The hand-crocheted climbing net at the Urban Playground. © Whoa! Studios

Enchant your inner child at Whoa! Studios

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Combine a live theatre experience, a film studio, an excellent restaurant and possibly the best playground in New Zealand and you’ve got a recipe for a great family day out. 

Whoa! Studios in the Auckland suburb of Henderson is a multi-faceted family extravaganza designed to surprise and delight.

The Whoa! Studios Urban Playground is unlike any other play experience in New Zealand.

With a rocket ship, pirate cove and a centrepiece of the country’s only hand-crafted crochet climbing net that took Japanese artist Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam two years to complete, it’s a compelling destination for kids of all ages. 

Alongside the playground, pantomime-style puppet performances are held live in the on-site theatre each weekend, with a cast of family-friendly puppets created by the talented teams behind some of New Zealand’s best-known film and television productions. 

And to top it off, The Grounds, conceived by renowned Auckland chef Ben Bayly is a beautifully designed eatery with an equally stylish menu.



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