Instant holiday activities, just add (rain) water
"I think these are a great opportunity for the kids as there is rarely time for ‘art for art’s sake’ in the school curriculum. So our aim is to introduce and encourage creativity and experimentation while honing existing skills." Natalie Rudd, Holiday Arts Academy kaimahi
The increasingly cold and wet weather is not keeping Rotorua from hosting a range of activities that will keep children entertained, warm, and defeat the winter blues.
The youth and early learning team at Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri, have plenty of activities lined up for the school holidays to beat the wintery gloom.
From making rain-makershakers to building an underwater robot, there are a range of events with something for every child’s age-group and interest. Go to the Rotorua Library website for more information, and to book.
The forecast for weather in the Bay of Plenty starts out reasonable, with heavy rain expected to hit the region on Monday.
Metservice meteorologist
Angus Hines said Saturday would be a “reasonable day” with a few showers and strong westerlies.
Sunday would be much the same with wind, rain and sunny breaks in between, he said.
It would turn “very wet” on Monday with a low-pressure system moving over the North Island — set to bring widespread and possibly heavy rain and strong wind to the region.
This weather would likely continue on Tuesday, he said.
He urged people to keep a “pretty close eye” on severe weather watches and warnings.
The weather would ease up on Wednesday but it was likely some showers would continue for the second half of the week, he said.
He also said temperatures next week would likely be muggy and “relatively warm” as the air was coming from warm waters north of New Zealand.
Lakes Performing Arts Centre owner Natasha Benfell said its Evolve Band/beat Producing programme was a great option for any budding artists.
Tutors AJ Moke and Caitlin Newson will hold the youth musicianship programme (8 to 16 year olds) to explore stagecraft, collaboration, studio environments and more.
It is being held on July 13, 9am to 3.30pm. The cost is $75 per person or $60 with an LPAC student discount. Email info@lakesperformingarts.com to book a slot.
The Arts Village’s Holidays Arts Academy is where young artists (8 to 12) can learn new skills, make new friends, try new materials, and create art to take home.
Holiday Arts Academy kaimahi Natalie Rudd said during the July school holiday period she would be running activities from Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.
Activities across the two weeks include an art journal, diorama day, claymation, musical mobiles, printing, wearable art, jewellerymaking and more.
“I think these are a great opportunity for the kids as there is rarely time for art for art’s sake in the school curriculum. So our aim is to introduce and encourage creativity and experimentation whild honing existing skills.”
Cost is $30 per day per child. All materials are supplied, but BYO kai, sunscreen/hat, and drink bottle. For more information and to enrol, go to artsvillage.org.nz.
Rudd said it was always difficult to keep kids entertained on rainy or cold days.
“It can be a good idea to collect a box of craft items for such days, such as scrap cardboard packaging, old fabrics, wrappers, discarded wrapping paper, ribbon, as well as a range of colouring materials.”
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s chief medical officer, Dr Luke Bradford, said children should rest, play and reconnect with wha¯ nau these school holidays. Resting was particularly important for those who had been hit hard with winter illness recently, he said.
He anticipated the school holidays would act as a circuit breaker for the circulation of seasonal flu, colds and Covid.
“The fact they are not going to be in the classrooms for the next two weeks we are hoping will slow the spread of these viruses.”
Those who hadn’t already should also get vaccinated against Covid-19 and influenza.
He also encouraged those travelling on public transport and part of big indoor activities to practise mask-wearing but acknowledged this could be a struggle for young children.
He said in general there had been a “definite shift in the public mood around mask-wearing“, and he urged people to practise masking, keep a safe distance and maintain good hand hygiene as an act of public service.
Unite Against Covid-19 urged families travelling these holidays to make a plan in case they become infected with Covid, or become a household contact.
Some of these tips included:
● Plan how to get home safely to isolate — you can only return home if you can drive there, you cannot use public transport, ferries, or fly.
● Talk through the plan with your travelling companions.
● If you cannot drive home, it is likely you will need to stay where you are for your isolation period.
● If you get cold, flu or Covid symptoms while away from home, get tested immediately. Do not wait until you get home.