty of great places to eat, but there are a few spots that are especially popular with families.

Fergburger

This iconic burger spot is famous for a reason. The burgers are huge, delicious, and worth the wait — although lines can get long during busy periods.

We ended up visiting Fergbutcher in Arrowtown for a slightly shorter wait, as they also serve burgers there. Worth trying!

Insider Tip: Call ahead and order to skip the queue.

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Cookie Time

Perfect for a sweet treat, Cookie Time serves up warm cookies, milkshakes, and desserts that kids will absolutely love.

Yes, you can buy Cookie Time cookies pre-packaged in the supermarkets, but there’s something much better about the freshly baked cookies. Plus, they do happy hour some afternoons with a 2-for-1 deal.

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Straospore Restaurant

If you’re heading up the Skyline Gondola in the afternoon, why not stay for dinner?

The Stratosfare Restaurant has epic views (you can pay extra for a window seat), but it also has one of the best buffets we’ve ever eaten. So much variety. There’s a whole room of desserts, there’s fresh seafood and even sushi.

It’s a little pricy, however we loved it, and you can get a package deal with your gondola, luge and dinner combined.

Rainy Day Activities

Rainy days go hand in hand with a trip to New Zealand so instead of letting it ruin your fun, there are plenty of indoor activities for kids to enjoy in Queenstown. You can find even more rainy day Queenstown activities here.

Indoor Skydiving (iFLY Queenstown)

If your kids are a little too young (or not quite brave enough) for real skydiving, indoor skydiving is an awesome alternative.

At iFLY Queenstown, you’ll experience the feeling of freefall inside a vertical wind tunnel — and it’s surprisingly accessible for younger kids.

No experience is needed, and everything is fully supervised by trained instructors. It feels like flying without jumping out of planes. It’s a quick experience but memorable.

Queenstown Ice Arena

The gardens are also home to the Queenstown Ice Arena where you can go Ice Skating or ride Ice Bumper Cars.

Ice Bar

Another indoor activity that many people love is visiting an ice bar. There are two in Queenstown, and it’s a bit of a novelty. We did this on our first visit. And honestly, it wasn’t very enjoyable.

Firstly, it’s very overpriced.

Secondly, even with the cold weather gear they give you – a jacket and gloves, it was still really cold. We left after around 15 minutes, as our youngest daughter was so cold.

The novelty of drinking from an ice glass and seeing the ice sculptures wears off quite quickly, and while an ice bar might be fun with teenagers, it wasn’t really fun with small kids.

Queenstown Winter Activities

Winter is a popular time of year to visit Queenstown, and you will find the city a hub of activity during the snow season.

The icy temperatures bring in bigger crowds, due to the proximity to some of the South Island’s best ski fields.

Skiing In Queenstown

If you’re visiting in winter, Queenstown is a fantastic base for snow adventures.

Coronet Peak is the closest ski field, just 20 minutes from town, while The Remarkables is another popular option around 45 minutes away.

Both offer lessons for kids and beginners, making it easy for families to try skiing or snowboarding.

Both offer ski lessons for kids and beginners, as well as plenty of fun for more experienced skiing and snowboarding.

Snow Farm NZ

For visiting with kids, if you just want to have fun in the snow without learning how to ski, there are a few cool places the kids will love. Our favourite was the Snow Farm NZ.

Here you can have a blast on the tubing hill. We all had a go and the kids loved it. They also offer snowshoeing tours and a few other family-friendly ac

Day Trips From Queenstown

If you’ve got more than a couple of days to spend in Queenstown, you have time for some pretty epic day trips. There are some beautiful scenic drives you can do for a half day from Queenstown, such as Glenorchy or you can go on a full day guided tour.

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves 

A visit to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves is a magical experience that kids will absolutely love.

The journey begins with a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau, followed by a guided tour through limestone caves filled with glowing worms lighting up the darkness like a starry sky.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the caves and the glow worms themselves, making it both fun and educational.

Tip: This is a longer day trip (around 2.5 hours each way from Queenstown), so it’s best suited to older kids or combined with an overnight stay in Te Anau.

Click here to book your Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

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Visit Arrowtown

Just a short drive from Queenstown, Arrowtown is a charming historic village that feels like stepping back in time.

Originally a gold mining town, it’s now filled with boutique shops, cafes, and a picturesque main street that’s perfect for a relaxed wander with kids.

There are also easy walking tracks nearby and plenty of open space for kids to explore, making it a great low-key day trip.

👉 It’s an easy half-day trip and pairs perfectly with a visit to Lake Hayes.

Try an Arrowtown & Gibbston Valley bike riding tour for something different.

Visit Wanaka

🌄 Visit Wanaka

Wanaka is a scenic lakeside town about an hour’s drive from Queenstown and makes a fantastic day trip for families. One of the highlights for kids is Puzzling World, where you’ll find optical illusions, quirky displays, and a giant outdoor maze that’s fun for all ages.

Beyond that, Wanaka has a relaxed vibe with plenty of space to walk along the lake, grab something to eat, or enjoy simple outdoor activities.

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Time to start planning your epic Queenstown itinerary with so many things to do with kids in Queenstown, with something for all ages! The hardest part will be finding enough time to do all the Queenstown activities you want to do during your stay.

Which of these Queenstown attractions for families are you most looking forward to visiting?

Make sure you check out our ultimate New Zealand bucket list!

For more help with planning your New Zealand trip, check out our 16 day South Island road trip itinerary and our guide to how much it actually costs to travel in New Zealand.