School holidays can be a daunting prospect. And while for any parent, the opportunity to spend time with family is a welcome one, it can be quite a task to find different ways of keeping a young brood entertained — particularly when staying in Auckland.

That in mind, we decided to line up a few of the best kid-friendly events and happenings taking place around Auckland over the next couple of weeks. From ninja warrior parks to crafty workshops, these are guaranteed to keep boredom at bay.

Tire them out at Action Ninja World
With a set-up so cool it’s enough to entice anyone, this exhilarating new action park offers a number of gravity-defying, adrenaline-inducing obstacle courses designed to test strength, speed and agility.

Having recently expanded and moved from its original spot in Paihia to Matakana, Action Ninja World includes a ninja warrior course, a flying trapeze, a high wire, Tarzan swings, a climbing wall, a jumping pillow, bungee trampolines, zorb soccer, an animal petting zoo, and a nine-metre inflatable waterslide. Perfect for kids of all ages and with ample places for parents to unpack a picnic and look on, this adventure park is offering the ultimate, fun-filled, family day out.

Get their creativity flowing with the Commercial Bay and Harbour Eats Kids Club
With a selection of creative, fun and educational activities, Commercial Bay is one of the best places to take the kids over the holidays.

For aspiring cooks and bakers, Harbour Eats is offering a range of classes where wee ones will learn new culinary skills, from cupcake decorating with Bluebells Cakery, to dumpling-making with the experts from Foodu, to a sushi extravaganza with OJI to even a mini empanada-making class with South American Oven.

For any kids not as interested in food, there will be a flower crown workshop with Blush on offer, as well as a skateboard painting class with Federation. As good for the kids as it is for parents, Commercial Bay’s line up of retail and dining experiences will provide mum and dad with plenty to do once the children have been dropped off.

Immerse them in art at Van Gogh Alive
Recently landing at Spark Arena, this new, multi-sensory art experience allows visitors to immerse themselves (literally) in the works of Vincent Van Gogh. Not like any exhibition you’ve been to before, Van Gogh Alive casts aside the gallery stereotype of hushed voices to engulf its visitors in a cacophony of light, sound and fragrance.

The artworks are projected on a massive scale to offer the experience of almost walking into one of Van Gogh’s paintings, which, when combined with the other elements, brings a whole new dimension to his work. Set to delight parents and kids alike, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce your wee ones to some of the classics in a way that they’ll love. (We recommend securing your tickets now.)

Spoil them with some tasty treats at the Auckland Fish Market
Take the children down to the Auckland Fish Market for delicious bites and fun activities. With face painting, balloon making and colouring competitions set to keep the little ones captivated, and live music to entertain the parents, it’s the perfect place to pop down to for a spot of lunch.

What’s more, make the most of special deals and tasty kids meals from the likes of Lobster & Tap, Market Galley, Ika Bowl, Bang Bang Kitchen, Mar & Tierra and Billy Pot.

Spend a fun-filled day at Whoa! Studios
Always a great place to take the kids, Whoa! Studios is keeping the ball rolling with a raft of entertaining activities for kids of all ages. With live performances from people like award-winning children’s musician Chris Sanders, creative workshops where littlies can learn about art and design (including one on how the Whoa! Studios theatre costumes are made), and plenty of space for kids to run around and play (the Whoa! Studios urban park is one of the best playgrounds you’ll ever see) this one-stop destination promises a whole day of fun.

Feed their minds with the Rad Robots at MOTAT
Set to capture the imaginations of budding young inventors, science-fiction fans and kids who love getting crafty, MOTAT’s school holiday programme is all about rad robots. Along with being encouraged to discuss high-tech concepts and how things like artificial intelligence might impact our future, kids are able to partake in a range of fascinating activities.

From The Bot Lab, where they can create robotic art by constructing an autonomous Scribblebot, to The Mighty Paper Bot, where they can make their own walking paper robot, to Bits and Bolts, where they can play around with magnetic components to dream up weird and whacky robot designs, this immersive programme is set to delight and educate in equal measure.

Keep them enthralled at Circus in the Square 
Aotea Square will be transformed into a mini festival over the school holidays, with dazzling feats of aerial acrobatics, flips, tricks and hilarious antics. Over two weekends, Manubrium Circus Theatre, Colossal and the HighJinx Youth Company will serve up an array of captivating circus performances designed to keep kids and adults entertained, all of which will be free to attend.

Treat them to a show at The PumpHouse Theatre’s A Lion in the Meadow
The Tim Bray Theatre Company brings Margaret Mahy to the stage with its upcoming performances of A Lion in the Meadow and Other Stories.

Created for children aged between three and 10, this magical show promises to take audiences on a journey through some of Margaret Mahy’s most beloved stories including A Lion in the Meadow, The Witch in the Cherry Tree and Leaf Magic, bringing the narratives to life with a brilliant cast and live music performances.

In addition, kids are encouraged to go dressed up as their favourite Margaret Mahy character and will have an opportunity to show off their costumes in an on-stage parade at the start of every performance.

Get them up close and personal with their All Black heroes at SkyCity
The perfect activity for enthusiastic little sportspeople, a new interactive experience allowing visitors unprecedented insight into what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black has opened at SkyCity.

Designed as a 45-minute guided tour, attendees will get up close and personal with the story of the All Blacks and the passion they bring to the Haka, before being able to engage in some hands-on activities where they can test their rugby talent and have some fun.

Don’t miss your chance to take them to Brickman at the Auckland Museum
The exhibition that has captured every child’s imagination, Brickman Awesome: Epic LEGO Brick Creations at the Auckland Museum is set to end on the 2nd of May, and if you haven’t already gone, school holidays offers the perfect opportunity to finally do so. Expect to be amazed by a raft of spectacular sculptures by LEGO certified professional Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught and take the kids to have a play in The Brick Room, where they can let their imaginations go into overdrive.