Easter lands right in the middle of the April school holidays this year, which means two straight weeks of “what are we doing today?” plus a long weekend on top. Good news – you don’t need a big budget or a flight anywhere to make it a good one. NZ School Holidays 2026 and 2027 term dates has the exact dates if you haven’t checked yet.
Easter egg hunts (the classic, for good reason)
Egg hunts pop up everywhere over the school holidays – shopping malls, garden centres, wildlife parks, and plenty of libraries run their own free versions with face painting and craft tables thrown in. A few things worth knowing:
- Many are free, but the popular ones (theme parks, big attractions) fill up fast – book ahead if there’s an entry fee involved.
- Libraries are a genuinely underrated Easter option: expect Easter-themed storytimes, egg mazes, and craft sessions, all free.
- If you’re doing your own backyard hunt, hide eggs the night before or early morning so the chocolate doesn’t melt in the sun.
Free and cheap outings
- Regional parks and farms – most regions have free-entry parks with animals, walking tracks, and picnic spots. Great for burning holiday energy without spending a cent.
- Council pools and leisure centres – many run school holiday programmes over Easter, and under-16s often swim free at council pools.
- Botanic gardens – several run Easter-themed trails or craft activities for kids, usually free with a pick-up activity booklet.
- Local library holiday programmes – bug hotels, robot building, craft sessions – check your council library’s website for the week’s schedule.
Rainy day and at-home ideas
Autumn weather is unpredictable, so it pays to have a plan B:
- Dye or decorate hard-boiled eggs at the kitchen table – messy, cheap, and keeps them busy for a good hour.
- Bake hot cross buns together. Even the youngest kids can help with kneading or decorating.
- Set up an indoor egg hunt using plastic eggs if the weather turns – hide them around the lounge instead of the garden.
- Simple paper craft – bunny masks, egg garlands – works well for the 3-7 age range and doesn’t need much more than paper, scissors, and glue.
If you’re planning a getaway
Easter is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year in NZ. If you’re heading away:
- Book accommodation and any attraction tickets well in advance – popular family spots do sell out over the long weekend.
- Check opening hours before you go. Many attractions and cafes stay open, but some smaller shops close on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
- Build in slower days between activities – a jam-packed itinerary over a two-week break tends to end in tears (adult or child, take your pick).
Quick reference by age
| Age group | Best Easter picks |
|---|---|
| Toddlers | Library storytime, backyard egg hunt, egg decorating |
| Primary school | Farm visits, organised egg hunts, botanic garden trails |
| Tweens/teens | Regional park walking tracks, craft workshops, day trips |
FAQ
Are Easter egg hunts usually free?
Many are, especially at libraries, malls, and community events. Some at paid attractions come bundled with the entry ticket.
Is anything open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday?
Many cafes and tourist attractions stay open, but check individual opening hours – some smaller retail shops close by law on those two days.
What if the weather’s bad the whole break?
Lean into indoor library programmes, home baking, and craft activities. Most regions also have indoor play centres as a backup – see our best indoor playgrounds guide.
Two weeks is a long stretch, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Pick a few free outings, keep one at-home day up your sleeve for when the weather turns, and you’ll get through Easter with everyone still speaking to each other.