At the beach

Building sandcastles and making driftwood sculptures are popular pursuits. For the littlies, Wainui Stream at the north end of the village offers a safe paddling spot. See At the beach for more information.

Campbell Park

Campbell Park is Paekākāriki’s main recreational facility for young people. It is located between Wellington Road and The Parade, a 10-minute walk from the shops or train station. It has a playground suitable for young children with more challenging areas for older children and lots of great trees to climb and banks to play on. The skate park caters for beginners through to moderate skill levels. There are two playing fields for running around and ball sports, and sloping hills perfect for sliding or rolling down. A concrete, albeit rather steep path comes down from Wellington Road at the southern end of the park. Prams can be pushed over the grass up from The Parade or from the grassed northern entrance to the park on Wellington Rd. There are two picnic tables which, depending on the time of the day, provide some shade and also many grassy spots to picnic under the trees. Toilets are located midway down the hill on the main path and at the southern end of the lower sports ground is another public toilet with disability access. Drinking fountains (including one for dogs) are located at the main playground and on the northern exterior wall of Memorial Hall on The Parade. Popular activities include sliding down the hill above the skate park on cardboard, exploring the hill between the upper and lower playing fields, and bush adventures in the trees between the upper field and Wellington Road. After you've sweated it out on the skate park, head to The Lost Jandal for an icecream or milkshake.

Queen Elizabeth Park

At the north end of Paekākāriki, with its 650 hectares of easy terrain edged by a sandy beach, Queen Elizabeth Park is the jewel in our crown and has plenty of space to enjoy. This is the last area of natural dunes on Kāpiti's coastline and is protected and cared for by Greater Wellington Regional Council. The park is steeped in history including pā sites at Whareroa and Wainui beaches and evidence of the 20,000-strong US marines during World War II. Queen Elizabeth Park has many walking and cycling tracks, easily accessed with a buggy or bike, some linking all the way from Paekākāriki to Raumati South. See walks & rides for more information. Special features include the relatively tame eels at the western end of Wainui Stream on the stream walk, before the Yankee Trail -  take meat scraps to entice them out, and watch your tamariki’s faces light up with wonder at these ancient and almost mythical creatures of the dark. A walk up to the local urupā (cemetery) and the top of Wainui pā offer great views.  If walking, please be aware of cyclists on some of the tracks (especially along Wainui Stream). From Paekākāriki, QE Park can be accessed at the end of Tilley and Wellington Roads, and via the beach past the Surf Club. If coming by train, head north via Tilley or Wellington Road.  This takes you to the end of Paekakariki and the beginning of the park. If driving, go past the shops and turn right into Wellington Road and drive to the beginning of the park. There is ample parking. Queen Elizabeth Park is accessible for buggies and bikes. There are numerous concreted areas for wheelchairs but bear in mind it is mainly a grassed space. Toilets are located at three sites in QE Park – the left-hand side playing fields at the entrance; at the beginning of the road along the beach, and at the main picnic area after the bridge (turn right down the palm boulevard). All have baby change tables and disability toilets. All toilets have drinking fountains for people and dogs, and even a cold outdoor shower. Queen Elizabeth Park has numerous picnic sites and picnic tables, with some in the shade. Picnic sites can be booked for a small fee through Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Mackays Crossing

Further north, at Mackays Crossing entrance, you can find  Wellington Tramway Museum, with historic trams running on the 2km line to Whareroa Beach, and a small shop selling ice creams when the trams are running - Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (except Christmas day) from 11am-4.30pm. There are walks at Whareroa Stream, the bush remnant and wetland.

Other recommended activities at or near the park

• Floating kowhai seeds down Wainui stream (as they need water in order to germinate and disperse)
• Theo’s climbing tree (large gum tree at the end of the palm boulevard)
• Ball play at the fields (Tilley Road and Wellington Road entrances)
• Scooting, skating and ride-ons at the sports fields car park (north end of Tilley Road)
• Flying kites

Useful links for activities while in the park

• Wild Eyes – Nature missions for kiwi kids. Learn nature ninja skills, get crafty, hunt poo and discover amazing stuff outdoors.
• Nature Watch NZ – Record what you see in nature, meet other nature watchers and learn about the natural world.
• Check out the Whareroa Guardians page for lots of top information.

Other activities for children

• A steam train excursion with Steam Incorporated – Paekākāriki
• The Paekākāriki Station Museum at Paekākāriki Railway Station and Kākāriki Books
• Paekākāriki Library is at the Tennis Club Rooms, 14 Wellington Road and is open Monday and Wednesday 1.30-4.30pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.  There is a good selection of books, DVDs, CDs, eBooks, jigsaws, talking books and magazines for all ages, two computers (with free wifi) and toys for young children to play with. Printing, photocopying, faxing and scanning (charges apply) are available.
• Paekākāriki Tennis Club, on the corner of Wellington and Robertson Roads, offers three courts with free public access except Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1pm, from October each year to Easter weekend.
• Paekākāriki School grounds (out of hours only) are available for the junior and senior playgrounds, biking, balance biking, scootering and skateboarding on the entranceway concreted area, ball sports on the fields and basketball and netball on the concrete sports arena.
• The Old Whatisname Library Named after one of Kapiti’s civic dignitaries, The Old Whatsisname Memorial Library is a free book-swap facility where locals can take, swap or drop off books, magazines, CDs and DVDs.

Eats

Paekākāriki has good cafés and a family restaurant, all of which are happy to accommodate children.

• Beach Road Deli: Beverages, counter food and wood-fired pizza.
• The Perching Parrot Café: Beverages, counter and menu food. Toilets and toys available.
• Finns: Resaturant, bar & hotel.
• Fisherman's Table:  Family restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Salad bar and children’s menus.

Early childhood education facilities

• Paekākāriki Playcentre
• Te Rawhiti Playgroup and Te Rawhiti Kindergarten 
• Baby playgroups are periodically formed on an informal basis. See our calendar or Paekākāriki Tauhokohoko page for this (a community site for permanent residents) or the noticeboard at the village shops.