Playgrounds in Tauranga
Kids Playgrounds Throughout Tauranga
Kids Playgrounds in Tauranga
Discover here a wonderfully wide range of kids playgrounds to enjoy throughout Tauranga City and the wider region.
Playgrounds are are the perfect place to let your kids burn off excess energy, to learn and test their limits while trying new things. Tauranga currently has more than 100 playgrounds scattered throughout the city. The biggest and most notable, Memorial Park. This page will be updated regularly as time flows on.
Here first, is a great list of 10 of the best playgrounds around Tauranga.
Caslani Reserve (The Lakes)
One of the man attractions to this awesome playground is the 40m flying fox. This is the main reason why kids wish to flock to this playground from all over town! But that’s not all! There is plenty of other cool stuff to keep younger ones entertained as well. One is a Loch Ness-shaped roped swing that is capable of carrying four at a time. The large wooden seesaw can also handle a crowd. Kids imaginations can run wild as they explore small tunnels that are hidden beneath a grassy knoll. Other features are a mini trampoline, swings, slide and climbing frame. This playground makes for a perfect spot to spend some time out with little ones.
Who is this playground suitable for: Toddlers and primary school children
What can parents do: Grab a coffee and something yummy to eat from a nearby cafe.
Gordon Carmichael Reserve (Bethlehem)
You’ll find this park on the edge of a beautiful pond, surrounded by wetlands which are bursting with life. You can watch ducks, geese and black swans here. Try and spot the cheeky pukeko running around the place.
The kids playground itself has a popular bucket swing as well as regular swings. There are also slides and plenty of climbing equipment. With a bark underfoot, this is sure to cushion any hard landings. What’s extra is there is plenty of green space to kick a ball and have a run around.
Who is this playground suitable for: Toddlers and primary school children
What can parents do: Enjoy the 2km of walkway around the wetlands before or after your playground visit.
Kulim Park (Matua)
This park is almost always a popular spot, largely because of the awesome location and scenery. Kulim Park sits right on the Matua waterfront looking across the harbour with views of Mount Maunganui and Matakana Island.
This park is an idyllic place to spend an easy hour or two. Kids always love climbing to the top of the small hill to reach a fun slide. Kids can also and test their balance stepping on the uneven posts which surround the swings and main play area.
Waving out to passing trains usually guarantees a ‘toot’ from the driver which is always excitly fun for the kids. While the young ones play, the older kids can shoot hoops on the mini basketball court nearby.
Who is this playground suitable for: Toddlers and primary school children
What can parents do: Enjoy going for a stroll or bike ride with the kids along a sealed waterfront walkway.
Memorial Park (The Avenues)
Many locals around Tauranga will tell you this is the best playground in Tauranga. Why? Because of the many features and its HUGE. There is so much to choose from as far as kids are concerned.
Even so, Memorial Park caters for people of all ages.
The iconic ‘rocket ship’ slide has been around forever, now rebuilt, it is better than ever; there’s a wonderful challenging ropes course, interconnecting swing bridges, tunnels, slides and climbing equipment that will provide hours of fun and multiple visits.
Also here is a miniature railway, mini putt course, swimming pools and BBQ facilities. Kids also love splashing about in the giant fountain during the summer.
Who is this park suitable for: All ages
What can parents do: Enjoy a picnic on a lovely day or take dinner along.
Motiti Reserve (Papamoa)
This beach-side playground is encapsulated by a wide open reserve and sand dunes,. The access to Papamoa Beach just a short 30 second walk away.
A lopsided spinning top is one of the more popular features and the interlinking climbing frames as well as monkey bars provide a good physical challenge. Multiple swings (including two baby swings) and a fun glide bar are also heaps of fun. For the younger kids, a crawling tunnel, noughts and crosses game and a wobbly ‘kiwi’ rocker are cute attractions for them.
Who is this playground suitable for: Toddlers and primary school children
What can parents do: Make your way over the sand dunes and admire the view of Motiti Island which sits directly offshore.
Mount Drury Reserve (Mount Maunganui)
Mount Drury’s playground has one of the longest and most popular slippery slides in the Bay. This slide is 7m long. The ever popular beach and Mount Maunganui’s main shopping centre are both just a simple short walk away from this playground. The ‘big spinner’ roundabout is another cool point of difference that kids of all ages love. There is also plenty of climbing nets and public toilets are on site.
Who is this playground suitable for: Toddlers and primary school children
What can parents do: Go on.. Have a quick turn on the big slide too!
Pakanga Reserve (The Lakes)
This is one playground that is unlike any other in Tauranga. This is a water-themed reserve.
Nestled beside a gentle stream sits a series of wooden water chutes which can be turned on at the press of a button or the turn of a handle. Kids absolutely love the interactive, sensory experience of hearing water splashing along troughs and spinning water wheels. It’s also fun to churn water up in the shallow pond using a giant Archimedes’ screw. Be prepared for everyone to get wet here!
Who is this playground suitable for: Pre-schoolers and younger primary school kids.
What can parents do: Take a seat and relax on the park bench while soaking up some sunshine – or join in and have a splash around too.
Rotary Park (Maungatapu)
This playground is a hidden treasure. A beautiful playground that sits on the water’s edge in Maungatapu.
Rotary Park’s play equipment is made of natural timber and is wonderfully set out. A giant spider’s net sits right in the middle and there’s a big focus on balancing activities here – from walking across a wobbly log, to stepping along uneven wooden posts, tip toeing your way along the balance beam and navigating the giant wooden stepping poles.
Also, two extra slippery slides and an awesome log see-saw top off this gem of a kids playground.
Who is this suitable for: Toddlers and primary school children
What can parents do: Look across the harbour and listen to the Tui and birdlife singing in the trees above you.
The Strand Reclamation (CBD waterfront)
This marine-themed playground features two cool slides. Ship ropes have also been turned into hammocks, an awesome pirate fortress and a roundabout ‘snake’ swing. Nearby is a splash pad and tidal steps which are a fantastic place to cool off.
Legendary storybook characters Hairy Maclary and friends will forever exist in bronze so you can enjoy and climb all over them taking cool photos with your favourite characters. There is also a nice sandpit for little ones to enjoy.
Who is this area suitable for: All ages
What can parents do: Grab a coffee from nearby or dip your toes into the water from the tidal steps.
Yatton Park (Parkvale)
This park is simply beautiful. Tucked away with plenty of trees, nature and a fountain. Also existing here is a delightful spot that will spark young imaginations.
Tea parties can be held on the awesome toadstool-shaped table and chairs; secret conversations can be whispered between giant cool listening posts, and adults can be spied on using the mounted binoculars. Horizontal ladders and thick ropes snake across the ground to challenge their balance and a mini trampoline is hidden beneath a grassy knoll.
Who is this park suitable for: All ages
What can parents do: Relax and listen to birdsong and the nearby fountain or go for a walk through the park with the kids.