The spring school holidays can be a mixed bag weather-wise. A case in point: just take a look at the sudden plunge in temperatures this week.
So here are a few options if it’s bucketing down outside.
Get energised in Auckland
Whoa! Studios, 8 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson, Auckland
The crochet play net by Japanese artist Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam is the highlight of this family-friendly restaurant, television studio and playground in Henderson, Auckland.
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Kids will spend hours climbing into the kaleidoscopic network of yarn. A six-metre-tall rocket and pirate ship, in-ground trampolines and hanging crochet balls also provide loads of entertainment.
See: whoastudios.co.nz
Get a history lesson in Auckland
Auckland Domain
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira is much more than a repository for old bones (although you’ll currently find a giant T-rex by the name of Peter in the South Atrium).
Walk through a full-size Māori meeting house, enter a volcano and visit the Weird & Wonderful Discovery Centre to look at oddities in glass jars and listen to the ocean through massive conch shells.
See: aucklandmuseum.com
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
The Ruakuri Cave in Waitomo.
Get glowing in Waitomo
Waitomo
This could be the time to take the kids to one of the country’s premier natural destinations.
The labyrinth of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers that make up Waitomo is a must-do for any visitor to the region.
There are a host of ways to explore caves and the famous glowworm residents, from boat rides to blackwater rafting.
See: waitomo.com
Get arty in Hamilton
Waikato Museum, Grantham Street, Hamilton
There are a host of activities to keep the kids occupied at Waikato Museum, from hands-on classes to expand your child’s knowledge of art to learning how to make bright and colourful creations from yarn and wool.
Check out the 30,000 items in the free part of the museum, including a 200-year-old waka known as Te Winika.
The Exscite gallery combines fun with learning, full of interactive activities like musical pipes and racing Mario Karts (admission to this gallery costs $3 adults, $6 children).
See: waikatomuseum.co.nz
Get creative in Wellington
Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Learn how to illustrate picture books, watch a pirate perform magic tricks, or join a street band at Te Papa.
As usual, the museum’s putting on an array of special activities for kids over the school holidays, one of the highlights of which is sure to be award-winning illustrator Paul Beavis’ drawing workshop on October 8. The Stink-o-saurus and Nee Naw author will teach kids to draw characters from his beloved books.
See: tepapa.govt.nz
Martin De Ruyter/Stuff
There will be three to four tours a day throughout the holidays at Pic’s Peanut Butter World in Stoke.
Get some peanut butter in Nelson
49 Saxton Road, Stoke, Nelson
Pic’s Peanut Butter World in Nelson will be running its free tours throughout the school holidays, which include the unique opportunity to grind your own peanut butter by riding their special bike, and tastings of the Pic’s peanut butter range.
Little ones will also stay entertained with a treasure hunt, pictures to colour in, and a guess how many peanuts in the jar contest.
There will be three to four tours a day throughout the holidays, but bookings are essential.
See: picspeanutbutter.com
Get even colder in Christchurch
38 Orchard Road, Christchurch Airport
OK so it may be a bit cold outside but it’s not as cold as a visit to the Storm Dome at the International Antarctic Centre. The room, already at a chilly -8C, plummets thanks to a -18C wind chill machine.
There are also some school holiday programmes which get the kids up close to penguins and huskies.
See: iceberg.co.nz.
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Otago Museum is hosting two cosplay workshops where kids can create their own arm bracers and pauldrons (shoulder armour).
Get some space armour in Dunedin
419 Great King Street North, Dunedin North
If you plan on defending planet Earth from space monsters, you’re going to need some armour. Fortunately, Otago Museum in Dunedin is hosting two cosplay workshops where kids 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 on October 8, and costs $20, and the pauldrons workshop takes place on October 9, and costs $25.
See: otagomuseum.nz
Get loud in Queenstown
35 Brecon Street, Queenstown
One to keep the kids quiet (or loud) is the new Kingpin facility near to the gondola entrance.
The venue has 10 bowling lanes, an escape room, private karaoke rooms and virtual reality games. Choose one activity and its $25, for two its $43 and for 3 it will set you back $57.
See: kingpinplay.com
Get strumming in Te Anau
Various venues, Te Anau
The first Te Anau Ukulele Festival is being held on the weekend of October 7 to 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.
See: teanauukulelefestival.co.nz
Do you have any tips for keeping kids entertained indoors? Share them in the comments.
