🛥️ Family Fun on the Water: Boating Activities Kids Will Love at Hutchwilco 2025
Your Guide to Family-Friendly Fun at NZ’s Biggest Boat Show
🎡 Make it a Day Out for the Whole Whānau
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show 2025 isn’t just for die-hard boaties—it’s also packed with family-friendly fun that makes it one of the best events in Auckland this May for kids and parents alike.
Whether your little ones are budding marine explorers, pirate ship captains, or just want to bounce off some energy, this year’s show is full of activities designed to keep everyone entertained while you explore the latest boats, gear, and gadgets.
📅 Show Dates: May 15–18, 2025
📍 Auckland Showgrounds
🔗 Official Hutchwilco Boat Show Website
👶 Top Family Attractions at Hutchwilco Boat Show 2025
🏴☠️ 1. Giant Inflatable Pirate Ship
Ahoy matey! Climb aboard the huge pirate-themed inflatable, where kids can bounce, climb, and explore just like high-seas adventurers.
Perfect for: Ages 3–10
📸 Hot tip: Get your family photo here with pirate props—it makes a great memory.
🚤 2. Bumper Boats Lagoon
Mini captains take the wheel in these safe, supervised bumper boats—one of the most popular attractions at the show!
Perfect for: Ages 4–12
💦 Bring a spare shirt—just in case of splashes!
🦈 3. Rodeo Shark Ride
Hold on tight! This thrilling rodeo shark ride adds some bite to the experience—great for adventurous kids and tweens.
Perfect for: Ages 7+
😆 It’s a fun crowd-pleaser—and yes, adults can try it too!
🎨 4. Face Painting & Nautical Crafts
Kids can get their faces painted like a sea creature or pirate, then create nautical-themed crafts to take home as a keepsake.
Perfect for: All ages
🎨 Craft stations are shaded and supervised—great wind-down option for little ones.
👪 Tips for Boating with Kids: How to Make Family Time on the Water a Win
If you’re heading out on the water after the show, here are a few tried-and-true family boating tips from the Tides Out Maps community:
✔ Choose Calm, Scenic Waters
Great spots for boating with kids in NZ include:
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Mahurangi Harbour – sheltered & close to Auckland
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Pauatahanui Inlet – calm estuary waters
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Tauranga Harbour – scenic with lots of anchor points
✔ Pack the Right Gear
Bring:
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Sun hats, SPF 50, and polarised sunglasses
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Life jackets (properly sized!)
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Healthy snacks and plenty of water
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Binoculars and waterproof camera
✔ Add an Educational Element
Get your kids involved with:
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Map reading (using your own Tides Out map!)
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Species spotting – how many seabirds or fish can you count?
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Tide tracking – explain how tides affect your journey
🗺️ Explore our handcrafted ocean maps here
🖼️ Make the Memories Last: Turn Your Family Trip into Art
If you visit a favourite spot this season—whether it’s your local bay or a new coastline discovered at the show—we can help you capture it forever with a custom Tides Out Map.
🎁 Perfect for:
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Father’s Day gifts
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Commemorating your child’s first catch
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Remembering a special weekend away
👉 Design your own bespoke map here
📚 More in Our Hutchwilco Blog Series
🎟️ Planning Your Visit
Dates: May 15–18, 2025
Location: Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane
🎫 Grab your tickets at the official Hutchwilco site
✍️ Final Thought
There’s nothing like a family day out that celebrates nature, adventure, and tradition. We’ll be there at Hutchwilco to meet you—map in hand and ready to talk coastlines, kaimoana, and kids.
See you at the show!