With over 60 playgrounds across Palmerston North (plus even more in Feilding and our smaller townships), you could explore a new one every weekend and still not get bored. Our top picks? Linklater Reserve’s dual flying fox, the rope bridges at Kōwhai Park, Milverton Park’s giant fort, and the butterfly-themed Apollo Park. Plus if you’ve got a need for speed, you just can’t beat the Rippler slide at Rangitāne Park!

Hit the pavement or the trails and soak up the sunshine. Whether your tamariki prefer roaming on two feet or two wheels – Manawatū is blessed with a variety of family-friendly trails. Stay curious and keep your eyes peeled for native birdlife, lush greenery, and secret swimming spots. Victoria Esplanade’s Junior Road Safety Park is a safe spot for young riders to earn their L-plates, complete with miniature-sized traffic lights and roundabouts – it’ll be bumper-to-bumper on a busy day.

Get set to get wet – there’s a paddling pool or river spot with your name on it. Every summer, Palmy kids flock to the Splashpad at Memorial Park for its bounty of water features – and to queue up underneath the giant supersized bucket!

Lido Aquatic Centre’s outdoor pool never ceases to please, with a SpeedSlide, SuperBowl and aqua play area on offer. Or for a weekend day trip, head to Foxton and leap to Off the Loop’s inflatable aqua course, packed full of obstacles to slip, slide and splash on.

Pack up the basket, grab a rug – and don’t forget the tomato sauce! A warm parcel of fish and chips is the perfect way to end your day. Best served alfresco, we love heading to Himatangi Beach to catch the sunset, or cosying up on the banks of the Manawatū River to enjoy our idyllic awa at twilight.

Perhaps your tamariki are keen for a teddy bear’s picnic – wander on down to Heritage Park’s glorious gardens, the riverside Ahimate Reserve, or to Ashhurst Domain’s lawns for a beary special day out.

A fun-filled day wouldn’t be complete without a little treat, right? Beat the heat with a scoop or two from I Scream for Ice Cream – with 70+ flavours to choose from – or an old-fashioned milkshake. Chocolate junkies are well catered for at Alexandre Patisserie, or satisfy your whānau’s sweet tooth with one of Babco’s delectable Danish pastries.

Heading further afield? Find out what all the buzz is about at Waireka Honey Centre – and walk out with a lip-smackingly good homemade honey ice cream in hand.