Make the most of school holidays
There is plenty happening around the Wellington region to entertain the kids these holidays, from the annual talent quest at North City Shopping Centre to snowy fun up Mt Ruapehu.
There are some great stage shows on, including Hairy Maclary on stage at the Opera House, Dan & Dani’s Bedtime Stories in Paraparaumu and Ivy Saviour of the Dinosaur at Capital E.
The Improvisors Kids Comic Heroes also looks like a fun show for the older children.
Targeted at 4 to 12-year-olds, the Improvisors present an everchanging show that the audience helps direct with their ideas and inspiration. Think Whose Line is it Anyway for kids!
Te Rauparaha Arena’s usual preschool programmes will be on hold for the two weeks of the holidays, but there will be a few one-off classes in the Happy Sun Adventures pre- school holiday programme, including Kindy Gym, Pre-school Gymnastics and Musical Tots, plus a show by Zappo the Magician. Places are limited, so make sure you book.
The shopping centres can prove an entertaining – if very crowded – respite from the rain.
North City Shopping Centre has its 13th annual Shooting Star Talent Search during the holidays, with children competing for the chance to win a share of the $3750 worth of prizes.
Coastlands is hosting a Lego tower-building competition in the first week of the holidays and a Monsters University dress- up competition in the second week.
The indoor playgrounds are great for burning off all that holiday energy, so keep them in mind for a wet day.
There’s Chipmunks in Tawa, Laughalots in Petone and Junglerama in Seaview.
I recommend dressing your kidlets in bright matching colours to make it easy to spot them on the equipment.
I wonder what sort of looks I’d get if I put mine in hi-vis vests. Road worker fluoro orange perhaps . . .
If you don’t mind braving the elements, there’s plenty happening outside.
Staglands is offering free marshmallows to toast on its open fire and if you visit in the holidays you also go in the draw to win a year’s supply of marshmallowy goodness!
Zealandia has a range of programmes for kids, including Junior Rangers for 5 to 12-yearolds and Night Adventures for those 7 to 12 years old.
For the littlies, there is Fluffies & Fairytales every second Thursday.
Storytellers Bea and Debs will entertain the children with stories, songs and rhymes at Zealandia’s Rata Cafe while parents relax with a coffee. Free fluffies with hot drink purchases.
Mt Ruapehu has its Yeti Kids Centre open for 2 to 5-year-olds, so you can ski/board happy in the knowledge your children are safe and warm in the hands of experienced early childhood teachers.
A group ski lesson is included in the Yeti Skiwee option – for 3 to 5-year-olds.
For information on all these events, including dates, times and costs, go to toddlerintow.com and visit the School Holidays page.