Ruakuri Walk, Waitomo
Learn how to care for stranded whales before enacting a rescue operation on stage in the award-winning interacting experience Whales by Wellington performance artists Binge Culture. Children can opt to be whales or rescuers in the performance or simply sit back, take it all in and learn how to sing to stranded whales to keep them calm. Whales and rescuers need to come prepared to get wet!
Lower NZI, Aotea Centre, July 15, 10.30am and Bruce Mason Centre, July 16, 10.30am. Book at aucklandlive.co.nz search ‘‘whales’’. For a quieter (and free) alternative to the Waitomo Caves, take this 45-minute loop walk though forested gorge, past limestone bluffs and through a pitch black tunnel to the Ruakuri Natural Bridge viewing platform. The platform extends out over a deep cavern which is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. The banks of the track are illuminated by glowworms at night – the sides of the main bridge are the best places to spot them.
Make computer games, Napier
Think it would be just as fun to make computer games as play them? Local gaming legend Anthony Flack will be on hand at Taradale Library on July 20 to answer all your questions about game design, animation and the alternative gaming industry. You’re also welcome to try out some of his creations, which have been released on PC, Playstation, Xbox and Steam.
Taradale Library, July 20, 1pm. Make a movie, nationwide
annual The Outlook for Someday film challenge. Last year, half of the winning entries were made by kids who’d attended the workshops.
Head to outlookforsomeday.net for exact dates and venues.
Meet the robots, Wellington
Discover what makes a robot’s mind tick at various libraries around Wellington. Meet Red, a cute, fully automated robot who will answer your questions, follow your commands and even bust out a few dance moves. He’ll even let you take a look inside his ‘‘skull’’. The event is part of Beyond the Page, a literary festival for children and teens running from July 8-23. Other activities include a zine workshop, a Lego-building challenge, a fort-making session and talks and storytelling by authors including Hairy Maclary creator Lynley Dodd.
Become a star, Wellington
Channel your inner Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars and learn to play the ukulele in a workshop. Learn to strum and sing along to popular ukulele tunes before rocking out with your new bandmates on the Te Marae stage. There are some ukuleles available on a first in, first served basis, but it’s wise to bring your own if you have one.
Te Papa, July 18, 10,30am-12 noon. Outdoor ice skating, St Arnaud, Nelson
between June and October). When the mercury dips, though, kids in the know flock to the St Arnaud ice-skating pond. You can rent skates from the Rotoiti Water Taxi ($10 for kids and $15 for adults), bring your own or simply slide about on a proper (or makeshift) sled.
To check pond conditions, phone Rotoiti Water Taxi on 021 702 278.
planted firmly on the ground, it’s a great place to let the kids – and their imaginations – run wild.
The Science of Chocolate, Dunedin