Michelle R.'s
Places to go with babies
- 194Butterfly CreekAuckland AirportI haven’t taken him in to see the butterflies yet but my nine month old adored the cuddly creatures at Buttermilk Farm. The wee slice of country in the city is the perfect place for crawlers and pram-bound bubbas on a sunny day. Just pop the waterproof overalls and gummies on and let bubs go wild meeting kune kune pigs, chasing chooks, feeding the friendly goats and stroking the super soft guinea pigs and bunnies. My son definitely preferred the farm over the conventional zoo, as he could play with these animals.
- 223Hoyts Wairau ParkWairau ValleyThis is definitely an activity reserved for mummies of newborns. Good luck to anyone chancing it with a child over three months! In those early weeks, a flick with the coffee group on a Wednesday morning was the perfect and easy opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy some adult company. Think popcorn, pram space, comfy seats, changing facilities, plus the relief of not having to stress about your baby disturbing anyone (we’re all in the same boat here). Maternal bliss. Plus the staff turn the sound down so you don’t have to worry about sound effects damaging your little one’s ears. Just remember to check for spit-up marks on your clothes once the lights go up again. And don’t worry if you fall asleep. I bet the staff are used to it!
- 37Birkenhead LibraryBirkenheadWriggle and Rhyme at your local library is a great free little activity for your baby which involves music and dancing. But it’s also a lovely way to meet other parents in your community. Birkenhead Library’s facilities are fresh and user-friendly, with plenty of carparking off Hinemoa Street (though the entrance is a little sneaky), a play area outside and plenty of decent cafes within cooee. Wriggle and Rhyme is just a half hour session so make sure you arrive on time, though no one’s going to stare at you if you’re late. Then afterwards head upstairs and rummage through your old favourites and new treasures for story time at home.
- 41Auckland MuseumParnellThe museum is an awesome place to take your child, no matter what age, there’s always so much to see and learn. We went here during the 2015 World of Wearable Art exhibition with our coffee group and stayed for hours. The convenience of the spacious in house cafe meant we could relax get our caffeine fix, eat lunch, change and feed up our babies before and after visiting the exhibition. Wandering through with seven prams was a breeze and the babies enjoyed staring at the pretty costumes/dozing off in the dark as we milled around. Auckland residents can also enter most exhibitions free of charge with proof of address or a Friends of the Museum pass.
- 517Parnell BathsParnellIn the summer months we practically live at these outdoor salt-water baths! The vibrant slide and splash bucket tower is iconic at its inner-city spot on the banks of Judges Bay estuary. There’s a shelter over one of the smaller pools but it can quickly get crowded in there so the best time to go is in the morning before the sun’s too hot. As you layer up baby in sunscreen, rash suit and hat, don’t forget to do the same for yourself! It’s way too easy to kill time in there, so be sun smart. But enjoy it. Being a stay at home parent in summer sure has its perks! And this one’s for only $6 a pop. That’s if you can hold out from the obligatory hot chips and drink from the onsite cafe!
Michelle R.'s
Casual coffee catch-ups in North Shore
- 18Cafe WindsorMairangi BayI have booked my son into every baby class held at Windsor Park Baptist’s facilities because I love to give him fun things to do but I also love this uber kid-friendly cafe! There’s a playground outside, there’s a playground inside. There are mummies and kiddies galore, colourful wall art, squishy couches and lots of pram space! I love that no one stares when your bubba has a melt-down but that the staff are breezy, friendly and quick to clean up any spills. I haven’t even started on the food yet. There are sparkly cupcakes! Do I need to say more? I had a caramel banana muffin one time, I want another. The coffee is always great.
- 24French Rendez-vous CafeTakapunaThis understated little cafe perched on the banks of Lake Pupuke in Takapuna tempted my late night cravings. Between acts of Shakespeare, I succumbed again and again to French decadence. The velvety sweetness kept me coming back. I won’t soon be forgetting those chocolate mousse cups served during the neighbouring PumpHouse Theatre’s summer season. I returned recently and found the flirtations with my tastebuds didn’t stop at dessert. A bakery style chicken pie costs just $5 but tastes beautiful. The coffee, equally so, is served by accented wait staff. I say the cafe is understated because its rarely bustling, though it should be. Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned it
- 311Fernielea CafeCoatesvilleFernielea is the cozy, easy atmosphere I crave on mornings that arrive too soon. It’s always warm inside, the coffee’s always good, the food always comforting. There’s mince on toast if you are so inclined. I love the look of the brunch menu - fluffy frittatas, pancakes and cowboy baked beans. The gently coated parmesan chicken is memorable with its sweet honey ginger dressing. It’s often crowded here but the staff are awesome at making sure everyone’s looked after. And everyone is, down to the smallest, with plenty of toys and play equipment to keep the little tykes happy. And that makes everyone happy. I hear there’s now a wood fired pizza menu and other dinner offerings. But personally, I can’t go past Sunday brunch.
- 4107Little & Friday North ShoreBelmontWhat’s not to love? If you are a fan of beautifully baked, deliciously naughty sweet treats then you need to check it out. I keep ordering the banana cake with toffee and cream, even on the week where I baked banana cake at home. There’s something about it. And the jam donuts. And the caramelised onion, blue cheese and beetroot tarts which are both tasty and filling. The great thing about trendy cafes with oodles of baked treats is its an appropriate date with your nana, your kids or your mates. This suburban spot is best visited on a sunny weekday morning so you can perch on a bench in the garden outside. Weekday is key, it’s far too crowded otherwise.
- 57Ravenhill CafeBirkenheadThere are so many great cafes in ‘the new Ponsonby’, Birkenhead. I like this one because they tick all the boxes - great coffee: tick, tasty salads which you can mix and match for a reasonable price so you don’t feel so bad about devouring that brownie afterwards: tick, pram-friendly surrounds: tick. On the latter, the venue is surprisingly spacious, boasting a covered courtyard and indoor space out back. It’s a beautiful setting with equally beautiful coffee and tasty, reasonably priced food served by prompt and attentive wait staff.