We live in the Wairarapa and honestly think it’s one of the loveliest places to raise young children. With its wide open spaces, quiet friendly towns, and slower pace of life, it’s ideal for little ones to grow, explore, and play.
Our kids are currently 4 and nearly 2, so these recommendations are very much based on what works for our family right now - lots of toddler-friendly spots, safe spaces to run wild, and a few good coffee stops to keep the adults going too.
If you’re visiting or new to the area with little legs in tow, here are our favourite things to do around the Wairarapa:
Go Zone Indoor Playground - Rainy Day Saviour
There’s a dedicated toddler zone for under-5s, plus a super fun big kids area that’s even suitable for adults. There's a donut slide, trampoline park, and plenty of space to run and climb. There’s comfy seating for parents, coffee, treats and rainbow slushies on site - and it’s also a great place for birthday parties.
Queen Elizabeth Park - Classic Kiwi Fun
This iconic Masterton park is a must for kids. There’s a massive playground (including a fenced toddler section), a flying fox, mini golf, a skate park, pedal boats, a lake full of ducks and swans, and a train ride that runs on weekends and holidays.
Pack your own picnic or head to the yummy cafe in the park - Sweet Cheeks Cakery - which serves up great coffee, milkshakes, specialty donuts, and cakes.
Pack your own picnic or head to the yummy cafe in the park - Sweet Cheeks Cakery - which serves up great coffee, milkshakes, specialty donuts, and cakes.
Tip: at the end of the main carpark, cross the swing bridge to visit the little deer park. Bring an apple or some carrots - the deer are friendly and love a treat.
Beach Adventures - Lake Ferry or Castlepoint/Riversdale
For a coastal day out, we love heading to Lake Ferry (the beach closest to us). The soft black sand beach is wild and windswept - perfect for shell collecting, wave chasing, and running free. While it’s not the best swimming beach for little ones, there’s a calm inlet for splashing, and it’s ideal for a picnic with a view.
We also recommend grabbing fish and chips at Lake Ferry Hotel, and there’s a small playground nearby for a post-lunch play.
Castlepoint and Riversdale are also stunning, but at 1.5 hours away from home (with some windy roads), we haven’t done them yet with our carsick-prone toddler. But a beachy weekend getaway to Castlepoint is on our summer wishlist!
Okataina Farm - Farm Animal Fun
Okataina Farm is a hidden gem for little animal lovers. While it's usually only open for birthday party bookings, they occasionally open to the public for special mornings where families can come and visit the animals. Kids will love feeding and meeting friendly pigs, ponies, goats - and even Highland cows!
Tip: Follow their Facebook page to keep an eye out for upcoming public open days - they’re such a fun treat for younger kids.
One of the best things about living in the Wairarapa is being surrounded by open countryside and mountain views - and there’s no shortage of peaceful nature walks to enjoy with little ones.
Nature Walks - Easy Trails with Beautiful Views
Two of our favourites are the Woodside Trail and the Lions Nature Trail in Greytown. Both are flat, easy, have farm animals to view and are mostly pram-friendly - perfect for toddlers to explore at their own pace while soaking up the fresh air and scenery.
Open seasonally from March to June, apple picking at Molewood Orchard is one of our favourite weekend family activities in Greytown. Bring your own basket or bucket and pick your fill of fresh apples and pears - and you're welcome to snack as you go (which the kids love!). It’s a beautiful, relaxed spot to enjoy the crisp autumn air, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy it under the trees.
Tip: Bring a camera - it’s a stunning spot for capturing some wholesome family photos among the rows of trees.
Nestled between Greytown and Martinborough, Morrison’s Bush is a peaceful, scenic spot perfect for young ones to paddle in the river and enjoy a picnic in the grass surrounded by nature.
The shallow water is great for dipping your toes in, and the mountain views are stunning. You’ll often see campers set up here but it's generally a quiet spot that not many people know about.
Molewood Orchard - Autumn Apple Picking Fun
Open seasonally from March to June, apple picking at Molewood Orchard is one of our favourite weekend family activities in Greytown. Bring your own basket or bucket and pick your fill of fresh apples and pears - and you're welcome to snack as you go (which the kids love!). It’s a beautiful, relaxed spot to enjoy the crisp autumn air, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy it under the trees.
Tip: Bring a camera - it’s a stunning spot for capturing some wholesome family photos among the rows of trees.
Morrison’s Bush - A Hidden River Gem
Nestled between Greytown and Martinborough, Morrison’s Bush is a peaceful, scenic spot perfect for young ones to paddle in the river and enjoy a picnic in the grass surrounded by nature.
The shallow water is great for dipping your toes in, and the mountain views are stunning. You’ll often see campers set up here but it's generally a quiet spot that not many people know about.
Sunflower & Lavender Picking in Summer
One of our favourite summer activities is heading out for sunflower or lavender picking. It’s such a fun, hands-on experience for kids – and you get to bring home a bunch of beautiful blooms! It's the perfect way to enjoy the countryside during the warmer months.
You’ll find sunflower fields like the Gladstone Sunflower Patch, and for lavender lovers, Lavender Abbey in Carterton is a must-visit when in bloom. Bring a basket, your camera, and enjoy a relaxed, fragrant outing in the sunshine.
If your kids love the water, the Masterton Pools are a great way to spend a couple of hours year-round. There’s a heated toddler pool, water features, and a lazy river. It’s affordable, simple, and relaxed - perfect for a great outing with little ones. There's also an outdoor pool and a hydroslide for use in summer.
Just 20 minutes north of Masterton, Pūkaha is a lovely nature stop with pram-friendly trails, native birdlife (including Kiwi and Kākā), longfin eels, and even a resident tuatara. The bush walks are peaceful, and there’s a cafe on-site too - a great combo for a half-day outing or a chance to stretch your legs if you're on a roadie.
If you're looking for laid-back, family-friendly places that blend nature, good food, and fun for the under-5 crowd, the Wairarapa ticks all the boxes. Whether you're a local or just visiting, I hope this list gives you some inspiration for your next family day out.
You’ll find sunflower fields like the Gladstone Sunflower Patch, and for lavender lovers, Lavender Abbey in Carterton is a must-visit when in bloom. Bring a basket, your camera, and enjoy a relaxed, fragrant outing in the sunshine.
Masterton Pools - Splash & Play
If your kids love the water, the Masterton Pools are a great way to spend a couple of hours year-round. There’s a heated toddler pool, water features, and a lazy river. It’s affordable, simple, and relaxed - perfect for a great outing with little ones. There's also an outdoor pool and a hydroslide for use in summer.
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Just 20 minutes north of Masterton, Pūkaha is a lovely nature stop with pram-friendly trails, native birdlife (including Kiwi and Kākā), longfin eels, and even a resident tuatara. The bush walks are peaceful, and there’s a cafe on-site too - a great combo for a half-day outing or a chance to stretch your legs if you're on a roadie.
Our Favourite Playgrounds
We mix things up and pick a different playground to visit every weekend. These are our go-tos:
- Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton - our top pick for a full morning of play (as mentioned above).
- Carrington Park, Carterton - has a fully fenced toddler playground, a big kids section, a great bike park and a walking track with giant red chairs at the end.
- Waihenga Playground, Martinborough - just off the town square, great for all ages with plenty of space to run around, and a cafe and library next door.
- Joy Cowley Children's Playground, Featherston - fully fenced with toddler and big kid options and a great little kids bookshop next door.
- Soldiers Memorial Park, Greytown - not as toddler-focused, but still a good stop if you're in town with swings, a flying fox and a climbing frame.
Kid-Friendly Eats We Love
- The Offering, Greytown - Good coffee, the best cheese scones in the Wairarapa (in my opinion!), great kids menu, and a toy/play area with colouring books.
- Clareville Bakery - Famous for its pies and pastries, awesome coffee, indoor and outdoor tables and a small kids play corner.
- Ten O’Clock Cookie Cafe, Masterton - Huge cabinet selection full of classic bakery goods, plenty of seating, and mini-sized yummy treats for kids.
- Colombo, Martinborough - Delicious pizza in a beautiful vineyard setting that comes out fast, with a big grassy area for kids to run around (oh and great wine!).
- Pinehaven, Greytown - Our go-to in the warmer months for real fruit ice cream, it's the best! Kids sizes are available, with shaded outdoor tables. Tip: go during cherry-blossom season! (end Sept/ early October).
For more of our favourite places to eat in the Wairarapa, check out my post here.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for laid-back, family-friendly places that blend nature, good food, and fun for the under-5 crowd, the Wairarapa ticks all the boxes. Whether you're a local or just visiting, I hope this list gives you some inspiration for your next family day out.
Feel free to follow our latest adventures on Instagram.
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