Author: Julie Lankow

As a mum of two boys, I have had the pleasure of being Editor for Kidspot NZ throughout their childhood. My hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at my own jokes, accidentally revealing my age during quizzes, and never taking anything too seriously. Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”

How To Plan A Fun Trip With Your Children In A Motorhome Rental

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Guest post

A family getaway in a motorhome can be one of the most memorable experiences parents can give their children. When going on a trip, remember that they have needs you must address to ensure they are comfortable while travelling, but there are also lots of ways to entertain the kids while on the road to avoid fussiness and stress.

If you’re planning to go on an adventure, here are tips to help you make a motorhome road trip enjoyable for your children.

Rent the right kind of motorhome

First, plan the kind of motorhome you need to rent. Fun activities are possible if the motorhome has enough room for the entire family. Cramped quarters can be frustrating if you go for a motorhome that cannot accommodate all family members comfortably. Motorhomes that are at least seven meters in length can fit space-saving berths that can accommodate four adult people. For more options or features, seek recommendations at a motorhome hire company near you.

Keep the kids entertained

Travelling in a motorhome allows you to relax and spend quality time with your children. You can also have fun while safely seated as the motorhome moves along. You can do these fun activities on rainy days or when the kids must stay inside the motorhome.

• Play some board games

In this day and age, board games are an engaging way to hold children’s attention. They can be both fun and educational. Choose age-specific board games that your kids can have fun playing, such as games with counting, strategy, mystery, or games that teach them about money. They can also benefit from board games featuring their favourite cartoon characters. If your child also likes chess, you can bring this classic board game along.

• Enjoy travel games

Travel games are sometimes compact and have fewer pieces. You can check out Colour Bingo and I Spy. If the motorhome is parked, it’s an excellent opportunity to have a travel scavenger hunt because they’ll be able to move around while hunting items on a list you’ve prepared. Another idea is to create your own version of Something-You-Can-See. One family member chooses a thing they can see, and the rest gets to ask questions. The former is only allowed to answer yes or no.

• Get artsy with colouring books

Children who love to colour can spend their time making great art using crayons or markers. Paint-by-number books are also good options for those who are learning their numbers. If they love to draw, bring paper supplies, pencils, a sharpener, and an eraser, too! You can pick up some of these before leaving for the trip.

• Cook together

Kids can also have fun when you let them make their own meals. You can choose child-friendly dishes, such as tacos. You may consider cooking the meat and letting them help stir it with your supervision. Chopping vegetables can be a task assigned to older kids. Sandwiches are also a good option. You can prepare the filling, such as sliced ham, or chicken, and they can pick the salad veggies to go with it. It not only teaches them responsibility, but they are also more likely to eat what they have prepared.

• Build with LEGO® sets

LEGO sets can hold so much attention if your child loves building with them. A great benefit of this is that you can bring the ones they already have by using a resealable container. Remember to pack easy-to-build LEGO sets that are age-appropriate, especially if you have little kids.

Make safety a priority

Your motorhome must also provide safety for child passengers as you need to ensure the security of your children while on the road. One thing that you should always remember is that seats must come with seatbelts. Additional seats may be in the living room area of the motorhome. All members must be properly seated and restrained while the vehicle is in motion, in accordance with the regulations of the country that you are travelling in.

If you’re travelling with a child, you can have a child restraint or booster seat fitted in the appropriate position in the motorhome. Internationally, it is recommended that this be used for any child under 11 years old or 148 cm tall. It is also highly recommended that babies under two years of age use a rear-facing capsule or car seat. It is a legal requirement in New Zealand that all children under 7 years old must use a suitable child restraint (car seat).1

Making your child’s safety a priority will help to ensure that nothing can get in the way of having fun during your motorhome adventure.

Get on the road

Travelling with children in a motorhome means ensuring they can have fun while staying comfortable and safe. Choose a good-sized motorhome that has room for them to play in even as they’re sitting. With the suggestions above, you no longer need to worry about how to keep your kids occupied while on the road.

This article was written by a sponsor with editing by Kidspot NZ.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Kidspot NZ of the website, information, products or services contained therein. All views are those of the author.

Sources:

1 Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency: Safety | Education initiatives: Using child restraints in New Zealand

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Parenting Tips For The Christmas Season: How To Ditch The Overwhelm

Posted on by Julie Lankow

The jolly season can be such a fun time of the year and also equally as stressful for many families. Parents are not just trying to wrap up with their jobs for the end of the year to spend some well-deserved RNR with the kids, but so is every club, organisation, company, and group around them too, resulting in packed calendars, late nights, and waaaay too much food and drink while trying to tick off all those things on our already overflowing to-do lists.

Our mental and physical load tends to increase because of all this busyness and stress levels rise. But stress isn’t all bad. In fact, there are two types of stress: good stress and bad stress.

So what’s the difference?

Good stress and bad stress

Good stress, also called eustress, might be felt when you ride a roller coaster, compete in a game, or go on a first date. Your pulse quickens and your hormones surge, but there is no threat or fear. Good stress is about excitement and anticipation for pleasure. Good stress helps us move towards a goal, something that takes us out of our comfort zone, which generally ends in some kind of pleasure.

Good stress inspires and motivates you, focuses your energy and enhances performance. It helps us meet our daily challenges. I would even go as far as to say that good stress is vital for a healthy life. Yep, that’s right!

So … what is bad stress then? Well, bad stress is the kind of stress that wears you out. It leaves you jittery and somewhat depleted and is harmful to your health under certain circumstances. Bad stress can lead to anxiety, confusion, poor concentration, decreased performance, overwhelm and burnout. Bad stress is purely about survival, moving away from a situation that is perceived as painful.

Bad stress can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute stress doesn’t take a heavy toll on your body if you can find ways to relax quickly and get yourself back to equilibrium. Chronic stress, however, when you repeatedly face stressors or for long periods of time, can take a heavy toll on your body and mind.

Chronic stress can cause headaches, insomnia, weight gain, anxiety, pain, and high blood pressure amongst other things. Some common chronic stressors include toxic relationships, money problems, work issues, unmanaged health or mental health problems, racial inequities or perceived loss.

As much as we would like, it’s virtually impossible to eliminate bad stress from our daily lives completely.

What we can do though is increase our resilience to the stresses of daily life. Stress resilience is not just about the ability to resist or avoid stress but also about the ability to recognise and acknowledge that a situation has become stressful and being able to choose a response that leads to growth. Or in other words, stress resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.

Many of us are already incredibly resilient in so many ways. So, to help you be even more resilient to stress and overwhelm during the silly season this year, here are 10 tips on how to survive parenting during Christmas time without dialling down on the fun.

1. Schedule family rest time

Humans are like tuning forks. If one person in the family is feeling off, tired or stressed, all the others feel it too, no matter their age. Making time for rest periods is really important to keep the family unit settled and create some breathing room amongst the busyness.

2. Tag team

Share the load within the family and friends group and alternate going to the Christmas functions. This is a great way of spending quality time with family members while the other adults or kids can get a rest or get tasks ticked off the to-do list.

3. Sticky note lists

Instead of having your to-do list on your phone, calendar or pieces of paper make getting organiaed a fun affair with coloured sticky notes. That way you can see the bigger picture of your commitments easily and make better decisions on what is realistic for you and your family. Writing down what swirls around in your thoughts is always a great way of clearing up your mental space. In the case of sticky notes, scrunching up the little paper once the task is complete is incredibly satisfying for adults and kids alike.

4. Make time for play and bonding with your kids

Sophie K and daughter heading to the beach

Let’s face it, kids need attention – uninterrupted bonding time to chat, laugh, cuddle and play. Prioritise this even in the Christmas rush and you will find your family more settled and more resilient to the busyness.

5. Parents, treat yourself

Well deserved RNR

If you can, shout yourself a massage, a night away, a relaxed brunch or dinner with some friends or a morning/evening in bed alone. You-time, a time where you do activities that fill your cup, is such an important part of self-care and regular self-care increases your resilience to stress. Giving ourselves time out to just be is beneficial for the whole family.

6. Be mindful of what you consume

Alcohol and heavy, sugary, carby foods are part of the Christmas fun so by all means enjoy. However, allow yourself to tune in with your body and give yourself rest days in between the indulging. Even though we are busy this time of the year, it’s the choices we make throughout this time overall that have an influence on how good we feel mentally, physically and emotionally. Make sure you keep your vegetable and fruit consumption up, drink loads of water and keep your body moving daily, even if it’s just a walk around the block.

7. Say no thank you

Be realistic and mindful with what you can commit to in a day and what really brings you and your family joy. Overcommitting is one of the main stress points for parents during the silly season. Not only are you managing your own life demands, you are also managing your kids’ ones too. Don’t forget, you are already doing a mammoth job and it’s okay to not do it all!

8. Connect to nature

Go for a bush walk, put your feet in the grass or sand and get some fresh moving air and sunlight on your skin, ideally daily. Not only is sunlight and fresh air essential for optimal physical health, but it also has a huge impact on our mood too. Connecting to nature regularly helps settle and ground us and is the perfect stress buster.

9. Meditate

If this is not something you do already I can highly recommend this practice, especially throughout stressful periods. Mornings or late evenings before bed are best but any time is better than no time. There are plenty of apps and YouTube videos out there that make this super easy. Just five minutes of meditation a day or even just a few times a week will make a world of difference to your resilience to stress throughout all seasons.

10. Breathe deeply

When we are stressed we shallow breathe. This is a basic stress response of our body. Breathing deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth three times over whenever you notice feeling anxious or stressed, helps your parasympathetic nervous system to kick in letting your body know it’s safe to feel calm again. This can be done as many times as you need whenever required.

I, my family and loved ones have found these tips to be hugely helpful throughout all busy periods of life. No matter what you have got going on, prioritising you and your family’s well-being is important.

I was once told that what our children see us do has just as much impact on them as what they hear us say. So let’s lead by example and enjoy the Christmas season with less stress so they may grow up to enjoy the festive season too.

Article written by Sophie K for Kidspot

Sophie K

About Sophie K

Sophie is a coach and creator of The Thrive Guide, a mother of two, a joy seeker and a lover of adventure. She helps her fellow humans to find more time, confidence and ultimately joy in their everyday lives through empowering them at their core.

She knows what it feels like to be stressed and overwhelmed; almost constantly. Feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. Between her professional and personal life in the past there just wasn’t enough time or energy left for joy. The result? Life often seemed hard and complicated. Her mental and physical health suffered. The people she loved the most ended up getting the worst of her. Including herself.

It took a major life event for her to realize that she needed more. She wanted to feel at ease, be the best version of herself for her kids, make time for what was important to her and follow what brought her joy and happiness deep down. Life is just too short to spend it feeling unfulfilled.

She loves to laugh and see the funny side of life and has a deep interest in people, their stories and what makes them tick. She has been running her business since 2020 and is excited to help make this world a better place for all our generations to come.

Visit her website www.sophiek.co.nz for more or get in touch via hello@sophiek.co.nz to book a complimentary chat.

Main image: Stock photo

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Creative Ideas For How To Save Cash This Christmas

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Yaaahhhoooooo! The Christmas season is upon us. It’s such a fun time of the year, connecting with friends, family, and others from our communities. The weather is warmer in NZ and we can finally get more of those beach days in.

And with all of that fun can come spending more. Cash for social gatherings, food and drink, presents for the family, teachers, friends and loved ones, extra activities with the kids and friends, shelling out for those summer holiday trips. Let’s face it, most of us have a big network that we like to show some love to this time of the year whether through gifts or spending time together.

Having fun, showing love and enjoying the silly season doesn’t have to cost the earth if you let yourself think outside the box. Here are some creative ways how you can save cash this Christmas and still have a blast with the people you love.

1. Love goes through the stomach: Sharing your family food traditions

German Christmas Cookie

Food traditions can turn into great ways of giving something really special at Christmas. In my family, for example, German Christmas cookies are our forfeit. They are mouth-wateringly delicious and they look like a million bucks. We bake them en masse as a family using basic ingredients that are really affordable. We bundle them up nicely with some little bags and ribbons and gift these to my kids’ teachers, family members, friends, and neighbours.

You can premake it all, or make up DIY kits for your friends and family to enjoy with their own loved ones at a later date. Not just will those gifts ooze love, they also help you spend quality time with your family at the same time.

Do you have a favourite/traditional recipe in your family you could gift this year?

2. DIY gifts: Let Pinterest be your best friend

Pinterest has opened up the world of DIY to the masses and there are great ways of saving some cash whilst creating memorable gifts for the people you love. It’s amazing what you can do with a photo frame, some photos, artwork or prints of your favourite sayings.

One year my sister did tie-dye t-shirts (and undies!) for all of us. Another year I printed messages of love on cups for all of my besties for 10 bucks a pop. Years later they are still treasured items and were the source of great photos on the day. You can premake the gifts or create little packs for everyone to spend quality time together later on.

3. Gift a date: Quality time with your loved one

I loved doing this as a kid. Vouchers for ice cream dates, foot massages or doing the dishes. It was always a lot of fun to make the vouchers with some coloured paper and pens and they were always well received and ended up in amazing quality time with my mum. And now as an adult I have taken this to the next level.

I gift lunch dates, dinner dates, pamper days, shopping dates, adventure dates, you name it. Not just is it a great way of spreading the expense to a later date but it also allows you to have some quality one-on-one time while making memories with a person you love at a place of their or your choice.

Let’s face it, we have so much stuff. But what really sticks long term are those memories and special moments of being together.

4. Secret Santa: An oldie but a goodie

I have a friend whose family is obsessed with Secret Santa. Every year on Christmas Day they kick off the celebrations with Christmas hats, some bubbles and a two-hour round of Secret Santa. She always spoke so fondly of those memories where she got to laugh with her family about some of the ridiculous presents they were giving each other. Each person would open their present one at a time followed by ohhh-ing and ahhh-ing and a healthy family discussion about the use of the object.

Now years later I totally get the fun. It avoids a ridiculous amount of presents for everybody, keeps the budget low as each person only has to buy one present and it creates space for every gift that’s unwrapped to be enjoyed by everyone. If your family likes a good joke (and your kids are older and don’t mind their presents being stolen by a loved one) you can turn the Secret Santa into a Bad Santa round for a few extra laughs (see White Elephant game rules here).

5. Gift-giving combos: Two for one

Jetboating with fam Sophie K

Activities throughout the Christmas holidays for the whole family can be expensive on top of the usual Christmas spend. So why not combine the two? Take advantage of Christmas deals by event/adventure providers and daily deal websites and purchase a voucher for an experience for the whole family or friends throughout the holiday period. My brother-in-law did this for us one year where the whole family went jet boating together on holiday and it’s definitely one of those Chrissy presents that I nor my girls will ever forget.

6. Need vs want: Practical presents are the bomb

Do your kids need some new clothes, shoes or gear for activities throughout the coming year? Then Christmas can be a great time to get those needs filled. I’m a big believer in purchasing practical presents for my loved ones, not just my kids. Not just do those presents get some extra love because they are being used all the time but it’s also a great way to save some cash in the long run for everybody involved.

Sophie K and daughters outside

Of course, the creative ideas don’t have to stop there. Gifting and giving can be a fun, practical, time and money-saving affair if we allow ourselves to turn on our creative brains and really tune into what can bring each other joy and ease in our lives.

I know as a parent, in the past I often took it upon myself to get the Christmas shopping list ticked off on my own. But honestly, it is so much more fun when we can share the experiences with our tribe.

So here is to the jolly season and gift-giving at its funnest. Merry Christmas from me to you.

Article written by Sophie K for Kidspot

Sophie K

About Sophie K

Sophie is a coach and creator of The Thrive Guide, a mother of two, a joy seeker and a lover of adventure. She helps her fellow humans to find more time, confidence and ultimately joy in their everyday lives through empowering them at their core.

She knows what it feels like to be stressed and overwhelmed; almost constantly. Feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. Between her professional and personal life in the past there just wasn’t enough time or energy left for joy. The result? Life often seemed hard and complicated. Her mental and physical health suffered. The people she loved the most ended up getting the worst of her. Including herself.

It took a major life event for her to realize that she needed more. She wanted to feel at ease, be the best version of herself for her kids, make time for what was important to her and follow what brought her joy and happiness deep down. Life is just too short to spend it feeling unfulfilled.

She loves to laugh and see the funny side of life and has a deep interest in people, their stories and what makes them tick. She has been running her business since 2020 and is excited to help make this world a better place for all our generations to come.

Visit her website www.sophiek.co.nz for more or get in touch via hello@sophiek.co.nz to book a complimentary chat.

Main image: Stock photo

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10 Signs Your Child Might Have Sleep Apnoea

Posted on by Julie Lankow

When it comes to sleep apnoea, there is a common misconception that children do not suffer from it. However, in recent years, cases of children who have been diagnosed with this disorder have increased rapidly throughout Australia.

If your child is sleep-deprived or is displaying other symptoms, it can be a sign that they are suffering from this affliction. If not treated, it may have serious consequences for their overall physical and mental health. With that in mind, here are 10 signs your child might have sleep apnoea.

If your child is displaying any or multiple of these symptoms, then it might be worth making an appointment for them with a paediatrician or sleep specialist.

Snoring

Snoring might be a sign of sleep apnoea in children. Generally, it is very uncommon for children to snore unless they have respiratory infections like the common cold, infected adenoids or enlarged tonsils. It should not happen when they appear well overall.

When anyone snores, it is usually a sign of an untypical airflow in their upper airways, which links the nose, mouth and lungs. As a result, turbulence within these pathways creates a snoring sound.

As snoring is often associated with sleep apnoea, it is worth getting your child checked out by a sleep specialist or a paediatric otolaryngologist (who is an expert in matters related to the ear, nose, and throat) if your child is snoring on a regular basis.

Teeth grinding

If your child is more susceptible to bruxism – or teeth grinding as it is more commonly known – it can be a sign they are suffering from sleep apnoea.

As a rule, sleep apnoea happens when the soft tissues that reside at the back of one’s throat block the airways. Children whose jaws and airways have not properly developed can experience a disrupted airflow when they try to sleep. As they are unable to sleep properly, it is harder for them to enter the deep state necessary for their overall health and well-being. Subsequently, while attempting to do so, they often grind and clench their teeth when trying to manoeuvre their jaws forward to open these airways.

While mouthguards can stop their teeth from being damaged during this process, treating them for sleep apnoea can often resolve this occurrence too.

Mouth breathing

Incessant mouth breathing can be another sign that your child may be suffering from sleep apnoea.

Humans are wired to breathe through their noses. However, if for any reason our nose is blocked, then mouth breathing can often occur. Mouth breathing is not ideal because by doing this, the muscles of the jaw adopt a relaxed position. If this continues over time, it can lead to an elongation of your face. It can also result in a weakening of the muscles around the mouth, throat and tongue.

For this reason, snoring and sleep apnoea are more prone among mouth-breathers than those who predominantly breathe through their nose.

Restless sleep

Any parent will tell you that children can be restless sleepers. However, when this becomes persistent and exaggerated, it can be a sign of sleep apnoea.

If children are finding it difficult to breathe when they go to sleep this can result in excessive movement. It can also result in them adopting unusual sleep positions, for example, parallel to the headboard, upside down or otherwise propped up to try and open the airways more. Should you find their duvet cover on the floor in the morning or twisted into the shape of a ball, it would be a good idea to have them evaluated by an expert sleep specialist.

Sweating

Unless they are suffering from a fever, it is very uncommon for children to profusely sweat when they sleep.

Sweat-ridden bed sheets, blankets or pyjamas might be an indication that your child is having trouble breathing during their sleep. Which could be because of sleep apnoea. Decreased oxygen levels, increased heart rate and blood pressure and a spike in cortisol – the stress hormone – are all linked with this condition. If you see excessive signs of sweating when your child sleeps, they could be experiencing sleep apnoea.

Bedwetting

While children often wet their bed at night, it is only considered an issue if they are over the age of five years old, and it is still happening more than a couple of times a week.

Officially referred to as sleep enuresis, bed wetting affects up to 30% of children aged 12 years or under. It happens when they are in a slow-wave state of sleep and a child cannot arouse themselves when they have a full bladder. Though sleep enuresis might be due to stress or infection, it can also be a sign of sleep apnoea, resulting from chemical imbalances within the brain.

Excessive napping

Once children start school, they tend to not need to take naps. However, if they do, it might be a symptom of sleep apnoea.

If your child constantly needs to nap when they get back from school, it is possibly because they are sleep deprived. So it is a good idea to consult with a specialist if this is the case.

ADHD

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common affliction that affects about 1 in 20 children in Australia. One reason for it in children could be sleep apnoea1.

Unlike sleep-deprived adults who usually experience fatigue during the daytime, sleep-deprived children often suffer from the opposite effect. Namely, they demonstrate hyperactive behaviour as well as poor impulse control, aggressiveness, forgetfulness, and easy distractibility.

When it comes to treating children with ADHD, sleep apnoea is often something that is not considered. Subsequently, this can result in incorrect diagnoses and inappropriate medical treatments.

Sleepwalking

Up to 30% of Australian children sleepwalk at least once between the ages of three to 10 years old. Peaking at around five years old, it is usually associated with confusional arousal. This is when a child appears to have woken up but is actually in a subconscious and disorientated state. Typically this occurs in the first few hours of the night.

Though the factors behind sleepwalking are not always identified, sleep apnoea is thought to be a major contributor to this condition. According to research published in Frontiers of Psychology, adults and children with sleep apnoea are a lot more prone to sleepwalking than those who do not suffer from it.

Growth problems

If your child appears small for their age it could be because of sleep apnoea. Often, children who suffer from this condition are in the lower percentile in terms of height and weight as compared to other children of the same age and sex.

One of the main reasons for this is believed to be a result of slow-wave sleep being regularly interrupted. Typically, a growth hormone is released during short-wave sleep which helps muscle and bone development. If it is regularly disrupted, this can result in a child being deprived of it, which in turn can result in an impairment of growth.

In some children, successful sleep apnoea treatment has reversed the trend and restored their growth trajectory.

Final thoughts

If you think your child may be exhibiting any of these signs of sleep apnoea, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor or paediatrician.

They, in turn, may refer you to a specialist sleep expert who will evaluate your child and recommend any required treatments.

Depending on the situation, a CPAP machine from a well-known supplier like CPAP Direct may be recommended.

In the meantime, keeping a diary of your child’s symptoms is also a clever idea. That way, you will be able to document and describe events, which will give the specialist more relevant information to work with during your appointment with them.

This article was written by Lucy Mitchell, Content Manager for Current.com.au | The Home of Australian Product Reviews, with editing by Kidspot NZ.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Kidspot NZ of the website, information, products or services contained therein. All views are those of the author.

References:

1 National Library of Medicine: Is obstructive sleep apnea associated with ADHD? (August 2011)

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Pages & Co: The Treehouse Library by Anna James | Kids Book Review

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content 

As Tilly and Milo hurtle towards their final showdown with the Alchemist, the stakes are higher than ever – though there is always time for hot chocolate! Pages & Co: The Treehouse Library is the fifth and penultimate book in the bestselling bookwandering series for readers aged eight to twelve.

Milo Bolt is ready to be the hero of his own story. With Uncle Horatio trapped in an enchanted sleep by the power-hungry Alchemist, he sets off with his new friend Alessia to find a cure and save them all.

Their journey leads them to the magical treehouse – home of the Botanist, the Alchemist’s sworn enemy. Against the clock, they hunt for the cure: foraging in the Secret Garden, challenging Robin Hood and confronting the mighty Jabberwock.

But the Alchemist will stop at nothing to unlock the powerful secrets of The Book of Books, and Tilly, Pages & Co. and the whole world of imagination are under threat as a battle for the fate of bookwandering is set in motion …

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Pages & Co: The Treehouse Library by Anna James Walliams below ⬇️

Book review from Holly, aged 14

The Treehouse Library is the fifth book in the Pages and Co series. The last four volumes were excellently continued in this book. The magical elements in this novel were fantastic. I had so much fun reading this and it made me want to go bookwandering in spectacular places. The characters are endearing and likeable, and I liked seeing the development of their relationship and teamwork. In this novel, they haven’t had it easy and have faced numerous setbacks and challenges. To all book enthusiasts like myself, I’d suggest this book!

Pages & Co The Treehouse Library

Book review from Michael, 12

Milo is on the hunt for a cure for his Uncle Horatio, who is trapped in an enchanted sleep. With the help of his friends Tilly, Alessia, Oscar and Rosa, he looks far and wide to find the ingredients for the cure.

This is a wonderful book with some very complicated characters and quite a large world. It is well written, is nice and clear, and once you start reading it, you won’t be able to put it down. The book is very descriptive, the characters are quite varied, and the places in the book are as varied as the characters in them.

Pages & Co The Treehouse Library by Anna James review

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magic, fantasy, and LOTS of suspense. This is the latest book in a series, with 4 books before it, and at least 1 more after. I love this book, and am waiting to see if my mum will buy me the rest of the series as well.

Book review from Ashling, aged 11

Milo Bolt is the driver of the Quip – a magical train that can travel through the world of story to go anywhere Milo wants. Milo’s uncle Horatio is a book smuggler but unfortunately he has been put to sleep by a poisoned book. Milo searches for who was behind it and he discovers the Alchemist, a hoarder of book magic who wants to control the Quip. The Alchemist’s daughter Alessia stows away on the Quip with the recipe for the cure to the poison, now Milo and Alessia will have to travel into stories to find the ingredients and save Horatio before it’s too late.

Pages & Co The Treehouse Library by Anna James review

I really enjoyed reading this book because it is full of adventure and good characters. It also is exciting to see how classic book characters react when real people enter their stories. My favourite character is Alessia because she is assertive and in control. I would recommend this book to children aged 8-13 because while it is light-hearted, it would also be interesting for older readers. If I was to describe this book in three words they would be exciting, adventurous, and mysterious.

Grab your copy of Pages & Co: The Treehouse Library now!

Families were provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewers. This article contains information provided by HarperCollins.

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Mouse Christmas Baubles

Posted on by Julie Lankow

These simple yet instantly recognisable Christmas baubles are quick and easy to make. Mix and match colours and textures to co-ordinate with your Christmas theme.

You will need:

  • Plastic baubles of varying sizes – to make one bauble, you will need one large and two small
  • (I used 1 x 6cm bauble and 2 x 4cm baubles)
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun and glue stick

Christmas baubles

Instructions

  1. Cover your work area with a drop cloth for any glue spills and warm up the glue gun.
  2. Remove the hanging loop and metal/plastic loop holder from the two smaller baubles.
  3. Using the scissors cut the protruding piece from the bauble as close to the globe of the bauble as possible.
  4. Apply glue around the cut and position the small bauble on the larger bauble, a few centimetres to one side of the hanging loop for the first “ear”.
  5. Hold it firmly in place for about 20 seconds while the glue sets.
  6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for the second smaller bauble, lining up the second bauble evenly with the first to create the second “ear”.
  7. Hang it on your tree!

Christmas bauble

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her world julieWritten by Julie Scanlon

Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire. 

Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”

Spaceboy by David Walliams | Kids Book Review

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content 

Spaceboy by number one bestselling author David Walliams is a breathless cinematic adventure full of mystery, action, laughs and surprises – and a secret that could change the course of history!

America. The 1960s.

Stuck on a remote farm with her awful aunt, twelve-year-old orphan Ruth spends every night gazing at the stars, dreaming of adventure. One night she spots a flying saucer blazing across the sky … before crash-landing in a field. When the spaceship opens and reveals a mysterious alien, all of Ruth’s dreams come true.

But does this visitor from another planet have a giant secret?

Spaceboy is a hilarious and action-packed tale for readers in any solar system.

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Spaceboy by David Walliams below ⬇️

Book review from Fin, aged 11

Spaceboy is a story about Ruth who is a 12-year-old orphan whose parents died in a mining accident. She lives a horrible, sad life because she is poor and has to live with her awful Aunt.

Nothing seems good in her life until a mysterious spacecraft lands on her farm. This landing sparks the beginning of an exciting adventure for Ruth and her 3 legged dog Yuri. Ruth and Yuri soon discovered that the spaceship wasn’t empty and inside was a boy who they named Spaceboy.

Ruth quickly realised that Spaceboy was being hunted by the military. Luckily though, Ruth was completely obsessed with space and she made it her personal mission to protect Spaceboy from the evil military.

Spaceboy by David Walliams

Ruth and Spaceboy form an amazing friendship and for the first time in a long time her loneliness is gone. Along the way they face some tricky situations and end up in the wrong places some of the time.

Will their friendship and determination get them out of trouble and away from the military? You will have to read the book to find out …

I would highly recommend this book for kids who like David Walliams and especially for those that are into space. This book was so good I already want to read it again!

Book review from Hamish, 12

The story starts off with a girl named Ruth whose parents died in a mining accident when she was four. Ruth is for now living with her Aunt Dorothy who is a wicked woman who hates children.

But on one starry night, a strange UFO crash lands into a cornfield near the barn. Being the curious little girl Ruth is, she goes to check it out. And this is where the drama begins …

I really enjoy this book because of the way the author kept me on the edge the whole time. Spaceboy is a great book for people who like Sci-Fi and drama.

Overall I rate this book a 9.5/10.

Spaceboy by David Walliams review

Book review from Lucas, aged 12

This book starts off with Ruth, a child living with her evil aunt Dorothy, meeting a new life form, Spaceboy. Ruth is interested in space and is excited when she sees a UFO falling onto her aunt’s farm.

The main characters for this story are, Ruth, Yuri (her dog) and of course Spaceboy!

When Spaceboy’s arrival becomes public many things begin to go wrong, including being chased down by the U.S. Government. The President even wants to meet Spaceboy, as he is the first ever alien life form on Earth.

Spaceboy by David Walliams book review

I enjoyed this book because of the theme of adventure and the amount of funny moments. Some parts of this story were adventure filled while others were filled with funny jokes and certain mysteries. I loved how it was themed around the Space Race in the 1960s, The U.S. versus The Soviet Union.

This was a great book. Overall I’d give it a 10/10.

Book review from Ellen, 13

Hello there. I had the pleasure of reading Spaceboy by David Walliams. Shout out to Kidspot and Harper Collins for giving me this chance to read one of your fun and silly books. I really liked reading this book by David Walliams because he is one of my favourite authors.

Set in America in the 1960s, Spaceboy is an “Out of this World” adventure which will introduce the reader to the Space Race that developed during that time. An unlikely friendship occurs between Ruth and Spaceboy when his flying saucer crashlands in Ruth’s Aunt’s cornfield.

Spaceboy by David Walliams

My favourite character in this book is Yuri the dog. Yuri was a big help in this story because he had sharp teeth and he was scary when he needed to be. But all he was trying to do was look after his owner.

It was hard to keep up at first because so much was happening. Let’s just say the FBI got involved because of the suspected UFO discovery and chaos ensues!

I recommend this book for 8 to 14-year-olds. Bye!

Book review from Kaitlyn, aged 11

I enjoyed the book Spaceboy by David Walliams. It has a good plot and many plot twists that add to the fun and enjoyment of the story. For example, when Spaceboy turns out to be [spoilers] …

Here are some of my favourite positive points. I liked the style that the book was written in, which means that it delights readers of all ages. The plot is very imaginative which holds you spellbound until the very last page. Although some of the language used is not very thoughtful to the people it is aimed at, some of the kids are disrespectful to adults.

Spaceboy by David Walliams book review

Overall this book was an entertaining read, though not quite my cup of tea. I would rate it a six point five on a scale of one to ten. This book is probably good for readers of eight or nine.

Grab your copy of Spaceboy now!

Families were provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewers. This article contains information provided by HarperCollins.

Read more kids book reviews:

Toy-free Gift Ideas For Kids

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Kids are constantly on the move and exploring their world. They also have quickly changing interests, so when buying gifts think outside the box and instead of choosing the latest toy, focus on their needs.

That means finding gifts that keep kids busy and engaged rather than giving them toys they’ll only play with for a few weeks and then forget about.

If your kid is starting school, finding new interests, or taking up a new sport, consider something like this list of creative gifts for kids.

1. A great pair of headphones

A great pair of headphones can be used anywhere. They’re great for listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, videos, and more. They may even need them for online school work on their laptop or tablet.

2. A brand-new backpack

Backpacks are a must-have for kids. Obviously, they’re a great way to carry your child’s school supplies, but they can also be used for holidays, playdates, sports, and family outings to keep to hand everything they need while out and about.

3. A subscription to a book club

A subscription to a book club is an excellent gift for kids. They encourage reading and help develop literacy skills and can also be a delightful way to get your child involved in choosing books. When they’re reading a book, treat them to something like bubble gum as it’s been shown that it can improve focus.

4. Great sports gear

A great gift for kids is sports gear. Sports gear can be expensive, but it’s a fun and useful way to exercise and stay healthy. It can also help kids make friends when they play together. Sports gear can be used for many years, so it’s good value if you plan on getting your child something that will last through many years of growth!

5. Their favourite cookies

Homemade cookies or other baking makes a great extra gift that they will love to devour whilst unwrapping their other presents. Or spend a day making them together to give to other kids or adults. Kids love making them, and they’re easy to make with ingredients you probably already have. Team the cookies with a new book for a great storytime treat.

6. Fun, new clothes

Kids grow up fast, so they’re always in need of clothes that fit. A new outfit or a much-wanted piece of clothing makes a great, practical gift idea that they’ll get lots of use out of. Shop the sales or check out good secondhand items in your local area through TradeMe or Facebook Market.

7. Art supplies

Art supplies are fun and can be used for a variety of home and school projects. If you have a child who loves painting, an easel, some blank canvases, brushes and paint colours make a great gift idea. For those who love to draw or colour, a big jotter pad and coloured pencils or markers will inspire their creativity.

8. A scooter

A scooter is a great way to get your kids outside and on the go and can provide hours of fun with friends. Scooters are also excellent for transportation, especially if your child walks to school. They’re easy to ride and compact enough to store away easily.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! Kids love things that make them feel special, so focus on those gifts that nurture their interests and encourage them to be themselves.

This article was created by DigitalEaters.com, with editing by Kidspot NZ.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Kidspot NZ of the website, information, products or services contained therein. All views are those of the author.

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DIY Christmas Bauble Wreath

Posted on by Julie Lankow

If you love Christmas and all things shiny and bright, you’re going to love this brilliant DIY Christmas bauble wreath craft. It’s easy enough for even the most craft-averse to make.

You will need:

  • A pool noodle
  • Tape
  • A mixture of large, medium and small Christmas baubles in your choice of colours – around 100-120 in total
  • (I used 4 x 8cm baubles, 50 x 6cm baubles, 45 x 4cm baubles and 15 x 3cm baubles – but you can use other shapes too)
  • Approximately 8m of tinsel (or festive garland)
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun and lots of glue sticks
  • Iceblock sticks
  • Ribbon

Instructions

  1. Cover your work area with a drop cloth for any glue spills and warm up the glue gun.
  2. Shape the pool noodle into a circle and tape it well to hold it together.
  3. Attach a piece of ribbon to what will be the top of your wreath, allowing enough for it to be hung up and glue it into position on the pool noodle.
  4. Remove the hanging loop and metal/plastic loop holder from each bauble before you use them.
  5. Starting with the largest baubles, apply a circle of glue approximately the size of a 20c piece. Apply this near to the bit that sticks out where the hanger was so it will be towards the pool noodle and eventually hidden from sight.
  6. Apply the bauble to the pool noodle and hold it in place for about 10 seconds while the glue sets.
  7. Continue to apply the largest baubles around the pool noodle, ensuring that you allow space between them for the other baubles, and cover the top, inner and outer of the pool noodle (leave the back clear so it can sit flat against the wall when finished).
  8. When you have good coverage (we applied around 50 of the 6cm baubles), move on to medium-sized baubles and start to fill the gaps. Finish off with the smallest baubles and ensure you have no large gaps.
  9. Cut your tinsel into lengths around 10-15cm long.
  10. Apply glue to either the pool noodle or carefully to the central string of the tinsel and use it to fill the gaps around your baubles.
  11. Use the iceblock stick to help press the tinsel into place (and avoid gluing your fingers!)
  12. When all gaps are covered, it’s ready to hang up!

Christmas bauble wreath

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her world julieWritten by Julie Scanlon

Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire. 

Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”

Free Kid To Good Home by Hiroshi Ito | Kids Book Review

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content 

Free Kid To Good Home is a comic-style chapter book about sibling rivalry and a child’s impulse to run away from home – and come back again! Through funny and lighthearted storytelling, this is a useful book to teach young children about welcoming a new baby sibling to the family or exploring playful sibling relationships.

“When my potato-faced baby brother arrived, I realized I needed a new family. No one seemed to mind when I packed my bag. I took a box and used my best handwriting to write ‘FREE KID’, then waited for some new parents to take me home.”

Waiting in a box like an abandoned pet and encountering the passersby changes the girl’s perspective. At the end of the day, when her parents pretend they need an older sister for their new baby, she is ready to leave her box and go happily back home.

This comical twist on sibling rivalry is translated from an enduring Japanese bestseller, now in its 31st edition and available in English.

This accessible story is perfect for children starting on independent reading and is illustrated in a graphic comic style that captures childlike subversive humour.

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Free Kid To Good Home by Hiroshi Ito below ⬇️

Book review from Dani-Nicole, aged 10

This was a funny story about a little kid who was not happy when her mum brought a new baby home because the baby was super annoying and cried all the time and took her mum’s attention away. So she decided to leave home and sit in a box with a sign that said FREE KID and try to find a new family.

I found this story really funny because I have a little brother and a baby sister and they annoy me so much sometimes I feel like I could just run away and find myself a new home too!

Free Kid To Good Home book review

Book review from Ihaia, aged 8

Free Kid to Good Home tells the story of a little girl who thinks she doesn’t get enough attention because she has a new baby brother. So she decides to run away and find a new home. She sits in a box and writes on it “FREE KID” and waits to see what happens. Will anybody take her home?

This is a story that is told mostly by the drawings, with a small amount of text added, so it is quick and easy to read. It was written in 1991 in Japanese and has only just been published in English.

I give this story 7/10. I like the story because it has a surprise ending and I had never seen pictures like that before, but I prefer books with more words.

Free Kid To Good Home book review

Book review from Tomas, 10

This book is about a little girl whose potato-faced baby brother was born. She felt she wasn’t loved anymore so ran away. She found some animal friends along the way.

[Spoiler alert] The story’s ending was the animals finding new happy homes and the little girl went back to her old family.

The moral of this story is “Don’t run away. Your parents love you and your family equally”.

I found this book quite easy to read, so I think it suits 7-8 year olds better. Thank you for sending me Free Kid To Good Home.

Free Kid To Good Home by Hiroshi Ito

Book review from Eva, aged 9

This book was quite nice to read because I like reading books with pictures, to make it make sense a bit more.

It was nice and simple, and would be a story for an early reader. This has been welcoming and warm to read because there are kind actions, as well as words.

Free Kid To Good Home by Hiroshi Ito

Book review from Ciara, 10

What I enjoyed about this book was that it was funny and interesting and I finished in a day.

I love graphic novels and my favourite part was who actually wanted to take him home when he was looking for a new home.

Free Kid To Good Home book review

Grab your copy of Free Kid To Good Home now!

Families were provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewers. This article contains information provided by HarperCollins.

Read more kids book reviews:

The Ape Star by Frida Nilsson | Kids Book Review

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content 

The Ape Star by Frida Nilsson is a heartwarming and unconventional story about love, adoption, friendship, and seeing from different perspectives. An animated adaption of the book is now showing worldwide.

In this award-winning chapter book about prejudice and justice, an orphan girl is adopted by a gorilla who lives in a junkyard and a surprising friendship grows between them.

Jonna lives in an orphanage whose manager is strict and obsessed with cleanliness. Like all the other children, Jonna has only one dream: to be adopted by a well-dressed mother who smells of perfume. But one day, a beat-up old car pulls up. The door opens and out step two thick hairy legs with muddy boots, followed by a belly as round as a barrel, and finally, a head like an overgrown pear. It’s a gorilla!

Surely the orphanage won’t let a gorilla adopt a child. But, to Jonna’s horror, the gorilla chooses her …

Jonna sleeps in a hammock, and in the evenings the gorilla reads Dickens in her worn armchair. It turns out that Jonna and the gorilla have a lot in common. But just when they’ve started to get along, a man from the council threatens to send Jonna back to the orphanage.

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for The Ape Star by Frida Nilsson below ⬇️

Book review from Michael, aged 12

Jonna is an orphan living in an orphanage run by a lady who gets the orphans to do all of the cleaning. Jonna and the other orphans all dream of being adopted, but they will probably never leave the orphanage grounds.

But, out of the blue Jonna gets adopted, not by a well-dressed woman, but by a big, hairy … GORILLA! Surely the orphanage won’t let gorilla adopt her! But, to Jonna’s horror, they do! What can go wrong?!?! But, Jonna soon realises she was wrong about gorilla. What will she do? Stay with gorilla, or try and escape and go back to the orphanage?

The Ape Star book review

The book has been well written, and the story has a lot to say about going out and finding your place in the world, and about how much people judge others by their appearance instead of getting to know them. It also sheds light on how many people are pushed out of their homes and into the streets by developers, “in the name of progress”.

I would recommend this book for 8 to 12 year olds, and I also think that you should read it if you like a little laugh.

Book review from Kyle, 8

I really liked this book The Ape Star. It has 2 main characters which are Jonna and Gorilla. I like that she was adopted and found a new home. I like how she was scared in the beginning and not knowing what was going to happen and then found her new family. I like the twists and turns and how pieces are a little scary. I like how it all fits together like a mystery puzzle. I did not like the bad guys who tried to trick them. I also found some words a bit hard but I liked it as well because it helped me learn new things and words. I felt it really was an exciting and fun book. Thank you for choosing me. I loved it.

The Ape Star review

From a mom’s point of view …

I really loved how the book made him explore new words and look them up, he was excited to find out what they meant. Kyle loved the little exciting twists and hidden messages and seeing his face light up when he figured it all out was amazing! I loved how little giggles and gasps came out from him when he was reading, questions about adoption and orphanages came up and I love how we got to explore new topics and discuss how these made him feel.

Book review from Zara, aged 11

Kia ora. About a week ago I was given a book called The Ape Star by Frida Nilson. From the look of the front cover I thought it was going to be a book not for me, but I was definitely wrong. I actually ended up really enjoying this fiction story. It is based around a girl called Jonna who is around 9 years old and she lives in an orphanage with a strict manager called Gerd. This story tells us of her life being adopted by a gorilla and all the negatives and positives of her new life. I would give this book a 10 out of 10 star rating. I would also recommend this book to 7 to 12 year olds as they would enjoy it the most. I was even more delighted when I found out it was a movie.

The Ape Star by Frida Nilsson book review

A message to the author:

Maybe in the future you could make a book from the gorilla’s point of view and what struggles that she goes through as a child, what challenges she has to face and how she gets out of it in the end. And maybe how she met Jonna, their life together, and what she thinks of Jonna and her parenting life.

Book review from Sebastian, aged 12

The Ape Star is a heartwarming fiction genre book about a little girl who is adopted by a gorilla. Jonna lives at a prestigious orphanage run by Gerd, a neat freak woman who hates Jonna. The story has a mix of moments that fill you with surprise, happiness and sadness. When a gorilla arrives at the orphanage to adopt a child, Jonna is the only one not to scream and run inside upon revealing the gorilla herself. The gorilla sees this trait and ends up choosing Jonna to take home. This book has good descriptive language and gives you an idea of who each character is personally. You can imagine what that character is feeling at that very moment. 3.5 stars.

The Ape Star by Frida Nilsson book review

Book review from Molly, aged 11

In the start Jonna was just a girl at Renfanen orphanage Run by Gerd. Ape drives up and chooses her. It’s a book full of what will happen next and why did this happen. Jonna goes on adventures and sometimes feels a bit embarrassed to be with an ape in public. But as time goes on they connect and become really close until Jonna has to leave. I give this book a 3 out of 5.

The Ape Star book review

Book review from Abigail, 9

The Ape Star by Frida Nilsson is about an orphan called Jonna who gets adopted by a Gorilla.

She goes to live with the gorilla at her scrapyard and Jonna feels very embarrassed being with her … but it wasn’t long before she enjoyed her new carer.

The Gorilla and Jonna face challenges from others who do not want them to remain together and we get to journey with them through it.

This book was very interesting and taught me that things aren’t always as bad as they may seem.

The Ape Star book review

Grab your copy of The Ape Star now!

Families were provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewers. This article contains information provided by HarperCollins.

Read more kids book reviews:

6 Benefits Of Outdoor Play For Children’s Development

Posted on by Julie Lankow

When it comes to children’s development, there’s no substitute for outdoor play. Getting some fresh air and spending time in nature comes with numerous advantages, especially for children who are still learning to stand on their own two feet.

The primary reason for this is that outdoor play can holistically elevate various elements of a child’s development. From keeping children physically active to enhancing their cognitive abilities, there are a plethora of ways playing outdoors can help your child grow.

As such, parents may wish to make fruitful attempts to foster a love for outdoor play in their children from a young age. These activities can provide vast learning opportunities that a child may not find anywhere else.

Let’s look into these advantages in more detail.

1) Outdoor play boosts physical health

Being holed up in a cramped room day in and day out can do a number on a child’s physical health. It may restrict their range of motion, causing their muscles to go underutilised.

In contrast, outdoor play gives children the chance to move about freely, helping them expend their energy healthily and productively. This, in turn, helps to improve their physical fitness, coordination, and motor skills.

For instance, playing games such as hopscotch, skipping, or catch, require children to use their motor skills. These help children to interact with their surroundings and develop a sense of spatial awareness and fast reflexes. In addition, these games help strengthen a child’s stamina and muscles due to the regular exercise they’re getting from continuously moving around.

2) Outdoor play prevents near-sightedness

Believe it or not, spending time outdoors can decrease the likelihood of children developing near-sightedness. Some studies have found that spending at least an hour a day playing outdoors can decrease a child’s risk of developing myopia by 14%.

There are multiple reasons why playing outdoors affects eye health. For one, safe exposure to the sun’s rays can help slow the elongation of the eye. In addition, spending time outdoors provides your child with a dynamic scenery where they’ll have to focus on objects both far away and close by. This helps their eyes relax, especially when compared to spending their time glued to a smartphone or tablet.

3) Outdoor play enhances cognitive abilities

When playing outdoors, there’s a whole range of stimuli that your child can take in and process. They’ll have to take into account the weather, their surroundings, the people around them, and things that come and go. This isn’t only limited to sight, either. Children use their sense of hearing and touch when playing outdoors, which helps to further immerse them in their environment.

This cognitive stimulation is important for several reasons. For one, this sizable influx of information trains the brain to process everything it’s seeing and experiencing. It also strengthens a child’s focus and concentration since they’re likely paying attention to one continuous task as opposed to a continuous stream of stimuli.

That said, one of the most important cognitive benefits a child can develop from outdoor play is the sharpening of their executive function. Playing outside helps children to better plan, organise, and prioritise tasks.

Academic context or otherwise, regularly engaging in outdoor play can improve executive function significantly.

4) Outdoor play develops social skills

Outdoor play is a fantastic way for children to develop social skills as it helps them interact with others of their age group. Many outdoor games and activities require children to work together to achieve a common goal, which helps them to develop important skills such as teamwork, compromise, and cooperation. Some games also harness a spirit of competitiveness in a healthy and non-destructive way.

In addition, a study showed that kids who frequently play outdoors may be less likely to engage in bullying behaviour. One theory is that they develop a sense of empathy and social responsibility from interacting with others in an outdoor setting.

They’ll also have the social skills to get along with others. Having said that, every parent strives to provide the finest environment for their children. If you want the best education for your child, learn more here about a childcare facility that offers just that.

5) Outdoor play fosters a love of nature

Kids who spend time outdoors are more likely to appreciate nature and want to protect it as they grow older. This is because they have already developed first-hand experience and knowledge about their local flora and fauna. From the trees that they’ve climbed to the bugs that they’ve caught, kids who play outdoors have a connection to nature that those who don’t will likely never have.

With many of the world’s resources being depleted at a breakneck pace, it’s more important than ever to instil a sense of appreciation for nature in children. This way, the planet is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

6) Outdoor play encourages independence

When children are outdoors, they’re more likely to explore and learn on their own. This is because the outdoor environment provides them with a sense of freedom and independence that they may not feel when indoors.

One way this is seen in action is when kids are playing in a park. They’re likely to climb on the jungle gym or swing by themselves without any assistance from adults. This helps them develop a sense of self-reliance and confidence in their abilities.

While it’s always important for an adult to be around to supervise them, maintaining a healthy distance can give kids the chance to explore and grow on their own.

This article was written by Lucy Mitchell, Content Manager for Current.com.au | The Home of Australian Product Reviews, with editing by Kidspot NZ.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Kidspot NZ of the website, information, products or services contained therein. All views are those of the author.

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Review: SMA Little Steps® Toddler

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Tried and tested by Kidspot parents

Kidspot parents gave SMA Little Steps® Toddler an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5

Help support their nutrition with SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler is enriched with iron to support normal cognitive development along with calcium for the normal growth and development of bones and vitamin D for the immune system. It’s designed to be enjoyed from 1 year old, supplementary to a varied diet when energy and nutrient intakes may not be adequate.

Just four scoops into 200 mL of cooled, boiled water twice a day is such an easy way to supplement the normal function of a child’s immune system.

For further information, visit meandmychild.co.nz

Read the reviews

We’ve given 10 families the chance to trial and review SMA Little Steps® Toddler. Read their reviews in the comments below!

Photos from our reviewers

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

SMA Little Steps® Toddler

Reviewer notes

  • If you have received the product for review, please scroll to the bottom of the page and add your feedback as a new comment.
  • Upload your review photos/videos to this Dropbox folder.
  • Each selected reviewer will receive: 1 x 900g tin of SMA Little Steps® Toddler.
  • By registering for this product trial, you agree to the terms and conditions. Please note that comments, images, or videos provided by reviewers may be used by SMA Little Steps® Toddler  on their website and social media channels to promote the product.

Please note

  • If you are selected to trial, the product will be sent to the address on your profile.
  • Please check your address now to ensure that it is up to date.
  • Not a member yet? Then sign up now.
  • Kidspot Terms and Conditions apply, including: Open to Kidspot members 18+ only. Only available for NZ residents. If you are selected, you will be required to use the product as soon as possible and supply a review, as set out in our review instructions. Your name, email address, and contact phone number will be given to the supplier for the purpose of delivery.

The Link Between Education & Behaviour During Your Child’s Preschool Years

Posted on by Julie Lankow

A child’s preschool years serve as a pivotal foundation for their future behaviour. It’s during these formative years that children learn how to interact with others, develop social skills, and begin to make sense of their identity and the world at large.

During this critical period, both parents and educators need to foster a child’s development in ways that will help them understand their place in the world. When done right, this will lead to children who are more well-rounded, better behaved, and ultimately, successful in and outside the classroom setting.

That said, each children’s development journey varies based on a mixture of inherent and external factors. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to preschool education and behaviour. Nor is there a guaranteed way to ensure that you won’t encounter any hiccups along the way.

But what you can do is pave the way for your child’s success by creating a positive and stimulating learning environment that will set them up for long-term success. Here are some pointers on how to make the most out of your child’s education and encourage them to make good behaviour choices.

How does education affect a child’s behaviour?

Early education isn’t solely limited to counting our fingers and reciting the alphabet. It encompasses a wide range of activities dedicated to positively supporting a child’s holistic development. This includes everything from how to properly brush their teeth to saying sorry when they get into a fight with their classmates.

In other words, early education is the process of teaching children the skills they need to succeed both academically and socially. It’s about more than just preparing them for school; it’s about helping them develop into well-rounded individuals.

There are several ways in which education affects a child’s behaviour.

Bad behaviour

Early education attempts to rectify bad behaviours that a child may display, such as tantrums, lying, general disobedience, and so on. During this age, preschoolers start to make sense of themselves and start to see how their actions affect the world around them. They start to gain independence and confidence in themselves to do things on their own.

Early education, therefore, helps push them in the right direction and guide their behaviour towards more positive outcomes. Through educational activities and exercises, children learn how to better control their emotions and impulses. They learn how to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence or outbursts.

The point of early education is not to subdue the child’s emotions, but to teach them that there are consequences and more suitable healthy avenues to express them.

Social skills

In addition to behavioural improvements, education also helps children develop crucial social skills. This not only influences how they interact with their peers but also how they will interact with people in general throughout their lives.

One development that may arise during this crucial period is the formation of friendships. Kids will start to find other children with similar interests and personalities. Having friendships will boost their self-identity and esteem, which consequently helps them develop empathy for others.

Furthermore, early education will also teach children how to be polite and show manners. They will learn how to take turns, share their belongings, say please and thank you, and so on. Cooperation, competition, and teamwork are other important social skills that children will develop during this time, developing their understanding of social dynamics at the right time and place.

How to foster good behaviour in kids

We all want what’s best for our children. We want them to be happy, healthy, and successful in all aspects of their lives, for their sake and for those around them.
That said, reasoning with a preschool-aged child isn’t exactly the same as reasoning with an adult. That’s why there are institutions solely dedicated to encouraging the development of children in their early years. Click here to view one such early learning childhood centre.

To help promote good behaviour in kids, try the following tips to encourage good behaviour at home:

1) Explain the rules and consequences in simple terms

You shouldn’t expect your child to know or understand all the rules of life. When it comes to early education and behaviour, be sure to explain the rules and consequences in simple and age-appropriate terms. For example, when your child grabs a toy from another child’s hand, don’t simply grab your child’s toy and tell them to share. You can say something like, “It’s not nice to grab toys from other kids. If you do that, they might not want to play with you.” This way, you’ll be teaching your child the importance of sharing while also helping them understand how their actions have consequences.

If they break these rules, don’t be harsh on them either. It’s in the nature of pre-schoolers to forget things or make mistakes. When they do, gently remind them of the rules and positively redirect their behaviour.

2) Use positive reinforcement

Whenever your child follows the rules or does something good, be sure to praise them and give them positive reinforcement. This will help encourage them to continue doing the action. It also positively affects their self-esteem and helps them develop the confidence to be able to do things on their own.

3) Be a role model

Children often mirror the behaviour of the people around them, especially their parents. So, if you want your child to be well-behaved, take the initiative to be a role model for them.

For example, if you find that you’re wrong, admit it to your child. If you lose your temper, apologise and explain to them how you could have handled the situation better. By doing this, you’ll not only be setting a good example for your child, but you’ll also be teaching them the importance of taking responsibility for their actions.

This article was written by Lucy Mitchell, Content Manager for Current.com.au | The Home of Australian Product Reviews, with editing by Kidspot NZ.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Kidspot NZ of the website, information, products or services contained therein. All views are those of the author.

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Nappies, Spills, Scrapes & Silk Baby Ultimate Wipes

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Gentle on the planet and on little bums, Silk Baby wipes have a refreshed new look with playful designs featuring sweet animal characters. We gave mum of two, Yasmin, the opportunity to give Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes a trial run during a busy family day.

Silk Baby Water Wipes are made from plant-based, plastic-free material, infused with 99.9% water and just a hint of fruit extract. Just look for the pack with the large whale on the front. The top-selling Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes are ultra-absorbent and 20% thicker making them ideal for those bigger messes! Look for the small whales on the pack. Both products are biodegradable too*. See the full range here.

* According to independent testing under controlled aerobic composting conditions. Rate of degradation in landfill may vary.

Yasmin’s review

Wipes are our family’s best friend. We take them everywhere, have them in every room in our house, and in our cars. I always wondered how we survived without them before kids. They are so versatile and handy!

We are a busy family of four – two adults, 5-year-old Zayn who just started school, and 7-month-old Maya who just started solids!

A typical day would involve multiple nappy changes, multiple meals and multiple messes.

6.30 am

Maya wakes and we have our first nappy change. Luckily she doesn’t often need an overnight change and Silk Ultimate Wipes softly wipe away the night time yuckies off her bum. We’ve found that they are soft and gentle enough to wipe any sleep from her eyes and night time feed crusties without irritating her sensitive skin.

7.30 am

Breakfast is served! Maya watches while Zayn has his morning cereal. Our handy dandy Silk Ultimate Wipes are there to rescue us from the inevitable milk and cereal spills that every 5-year-old seems to make as they miss their mouth. Life is just too busy for them to focus on the spoon to mouth action! Lucky the wipes got rid of any sign of a spill! Zayn gives us the thumbs up at how easy the clean up was.

Silk baby wipes review

8.30 am

We head off for our walk to school, collecting little treasures on the way, rocks, leaves and broken branches. Let’s give our hands a wipe before we head into school and mummy has to touch Maya’s face or hands. (Mummy also has a sneaky coffee on the way home, which of course had to spill … shhh Silk Ultimate wipes to the rescue!)

9.30am

Maya starts making those tell tale grunty sounds on our way to our friend’s house for a baby play date. I’m driving and hoping the poonami is contained. She only goes every few days and it’s an inevitable part of our life with her.

10am

Maya’s asleep … the ultimate mum dilemma. Do you wake your sleeping child because you suspect a full, almost explosive nappy, or do you let her sleep because that never happens?

Silk baby wipes review

10.30am

Sleep won … I figured the nappy will be there when she wakes and at least she won’t be grumpy when I change her. She woke happy and I already had her change station prepped for her at my friend’s house. Silk Ultimate Wipes, nappy, disposable bag, a change mat and a just in case change of clothes (which we thankfully didn’t need!)

My friend commented on the number of wipes I used … oops … but they did wipe away every little bit of poop and they were soft and gentle enough to go into the crevices without irritating Maya’s skin.

Silk baby wipes review

12.30pm

We head back home in time to have our little bit of solid food. Maya’s still not a fan of solids and often spits out the food or has it all over her face and hands. Thank you Silk Ultimate Wipes for making clean up easy!

Silk baby wipes review

3.30pm

Zayn is home again and ready for his after school toilet stop. Isn’t it funny how a parent’s life is consumed by the eat, sleep, poop cycle! That expands into more stuff but generally those are the most basic of our needs. That’s why we also keep a pack of wipes in the bathroom. No, they’re not flushable but they get the bum extra clean after the toilet paper does the best it can.

4.30pm

We head off to the playground for a quick play before Daddy gets home from work. We go on the swing, run around, and have the odd scrape that our magical Silk Ultimate Wipes fix by giving it a nice and gentle, cool, wet rub.

Silk baby wipes review

5.30pm

Dinnertime! Another messy affair in our house. From the bench top, to the dining table to the random piece of food flung on the floor, Silk Ultimate Wipes are our trusty companions, even Maya knows it! She does love a good lick of the wipe as it wipes her face. In fact we’ve discovered, they’re so mild and truly ‘unchemically’ by how much she loves the feel of them on her face. I think she’d eat one if we didn’t stop being such killjoy parents and take them off her.

Silk baby wipes review

7pm

Bedtime battles begin! Shower, change, books and bed! Pretty straight forward but it’s not till 8 or 8.30 that we have true lights out and mum and dad can exhale after another fun day with our munchkins.

Silk Ultimate Wipes

It’s so good having a trusty wipe that you know your finger won’t poke through while you’re wiping something gross. It will withstand cleaning anything and act as a nice refreshing wipe. It cleans scraped knees and spilled coffees, crusty tables and dirty faces. And ultimately, is great on the bum. Bonus …only one wipe comes out at a time!

Find Silk baby wipes and toiletries at your local supermarket including Pak’nSave and Countdown stores.

Yasmin was provided with a supply of Silk baby wipes for the purpose of the review. Views are those of the reviewer.

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4 Tried & Trusted Nappy Bag Essentials

Posted on by Julie Lankow

In the era of BK (that’s Before Kids) you probably left the house quite easily with your keys and phone and your lack of responsibility … I mean … not a care in the world! But when you’ve got a tiny human relying on you 24/7 you’ve got to be prepared – even if it’s for your own peace of mind.

When you become a parent to a newborn that nappy bag is going to be your best friend and lifesaver. In fact, you will rely on it so much that you’ll be sad when it’s no longer needed and you have to revert to your own now seemingly inadequate handbag or pocket!

After a couple of kids, I gained a reputation for having the most amazing nappy bag that could produce any requirement at a moment’s notice. Obviously, you’ll want the essentials like nappies, a change of clothes and (if you’re not breastfeeding) bottles and feeding items for bubs. But beyond that, the best items to include are things that can double up for a multitude of purposes. – including ways you’ve probably never even thought of.

So, here are my tips for what to include as tried and true must-haves for the nappy bag.

#1 Muslin cloth

It’s odd that we don’t really “discover” muslin until we have babies. This light, easy-to-wash fabric is super versatile. Grab a decent size one and pop it in your bag for these uses:

  • Clean and warm space for nappy changes or play/tummy time
  • Breastfeeding privacy cover
  • Sling it over your shoulder as a burp cloth
  • Swaddle/light blanket
  • Pram/carrier sun cover
  • Bib
  • Comforter

Muslin cloth

#2 Wipes

Long after your babies are out of nappies you will still be buying wipes! Not just great for nappy changes, they’re also handy for cleaning faces and fingers (babies and adults alike), wiping down highchairs, tables and supermarket trolley handles (cos you know they’re gonna lick it!), as well as cleaning up the nappy bag itself when it inevitably gets spillage of something on it.

#3 Resealable bags

When you’re out and about a couple of resealable bags in the nappy bag will get used over and over again. They’re great for keeping dirty bibs, drooled-on t-shirts, and bubs’ soft toy that took a dive into a puddle securely contained away from everything else. Look for ones that can be washed and reused. When your baby moves on to solids you can also keep a food-safe one in the nappy bag for those half-eaten items that bubs will be looking for again about two minutes after you were going to throw it away!

You can also use resealable bags to carry a small number of baby wipes, rather than lugging around a big pack, or to store things that spring a leak like nappy cream or hand sanitiser.

#4 Reusable water bottle

An absolute must for parents on the go is a water bottle for when you work up a thirst. It can also come in handy for other uses too. A splash of water can get sand off little toes at the beach, rinse off a pacifier that’s lost its way into the bottom of the pram or wash away baby’s spit up from the pavement (oops!).

Written by Kidspot NZ

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Moving To Australia? The Ultimate Guide To The Australian School Systems

Posted on by Julie Lankow

If you are moving to Australia with children, it is important to understand the Australian school system. How does it work? What are the options for your children?

This guide will tell you what you need to know about Australian schools, from preschool through to university. Let’s get started!

About the system

The Australian education system is known for its quality and rigour. The country’s education sector is the fifth largest in the world, with over 3 million students enrolled in schools across the nation.

The academic year in Australia begins in late January (or early February) and ends in December. The year is divided into four academic terms and three lots of school holidays, and education is compulsory from the age of 6 until the age of 16.

In the Australian school system, there are four stages of schooling: early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, and tertiary education.

While early childhood education is not compulsory, the majority of Australian children do attend some form of early childhood education, such as preschool or kindergarten. You can read this if you want to know whether your child is ready for school.

Primary education in Australia begins at the age of six and lasts for seven to eight years. Next, secondary education runs from grades seven to ten. You also have senior secondary education, which lasts two years (grades 11 and 12). And finally, tertiary education includes both vocational and higher education.

Types of schools

There are several types of schools in Australia. Here’s a brief overview of them.

Selective schools

There are some schools in Australia that have a selective admissions process, which means they’re only for certain students. These schools accept only students who meet certain academic criteria, such as high test scores or good grades.

Selective schools tend to be very competitive and so is their admission process. They usually start considering applications in August to September each year and are known for offering a higher quality of education than non-selective schools. Plus, they often have better resources and facilities with most of their students having high academic achievement.

If your child is talented, it’s highly recommended that you use Spectrum selective school preparation to get them admitted to a selective school.

Government schools

These are government-funded schools, which are free to attend for Australian citizens and permanent residents. However, if you’re living in Australia on a temporary visa (for example the Temporary Skilled Shortage 482 visa), you may be required to pay for government schools, depending on the State or Territory regulations.

Moreover, government schools follow the curriculum set by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA), and are overseen by the state government.

Non-government schools

These schools also receive some government funding but this varies depending upon the socio-economic grading of the school and therefore caregivers are often required to make a co-payment for attendance. They may be run by religious organisations, or by for-profit companies.

Private schools are also required to implement the national curriculum. They may be classified as Catholic or Independent. Catholic Schools have a religious focus and include religious education as part of their curriculum.

About the curriculum

The Australian Curriculum is reviewed and updated regularly to stay relevant and responsive to the needs of students, teachers, and the community.

At the primary level, the curriculum focuses on the core subjects of English, mathematics, science, and history.

In secondary school, students can choose to study a range of electives in addition to the core subjects. Some of the most popular electives include Business Studies, Economics, Design and Technology, and foreign languages.

Finally, tertiary education institutions each have their own specific curriculum.

Entry into the Australian school system

If you are moving to Australia with children, you will need to enrol them in school. The process for enrolling your child in an Australian school depends on their age and whether you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary visa holder.

To enrol your child in an Australian school, you will need to provide proof of your child’s age, identity, and vaccination status. You will also need to provide proof of your Australian residency status. If you are a temporary visa holder, you will need to provide proof of your visa status and pay any associated fees.

To find a school in your area, you can search the Australian Government’s My School website or the non-government schools database.

Choosing a school for your child

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a school for your child. These include the type of school, location, curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and cost. Some of the most popular schools in Australia are:

Kelvin Grove State College in Queensland

This college is a prep to year 12 government school, which offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It is known for its academic excellence and has a diverse student population. You can visit their site for more information.

Yarra Valley Grammar in Victoria

This is a non-government, independent school catering to students from prep to year 12. It sits on a 25-acre campus and offers a comprehensive curriculum. The school has a strong focus on music and the arts, with students often winning prestigious awards in these areas. You can find out more about Yarra Valley Grammar here.

Sydney Grammar School in New South Wales

This is one of the most prestigious selective schools in Australia. It’s a non-government, independent school for boys only, from kindergarten to Year 12. The school has a reputation for academic excellence and offers a broad curriculum. However, it’s one of the most expensive schools out there.

Tertiary education

After completing secondary school, students in Australia can choose to study at a university or enter into vocational training.

Vocational education and training (VET) is offered at both Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes and private colleges. They can lead to a certificate, diploma, or advanced diploma qualification. VET programmes aim to provide students with the practical skills and knowledge required for a particular trade or occupation.

Alternatively, university courses typically have a more theoretical focus and can lead to a bachelor’s degree, honours degree, or masters degree.

There are a number of universities located across Australia, with the most prestigious being the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, and the University of Sydney.

To be eligible to study at a university, you’ll need to have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification (or equivalent) and meet the entry requirements for the chosen course.

If you’re an international student, you’ll need to obtain a student visa before you can begin your studies.

This article was written by Lucy Mitchell, Content Manager for Current.com.au | The Home of Australian Product Reviews, with editing by Kidspot NZ.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Kidspot NZ of the website, information, products or services contained therein. All views are those of the author.

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Silk Baby Ultimate Ultra-Thick® Wipes

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Star rating

Tried and tested by Kidspot parents

Kidspot parents gave Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5

Discover why parents are choosing Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes for those big clean-up jobs with our free trial.

Quite often, parenting calls for a BIG clean-up! So when you need a wipe built for bigger, stickier jobs, the thickness and absorbency of Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes makes them perfect for the nursery, nappy bag, and around the home.

With 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract, Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes are made from plant-based, plastic-free material, so they’re good for your baby’s skin and the planet – and they’re compostable* too. Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes come in packs of either 72 or 120 wipes. In-store, just look for the adorable whales on the new packaging.

* According to independent testing under controlled aeorobic composting conditions. Rate of degradation in landfill may vary.

Find Silk baby wipes and toiletries at your local supermarket including Pak’nSave and Countdown stores.

For further information, see the full Silk range.

Read the reviews now!

We gave 30 members the opportunity to trial and review Silk Baby Ultimate Ultra-Thick® Wipes. Read the full reviews in the comments at the bottom of the page.

I love using this product. It is not only a bit thicker than our current wipes, it’s also softer, made from quality plant based material, environmental friendly and the packaging are recyclable.

Beauden Mahon

Makes clean up a breeze. Love the fact that they are biodegradable and made of 99.9% water. 10 out of 10 from me and my little one.

Briina53

The wipes are so soft, so thick and the absorbency is amazing, perfect for cleaning up after a good feed, nappy change or general spills and cleanups.

Alexandra Ram

These wipes have been a game changer 100% we love them! I have found compared to what we were using they are so much softer and also wipe off very clean and very fast

KelseyTAAFE

They are really thick and I have found that one wipe is often enough instead of what would have been a 2 wipe poo is easily cleaned up with one extra thick wipe!

mumjess

Photos from our reviewers

Silk Baby Ultimate Ultra-Thick® Wipes reviewer ratings

Reviewer notes

  • If you have received the product for review, please scroll to the bottom of the page and add your feedback as a new comment.
  • Upload your review photos/videos to this Dropbox folder.
  • Each selected reviewer will receive: 1 x pack of Silk Baby Ultimate® Ultra-Thick Wipes (72 wipes per pack).
  • By registering for this product trial, you agree to the terms and conditions. Please note that comments, images, or videos provided by reviewers may be used by Silk on their website and social media channels to promote the product.

Please note

  • If you are selected to trial, the product will be sent to the address on your profile.
  • Please check your address now to ensure that it is up to date.
  • Not a member yet? Then sign up now.
  • Kidspot Terms and Conditions apply, including: Open to Kidspot members 18+ only. Only available for NZ residents. If you are selected, you will be required to use the product as soon as possible and supply a review, as set out in our review instructions. Your name, email address, and contact phone number will be given to the supplier for the purpose of delivery.

Dead Good Detectives by Jenny McLachlan | Kids Book Review

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content 

Dead Good Detectives is a super funny and exciting pirate adventure for readers 8+ by author Jenny McLachlan.

Sid Jones loves hanging out in the graveyard with her best friend Zen – they are desperate to see a real-life ghost! But when Sid accidentally summons a 300-year-old pirate from the dead, it opens the door to the Halfway House – a magical inn full of lost souls from across the ages, all trapped there by a sinister landlord.

There are more ghosts than Sid could ever have imagined – and they’re all sure Sid is there to save them – though Sid’s sure there’s been some kind of mistake! But someone else is watching, and they’re not happy about Sid helping the ghosts …

Another epic adventure series from the author of the Land of Roar, with magic, peril, pirates, lots of laughs and LOADS of ghosts!

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Dead Good Detectives by Jenny McLachlan below ⬇️

Book review from Ellen, aged 13

I had the amazing opportunity to read a book from Kidspot. It’s called Dead Good Detectives and it is written by Jenny McLachlan.

The story begins at a graveyard, where best friends Syd and Zen are playing. Zen leaves and Syd finds a grave that she doesn’t have on her map. A series of events lead her to accidentally letting a pirate ghost called Bones and his pet Parrot Elizabeth out of the halfway house they were residing in. Bones has unfinished business in the living world.

With the help of Syd and Elizabeth the parrot, they embark on a quest to find his lost treasure, while being chased by the evil old Scratch and his dog.

Dead Good Detectives book review

When I started reading this book I couldn’t stop. It was so good!! My favourite character is Elizabeth the Parrot. She was very funny. Dead Good Detectives spans between realms, describing strong bonds between the living and those who have passed onto their next life.

I loved using my imagination for where they went on their quest to find Bones’ treasure.

I would recommend this book for 11- 14 year olds. Thank you Kidspot for giving me the chance to read one of your awesome books!

Book review from Ashling, 12

This is a story about a girl called Sid Jones who accidentally releases the ghost of a pirate called Bones from the sinister Halfway House. Bones, his pirate crew and other ghosts who have something they still need to do before they can move on were trapped in the Halfway House by the mysterious Innkeeper. Only Sid can see Bones, but as soon as Bones steps out of the halfway house he starts fading. Sid must help Bones find his lost treasure before he fades away completely …

I really enjoyed Dead Good Detectives because it was full of mystery and adventure, with lots of twists and turns.

Dead Good Detectives by Anthony Horowitz book review

This book is very funny and entertaining, I especially like Bones’ ghost parrot Elizabeth. I would recommend this book to all crowds but I think children above the age of eight would enjoy it the most because it can be a little tense at times. I was a bit nervous of reading it at first because of the word Dead in the title but there was no need because it was funny, interesting, and an altogether amazing book.

Book review from Tomas, aged 9

This book is about a ghost called Bones trying to find his long lost treasure. Bones is against an Evil Innkeeper and a certain amount of time to find his treasure before he fades into gold dust! Will Bones be able to find his treasure in time?

I really liked this story because it was always a mystery if Bones would find his treasure in time before he turns into Gold dust.

I recommend the book Dead Good detectives for people aged 9-11.

Dead Good Detectives book review

Book review from Jonathan, 13

Dead Good Detectives by Jenny McLachlan is a book filled with mysteries and surprise. It is set in a place called Fathom (and you can’t quite fathom what will happen next) …

The main character, Sid accidentally summons a 300 year old pirate (and his parrot) and needs to save him by helping him complete his task. In doing this Sid stumbles across a mysterious place called the Halfway House, a place filled to the brim with lost souls, but they are trapped there by a landlord. They need Sid’s help to free them by completing their tasks, however someone wants to stop Sid from doing this.

Dead Good Detectives book review

There are many characters and ghosts to discover, and this is a great read (and not too scary), I really loved reading it. There are so many places that you go to, and has great suspense, even towards the end that leaves you unsure what will happen, until it happens. Overall it is a great book and I hope you enjoy it too.

Grab your copy of Dead Good Detectives now!

Families were provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewers. This article contains information provided by HarperCollins.

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Where Seagulls Dare: A Diamond Brothers Case | Kids Book Review

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content 

Diamond Brothers Detectives: Where Seagulls Dare is a hilarious new story about the world’s worst detectives, by the bestselling author of the Alex Rider series, Anthony Horowitz.

Private investigators Tim and Nick Diamond haven’t had a case for three months and are down to their last cornflake. So when a glamorous woman comes into their office offering them a pile of cash to find her missing father, they think Christmas has come – only it turns out they are the turkeys! Before they know it, they are caught up in a case involving bike-riding hitmen, superhackers and a sinister far-right organisation, the White Crusaders. The Diamond Brothers are in the soup and in it over their heads. With thrills and spills, and jokes on every page, this new Diamond Brothers novel will have young readers howling with laughter.

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Diamond Brothers Detectives: Where Seagulls Dare below ⬇️

Book review from Kaitlyn, aged 11

I enjoyed this book a lot. The top five reasons are:

1. The author used clever humour, which resulted in a very funny book.
2. The chapters sometimes end in cliffhangers, causing me to want to read on.
3. It has some clever plot twists and play on words.
4. There are extraordinary events that make the book fun.
5. Nick, the younger brother is a likeable character because he is loyal to his brother and also very good at solving mysteries.

This book would appeal to children age 8 + and beyond – and even my Dad read it!

Where Seagulls Dare book review

It is a story that is easy to read but because the author decided to be clever with word play, older children can also read it. However being younger, you wouldn’t quite get the word play, but you would definitely still enjoy the book. As I am in the olderish variety, I zoomed through it(because it is not that long), I got all the jokes, clever tricks and double meanings and really enjoyed it. Because the book is not that long, it is appropriate for confident readers, who don’t like hard, long books.

Overall this book is a very enjoyable read for most ages

Book review from Fin, aged 10

This book is a great story about two brothers, Tim and Nick Diamond. One bright, the other dim. What I mean by this is one brother is a good detective and one is terrible. I will let you find out which one is which by reading the book!

Nick and Tim get assigned a case to solve the mystery of a missing person. What follows is a lot of fun, disaster and adventure. Along the way you get to know more about the brothers and their interesting way of solving crimes. Sometimes their tactics are not the best.

Diamond Brothers Detectives: Where Seagulls Dare book review

The book is very funny and would appeal to kids that like a bit of comedy as well as the excitement of solving a crime. There are other books in the series too if you enjoyed reading this one.

Book review from Leo, aged 8.5

Diamond Brothers Detectives: Where Seagulls Dare, by Anthony Horowitz, is a book about two brothers (one who is not a very good detective!) who have to work together to solve the mystery of a missing person.

The story is quite funny and made me laugh. I liked the pictures drawn and I found the book hard to put down as I wanted to find out what happened in the end!
I think it is nice that the author is donating all the money made from this book to charity.

I really liked this book and will be looking out for more in this series to read next.

Where Seagulls Dare book review

Book review from Grace, aged 12

I was lucky enough to be able to review the book Where Seagulls Dare by Anthony Horowitz. This was such a fun, easy to follow book that I really enjoyed being able to read.

There are some interesting characters, and one with a strange code name … But that adds to the creative writing by the author.

I love to read books and have read many different genres, this book was one of the top books I’ve read. I would happily recommend this book to my friends and family.

Where Seagulls Dare book review

Book review from Olliver, aged 12

I am a 12-year-old boy who loves to read and found this book O.K but some of the story was strange and hard to understand. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and might look to see what other stories he has written to see if they are better.

The general story line is that there are two brothers doing a detective for hire job. The diamond brothers are asked to find a computer hacker who has gone missing, they are hunted by a gang of criminals.

The brothers are captured by the government and asked to help find the hacker on an island run by a maniac. They decline but end up going on the mission. This is all I can say as I cannot spoil it.

Where Seagulls Dare book review

Grab your copy of Where Seagulls Dare now!

Families were provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewers. This article contains information provided by HarperCollins.

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Poor Diet Can Affect Your Child’s Oral Health: Here’s Why

Posted on by Julie Lankow

You are what you eat. This is true not just in adults but even in children. Our diet affects almost all facets of our life, including our physical and mental well-being. Inevitably, it also impacts oral health.

As parents, we should be mindful of what our kids eat. From sugar to acid, different components of their food intake can have negative effects on their teeth and gums. Read on as we explore the many ways by which poor diet and oral health are related.

Why sugar is the enemy

If there is one major culprit for tooth decay and other oral health problems, it would be sugar. From sweets to chocolates to beverages, kids consume sugar in their everyday lives. They love sweet treats. However, they can have negative long-term effects. While it is common knowledge that sugar contributes to tooth decay, many are unaware of why exactly that is the case.

According to the World Health Organization, free sugars are among the dietary factors with the highest influence on the formation of dental caries. These are added sugars in all forms, which you will find in both foods and beverages. They are present even in fruit juices and sweetened milk. Biscuits, cereals, and cakes have free sugars, even white bread.

Nonetheless, this does not mean that we should deprive our children of the sweet stuff. The key is moderation. The sugar intake of children should be less than 10% of their energy intake. If possible, it should even be less than 5%. If you want to give them food with added sugar, it is best to do so after a meal, consumed as desserts. This is the time when there is increased saliva in the mouth, which can be effective in washing sugar off their teeth.

Limiting the frequency of snacking is also an effective strategy to lessen sugar intake. A lot of children’s snacks have high sugars. If you want to allow them to snack more often, then be selective with your choices, providing them with sugar-free or low-sugar treats.

Acidic foods can cause tooth erosion

A lot of people may already be aware that sugar is to be blamed when it comes to tooth decay. However, many are unaware that acidic foods are also to be blamed. Parents may offer their kids fruits like grapes, oranges, pineapples, and apples, thinking that they are excellent alternatives to sugar-rich snacks. While they can indeed be healthy, they are high in acid, which is also a culprit for oral problems.

Acid, which you can often find in fruits and juices, can demineralise, and weaken the tooth enamel over time, resulting in erosion. While the calcium in the saliva is effective in strengthening the enamel, contact with acid prevents remineralisation. Watch out for some of the most common signs of remineralisation in your child’s teeth, which can include sensitivity, discolouration, cracks, and transparency.

There are some ways by which you can prevent acidic foods from contributing to poor oral health. Do not let children suck high-acid fruits. This will prevent the acid from getting stuck on their teeth. When drinking acidic juices, let them use a straw to minimise direct contact with their teeth. It is also crucial that they rinse their mouth after eating acidic foods or drinking acidic juices. It will wash off the acid in their mouth.

The danger of too much fluoride

When someone mentions fluoride, the first thing that most people think of is toothpaste. Toothpaste regularly includes fluoride as an ingredient, which is also known as nature’s cavity fighter. However, you can also get it from other sources, including water. Fluoride can also be from foods, such as spinach, raisins, potatoes, and grapes.

Fluoride deficiency can cause weak enamel and speed up the presence of cavities. On the other hand, too much fluoride can be a bad thing. Children are at the highest risk of suffering from fluorosis before eight years old. One of the most common signs is having white marks on their teeth. It can worsen as they grow older, especially when not given proper attention.

Sticky foods are also to blame

kids oral health

Children may eat a lot of sticky foods that can damage their teeth. They can cling to the tooth and will leave behind sugar or even acid. As earlier mentioned, these are two things that can be culprits for oral health problems.

Dried fruits are some of the most common sticky foods that can be bad for the teeth of little ones. The same thing is true for caramel bars. After eating sticky foods, let your child rinse with water to get rid of the residue in their mouth. It is also a good idea to brush their teeth right away.

Do not let them chew ice

While we are on the topic of poor diet and oral health, let’s also briefly talk about ice. Of course, it is not part of a child’s diet, but it is inevitable that some kids will chew ice from their drinks. Break this habit while they are young as this can be bad for their teeth.

While tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, that does not mean that they are unbreakable. In children, the enamel can be weaker. It can be easily prone to damage when frequently in contact with hard objects, including ice. It can increase the possibility of cracks. When such happens, there is a higher likelihood that sugar and acid will seep in, which contributes to tooth decay.

Good oral hygiene saves the day

While diet is crucial to oral health, it does not mean that healthy eating alone is enough to ensure strong teeth and gums. Aside from diet, pay attention to healthy oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day is a must. Regular flossing is also crucial. Kids should also regularly visit the dentist. This is an opportunity to identify dental problems early on and implement the necessary intervention before any issues worsen.

This article was written by Chelsea Smith, Content Creator for Dentaly.org, with editing by Kidspot NZ.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Kidspot NZ of the website, information, products or services contained therein.

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Six Family Road Trip Ideas For Families In New Zealand

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Promotion for GWM Haval H6

If you’re looking for some family road trip ideas in New Zealand, we’ve got you covered. Whether your crew is full of adrenaline-seekers or you need some serious R&R, there is plenty to see and do. But the key to any great road trip is the ride.

Fortunately, GWM can help you and the family easily get from point A to point B in the Haval H6. This hybrid SUV delivers a smooth drive, even under the most demanding terrain and an interior with unparalleled comfort for those up front and in the back.

Top-of-the-line comfort, safety and technology are standard in the Haval H6, so you can keep everyone happy and avoid the dreaded question – “Are we there yet?”

North Island road trips

The North Island offers something for everyone. Home to plenty of Māori culture, island sanctuaries and lively cities, you and the family can journey through landscapes that blend beautiful beaches, farmlands and geothermal wonders for a truly diverse road trip experience.

North Island New Zealand road trip

Auckland to Wellington via Taupo

If you want the perfect mix of outdoor adventures, arts, and food and wine, the road trip from Auckland to Wellington via Taupo should be at the top of your list. You and your family will start your journey in Auckland and drive through the centre of the North Island to the country’s capital city, Wellington. Along the way, you can visit the beautiful Waikato countryside, the spouting geysers of Rotorua, and the majestic alpine scenery of Tongariro National Park. This road trip is great over ten days if you want to stop at some of the boutique wineries of Martinborough.

Auckland to Napier

Along the Auckland to Napier road trip, the kids can experience some of New Zealand’s top attractions including waves in Mount Maunganui and the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, and not forgetting the adults with a truly unique culinary experience in the food and wine region of Hawke’s Bay. This road trip takes you from the big city through the rolling green hills of Waikato with various terrain that the Haval H6 is perfectly equipped to handle.

Auckland to New Plymouth via Forgotten Highway

If you’re keen to explore New Zealand’s backcountry, discover it along the Forgotten Highway from Auckland to New Plymouth. Top attractions that you and the kids will experience include the Waikato River, Waitomo Caves and the Taranaki region. Finally, as you’re heading into New Plymouth, make sure to take in the views as pass Egmont National Park and drive along the Surf Highway.

South Island road trips

Known as the world’s adventure capital, South Island family road trips are for those looking for one adventure after another. Whether you want to experience the jaw-dropping beauty at Lake Tekapo or experience the dark sky reserve, you won’t be disappointed.

South Island New Zealand road trip

Alpine lakes to glaciers

The alpine lake to glaciers road trip is a four-day South Island adventure that starts in Queenstown. This road trip is perfect for families who are looking to adventure over a long weekend. Top highlights from this road trip include the mirror reflection at Lake Matheson and epic skiing in Wānaka. However, Wānaka is also a great year-round outdoor adventure location with plenty of beautiful hikes for the summer months.

Christchurch to Nelson loop

The Christchurch to Nelson loop is one of the most popular family road trips in the South Island for its diverse range of experiences. As a family, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in a blend of history, adventure and wildlife. Best spent over 5-10 days, this road trip allows you to experience the tiny French-style coastal settlement of Akaroa and the Marlborough wine region. If you’d like to spend some time by the beach, then make sure to check out New Zealand’s smallest national park, Abel Tasman.

Christchurch to Queenstown via Dunedin

One of the most famous road trips in New Zealand is Christchurch to Queenstown. This particular route is via Dunedin, where you and the family can explore New Zealand’s only castle and swim in the heated outdoor saltwater pool at St Clair Beach. Make sure to also use this road trip as an opportunity to travel through Te Anau to the world-renowned Milford Sound and the wider Fiordland National Park, where you can experience glowworm caves, high-speed jet boating and some of the greatest hikes New Zealand has to offer.

The new Haval H6

GWM Haval H6

If you’re searching for a hybrid SUV that gives you complete peace of mind while you’re on your next family road trip, check out the Haval H6 at your nearest GWM Haval showroom today.

Article provided by GWM with editing by Kidspot NZ

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Made To Share Spring Activities In New Zealand

Posted on by Julie Lankow

New Zealand really is the ultimate playground and our beautiful country offers lots of opportunities to try new activities that you may not have considered before – or that you’ve been really wanting to have a go at!

Spring in New Zealand is a great time to try new things, share adventures, and make lots of special memories as a family. So on your next family holiday or break, why not discover a new passion with our guide to spring activities that you can try as a family.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest availability, opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans.

Try kayaking

Taupo Kayaking Adventures

Kayaking isn’t just an Olympic sport that brings home the medals. It’s also a wonderful way to explore New Zealand’s stunning coastline and inland waterways. Whether you want to paddle Lake Taupō, the sunny Bay of Islands, or the open waters around New Zealand, kayaking can become a favourite family activity that leads you to explore parts of New Zealand that others never see. You can even paddle a waka for a unique cultural experience that you don’t want to miss.

Taupō Kayaking Adventures offers guided tours of New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake and the mighty Waikato River, taking in stunning scenery including the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings. Their passionate and knowledgeable guides will make this a trip to remember.

Book with Taupō Kayaking Adventures

Mum-approved skydiving

iFLY

Image credit: Vaughan Brookfield

Everyone wants to fly like a superhero – but skydiving is a bit too extreme for most people! Indoor skydiving however, is a safe and fun activity that everyone can enjoy and is sure to become a favourite story to retell around the dinner table!

iFLY in Queenstown is New Zealand’s only indoor skydiving attraction. The specially designed tunnel has a smooth, wall-to-wall cushion of air on which anyone can safely fly. iFLY simulates skydiving with no strings, parachutes, planes, or scary heights. It’s ‘skydiving approved by mum’! The highly trained instructors are experienced in supporting new flyers of all ages and abilities.

Try iFLY

Dig this!

Dig This

Playing with diggers and bulldozers in the sandpit is great fun when you’re a kid. So who could resist the chance to play on the life-sized versions!

Dig This Invercargill is New Zealand’s only heavy equipment playground – yes, you read that right! Go wild on the big machines as you push, pull, spin, and smash your way to family fun! Their grunty machines include bulldozers, diggers, skid steers, and excavators in a giant gravel pit.

Visiit Dig This Invercargill

Glide on a zip line

Ziptrek Ecotours

The beauty of zip lining is that almost anyone can enjoy this adrenaline rush! You simply get clipped on to a suspended cable and then you zoom safely down the line, over the landscape below – gravity does all the work. There are several zip line venues in New Zealand that glide you over native forest or through steep canyons and some offer multi-person zip lines.

In Queenstown, Ziptrek Ecotours offers combos for up to six ziplines, including the world’s steepest zipline which descends 30 storeys at up to 70kph! Enjoy this amazing trip down from high up on Bobs Peak (Skyline Gondola) through the forest canopy.

Visit Ziptrek Ecotours

Experience the passion of the All Blacks

Playing some form of sport is part of growing up for most tamariki in New Zealand. While there are many sports on offer, rugby is considered our ‘national’ sport and lots of children dream of growing up to become an All Black or Black Fern.

The long history of rugby and the All Blacks are celebrated at the All Blacks Experience in Auckland. Learn what it takes to become an All Black or Black Fern, test your rugby skills in the hands-on interactive zones, and feel the passion of the haka.

Visit the All Blacks Experience

Get on your bike

Otago Central Rail Trail

Image credit: Miles Holden

Whether you explore a trail for a fun day out, or take the family on a cycling holiday, getting out into the great outdoors on a bike is a fun and unique way to create memories together. New Zealand’s Cycle Trail network offers magnificent scenery and active exploration on cycle rides for all ages and abilities.

The Otago Central Rail Trail is a family-friendly favourite that follows an old railway line and offers lots of interesting stops along the way. With Trail Journeys you can explore the Otago Central Rail Trail on a self-guided cycling package including bike hire, accommodation luggage transfers and transport. They also have packages for other popular Otago trails.

Bike the Otago Central Rail Trail with Trail Journeys

Take the wheel

Hampton Downs

What it’s really like to drive a high-performance car on an actual racetrack? The opportunity to take the wheel and drive a supercar can become a reality for the older members of the family, while the kids can join in the motorsport fun with speedy go-karts!

At Hampton Downs, 20 minutes south of Auckland, there are plenty of motorsport activities on offer. Get the adrenaline pumping while you drive a HotLap in a V8 Supercar, experience up to 230kph in a Lamborghini Huracan, or the whole family can enjoy a high-speed ride in the Lexus Safety car. Then take the Go-Karts out on the undulating 800m track, reaching speeds of up to 70kmph! Single karts are available for ages 10 and up, while kids 6 years and up can jump in the passenger seat of the tandem karts.

Visit Hampton Downs

Try your hand at curling

Maniototo Curling

You’ve probably seen curling on the television during the Winter Olympics and thought it’s a rather quirky sport! This unique game can be enjoyed by all ages and makes a great activity for a family outing. Pit your skill and strategy against each other in this easy to learn sport.

Maniototo Curling at Naseby Indoor Curling Rink in Central Otago is run by local enthusiasts and offers the chance to give curling a go. The centre is open year-round and also offers an ice luge, ice skating and ice hockey.

Visit Maniototo Curling

Main image credit: Camilla Rutherford

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Written by Kidspot NZ in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

Made To Share Kai Experiences Around NZ

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Kiwis may have a love of NZ’s iconic favourites like pavlova and hokey pokey ice cream, but we also enjoy a diverse range of foods. We love to find new ways to tempt our tastebuds and we’re always ready for a new foodie experience.

Whether you’re craving seafood (kaimoana), a traditional hāngī, famous New Zealand lamb and wine, a great pie, or golden fish and chips, there are brilliant ways for you to enjoy food that take you beyond the dinner table. So take the opportunity to find new flavours, share adventures, and make lots of special memories.

Discover the amazing flavours of New Zealand with our guide to the best food experiences that you can share as a family.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans. 

Fush and chups

Fush

New Zealand has, without doubt, the best fish and chips in the world – it very well could be our national dish.

In Christchurch the aptly-named Fush restaurant reflects our love for this dish (as well as our accent!). You can enjoy crunchy battered fish and golden chips along with burgers, bao buns, and tasty sides. They’re also passionate about manaakitanga (respect, hospitality, generosity and care for others) and welcome orders in te reo Māori.

Visit Fush

Kaimoana

Nin's Bin

New Zealand seafood is among the best in the world including mussels, oysters, kina, pāua, and the much-loved whitebait fritters.

Kaikōura is well-known for its amazing crayfish and the most famous place to dine on this kaimoana is at Nins Bin – a seafood caravan right on the shoreline that’s been run by a local family since 1977. Fresh crayfish and seafood are cooked on site – and what a site it is!

Visit Nins Bin

Perfect peanut butter

Pic's Peanut Butter World

From humble beginnings back in 2007 at the Nelson Farmers Market, Pic’s Peanut Butter has taken over the world with its award-winning peanut butter and spreads.

To get an inside look at how this amazing product is created, Pic’s Peanut Butter World offers 40 minute guided tours plus, of course, taste testing – and it’s free! The kids (big and small) can even make their own peanut butter on the pedal-powered peanut butter bike! Don’t forget to pick up some goodies at the store before you leave.

Visit Pic’s Peanut Butter World

Cultural feasts

Te Pā Tū

The best way to enjoy traditional Māori food is definitely as part of a complete cultural experience.

Te Pā Tū in Rotorua offers evening culture and kai experiences – sharing Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across four hours of celebration and feasting. The event includes a fire ceremony, seasonal delicacies, sharing of stories and pastimes, a kapahaka performance, followed by a torch-lit walk to a lavish feast.

Visit Te Pā Tū

Country cafe

The Cheese Barn at Matatoki

New Zealand’s country cafes are often a destination in themselves. The Cheese Barn at Matatoki in the Coromandel countryside offers a food experience for the whole family.

You can watch cheese being made, pick up some specialty foods or country-inspired gifts, and feed the farmyard friends – goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, alpacas, quails, and more. There’s also great organic coffee and a fantastic menu including cheese boards, pizzas, cakes, muffins, kids snack platters, and gelato. For cyclists, it makes a great stop on the Hauraki Rail Trail. (Image credit: Julie Scanlon)

Visit The Cheese Barn

World-famous in New Zealand

L&P Cafe, Bar & Brasserie

For over a century Kiwis have been enjoying the quintessential NZ drink, Lemon & Paeroa (or L&P). This soft drink was originally made from lemon and spring water from the town of Paeroa where you simply can’t miss a stop at the huge L&P bottle for the obligatory photo opportunity.

A little further down the road, the L&P Cafe, Bar & Brasserie menu includes L&P flavoured exclusives (milkshakes, ice cream, ribs, battered fish and onion rings). The family-friendly restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and burger lovers will be challenged by the Great Paeroa Burger!

Visit the L&P Cafe, Bar & Brasserie

Cookie monsters

Cookie Time Cookie Bar

If you think it’s hard to resist a Cookie Time® Cookie, then how about a freshly-baked hot one?

Cookie Time has been a favourite brand for cookie munchers since the 1980s and for over a decade the Cookie Time Cookie Bar® in Queenstown has been delighting visitors with fun and indulgent cookie treats. Choose from fresh hot cookies, s’mores, cookie shakes, ice cream sandwiches, and other cookie-inspired creations. You can also purchase Cookie Muncher soft toys and gifts.

Visit the Cookie Time Cookie Bar

Bakery treats

The Chocolate Eclair Shop

Everyone has a favourite local bakehouse but in the central North Island town of Ohakune there’s a bakery that’s a favourite with locals and visitors alike.

Voted as one of the top bakeries in the nation, skiers from the nearby ski fields will often pop down for their apres-ski treats from The Chocolate Eclair Shop. Their famous and monstrously-sized eclairs are a real mouthful for just $3 each! The shop has been operated by the Nation family for more than 70 years and in addition to the eclairs they also make cakes, pastries, and other sweet and savoury treats.

Visit The Chocolate Eclair Shop

Fish & chips with a view

Eirk's Fish and Chips

There’s some pretty spectacular places in New Zealand to enjoy a meal, but enjoying golden fish and chips in the great outdoors with a beauty of a view is hard to beat.

Erik’s Fish and Chips is a family-operated favourite in the stunning Southern Lakes town of Wānaka. Serving up locally sourced seafood and homemade chips, you can grab your family’s meal to go, then head down to the nearby lakeshore for one of the best views in the world. You can also devour kumara wedges, cauliflower bites, and handmade hot dogs, or try a deep fried kiwifruit dessert! All meals are gluten-free and coeliac-friendly. You will also find Erik’s Fish and Chips in Queenstown too.

Visit Erik’s Fish and Chips

Play at the prawn park

Huka Prawn Park

What is a prawn park, you may ask? Huka Prawn Park in Taupō is New Zealand’s only prawn park and has been entertaining and feeding visitors for over 30 years.

The whole family will enjoy a great day out playing on the aqua trikes, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards on the water, and exploring the interactive adventure trail with surprises at every turn. Take a guided tour of the prawn nursery and hatchery, and feel the tickles as you hand-feed baby prawns! In the riverside restaurant on site, you can choose from a range of prawn (and non-prawn) dishes and meals on the kids menu include a free cup to keep.

Visit Huka Prawn Park

Dine like a Hobbit

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies are forever embedded in the story of New Zealand, and Hobbiton™ Movie Set is a popular attraction.

For those who are wanting a full experience, you can dine like the Hobbits at The Green Dragon™ Inn. This beautifully crafted inn appears exactly as it did in the films for a truly unique dining experience. Visitors on the Movie Set Tour will enjoy a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage in the beer garden or beside the roaring fire. Those on the Evening Banquet Tour are treated to a two course banquet feast and a lantern-lit walk through the movie set. Spectacular!

Visit The Green Dragon Inn

Main image credit: Camilla Rutherford

Written by Kidspot NZ in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

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Destination Guide: Taupō

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Taupō is a fantastic holiday destination, where families can discover all sorts of adventures including water activities on the magnificent Lake Taupō.

Take a cruise, sailing trip, swim, kayak or SUP on the lake, try your luck fishing, explore the geothermal sites, or try to land a hole in one on the lake pontoon. Or have a family snow day, with Mt Ruapehu just over an hour’s drive.

If you’re looking to take a family holiday, mini-break, or even just a weekend, we’ve put together some of our favourite places to stay, eat and play so you can create wonderful memories with your family.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans. 

Fun family experiences

Taupō’s position in a geothermal hotspot by Lake Taupō and the Waikato River makes it a great place for families to stay a while, explore, play and make memories.

Huka Prawn Park

Huka Prawn Park

This unique attraction features an activity loop for some fun family challenges. Hand-feed baby prawns, take the aqua trikes, pedal boats and stand up paddle boards out onto the water, then dine in the Riverside Restaurant.

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Hukafalls Jet

Hukafalls Jet

For a ride you will never forget! Enjoy 30 minutes of thrills, fun and excitement as you travel by jet boat along the Waikato River at up to 80km an hour with 360 degree spins. See the spectacular Huka Falls from a unique view.

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Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs

Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs

Family-favourite thermal hot pools with hydroslides and an interactive warm water playground, private pools and spa treatments.

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Taupo Kayaking Adventures

Taupo Kayaking Adventures

Go on an adventure! Guided tours by kayak or bike take in breathtaking scenery, waterfalls, geothermal activity, natural hot pools and Mine Bay Māori rock carvings that can only be seen from the water. From two hour tours to overnight expeditions.

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Huka Falls River Cruise

Huka Falls River Cruise

Drift along the mighty Waikato River and enjoy the amazing views of Huka Falls, birdlife, and native bush with information from local guides. Open-air deck and viewing platforms for the best photos and feel the spray on your face!

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Huka Honey Hive

Huka Honey Hive

A unique taste experience with free honey, mead and liqueur tastings. View live beehives, discover health and wellness products, divine honey-based skincare, an amazing range of gifts and delicious honey ice cream. Beekeeper tours available.

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Free family activities

Even if you’re travelling on a budget, there are still so many experiences you can enjoy with your family.

Huka Falls

A visit to Taupō isn’t complete without a stop at Huka Falls. Watch the power of water as it funnels through a gorge narrowing to form the thundering 11-metre high waterfall. Access is by a short walking track.

Aratiatia Rapids

From the Aratiatia Bridge or viewpoints along the Waikato River, wait for the dam gate release to watch thousands of litres of water rush down the gully.

Great Lake Pathway

Bike or walk the track and take in the beautiful lake and mountain views. There’s a playground at Wharewaka Point, plus lots of places to picnic, swim or stop for coffee or ice-cream. Don’t miss getting your photo taken at the #LOVETAUPO sign.

Otumuheke Stream

Soak in natural geothermal rock pool with stunning views of the Waikato River. Changing rooms, lockers and toilets are on-site and storyboards explain the historic significance of the area as a bathing and meeting place for Māori.

Tokaanu Thermal Walk

Situated at the southern end of Lake Taupō, you will see steaming mineral pools and bubbling mud pools on this short walk through native bush.

Waipahihi Botanical Gardens

Walking tracks take you through beautiful native bush as well as flowering shrubs in spring. Bring a picnic and enjoy the grassy open spaces.

Family friendly eateries

Pack up a picnic for lakeside fun or dine in at one of Taupō’s many family-friendly restaurants and cafes.

Dixie Browns

Lakefront family-favourite dining with a huge menu that covers breakfast, lunch, dinner and, of course, dessert! There’s indoor and outdoor dining and a fun kids menu.

Kefi at the Hub

Spot the helicopter parked up on Huka Falls Road and you’re in the right spot! Gluten-free, keto and vegan options available along with tasty savouries, divine sweets and freshly made salads.

Cobb & Co.

The iconic family restaurant has something for every member of the family. The special kids area features a large fish tank, toys and games consoles and the kids menu caters for all ages (and includes those famous traffic light drinks!).

The Storehouse

An eclectic cafe serving freshly made meals and cabinet food and selling a collection of homewares too. Try the fried chicken waffles!

Licorice Cafe

You can’t miss this cafe on the way into or out of Taupō from the south at Motuoapa. Spot the licorice on the roof and pop in for breakfast or lunch, with a selection of cabinet food and great coffee.

Where to stay

For family friendly stays, we recommend checking out the below. Or search here for holiday parks and campgrounds.

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort

More than a place to stay, Taupo DeBretts is a destination! Year-round relaxation and recreation activities on-site in the Hot Springs waterpark and Living Waters Spa plus tasty food at the Savour Café. At Taupo DeBretts, you choose your adventure. Accommodation options include everything from luxury rooms to campervan and tent sites.

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Wairakei Resort

Wairakei Resort

Tranquil 4-star accommodation set amidst a stunning thermal valley. Enjoy the 9-hole course, tennis on floodlit courts, two geothermally heated swimming pools and six outdoor hot tubs and an on-site spa. There’s a range of accommodation options including family villas and suites with WiFi and 24-hour room service.

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Voyager Apartments

Voyager Apartments

Situated close to the lakefront with the shopping and restaurants just a short walk away. Modern one, two, and three bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, air-conditioning heat pump, private spa bath, Sky TV, free WiFi, DVD, and stereo. The on-site swimming pool is heated year-round.

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Acapulco Motor Inn

Acapulco Motor Inn

Family-run, affordable motel accommodation just a short walk to central Taupō. Choose from a range of accommodation options that can sleep up to eight. All air-conditioned with free WiFi and some rooms with spa pool/bath.

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Main photo credit: Destination Great Lake Taupō

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Written by Kidspot New Zealand in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

Mini Itinerary: 4 Days In Rotorua & Taupō

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Rotorua and Taupō are two of the favourite getaway spots for Kiwis with a multitude of thrilling adventures, fun activities, amazing geothermal attractions, cultural influences and water-based experiences. Discover all there is to see and do with our four day itinerary for family fun.

Whether you’re escaping on a mini-break for a long weekend or looking for a getaway during the school holidays, our itinerary will give you inspiration for an amazing family trip. Do as many or as few of the suggestions as you please.

Refer to our Rotorua and Taupō Destination Guides for more information on many of the attractions and activities. Our itinerary starts in Rotorua but you can easily flip the itinerary if you wish to begin in Taupō.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans. 

Getting there

Located in the centre of the North Island, Rotorua and Taupō are just under an hour from each other by road. The driving time from Auckland is just under 3 hours to Rotorua or 3.5 hours to Taupō. From Wellington it’s 5 hours to Taupō or 6 hours to Rotorua. As a popular tourist destination, there are several coach tour options from Auckland to Rotorua.

You can fly into Rotorua with Air New Zealand from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch with connecting flights from other regional centres. To find out more, visit www.airnz.co.nz.

Getting around

Rotorua’s public bus service is Baybus with stops at many tourist attractions and links to other Bay of Plenty towns. The Taupō Connector is Taupō’s local bus service, also with links to Waikato towns. InterCity operates daily bus services between Rotorua and Taupō.

As attractions are widespread around the region, travel by car or campervan is a more flexible option.

Day 1

Your first day in Rotorua is spent in the tourist hotspot of Fairy Springs.

Fuel up with breakfast at Capers Cafe in the city centre. Choose from a big breakfast menu with everything from healthy breakfast bowls to classic eggs benedict, plus vegan, gluten-free and keto options.

Ten minutes drive north brings you to all the fun of Skyline Rotorua! Set high on the side of Mount Ngongotaha with extensive views, you can relax as you glide to the top in the Gondola. Then take on the Luge track, ride the Zoom Ziplines, or be thrilled by the Skyswing. Before you take the Gondola back down, enjoy a fabulous buffet lunch at Stratosfare Restaurant then grab some treats at the Jelly Belly Store.

Just a couple of minutes down the road is the unique 3D Trick Art Gallery. Step right into art itself and take those weird and wonderful photos that will have everyone scratching their heads.

 

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For an afternoon to remember, explore the canopy of a prehistoric native forest as you travel on a network of ziplines, swing bridges, and tree top platforms with the experienced guides of Rotorua Canopy Tours.

Finish your first epic day back in the heart of Rotorua with traditional wood-fired pizzas at Mamma Rosa Pizzeria & Restaurant and not forgetting the gelato!

Day 2

The second day in Rotorua takes in some of the geothermal wonders of the city.

If you’re wanting an easy breakfast, it’s hard to beat the breakfast buffet at Chapmans Buffet Restaurant and it’s ideally situated just down the road from the first attraction of the day, Te Puia. Here you will see the powerful Pōhutu geyser and other geothermal wonders, plus Aotearoa’s national treasure in the Kiwi Conservation Centre. Learn about Māori history and culture as you watch master carvers and weavers from the NZ Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Next up is the amazing Redwoods Treewalk in nearby Whakarewarewa Forest. Traverse the suspension bridges and platforms among the majestic trees of the Redwood Forest.

Heading back into the city centre, stop for lunch at Abracadabra Cafe & Bar with a menu influenced by Mexican and Moroccan flavours and a kids menu that includes options for the littlest ones too.

From the cafe it’s an easy walk over to Kuirau Park, a free public park with geothermal pools and boiling mud as well as a kids playground.

Next, head to the lake’s edge and the famous Polynesian Spa where you can splash about in the warm water of the family pool. The geothermally-heated recliners are a must as is the chance to view Lake Rotorua as you unwind in the hot mineral pools.

From the Spa, you can take in some of the Rotorua Lakeside Trail to see birdlife and geothermal activity before heading for dinner at Lone Star Rotorua or any of other dining options on Rotorua’s “Eat Street”.

Where to stay in Rotorua

For family-friendly stays, we recommend checking out the below. Or search here for holiday parks and campgrounds.

Copthorne Hotel Rotorua

Copthorne Hotel Rotorua – near to Te Puia, this hotel has 110 spacious rooms and suites. With a heated outdoor pool, gym, outdoor spas, and Jimmy Cook’s Kiwi Kitchen restaurant on site, plus Māori Concert & Feast nights, there’s plenty for the family to enjoy.

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Rydges Rotorua

Rydges Rotorua – comfortable and modern accommodation for families. After an adventurous day out, enjoy a soak in the geothermally heated outdoor pool which is open year-round. The locally famous Chapmans Restaurant with its extensive buffet and a la carte options is on-site and kids stay and eat free (T&Cs apply).

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BK's Rotorua Motor Lodge

BK’s Rotorua Motor Lodge – quality, affordable accommodation located a short walk to the lake in a quiet street near to shops and restaurants. All suites have kitchen facilities and there’s a range of rooms including interconnecting suites and a large 3-bedroom apartment style family suite.

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Jet Park Hotel Rotorua

Jet Park Hotel Rotorua – bring the whole family including the dog to this pet-friendly family hotel. Kids will love the play area, swimming pool and free WiFi and you will love that kids stay free with complimentary continental breakfasts for all. The family suites sleep up to four with children’s soft furnishings and toys for a home away from home.

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Lake Rotorua Hotel

Lake Rotorua Hotel – ideally situated for easy access to the attractions in Fairy Springs and the city centre, this contemporary hotel is the ideal base for exploring. Variety of guest rooms including family suites that sleep up to six, plus swimming pool and spa pool onsite.

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Day 3

Today we leave Rotorua behind and make a few stops on our way to Taupō.

After breakfast, leave Rotorua and head south towards Taupō, making a slight detour on the way to visit the exciting Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Take a self-guided walk through geothermal activity and see the world’s largest hot spring (Frying Pan Lake) and the incredible blue hues of Inferno Crater. On an optional 45 minute cruise on Lake Rotomahana you can see native birdlife and hear stories of the lake and the Mount Tarawera eruption.

Feed those appetites at the on-site cafe with burgers, pizzas, or gourmet sandwiches while enjoying a great view across the valley. Then make your way back on to State Highway 5.

On your approach to Taupō stop off and view the thundering 11-metre high Huka Falls on the Waikato River. You can see the falls from a short walking track or choose a unique view with either a thrilling high-speed jet boat ride with Hukafalls Jet or a more sedate pace on the Huka Falls River Cruise with information from local guides and viewing platforms for the best photos.

Next up is the unique Huka Prawn Park where you can hand-feed baby prawns, take the aqua trikes, pedal boats and stand up paddle boards out onto the water, and enjoy some fun family challenges on the activity loop.

If you’re staying the night at nearby Wairakei Resort, enjoy amazing New Zealand cuisine with locally sourced product dinner at the Pavilion Restaurant or if your accommodation is in central Taupō why not keep the kids happy by grabbing a meal at Taupo’s McDonalds – simply the coolest McDonalds in the world, where you can eat your meal in a plane!

Day 4

Today’s adventures are based around the beautiful waters of Lake Taupō.

For those staying at Wairakei, nearby Kefi at the Hub has keto and vegan breakfast options as well as a cool helicopter for the kids to play in. If you’re in central Taupō, The Storehouse is an eclectic cafe serving freshly made meals and cabinet food from 7am (8am on weekends).

Make your way down to the water’s edge and explore Lake Taupō on a Chris Jolly Outdoors Māori Rock Carvings Cruise. The 90 minute tour with live commentary takes in the lake’s stunning bays while viewing platforms allow you to get up close to the carvings. There’s full amenities on board and activities for kids.

Back on dry land, walk or cycle as much of the Great Lake Pathway as you please with scenic lake and mountain views. Don’t miss getting your photo taken at the #LOVETAUPO sign then head for one of Taupō’s best cafes, Baked with Love, with a range to feed the whole family.

 

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This afternoon get ready for a splashing good time at Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs. These family-favourite thermal hot pools have an interactive warm water playground and hydroslides, as well as private pools and spa treatments.

Next take a stroll through native bush and flowering gardens (in spring) at the Waipahihi Botanical Gardens.

To finish off your Rotorua and Taupō adventure, dine at Dixie Browns and choose from a huge menu plus a fun dinosaur-themed kids menu.

Where to stay in Taupō

For family friendly stays, we recommend checking out the below. Or search here for holiday parks and campgrounds.

Wairakei Resort Taupo

Wairakei Resort – tranquil 4-star accommodation set amidst a stunning thermal valley. Enjoy the 9-hole course, tennis on floodlit courts, two geothermally heated swimming pools and six outdoor hot tubs and an on-site spa. There’s a range of accommodation options including family villas and suites with WiFi and 24-hour room service.

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Taupo De Bretts Spa Resort

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort – more than a place to stay, Taupo DeBretts is a destination! Year-round relaxation and recreation activities on-site in the Hot Springs waterpark and Living Waters Spa plus tasty food at the Savour Café. At Taupo DeBretts, you choose your adventure. Accommodation options include everything from luxury rooms to campervan and tent sites.

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Voyager Apartments

Voyager Apartments – situated close to the lakefront with the shopping and restaurants just a short walk away. Modern one, two, and three bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, air-conditioning heat pump, private spa bath, Sky TV, free WiFi, DVD, and stereo. The on-site swimming pool is heated year-round.

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Acapulco Motor Inn

Acapulco Motor Inn – family-run, affordable motel accommodation just a short walk to central Taupō. Choose from a range of accommodation options that can sleep up to eight. All air-conditioned with free WiFi and some rooms with spa pool/bath.

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Main photo credit: Destination Lake Taupo

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Written by Kidspot NZ in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

Must-do New Zealand Attractions For Under Fives

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Family holidays with under fives can be full of exploration, discovery, excitement, and fun!

Check out our top picks for must-do attractions and experiences that are great for families with little kids.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans. 

Nature lovers

Staglands

New Zealand is blessed with an amazing array of flora and fauna, much of it unique to our shores. At Wellington Zoo and Auckland Zoo you can meet native inhabitants as well as exotic and intriguing creatures from around the world. They make a great day out for exploring at your own pace, with play spaces, picnic areas, and pushchair-friendly paths for when little legs get tired.

The Agrodome in Rotorua is the place to see the world-famous Farm Show starring a cast of talented animals. The Farmyard Nursery is home to baby animals, ready for cuddles and photos. The Farm Tour offers more friendly animals to hand-feed.

A local family favourite for decades, Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Cafe north of Wellington provides a fantastic day out. Meet the friendly animals including native birds, waterfowl and farmyard animals, plus enjoy tractor-trailer rides and The Bush Railway.

At Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch, you can see kiwi along with a range of farmyard animals including rare breeds. Kids will love the adorable Valais Blacknose sheep as well as the otters and ring-tailed lemurs straight out of Madagascar!

A visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves in Waikato will have the kids wide-eyed at the amazing caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, plus the fascinating, twinkling glowworms on a gentle boat ride. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour is free for kids aged under 4 years old (just remember to book them in to secure a place on the tour).

Underwater adventures

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, Auckland

Even though your under-five is probably not yet ready for diving gear, they can still experience the wonders of the sea.

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium in Auckland is home to thousands of marine animals including penguins, sharks, turtles, stingrays, octopus, fish and more. Enjoy over 30 live animal exhibits in spectacular habitat displays, including the penguin colony that’s viewed from the fun Snowcat ride. The amazing underwater viewing tunnels with a moving travelator will have the kids requesting to go round again and again!

Napier’s National Aquarium of New Zealand includes an impressive 1.5 million litre Oceanarium exhibit. Watch as sea creatures swim and feed, above and around you. There’s a fun reef fish feeding show each morning, plus you can meet and learn about little penguins and see many saltwater and freshwater creatures.

For those wanting to get out on the water, a two-hour tour with Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga takes in local sights like Cathedral Cove plus marine life under the water through the cool glass viewing panels.

Curious kids

Te Manawa

New Zealand’s museums are full of interesting and interactive exhibits that allow kids to get hands-on with history. Some of the best for kids include Te Manawa in Palmerston North, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland (check out their Iti Rearea | Little Explorers programme), Auckland Museum, the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin, and the Museum of New Zealand | Te Papa Tongarewa on Wellington’s waterfront where Bush City is a particular favourite with the kids.

At Waiouru in the central North Island, you can’t miss the National Army Museum – there’s a tank right outside! In the museum, Kids HQ is a designated interactive space for children where kids can play and even dress up in authentic Army uniforms from different periods.

Christchurch’s International Antarctic Centre shares the wonders of the Antarctic in an interactive experience where you can ride an amphibious snow vehicle, be immersed in another world in the 4D Theatre, brave -18°C windchill in the Storm Dome and so much more. The kids will love meeting the huskies (who are on-site Thursday to Monday) and the adorable rescued kororā (little blue penguins).

Kids on the move

Driving Creek Railway

By train, by boat, or by zipline, kids love to be on the move!

The Coromandel’s Driving Creek Railway is a spectacular train ride on a narrow gauge railway that winds its way up to the Eyeful Tower for amazing views of the Hauraki Gulf. Along the route, spot hidden gems including quirky pottery, sculptures, and artworks.

The iconic Wellington Cable Car may be a short ride but it’s a highlight of any trip to the Capital. As you climb up to the top, watch for the eye-widening light displays.

For a unique way to travel, Rotorua Duck Tours will take you from land to lake in a genuine WW2 amphibious landing craft. The kids will be fascinated by this seemingly impossible vehicle.

For tots with a bit of thrillseeker in them, the Tandem Comet Line at Buller Gorge Swingbridge is a safe, seated ride that takes two people on a zip line over the Buller River. You can also cross NZ’s longest swingbridge, pan for gold and enjoy short bush walks.

Wide open spaces

Redwoods Treewalk

When the kids need to burn off some energy or stretch their little legs, New Zealand is bursting with beautiful gardens and short walks to landmarks, waterfalls, and other sights. On the South Island’s West Coast, the easy walk to the stunning Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes features pancake rock formations and thrilling blowholes, while the Glow Worm Dell near Hokitika is a 5-minute return walk for a pre-bedtime treat after dark.

The Wānaka Lavender Farm is a beautiful spot to stroll amongst the flowers. The kids will be lining up for the lavender ice cream after meeting some friendly farm animals and playing games in the garden.

North of Auckland, meander through the 1.4km of accessible pathways at the Sculptureum and discover over 650 works of art from local and international artists. Don’t forget to visit the resident bunnies and turtles.

Perfect for little legs and strollers, the Redwoods Treewalk™ is an award-winning, eco-tourism walk that will take you among the 120-year-old giant redwood trees in Rotorua for a birds’ eye perspective.

Playtime!

Puzzling World

There’s always time for play! For fantastic playgrounds, here are our top five:

  • Margaret Mahy Family Playground (Christchurch) – A playground that caters for all ages and abilities with some of the coolest play equipment.
  • Levin Adventure Park (Manawatu) – A huge choice of play equipment including an under-fives area and a miniature train on weekends.
  • Hare Puke Park Destination Playground (Hamilton) – Award-winning playground with scooter track, social swings and sensory play.
  • New Brighton Beachside Playground (Christchurch) – Featuring water cannons, musical toys, swings, slides and a large waka that children can play in.
  • Motutawa Avalon Park (Lower Hutt) – Based around a river theme, this playground features amazing play equipment plus water play, sensory elements, a mini-road bike park and even a giant T-Rex!

In Wānaka, Puzzling World is a great topsy-turvy attraction for kids of all ages! There are lots of illusions with opportunities for funny photos, plus a challenging maze that you can get lost in together.

Snowplanet (30 minutes north of Auckland) is New Zealand’s only indoor snow resort and is open 365 days a year. Away from the skiers and snowboarders, you will find the family-friendly Winter Wonderland alpine village with snow tubing tracks, tobogganing, and lots of snowy play space for kids and grown-ups.

Main image: Wānaka Lavender Farm

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Written by Kidspot NZ in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

Mini Itinerary: 3 Days In Wellington

Posted on by Julie Lankow

The coolest little capital in the world, Wellington is bursting with fun activities and attractions. Discover all there is to see and do with our three day itinerary for family fun.

Whether you’re escaping on a mini-break for a long weekend or looking for a getaway during the school holidays, our itinerary will give you inspiration for an amazing family trip. Do as many or as few of the suggestions as you please.

Refer to our Wellington Destination Guide for more information on many of the attractions and activities.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans. 

Getting there

Situated at the bottom of the North Island, Wellington is central to both islands. By road the driving time is approximately 8.5 hours from Auckland, 9 hours from Christchurch (including ferry), and 6.5 hours from Hamilton.

You can fly into Wellington with Air New Zealand from 19 domestic destinations across the country. To find out more, visit www.airnz.co.nz.

Cook Strait ferries operated by Bluebridge and Interislander travel between Wellington and Picton and take approximately 3.5 hours.

Getting around

Wellington has a good public transport system of trains and buses but you will also find that walking or cycling is an easy option between attractions in the city centre. As Wellington is a pleasantly compact city, you can easily base yourself in one place of accommodation and still take in all the sights. City centre hotels are right amongst the attractions while motels and holiday parks slightly further afield offer a quieter option. The Hutt Valley is only half an hour from central Wellington and is also serviced by train. If you’re looking for a more flexible and comfortable journey, you can always opt for a car rental service like Enterprise Rent-A-Car Wellington to make travelling around the city easy. The city centre is quite drivable and gives you the option to explore the surrounds as well.

Day 1

Your first day in Wellington takes in the sights and attractions of the Wellington waterfront – everything is in walking distance!

After breakfast at your accommodation, head out to Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa Tongarewa for an amazing array of exhibits and interactive features kids will love. Bush City is a particular favourite with the kids.

Walk the waterfront route past sculptures to nearby Karaka Cafe for a stunning spot for lunch with a Māori flavour influence. If it’s sunny, relax on the beanbags on the grass for lunch with a waterview.

Walk across the quirky City to Sea Bridge and it’s just a hop, skip and a jump along the waterfront to Frank Kitts Park where the kids can let off some steam on the playground while you take in the epic harbour views. Wellington Waterfront is where the locals love to hang out with options to hire bikes, rollerblades, kayaks or paddleboards.

If you’re feeling adventurous, hire a bike from Switched on Bikes and explore Wellington’s waterfront, bays or lookouts. Alternatively, pop over to the Wellington Museum and explore an interactive history of Wellington.

Finish your day with ‘make your own’ pizzas at One Red Dog or try their delicious pasta and salad dishes.

Day 2

The second day in Wellington takes you from city streets to nature adventures.

Enjoy breakfast at Seashore Cabaret on the Petone foreshore from 7am. You know an eatery is good when it’s frequented by the locals! Follow it up with a walk on Petone Beach with views of Wellington Harbour.

Back in Wellington, browse the shops on Lambton Quay and then fuel up for the afternoon’s adventures at Lambton Square & Eatery with a range of foodie options. If the weather’s good, grab lunch to go. Then head uphill the easy way thanks to the Wellington Cable Car. It’s only $22 for a family return pass for two adults and up to four kids! See the light displays in the two tunnels as you climb up to the panoramic harbour views.

An easy walk downhill will take you through the beautiful Wellington Botanic Gardens – perfect for your picnic lunch and don’t miss the great kids’ playground! Then head down Tinakori Road and Bowen Street past Parliament’s iconic building, the Beehive.

Become a Kiwi Guardian! Print off the Wellington Botanic Gardens adventure map before you head out, then find the Kiwi Guardian post and submit the special code word on it to receive a Kiwi Guardians certificate and medal.

If you have time, travel just 10 minutes to the Zealandia ecosanctuary and take a ride on the lake boat before walking the fantastic bush trail to see native birds, weta, and tuatara and see the kākā feeding. There’s a free shuttle that departs from the top of the cable car multiple times each day (check the return times).

Dinner tonight is at the Southern Cross Garden Bar & Restaurant, a family-friendly eatery where there’s always something happening and the food is made from fresh, local produce wherever possible.

Day 3

Today we venture out of the city centre to explore more of Wellington’s attractions.

Start your day at Maranui Cafe with a tasty selection of cafe food and watch the surfers at Lyall Bay as you sip your coffee.

First stop today is Wellington Zoo where you can see over 100 species from around the globe including African big cats, native animals, monkeys, penguins, meerkats and more. Don’t miss out on hand-feeding the friendly giraffes.

Drive past the airport to do a bit of plane spotting then head to the Chocolate Fish Cafe at Shelly Bay for lunch. This iconic cafe has indoor and outdoor seating with harbour views and flash sammies, plus salads, burgers and kids options.

Next up is a chance to discover the magic behind the movies with a Weta Cave Workshop Tour. See the artists at work from the creators of Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and more.

 

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For your final Wellington attraction, drive up to the Mt Victoria Lookout for a sweeping panorama of the harbour.

Your Wellington adventure finishes with dinner at Joe’s Garage. Just a few minutes from the waterfront attractions, you can venture down after eating to see the harbour at night.

Where to stay in Wellington

For family friendly stays, we recommend checking out the below. Or search here for holiday parks and campgrounds.

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor – stay in the heart of Wellington, just minutes from the capital’s attractions, shopping and entertainment in this well-appointed hotel with two restaurants, gym, 24 hour room service, and free Wi-Fi. Spacious family rooms feature a separate lounge.

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Capital Gateway Motor Inn

Capital Gateway Motor Inn – perfectly positioned if you’re hopping on the Cook Strait ferry and just 10 minutes from Wellington CBD. Family units can sleep up to six, many have a kitchenette for convenience and there’s also a campervan park on site. The licenced restaurant offers a good selection of affordable meals for breakfast or dinner.

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Wellington's Kiwi Holiday Park

Wellington’s Kiwi Holiday Park – escape the city and stay in the scenic beauty of the Akatarawa Valley in Upper Hutt, just 30 minutes from the centre of Wellington. Neighbouring Harcourt Park is great for kids with a playground, summer splash pool, bike track, wide open spaces and a frisbee golf course. Choose from eco-friendly cabins, motel units, tourist flats and cabins, park up your campervan or pitch a tent.

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Main photo credit: Graeme Murray

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Written by Kidspot New Zealand in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

Destination Guide: Rotorua

Posted on by Julie Lankow

Rotorua is a hub of activity that is perfect for a fun family getaway. From thrill-seeking adventures to stunning geothermal walks and cultural influences throughout the city, Rotorua will become a new family favourite adventure.

If you’re looking to take a family holiday, mini-break, or even just a weekend, we’ve put together some of our favourite places to stay, eat and play so you can create wonderful memories with your family.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans.

Fun family experiences

Whether you’re looking for a fun family activity or cultural immersion, Rotorua caters for families with a huge range of of activities.

Skyline Rotorua

Skyline Rotorua

Fun for the whole family set high on the side of Mount Ngongotaha with extensive views. Relax as you glide to the top in the Gondola, take on the Luge track, ride the Zoom Ziplines, tempt the tastebuds in the Jelly Belly Store and more.

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Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Enjoy a self-guided walk through geothermal activity and see the world’s largest hot spring (Frying Pan Lake) and the incredible Inferno Crater. Take the cruise on Lake Rotomahana to see native birdlife and hear stories of the lake and the Mount Tarawera eruption.

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Rotorua Duck Tours

Rotorua Duck Tours

View some of Rotorua’s most spectacular scenery as you travel on land and lake in a genuine WW2 amphibious landing craft while enjoying the informative and entertaining commentary.

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Redwoods Treewalk

Redwoods Treewalk

Discover Rotorua’s peaceful, ecological hideaway! Traverse the suspension bridges and platforms among the majestic trees of the Redwood Forest. Visit at night for a magical wonderland of colour and light.

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Rotorua Canopy Tours

Rotorua Canopy Tours

Explore the canopy of a prehistoric native forest as you travel on a network of ziplines, swing bridges, cliff-walks, tree top platforms and more. Experienced guides will keep you safe, make you laugh and welcome you into this forest conservaton journey.

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The Buried Village of Te Wairoa

The Buried Village of Te Wairoa

Discover stories of the 1886 Mt Tarawera Eruption which buried the Te Wairoa village and nearby Pink and White Terraces. Walk the archaeological site and waterfall trail. Kids can grab a clue from reception and go on the hunt for more clues and even treasure!

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Te Puia

Te Puia

See the powerful Pōhutu geyser and other geothermal wonders, then seek out Aotearoa’s national treasure in the Kiwi Conservation Centre. Learn about Māori history and culture as you watch master carvers and weavers from the NZ Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

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3D Trick Art Gallery

3D Trick Art Gallery

This is the place to get kids into art! Step right into the art itself and take those weird and wonderful photos that will have everyone scratching their heads. Part of the Heritage Farm Experience and the first of its kind in New Zealand, this is family fun dialed up.

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Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve

Hell’s Gate

Take an interactive tour of New Zealand’s most active geothermal reserve including an active mud volcano and a hot waterfall. You can also indulge by bathing in geothermal mud baths and sulphur spas to experience the healing properties.

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ZORB Rotorua

ZORB Rotorua

Dive into a giant inflatable ball and roll down Mt Ngongotaha for an experience like no other! Four different tracks and add water for more hilarity, then relax in the hot tubs. Home to the world’s first ever ZORB site.

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Free family activities

Even if you’re travelling on a budget, there are still so many experiences you can enjoy with your family.

Kuirau Park

An easy walk from the city centre, this public park has geothermal pools and mud, footpools and a kids playground. Also home to the council pools for a budget-friendly swim.

Blue Lake Track

In the carpark there is a viewing point where you can see both the Blue and Green Lakes either side of you. The lake is popular in the summer for swimming and picnics.

The Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest

Walk or cycle amongst the majestic Redwoods. There are many tracks including family-friendly short walks.

Rotorua Lakeside Trail

See birdlife and geothermal activity on this scenic lakeside trail beginning in the centre of the city.

 

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Okere Falls Walk

A delightful walk to see the magnificent waterfalls, plus keep an eye out for intrepid whitewater rafters and kayakers.

Government Gardens

Beautiful gardens surround the stunning tudor-style spa bath house that graces so many postcards from Rotorua.

Kerosene Creek

Just over half an hour south of Rotorua, Kerosene Creek is where a geothermal hot spring meets a freshwater creek. Bathe & relax while taking in the view of the waterfall and native bush.

Family friendly eateries

All the action that Rotorua has to offer can lead to growling tummies so it’s lucky there’s plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from.

Abracadabra Cafe & Bar

Just five minutes walk from Kuirau Park and serving from breakfast to dinner. The menu is influenced by Mexican and Moroccan flavours and there’s tapas after 5pm. The kids menu includes options for the littlest ones too.

Lady Janes Ice Cream Parlour

Sundaes, cones, shakes, smoothies and yum! Dozens of ice cream flavours to choose from. Just across the road from the Village Green.

Gengy’s Mongolian BBQ Buffet

Make up your own meal with Gengy’s buffet-style selection of meat, seafood, vegetables, sauces and spices, then have the chefs cook your combination right in front of you. Finish off with freshly made pancakes and ice cream with toppings.

Capers Cafe

Open from 7am to 7pm, eat in or take out from the menu or the droolworthy ready-to-go cabinet food. Vegan, gluten-free and keto options available.

Fat Dog Cafe & Bar

This iconic cafe is fun and quirky. Open for big breakfasts in the morning through to brilliant burgers and salads at lunchtime plus kids “snax” and sweet treats.

Cobb & Co.

The iconic family restaurant has something for everyone. The special kids area features a large fish tank, toys and games consoles and the kids menu caters for all ages (including the famous traffic light drinks!).

Where to stay

For family friendly stays, we recommend checking out the below. Or search here for holiday parks and campgrounds.

Rydges Rotorua

Rydges Rotorua

Comfortable and modern accommodation for families. After an adventurous day out, enjoy a soak in the geothermally heated outdoor pool which is open year-round. The locally famous Chapmans Restaurant with its extensive buffet and a la carte options is on-site and kids stay and eat free (T&Cs apply).

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Lake Rotorua Hotel

Lake Rotorua Hotel

Ideally situated for easy access to the attractions in Fairy Springs and the city centre, this contemporary hotel is the ideal base for exploring. Variety of guest rooms including family suites that sleep up to six, plus swimming pool and spa pool onsite.

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Distinction Hotel Rotorua

Distinction Rotorua Hotel & Conference Centre

Minutes from the city centre and adjacent to the Whakarewarewa Forest. The hotel offers free WiFi, mountain bike facilities, a heated outdoor swimming pool, plus underground private grotto spas and four restaurants and cafes for delicious dining options. Family rooms and interconnecting rooms available.

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Jet Park Hotel Rotorua

Jet Park Hotel Rotorua

Bring the whole family including the dog to this pet-friendly family hotel. Kids will love the play area, swimming pool and free WiFi and you will love that kids stay free with complimentary continental breakfasts for all. The family suites sleep up to four with children’s soft furnishings and toys for a home away from home.

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Copthorn Hotel Rotorua

Copthorne Hotel Rotorua

Near to Te Puia, this hotel has 110 spacious rooms and suites. With a heated outdoor pool, gym, outdoor spas, and Jimmy Cook’s Kiwi Kitchen restaurant on site, plus Māori concert & feast nights, there’s plenty for the family to enjoy.

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BK's Rotorua Motor Lodge

BK’s Rotorua Motor Lodge

Quality, affordable accommodation located a short walk to the lake in a quiet street near to shops and restaurants. All suites have kitchen facilities and there’s a range of rooms including interconnecting suites and a large 3-bedroom apartment style family suite.

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Main photo credit: Vaughan Brookfield

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Written by Kidspot New Zealand in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

Destination Guide: Waikato

Posted on by Julie Lankow

The Waikato region’s rolling green hills, bush-clad mountains, and surf beaches are host to amazing attractions for families to enjoy. Whether you’re exploring underground wonders, Middle-earth movie magic, Hamilton city or the mighty Waikato River, there’s plenty on offer.

If you’re looking to take a family holiday, mini-break, or even just a weekend, we’ve put together some of our favourite places to stay, eat and play so you can create wonderful memories with your family.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans. 

Fun family experiences

Underground or overground, the Waikato region has something for everyone.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Journey into one of New Zealand’s most famous natural attractions. Discover stunning cave formations as you head underground and marvel at the magical galaxy of glowworm lights. You can also explore Ruakuri and Aranui Caves or those with older kids can go Black Water Rafting for the ultimate Waitomo adventure.

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Hobbiton Movie Set Tours

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

This world-famous attraction is a must-see for movie fans! Your guided tour brings Hobbiton™ to life in the actual movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. The evening banquet tour includes dinner at the Green Dragon Inn or book a second breakfast tour and eat like the Hobbits do!

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Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park

Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park

Get acquainted with New Zealand’s amazing birds and reptiles. Enjoy keeper talks throughout the day, walk through the large free-flight aviary, handfeed the birds and see tuatara up close. Kiwi are active during the day in an indoor night time setting, enabling visitors to see these amazing birds as never before.

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Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo

See over 600 native and exotic animals among the tranquil surroundings for a great family day out. Catch a keeper talk and learn more about the amazing inhabitants. Bring a picnic or grab some tasty treats at The Hungry Morepork Cafe on-site.

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Cornerstone Alpaca Farm Tours

Cornerstone Alpaca Farm Tours

Just outside of Hamilton in Gordonton, come and meet the cuddly alpaca babies at this unique farm attraction. The farm tour will teach you all about alpacas and alpaca farming, with plenty of feeding and photo opportunities.

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Riverside Adventures

Riverside Adventures

Adventure is easy with a guided Waikato River or Hauraki Rail Trail bike tour, or take to the water of Lake Karapiro with a guided kayak tour. For an experience to remember, the twilight kayak glowworm tour takes in the mystical surrounds of the Pokaiwhenua Stream. Bike, e-bike, kayak, and SUP hire are available as well as a shuttle service.

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Free family activities

Even if you’re travelling on a budget, there are still so many experiences you can enjoy with your family.

Parks and playgrounds

Hamilton’s Parana Park is the ideal place for a play and a picnic lunch. The Potter Children’s Garden features multiple paddling pools, playful sculptures and unique play equipment. Hare Puke Playground, Dominion Park Playground and Hamilton Lake Domain are also great for kids. Further afield, Jim Barker Memorial Playground in Otorohanga is a colourful wonderland of exploration!

Hamilton Cycleways & Walkways

Cycle or walk the many established trails and paths by the mighty Waikato River or around Hamilton Lake and explore parks, playgrounds, bridges, gullies, and attractions along the way.

Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato

Telling the story of the Hamilton and Waikato region with changing exhibitions, many aimed at the curiosity of children. Regular free arts and crafts events are held and there are also free activity sheets and challenges for kids to complete as they explore.

Marokopa Falls

The stunning 35m high falls can be found 40 minutes drive west of Waitomo. An easy 20 minute return walk leads to a viewing platform. Don’t miss the short walk to the scenic Mangapohue Natural Bridge 5km before the falls.

Wairēinga/Bridal Veil Falls

A spectacular 55m high waterfall, just 15 minutes drive south of Raglan. The easy 20 minute return walk through native bush takes you to viewing platforms looking down the plunging falls.

Become a Kiwi Guardian! Print off the Wairēinga/Bridal Veil Falls adventure map before you head out, then find the Kiwi Guardian post and submit the special code word on it to receive a Kiwi Guardians certificate and medal.

Ngarunui & Te Kopua Beaches, Raglan

Ngarunui is the iconic black sand beach of Raglan and is popular for surfing, bodyboarding and swimming with lifeguard patrols during summer. Te Kopua has calm estuary waters for swimming, or join the locals by making a splash from the footbridge.

Hamilton Gardens

An amazing array of themed gardens where kids will love the quirky garden features and surprises at every turn. Your senses will take a trip around the world as you discover beautiful plants and flowers and amazing architecture from Italy, China, India and more.

Kawhia Hot Water Beach

Find a spot at low tide on Kawhia’s Ocean Beach and dig your very own natural hot water spa!

Lake Rotopiko

Between Hamilton and Te Awamutu, this National Wetlands Trust reserve has a self-guided discovery trail with hands-on activities to learn about the wetlands and fun activities such as mudfish scrabble and eels and ladders.

Become a Kiwi Guardian! Print off the Lake Rotopiko adventure map before you head out, then find the Kiwi Guardian post and submit the special code word on it to receive a Kiwi Guardians certificate and medal.

Family friendly eateries

When you need to refuel from your Waikato adventures, there’s amazing family-friendly restaurants and cafes to choose from.

The Verandah Cafe (Hamilton)

More than just a cafe, this is an awesome family destination. Dine in on the fresh handmade food with views over Hamilton Lake, or take something to go and pick a picnic spot in the Domain. There’s also an amazing playground right next door!

Ruakura Berry Shop (Hamilton)

Take the kids for a food experience and pick your own berries before enjoying the most amazing real fruit ice creams and smoothies.

Lone Star Rototuna (Hamilton)

The Lone Star menu has a dinner option for everyone from burgers and burritos to grilled meat and epic desserts. ‘Billy the Kids’ meals include a free drink and free mudslide dessert.

 

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The Village Cafe (Whatawhata)

The perfect spot to stop on your way to Raglan for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Enjoy great food and great coffee while the kids play on the playground, colour-in, or feed the farm animals. The great kids menu includes a takeaway picnic lunch option.

Fat Kiwi Cafe (Otorohanga)

Sister cafe to The Fat Pigeon down the road, the food in the Kiwiana capital is inspired by kiwi farmhouse hospitality and offers cabinet food as well as an extensive menu with keto and vegan options as well as kids meals.

St Kilda Cafe & Bistro (Cambridge)

Serving contemporary New Zealand bistro fare, there’s a good kids’ menu and they will love the playground, basketball court and cycle track. Relax at the outdoor tables while the kids play.

Raglan Fish

Right on the Raglan harbour, shop for fresh fish and seafood. Dine in or takeaway the freshest fish and chips, whitebait fritters and other seafood meals.

Waitomo Homestead

Stop off on your way to or from the Waitomo attractions for tasty food and great coffee. Indoor or outdoor dining options in the beautiful gardens.

Where to stay

For family friendly stays, we recommend checking out the below. Or search here for holiday parks and campgrounds.

Novotel Tainui Hamilton

Novotel Tainui Hamilton 

Situated in the heart of Hamilton city centre and an easy stroll to Hamilton Lake or Claudelands Events Centre. Enjoy a buffet breakfast on the terrace adjacent to the Waikato River. Superior Family Rooms sleep up to four in spacious comfort.

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Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton

Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton

Just a short walk away from FMG Stadium and Seddon Park for sporting events, this city centre hotel offers a range of hotel rooms plus motel-style units with kitchenette facilities and lounge/dining areas (sleeping up to six). Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, children’s pool, hot tub, BBQ facilities, and free WiFi.

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Hamilton City Holiday Park

Hamilton City Holiday Park

Perfectly located for your Waikato holiday, this leafy holiday park has 30 power sites and 30 non-power sites for campervans, caravans or tents, plus two serviced amenity blocks. There are also 20 cabins of various sizes including family units that can sleep up to six with bathrom and kitchenette facilities.

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Kamahi Cottage

Kamahi Cottage

Get off the beaten track and indulge in this 5-star self-contained B&B in a peaceful setting with stunning views and a full gourmet breakfast. Children are welcome at this family-friendly cottage that sleeps up to four. Home comforts are supplied including linen, sound system, TV, bed socks, fresh flowers, and freshly ground coffee. Self-cater or enjoy the optional home-cooked meals.

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Main image credit: Matt Crawford

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Written by Kidspot New Zealand in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand.

Kidspot New Zealand is all about simplifying the search for kid related fun, activities, sports and related trappings. It makes it fast and easy for kids and their parents to identify things and places of interest leaving more time for all to enjoy!

Please contact us with new ideas and suggestions on how to make this a reality for you and your family.

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