Let the FUN begin
Explore a volcano, bounce on a trampoline or hike up a hill . . . there are myriad things to keep kids entertained, writes Emma Page.
From tomorrow schoolaged children all around the country will be on holiday – cue much excitement from the kids and probably a mixed cocktail of emotions from the adults charged with their care. Depending on your situation, disposition and the amount of juggling required to make it all work, the holidays, especially this wintery one, may inspire feelings of joy and/or trepidation.
There are plenty of things to do over the next two weeks to keep kids and parents happy. City councils tend to pull out the stops with museums and galleries providing targeted holiday programmes. Businesses may have special deals, there’s the usual tourist destinations and, of course, the great outdoors.
It’s nice, and probably helpful to be reminded that school breaks are healthy for kids and families – a chance to slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and just have fun.
Sarah Best, a Brainwave Trust educator and regional coach, says the holidays are an ideal time for siblings, parents and kids to reconnect.
‘‘Relationships are always the most important and when we’re all off doing our things in work and play activities we do often miss out on that connection time.’’
The cool thing is this reconnecting leads to better quality relationships and this is good for children’s brain development.
Best, who has also written a book on children’s play, has some inspired suggestions such as creating a relaxed schedule with plenty of time for ‘‘yes, sure’’ spontaneous answers and focusing on things kids enjoy but don’t usually have time to do – read all afternoon, do a whole jigsaw puzzle, go on an extra long walk, have a baking day.
And don’t worry about constant entertaining. Boredom is ok too – it actually inspires creativity. Planning can, of course, help. When you are looking for things to do together – events, school holiday programmes, ideas for outings, places to get out in nature – check out local council or tourism websites. Many of the major centres have compiled lists of school holiday events and have a good mix of free and paid for activities.
To help we’ve collated five fun things to do or places to visit in each of the main city centres – Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Happy holidays.
AUCKLAND Climb a volcano
Here’s a cool fact: Auckland has 48 volcanoes dotted around the city and they’re nearly all easily accessible. Make a volcano list and cross them off one by one as you conquer the cones. Try Maungawhau (Mt Eden), Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), Mt Albert, North Head and Mangere Mountain to get you started. Or catch the ferry and venture further afield to Rangitoto Island. If your kids are into history Te Ara, The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, has a great rundown of the region’s volcanic field. See teara.govt.nz.
The Domain
Visit the museum, make use of the school holiday programmes, warm up in the tropical winter garden glasshouses, play in the giant roots of the Moreton Bay Figs, watch the geese wandering about the duck pond or stroll through the strand of native bush.
Explore a regional park
Auckland is surrounded by a treasure trove of 34 regional parks. Check them out online or collect pamphlets from the city council, put them in a folder and pull one out at random when you need a destination. Younger children love the animals at Ambury Farm Park on the Manukau Harbour; the Arataki Visitors Centre is a great introduction to the Waitakere Ranges and remote Tawharanui has beautiful white sand beaches. That’s just a taste, there’s so many parks you’ll probably discover some you didn’t know existed. See regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Jump or bounce
If it’s cold or wet playing indoors can be fun. Try one of the indoor trampoline parks or have bouncy fun at an indoor inflatable park – think bouncy castles on steroids.
The Maritime Museum
Kids love the Maritime museum. Look at the displays, join in the school holiday programme or make it a practical sailing experience and book a reasonably priced 60-minute harbour trip on the Ted Ashby – a fully restored heritage scow. It’s a great location to explore the Wynyard Quarter from too.
WELLINGTON Te Papa
The national museum is forever a popular destination and, as an added bonus in winter, it’s warm, dry and cosy. Along with the usual mix of displays, including the still running Gallilpoli: The scale of our war, Te Papa has a dedicated holiday programme including plays, dance classes and sing-alongs. See tepapa.govt.nz.
Visit a new playground
There is a great list of the top 10 Wellington playgrounds on the Discover Wellington website (look under the Discover tab). Write down your favourites and explore them one by one. George Denton Park in Highbury with its challenging playground equipment for kids and adults sounds fun. Plus it backs onto Zealander Wildlife Sanctuary so you might spot kaka or other native birds in the trees. See wellingtonnz.com.
Capital E
A not-for-profit organisation with a focus on young people and creativity Capital E has a range of school holiday events and activities. Some are paid workshops aimed at older children including Digital Day where participants can make their own TV show while others are free – check out Weave Your Way where kids can weave anything really – flax, paper, loom bands – and help make the longest length of finger knitting in Wellington. See capitale.org.nz.
Live theatre
Go to a play. Circa Theatre has the interactive Grimm Bedtime Stories while Capital E has Hinepau based on the book by Gavin Bishop or check out Mister Maker an art and craft hero. See circa.co.nz.
Get active – bike or walk
Bring your own or hire a push or eBike to cruise around the waterfront. Older kids might enjoy Makara Peak mountain bike park set in regenerating bush with beginner to advanced or even extreme track options Or keep it simple and walk. The view from Mt Victoria is stunning and Wellington has 350 kilometres of bush trails in and around the city. See makarapeak.org.
CHRISTCHURCH KidsFest
KidsFest has been a winter schoolholiday mainstay since 1992. Overseen by the Christchurch City Council there’s a huge range of activities on offer and many are free. The website takes a bit of getting used to but is a useful tool once you do. You can search by genre (example, arts, sports, knowledge) or by date. Some events, especially the workshops, need to be booked while others,
such as the Retro Sports Facility where kids can try out a range of sporting apparatus (think tug of war), are open on a drop in basis. Interesting free events include: The Sound Garden with its oversized instruments, Lego sessions at a local library and the Book Exchange where kids can swap books. Look out for good deals at attractions including Orana Park and The Antarctic Centre where kids go free with a paying adult. See kidsfest.co.nz.
The Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens have been a haven of green in the city centre for more than 150 years. Feed the ducks, play Pooh Sticks off one the bridges, visit the cafe, visitor’s centre or playground and keep an eye out for gnomes in the glasshouses – they are part of KidsFest and you can get a ‘‘passport’’ from the visitor’s centre and collect stamps for each gnome you find. See ccc.govt.nz.
Margaret Mahy Playground
Since it opened late last year the Margaret Mahy Playground has been a hit with kids and parents. These holidays check out the recently opened towers with an eight-metre spiral slide, lookout platform, nest seat, tube net bridge and rope stairs. It looks awesome. See futurechristchurch.co.nz.
Be a tourist in your own city
Ride the double decker bus; take a trip on the inner city tram; see the city, Lyttelton Port and hills from the heights of the gondola; walk around the Re:START mall or visit New Regent St.
Banks Peninsula
Rug up and get out on the striking hills that frame Christchurch. Make a list of the different walking tracks and tick them off – visit Godly Head, Halswell Quarry, Bridle Path, Victoria Park, Kennedy’s Bush, Ahuriri and more. See ccc.govt.nz