Best Things to Do in Dunedin with Babies / Toddlers

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Dunedin is best-known for its stunning landscapes and history, but babies don’t tend to care about those things! It also has plenty to keep babies and toddlers busy including playgrounds, museums, parks and other attractions. Whether it’s hot outside or you need to escape the rain we’ll help you find the best things to do in Dunedin with babies and toddlers!

Stroller Friendly Walking Tracks

There are some good stroller-friendly tracks and trails around Dunedin both by the coast and in the forests surrounding town. John Wilson Drive and the St Clair Esplanade are the obvious coastal options — some stunning views and places to eat and drink if you need a rest (not so much at John Wilson Drive).

If you prefer some trees for shade head for one of Dunedin’s forest trails. The Dunedin Botanical Gardens is a great option for this as there is a good mix of things to do there (more on that later). Ross Creek Reserve, Glenfalloch Gardens, Woodhaugh Gardens and some parts of the Town Belt are also good for strollers.

Another good stroller option is the streets of the city centre. It’s full of interesting old buildings and is pretty stroller friendly these days (especially George Street).

Playgrounds

Popular playgrounds in Dunedin include the Dinosaur Park, Botanical Gardens, St Clair Esplanade and Hillside Road playgrounds. There are heaps more small ones scattered around too.

Dunedin Botanical Gardens

The botanical gardens is one of our favourite places to take our son. There is heaps for a little one to look at as they move through the gardens and there’s a good variety of things to do including a duck pond, playground, aviary, bush tracks and more. It’s also right next door to a few shops and restaurants (including a good bagel place).

READ MORE: 10 of the Best Gardens in Dunedin

 

Macandrew Bay

There’s a picturesque little beach at Macandrew Bay, a cute little village on the Otago Peninsula. There’s also a playground and a café and Glenfalloch Gardens and Larnach Castle are nearby.

You can also walk along the road — there’s a walking  / cycling trail along most of the way now and it seems stroller friendly.

Indoor Spaces

It won’t always be warm enough to take your little one out and about so luckily there are some indoor options. The two main museums are great (Otago Museum / Toitu) for babies and toddlers as they have play areas (Toitu has a really good one).  Otago Museum has a cool indoor forest full of butterflies (it’s paid though).

Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin, New Zealand

READ MORE: 7 of the Best Museums in Dunedin

The Dunedin Public Library has a nice kid’s area and they also do activities most mornings. Take your kid along to a reading or dancing session and meet some locals! The Dunedin Public Art Gallery also has a cool kid’s room — children of all ages will have fun there (assuming they’re into art). The great thing about these places is that they’re free (you’ll have to pay for some things at the Otago Museum though).

Stuff You’d Do Without Kids

You’ll probably also want to drag your kids along to do stuff you’d normally do without them. Do some walks, visit some beaches, search for wildlife or wander around the city centre. There are heaps of short walks if you’re willing to carry your child and the views are spectacular no matter which direction you head!

READ MORE: 30 of the Best Things to Do in Dunedin

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Check out our South Island Travel Guide!

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Jon Algie

I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. I left the island in 2006 and returned 10 years later. Having seen a good chunk of the world I realised how special this place is -- the most beautiful island in the world! Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island.