Family Holidays in New Zealand
Custom Itineraries for All Ages
Plan the perfect family holiday in New Zealand with custom itineraries designed for all ages and interests. From wildlife encounters and scenic walks to cultural experiences and adventure activities, we’ll help create a fun, flexible trip the whole family will enjoy.
Share your family’s wish list with us, and we’ll design a personalised itinerary that suits everyone’s interests and travel style. From fishing and horse riding to relaxing meals at family-friendly wineries, every day can be a new adventure. Whether you prefer the convenience of self-catering or the comfort of a luxury lodge—or a mix of both—we’ll match your accommodation to your needs. With New Zealand Private Tours handling all the details, you can simply enjoy quality time together and make lasting memories.
Creating Your To-Do List
Our secret to a successful family holiday? Letting everyone feel that they’ve been part of the decision-making. Here’s how to do it:
Get everyone in the family to contribute suggestions to a wish-list of interests. For example: adrenalin sports, train rides, animals, Māori culture, fishing, boiling mud, hot pools, wineries (yes, this one’s for Mum and Dad). Then allow everyone to rank their top five interests; you should be left with a list where some activities clearly come out on top and everyone’s interests are represented.
You can then supply us with your list and we’ll suggest an itinerary that fits!
Fun Adventures For Every Age
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Our favourite North Island family activities
Click the link below for our favorite fun stuff on the North Island
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Our favourite South Island family activities
Click the link below for all our fun stuff on the South Island.
Travel tips for different age groups
0-8 Year Olds
Overview
You’ll be bringing a lot of luggage, especially if you have under-3s, so here are a few things that might make it easier in other areas.
Allow extra time at airports and hotel checkouts.
Try and stick to the same sleep times.
Animals, animals, animals.
Self-catering accommodation is usually the best option. Views are great but an enclosed garden area is always a winner, and it’ll feel safer than a balcony.
Pack car snacks.
Give them their own fun backpack for soft toys, etc.
Traveling with young ones can be fun but intense. Consider accommodation with babysitting services, kids’ clubs and crèches to allow you an occasional break
When you leave your accommodation, always look under beds, behind curtains and in cupboards. It’s almost guaranteed something will be left behind.
Accommodation with a pool is always a winner( heated in New Zealand).
8-14 /Pre-teen
Overview
This is the sweet spot for families. A multitude of activities opens up for this age (officially the age they can have their own kayak), so get them excited with the planning, and off you go.
They love fun competition; pick activities that they can win.
Keep days busy, they don’t like to sit around doing nothing.
Keep food simple. Even though they’re at the age where they can be more adventurous, this can still change overnight. If you’re eating at a nice restaurant, make sure it has simple options for kids.
Kids this age are impressed with most things so it’s a great age to soak up New Zealand’s great views (shorter walks/hikes are great). Even if they aren’t wowed by the scenery they’ll find other things to impress them. (Look! A giant centipede!)
Make light of travelling by giving them music / games on longer road trips. It’s important they have access to their own music (this goes for teenagers, too). A simple phone data plan with a hot spot will be a life saver and money well spent.
Teens
Overview
If your teen loves to be active, then New Zealand could be the perfect family holiday. But even couch potatoes have plenty to do round here. Either way, get your New Zealand family holiday off to the right start by getting teens involved in the planning. Also consider:
Not too many early mornings.
Plan some solo activities for them which you’re not part of.
Agree screen limits together in advance and let them decide when they want to use their screen time. Then try not to comment, even if they’re missing a great view; they need to stay connected to their friends.
Food, food and food – especially for boys.
Plan challenging activities that push their limits. Bungy jumping! (Make sure you have travel insurance.)
NZ’s drinking age is 18. If your teen is 18 or older and will be drinking, they’ll need their passport; so come up with a way they won’t lose it – a pocket it always goes in is perfect.
Trust them to talk to strangers; it’s hard, but they have more sense than you think.
If your teen siblings are very different, allow time to split them up and do individual activities with them on some days.
