Time to payl
Big kids at heart Siobhan Downes and Lorna Thornber have scouted out the coolest events and activities around the country to keep your children entertained during the holidays.
The school holidays are here, just in time for the longer days and warmer weather. After being cooped up during winter, the kids will be keen to get out and about, and some epic spring events are taking place around the country.
But for those less than perfect days, there is still plenty of fun to be had indoors, with activities that let their imaginations run wild.
Here are some of the best things to do these school holidays.
FLORAL FUN
If you can’t take the kids to Japan, head to Upper Hutt’s answer to Japanese hanami (cherry blossom appreciation) celebrations in the Aston Norwood gardens.
The 5.6-hectare site is home to the highest density of mature cherry blossom trees in one place, making it a perfect place to let the kids run wild amid the ‘‘pink snow’’, and to enjoy a picnic from the on-site cafe. Visit after dark to wander illuminated pathways through a scene that looks like something straight out of a picture book. The ticketed festival runs until October 9. Alternatively, check out the New Zealand Cherry Blossom Festival in Hamilton, which ends tomorrow. In the Bridgerton Spring Ball themed event festivalgoers will dress up in regency era attire (costumes are available at the festival for a fee), try their hands at croquet and take high tea. Kids’ activities include pony rides, face painting and an arts table. blossomvalley.nz and blossfest.com
A SUPER-PETS ADVENTURE AT THE SKY TOWER
Channel your inner superhero and embark on an epic adventure around Auckland’s Sky Tower. Timed to coincide with the release of animated blockbuster DC League Of Super-Pets, starring Superman and his superdog Krypto, in the daily school holiday programme kids will complete an activity booklet that will guide them on a mission around the supercity’s tallest building. Expect mystery boxes, an arcade game, and inside information on what it is like to be a super-smart pet.
Pop by at the weekend to meet Krypto and Ace in person, and make an effort to dress up – you will be in for an extra treat if you do. skycityauckland.co.nz
GET CREATIVE AT TE PAPA
Learn how to illustrate picture books, watch a pirate perform magic tricks, or join a street band at Te Papa. As usual, the museum is putting on an array of special activities for children over the school holidays, one of the
highlights of which is sure to be awardwinning illustrator
Paul Beavis’ drawing workshop next Saturday. The Stink-o-saurus and Nee Naw author will teach kids to draw characters from his beloved books. On October 12, New Zealand’s grown-up Harry Potter, Zappo the Magician, will host a pirate-themed magic show incorporating songs, stories, puppetry and plenty of amazing tricks. And on October 15, you will get the chance to join one of the capital’s finest family-focused bands. The Wellington Carnival Street Band is inviting kids to bring along a percussion instrument to play their special new jam for kids. Don’t worry if you don’t have an instrument as a pot and wooden spoon, homemade shaker or container full of coins make you a musician. tepapa.govt.nz
KIDS STAY FREE IN ROTORUA
Take the kids to adventure mecca Rotorua and you won’t have to pay for their beds for the night. Up to two children aged 12 and under stay free at Sudima Rotorua when sharing a room with an adult, and they get half-price breakfasts, too. Jet Park Hotel Rotorua also allows kids of the same age to stay for free, and offers discounts on local attractions. Top free attractions in and around town include Kerosene Creek, a geothermally heated stream with a two-metre waterfall; Kuirau Park, where walking tracks lead to bubbling, hissing, steaming marvels straight out of a Dr Seuss book; and Whakarewarewa Forest with its real-life (redwood) giants. sudimahotels.com and jetparkrotorua.co.nz
SEE ANIMALS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
Indulge your inner daredevil on theme park-style rides and meet cute baby animals at Hastings’ animal-focused answer to Disneyland. The Hawke’s Bay A&P Show, at Hastings’ Tomoana Showgrounds, attracts around 30,000 visitors each year with its rides, farm yard, shearing competitions, and equestrian and other events. There will be familyfriendly entertainment on offer on each of the show’s three days (October 19-21), plus carnival-style treats such as candyfloss and hot dogs. showgroundshb.co.nz
MAKE YOUR OWN PEANUT BUTTER BY RIDING A BIKE
Pic’s Peanut Butter World in Nelson will be running its free tours throughout the school holidays, which include the opportunity to grind your own peanut butter by riding its special bike, and tastings of the Pic’s peanut butter range. Little ones will also be entertained with a treasure hunt, pictures to colour in and a ‘‘guess how many peanuts in the jar’’ contest. There will be 3-4 tours a day throughout the holidays, but bookings are essential. picspeanutbutter.com
CHEESE? YES, PLEASE
Marlborough’s stunning Clos Henri Vineyard is hosting its annual South Island Cheese Festival on Saturday, October 8, a family-friendly event celebrating New Zealand’s finest fromage. Adults pay $10 for a ticket, but can bring children under 13 for free. As well as a huge variety of cheese, there will be fancy crackers, breads and other accompaniments to buy, so you can put together a picnic then relax on the lawn to enjoy live music from local artist Emile. You can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. southislandcheesefest.com
LAUNCH A WEATHER BALLOON
Christchurch is celebrating all things Antarctica with its Days of Ice Festival, on until October 9. Next Saturday, head to Cathedral Square to help Professor Adrian
McDonald from the University of Canterbury launch a weather balloon to help understand the effects of global warming. This free event will take place at 10.30am, weather permitting. Also on Saturday, join Imagination Station at Tā ranga library for a ‘‘robots in cold places’’ workshop to learn about the brave robots that help scientists in Antarctica, before building and programming a simple Lego robot. There will be two workshops, for juniors ($17 for a single student or $25.50 for two, sharing a robot), and seniors ($22 for a single student or $33 for two). Book via imaginationstation.org.nz. Throughout the festival children can take part in an Antarctic Treasure Hunt, using the Christchurch Tram. Collect your free map from the booking office at Cathedral Junction, and hop on and hop off the trams across the central city to complete the hunt. christchurchnz.com/explore/ whats-on/days-of-ice
DESIGN YOUR OWN SPACE ARMOUR
If you plan on defending Earth from space monsters, you will need some armour. Fortunately, Otago Museum in Dunedin is hosting two cosplay workshops where children can create their own arm bracers and pauldrons (shoulder armour), using foam, paint and jewels for added style points. The arm bracers workshop takes place next Saturday, and costs $20, and the pauldrons workshop is on October 9, and is $25. While you are there, check out the new Out of This World science show in the Beautiful Science gallery, a space spectacle with explosive demonstrations and discoveries for the whole family. It is on at 2pm daily throughout the holidays. otagomuseum.nz
GET STRUMMING AT A UKULELE FESTIVAL
The first Te A¯ nau Ukulele Festival is on next weekend, October 7-9, with workshops and concerts for all ages to enjoy. Kids can discover their sense of rhythm with a percussion workshop, with djembe drums provided, or work on their vocal
skills at a singing workshop run by artist Anna van Riel. There will be fun events such as a breakfast luau and Hawaiian strum, a cruise and strum around Lake Te A¯ nau, and an open mic event for sharing your skills, with concerts on the Friday and Saturday nights. Kids can get a kea painted on their faces, and enter a colouring-in competition to be in to win a decorated ukulele. teanauukulelefestival.co.nz