With so many spaces for children to enjoy, here’s a few of our favourite activities to do.
The Huddleston Airship
The Huddleston Airship is chock-full of industrial gadgets and mechanical steam engines. It hails from a time when steam power ruled the world and can be spotted hovering beside the Concept Garden in Braithwaite Court.
The Alice in Wonderland sculpture
The Alice in Wonderland sculpture is a fan-favourite! With an orchid representing the Tropical Garden, a melting clock symbolising the Surrealist Garden, and a bow tie directing you to the Chinoiserie Garden.
Surrealist Garden
Children love the twisting, turning ‘Trons’ in the Surrealist Garden. A world unlike any other, this garden features unusually sized objects and plants around every corner that many of our youngest visitors enjoy.
Kid's activity sheet
Embark on an enchanting journey through the Enclosed Gardens with a kid’s activity sheet. Discover the wonder of the gardens, tackling fun tasks and uncovering hidden gems along the way. Upon completion, adventurers will gain their official Garden Bud or Garden Ranger badge.
Collect your kid’s activity sheet from the Gallagher Visitor Centre, free with entry to the Enclosed Gardens. Our Garden Bud activity sheet is best for kids aged 3-6 years, and our Garden Rangers sheet is best for kids aged 6-10 years. Both sheets are best completed with an adult.
Hamilton Gardens Destination Playground
This modern playground offers fun and exploration for children of all ages, making it a perfect engaging activity for the kids on a family day out at Hamilton Gardens.
A garden-themed destination playground, it has a treehouse, slides, and a giant stage. Hamilton Gardens Children’s Playground provides for imagination and roleplay, discovery and learning.
Located near the Gate 2, entrance off Cobham Drive.
Family picnic spots at Hamilton Gardens
With a vast array of small and large gardens, there are many picnic spots to choose from at Hamilton Gardens. Our favourite spots are:
- Rhododendron Lawn.
- Hillside Lawn.
- Roger's Rose Garden.
- Governor's Green.
Walking around the gardens and need a pit stop for the kids? Treat the kids to delicious ice cream, popsicles, and drinks from the kiosk by the Ancient Egyptian Garden.
Where to find toilets and changing facilities
Toilets and baby changing facilities at Hamilton Gardens are located in the Accessibility Toilets at the following locations:
- The Hamilton Gardens Pavilion includes a parents room with heating and feeding facilities.
- The Red Arch at the main entrance accessed from Gate 1 (in the Accessible Toilet).
- Playground toilet block.
- Sergel Court beside the Ancient Egyptian Garden.
Tips for planning family activities in Hamilton
Are you looking for some inspiration this weekend or school holidays in the Waikato? Here’s some useful tidbits to help:
- Plan ahead - you don’t have to go overboard, but reading about the site beforehand helps to know about the best spots for kids, and what everyone’s interested in.
- Find out what events are on - sites like the Hamilton Gardens will have things happening at certain dates and times that are worth checking out with the family.
- Check out the map - if you’re doing a day trip in Hamilton with the kids, it’s always a good idea to get the lay of the land. As above, Hamilton Gardens has parents' rooms and changing facilities.
- Break up the day - Hamilton Gardens is a wonderfully varied place with something for everyone. We’d suggest splitting up the day between tours, eating, play and exploration.
- Enjoy a meal - the Gardens are expansive and we’re sure the family will work up an appetite. You’re welcome to pack your own lunch of course, otherwise you can enjoy all the delicious food and drink the Hamilton Gardens Cafe has to offer.
Need some inspiration for things to do with the family?
Check out our points of interest here, from biking to playgrounds.
Explore the map of Hamilton Gardens
Navigate the wonders of Hamilton Gardens and plan your visit now.
Interactive Map
