I've been playing roller derby for six years now and skating at Skateland much of this time. We…read moreused to train as a team here on Monday nights, but nowadays I just head here for the public skates, held on weekends. Skateland has recently redone the floor and it's really really nice to skate on - really grippy and good for maneuvering. You'll need that grippy floor if you're learning to skate on rental skates, or even if you're just trying to stop suddenly when a kid comes hurtling in front of you. I've collected a couple of people in my time thanks to their unconventional way of skating around the track! If you're looking for something to do with your kids, take them along to a public skate and take part in the games and races the staff put on - it's good exercise and something different from sitting in front of the Xbox.

Just like riding a bike. It was strange to have not put on roller skates for some two decades and…read moreto have the body mechanics of skating cautiously come back to me the first few times I slowly made my way around the ring. A friend of mine decided to start his birthday celebrations with a bit of retro skating, so we went there with a big group. I enjoyed it, it was fun skating around, watching people fall over, and having the odd chill moment with a drink. Cheap as anything, I think it was under $10 for skate hire and entry.

Glenfield Activzone is home to the only skating rink on the North Shore. There's a track big enough…read moreto play a game of roller hockey, and there's a huge room full of rental roller blades and roller skates for learn to skate classes and public skates on the weekends. My roller derby team trains here twice a week as well and the management cut us a really good deal for hourly hireage. The floor is skate court, which can be pretty noisy when we're trying to coach, but the floor is always clean and easy to skate on. The staff that are there just to be on the desk while we skate are really nice and good at helping us, particularly when one of our more absent-minded skaters forgets their helmet.

Generally one of the better places in Auckland to learn to skate or hone one's skills. Floor is…read moresadly only plastic tile, which is fine for inlines, but somewhat less than ideal for quads. That said, it's usually clean, well maintained, nicely large and unlike Auckland's other roller rink it's *perfectly* level. The floor being not the fastest in the world makes it easier to learn to skate on than many alternatives. Hire equipment looks serviceable. Good hockey inlines and generic "browny" quads. Crowdedness varies from nearly totally deserted to a rather hectic free-for-all. People playing impromptu hockey etc during public sessions. Luck of the draw, but school holidays are always busier of course. Music is usually either a local radio station or Pandora. Always modern pop, but usually it's fine to skate/dance to if that's your thing. Staff are invariably friendly, helpful and open to suggestions. But occasionally they've roped off 70% of rink during public sessions for special purposes. My suggestion is if you turn up and they've done this, tell the staff it's not acceptable and walk straight out again and go to Skateland instead (or go ice skating). Also, if they have a hockey tournament on (some long weekends and end of school holidays), they'll simply cancel the public skating sessions without any signs or notification on their (generally useless) website. Would pay to ring first on these weekends.

This was a nice place to hang out while we waited for our flight. The kids did 2 rounds of golf…read morewhile the parents waited at the picnic tables. The kids had fun and we got Maccas on the way back to the airport. Perfect little walk to and from too. A little exercise before a long flight.

Adventure Mini Golf is my local and over the years I've probably tallied up quite a few rounds…read morehere. I'm from a family with a few younger cousins so I enjoy taking them out to places like this where kids an adults can share in the fun. You can pick from two courses; the Captain's Course or Blackbeard's Course. If you're not with a big group or you're just very patient, its cheaper to play 36 holes and makes for healthy competition between friends! I really like the way they've set up the course, its very animated, interactive and a real sight to see, even if you're just driving past. It can be especially tough to play when its windy out, so I'd suggest checking the weather just in case. All in all though, its a great spot to incorporate into a family day and I'd highly recommend it for anyone keen to have little fun and competition.

Best. Playground. Ever…read more Right on one of the best beaches in Auckland. Close to a large selection of good cafes abd restaurants. The playground equipment is in very good working order and there are lots of picnic tables nearby to have a picnic or enjoy some takeaways!

I don't get to visit Browns Bay too often, but the highlight for my sun is the amazing playground…read morethey have here. As a mother of a bubbly active 17 month old baby, I am always keen to re visit playgrounds that are planned and made for children of his age. I have been to a few that are just way to complex and hard to navigate for his younger age. I need not worry at Browns Bay; they have a fabulous ground floor playground for the little crawlers to walkers, and runner's even- fun tunnels, up and down moving boardwalks, climbing stairs and lots of slides. I like that the playground is located nice and close to the beach, so if your child has had enough playing they can either go to explore the beautiful beach, or even splash around for a swim. It is just a short walk to the public toilets, and a cool skate area for the big boys and girls. I usually just grab a coffee at the nearby cafe and sit and watch as my son enjoys this great play area.

This skate park is right on the Browns Bay beachfront & right beside the playground near the surf…read moreclub. Early in the morning or during school hours it is great for preschoolers to give their scooter, balance bike or skateboard a go. I have even witnessed on more than one occasion the 'big boys' sharing the ramps with the wee bubs. Only problem is that having a 'teen magnet' next to a kiddie playground is that you get a lot of unwanted language falling on virgin ears :(

I'm not a seasoned skater girl but I've dabbled in most board sports. I think skate boarding is one…read moreof the scariest as concrete is the enemy. Coming off your board and taking a face full of cement is always going to go wrong somehow is it not? Putting these fears aside I have wheeled around Browns Bay Skate Park a few time and had a great time. There's nice flat areas (for beginners like me), sloping ramps for those intermediate level kids and a huge half pipe for the real shredders! Unfortunately it's always really busy here and can be a bit intimidating! For me anyway... my three-year-old nephew had no problem riding his bike around dodging the hard-core kids on their BMX's.

Coming from the perspective of an avid climber, it's rare and great to find gyms like this one…read more There was a great variety of bouldering problems and rope climbs and an extensive kids area. I am deducting a star though for a definite lack of upkeep. Lots of places were losing paint etc. More importantly, I had to hire (rent) some shoes being on a vacation and we had to check 4 pairs before I found some that didn't have holes clean through and mine were pretty torn up. I've spent time at a number of gyms and you can tell which ones let things drop and which don't and signs of things being run down make it harder to trust the safety equipment you rely on. If this place took more pride in upkeep, it would be a gem.

What an awesome indoor climbing gym! Ample parking and suitable for all ages. There was an…read moreabundance of kids earlier in the evening with special courses and rooms dedicated solely to the little ones and even some of New Zealand's top climbers were spotted training here last night. There is also quite an array of routes with multiple routes per level and belay instructions are included for first-timers at no additional charge. There is no pretentiousness here. I am a complete novice and was climbing at their busiest time flanked on both sides by very experienced climbers. Everyone is really encouraging and content to wait their turn, even if it does take you a little longer than average to reach the top. For entrance and shoe and harness rental, the combo price for adults is $27.50. Entrance alone is $17.50 if you already have your own equipment. Package deals and monthly rates are also available. Best to go in even numbers as all routes require a belayer.

PRSC is an odd Papatoetoe institution - part of the community's landscape for decades, PRSC has…read moretaught legions of people to skate, play roller hockey and roller derby. The oddity of PRSC stems from the fact that it is incredibly hard to find - tucked in behind a line of trees in a New World carpark, many people have no idea that this place actually exists. A number of sports clubs hold practices at PRSC, but there are also opportunities for beginner skaters to give it a go at public skate sessions on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons. But be warned, this is no frills skating at its best - PRSC features an old dusty floor, rickety tables and walls that can do with a lick of paint. If you can see through the age of the place, you'll have fun.

The perfect children's park... why? Because you can lock them in! This park is large enough to set…read moreup some great picnic blankets and bring the whanau but small enough to be able to scan the whole area at once to locate those mischeivious children. The gates run along the whole outside of the park and secure properly so no kiddies can get out. The playground itself has something to please everyone with poles, tunnels, swings and my favourite... the octopus spinning thing! This one's big enough for adults to have a play on! Although beware you don't want to be sitting opposite a tiny tot or the whole thing will tip your way! The park is close to the beach and the shops so swimming, ice cream and fish and chips are only a stroll away!

Great playground with a brand new merry go round. Fully fenced to keep the kids safe & quite a few…read morepicnic tables and park benches scattered around. There are paved paths for kids to ride their scooters or balance bikes & the spinning tire swing is very popular with the school aged kids. The climbing equipment is in great condition too.