Julie Lankow, Author at Kidspot

Silk Baby Ultimate Ultra-Thick® Wipes

Posted on 12/09/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

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

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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 07/09/202216/05/2026 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.

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.

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.

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 07/09/202216/05/2026 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!

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.

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.

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.

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 07/09/202216/05/2026 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

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.

Main image by Denny Muller from Unsplash
Second image by Bill Craighead from Unsplash

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Six Family Road Trip Ideas For Families In New Zealand

Posted on 02/09/202216/05/2026 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.

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.

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

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 29/08/202216/05/2026 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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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 29/08/202216/05/2026 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 29/08/202225/05/2026 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

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.

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.

Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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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!).

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 29/08/202216/05/2026 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.

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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 – 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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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 – 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 29/08/202215/06/2026 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

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

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

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

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

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!

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 29/08/202216/05/2026 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.

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.

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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.

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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 – 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.

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.

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.

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 29/08/202216/05/2026 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Destination Guide: Waikato

Posted on 29/08/202216/05/2026 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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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

Why Staycations Are A Great Option For Families

Posted on 29/08/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Having a staycation is a great holiday option for families, enabling you to enjoy attractions and activities as a tourist while staying close to home. Now is a great time to share the discovery of something new in your local area and make lots of special memories as a family.

When life is busy and you’re in your regular routine, you can often overlook the fantastic opportunities for family fun and leisure that are right on your doorstep. A staycation (derived from the words ‘stay’ and ‘vacation’) gives your family the opportunity to enjoy local activities, explore new attractions, dine out in must-visit restaurants, and tick off some of those off-the-beaten-track areas that you’re often just too busy to get the chance to visit.

The benefits of a staycation

The beauty of a staycation is that you can make the most of even a short break. You don’t need to wait for leave from work as you can enjoy a staycation over a weekend or even just a single day off. Alternatively, you can enjoy a staycation over a longer period of time for an extended and relaxing break with the family, away from everyday stresses.

Also, being a ‘local tourist’ is a great way to connect with your community, learn about local history and stories, and support local businesses.

What makes a great staycation?

Involve the whole family in choosing a different activity or attraction for everyone to enjoy on each day of your staycation. Your itinerary could include:

Attractions, ie museums, wildlife parks
Free local destinations, ie park, bushwalk, playground, beach
A festival or market
Outdoor adventures, ie kayaking, horse riding, zip lining
Take in a game at a local sports stadium or ground
Exploring on a cycle trail
Dining at a new restaurant
Day trips to nearby towns or areas

Treat your staycation as you would any holiday and be sure to take lots of photos for family memories.

Not sure where to start? Head to the local i-SITE Visitor Information Centre for ideas on new things to see and do.

Your staycation is yours to create and enjoy. You could even embrace the tourist lifestyle and treat your family away to a night in a local hotel or other accommodation.

One day itineraries

To give you some ideas for your staycation, we’ve created a few itineraries that you could enjoy as a day trip within your city or region. Or if you live a little further away, why not add on an overnight stay at family-friendly accommodation?

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.

Auckland day trip

Morning: Head up to the top of the Sky Tower for a fantastic view and test your nerves on the glass floor.

Extra: From the Downtown Ferry Terminal, take the 12 minute ferry ride to Devonport.

Lunch: Take a short walk along the harbourfront to Torpedo Bay Cafe with a children’s playground and delicious food prepared fresh onsite.

Afternoon: Explore the military tunnels and bunkers at Maungauika/North Head Historic Reserve (bring a torch!), then explore the walking tracks for views of Auckland city and Rangitoto Island, and nearby Cheltenham Beach.

Dinner: Take the ferry back and make your way to Swashbucklers Restaurant & Bar – a fun pirate themed dining experience in Westhaven Marina.

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Wellington day trip

Morning: See over 100 species from around the globe at Wellington Zoo including African big cats, native species, monkeys, penguins, meerkats, and more.

Lunch: The iconic Chocolate Fish Cafe at Shelly Bay has indoor and outdoor seating with harbour views and flash sammies, plus salads, burgers and kids options.

Afternoon: Discover the magic behind the movies with a Weta Workshop Tour and see the artists at work.

Extra: Drive up to the Mt Victoria Lookout for a sweeping panorama of the harbour.

Dinner: Joe’s Garage is just a few minutes from the waterfront attractions, so you can venture down after eating to see the harbour at night.

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Christchurch day trip

Morning: Zipline through the Port Hills, take in the city views from the chairlift, or hire a bike and experience the pump track at Christchurch Adventure Park.

Lunch: Grab lunch at the Christchurch Adventure Park before you head out to Banks Peninsula.

Extra: Take a short detour off the main route to Akaroa and stop at Montgomery Scenic Reserve to see the giant tōtara or venture a little further for great harbour views.

Afternoon: In Akaroa, jump aboard the award-winning Black Cat Cruises to see rare Hector’s Dolphins, penguins, sea birds, and volcanic sea cliffs.

Dinner: Finish your day with the perfect relaxed dinner from the world renowned and famous Akaroa Fish & Chip Shop.

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Dunedin day trip

Morning: Check out the amazing views of Otago Harbour from the Signal Hill Lookout.

Extra: Walk up the world’s steepest street at the famous Baldwin Street.

Lunch: Stop in at Glenfalloch Garden Cafe & Restaurant for coffee and freshly baked treats in a stunning location.

Afternoon: Join a one-hour wildlife cruise with Monarch Cruises on the Otago Peninsula for stunning scenery, wildlife, and history. Spot sea lions, royal albatross, marine animals and more.

Dinner: You will be hard-pressed to find a more iconic venue for dinner than Cobb & Co. at the Railway Station with the traditional Cobb & Co. family-friendly hospitality in the beautiful Dunedin Railway Station.

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

6 Unique Push Present Ideas

Posted on 15/08/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

As the entire family has their eyes set on the baby, it can be easy to forget how the new mother played such an instrumental role in getting the baby here. One way to show the new mum how much you appreciate them is by giving them a push present.

A push present is, in essence, a gift of appreciation for new mothers. It’s a way to celebrate the triumphant and celebratory occasion of bringing a new life into the world.

That said, picking a push present can be tricky. Some opt to give something practical, like body lotion to soothe a mother’s sore muscles. Others would prioritise finding items to glam up mum’s post-pregnancy wardrobe, like a new pair of earrings or a pretty scarf.

If you’re looking for ideas for the perfect gift, there are many unique and thoughtful push present ideas that any new mother would love. Here are some of the most unique gifts for the new mum.

1) Birth care boxes

If you’re not sure what type of gift the new mum would like, consider a personalised birth care box. These boxes are filled with everything a new mother needs to recover after childbirth. If you’re not familiar with the world of postpartum recovery, this push present can be a life-saver as it has almost all of the essential items a new mother needs to make the transition to motherhood easier.

There are many different types of care boxes available. They may include items such as:

Body butter
Nipple salve
A journal
Disposable undies

That said, the selection of items will vary depending on where you search for them. So, make sure to do your research to find a box that has everything the new mother needs.

2) Mum & baby clothing set

If the new mother is looking to add some new pieces to their wardrobe, consider getting a mother and baby clothing set.

This type of gift is two-fold: it’s a present for both the mum and the baby. Not only is it a practical item that both of them can wear, but it’s also a way to increase the bond between mother and child.

There are nearly infinite design options for this type of clothing set. You can find everything from simple and elegant designs to more fun and playful options. For example, some mum and baby clothing sets come with complementary shirt designs, like “Number 1” and “Number 2” shirts. Others are designed to look like a mother and baby animal set, like a mother bear with a cub.

3) Pearl earrings

At the heart of it, a push present is about showing the new mother how much you appreciate them. And one of the best ways to do that is by giving them a luxurious and timeless piece of jewellery.

If you’re looking for a gift that the new mother can wear for years to come, a pair of pearl earrings may be the way to their heart. Earrings, such as Pearl Earrings from Larsen Jewellery, are classic, elegant, and timeless. If the expectant mother is fond of jewellery pre-pregnancy, then commemorating their new role as a mother with a piece of fine jewellery is something they’ll definitely appreciate.

4) Contoured eye mask

The household dynamic will be a lot different after the baby arrives. Parents will be dealing with feedings every few hours, nappy changes, and a lot of new challenges that can be overwhelming during the first few months.

A gift that grants mum an easier time to rest and recuperate can be one of the most thoughtful presents. As such, an eye mask is an excellent push present idea. An eye mask helps block out light, making it easier for the new mother to fall asleep. This is important because getting enough sleep can be a challenge for new parents. Getting one that’s contoured is a nice touch as it helps the mask mould to the shape of their face, providing more coverage and a better fit.

5) A cosy long robe

A robe is an excellent gift idea because it’s comfortable and practical, two things that are important for a new mother. It helps them get into a relaxed state of mind, which is crucial for both mental and physical wellbeing. On top of that, it also eases the process of breastfeeding as they won’t have to worry about clothes getting in the way.

If you want to make the gift extra special, consider getting a robe that’s made of luxurious materials like silk or cashmere. They’ll adore you for it.

6) An engraved necklace

A necklace is a beautiful gift on its own, but a necklace that has been engraved takes it to the next level. This type of necklace adds a personalised and sentimental touch that the new mother is sure to appreciate.

There are many different ways to personalise a necklace. For example, you can have the name of the baby engraved on it or the initials of both the mother and child. You can even consider getting a matching pair of necklaces for both the mother and child, similar to a friendship bracelet.

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.

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Destination Guide: Taranaki

Posted on 15/08/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

There’s no shortage of family-friendly fun in Taranaki! Endless tracks and trails, glorious gardens, art and cultural offerings, and delicious food awaits in the city of New Plymouth and the surrounding Taranaki region. Check out what’s on offer and plan a family holiday like no other. It’s time to experience Taranaki!

Whether you’re planning to head away over the school holidays or just want to escape on a mini-break, we’ve put together some of our favourite places to stay, eat and play so you can create some lasting 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.

How to get there

Situated on the western coast of the North Island, Taranaki is easily accessed by air and road. Fly in on Air New Zealand’s domestic service or travel via the historic roads, including NZ’s oldest heritage trail – The Forgotten World Highway SH43. Auckland to New Plymouth is around a 5-hour drive or from Wellington it’s about half an hour less.

Fun family experiences and activities

Taranaki is packed with unique family-friendly experiences, from endless tracks and trails, and glorious gardens, to art and cultural offerings, there’s loads to see and do, with many free activities on offer.

Time to explore

Explore nature’s playground on Taranaki Maunga. Kids will be enchanted by the magical Goblin Forest on the Kamahi Loop Track, and delighted with the crystal-clear waters of Wilkies Pools, a series of natural plunge pools sculpted by lava flow over 20,000 years ago. If you’re looking for a family challenge for fit legs, try the 2–3-hour trek to the Pouākai Tarn and grab a family holiday snap of the reflective waters outlining the magnificent Taranaki Maunga.

Egmont National Park has an abundance of tracks and trails, ranging from family-friendly and accessible walks to the challenging Summit track.

For an epic 360-degree bird’s-eye-view of the coastline and New Plymouth, scale Paritutu Rock.

Enjoy an easy 6km walk at Lake Rotokare Scenic Reserve, walk or mountain bike at Lake Mangamahoe or enjoy a riverside picnic and choose from two easy short walks at the Meeting of the Waters Scenic Reserve.

Stroll through one of the many gardens in Taranaki: Tupare near New Plymouth, Pukeiti on the slopes of Taranaki Maunga, King Edward Park in Stratford, or Hollard Gardens near Kaponga where the kids can burn off some energy at the epic playground!

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Te Popo Gardens near Stratford is a large, privately-owned garden with woodland, secret gardens, waterfalls, bridges, ponds and hidden treasures to seek out.

Give your legs a workout as you climb the 215 steps up the Hāwera Water Tower for spectacular views over the town and surrounding area.

Drive out to Tongaporutu and explore the White Cliffs and Three Sisters rock formations.

Explore the Forgotten World Highway and end up at the Republic of Whangamōmona for a bite to eat, or even an overnight stay at Whangamōmona Hotel – venture on further to the Forgotten World Adventures.

Drive the Surf Highway 45 and stop at the Cape Egmont Lighthouse and SS Gairloch shipwreck.

For a different way to travel, hop aboard the Taranaki Heritage Railway from Waitara to Lepperton.

Time to play

Families can get active along the award-winning New Plymouth Coastal Walkway. Walk, cycle or e-scooter the 13km promenade and take in the Wind Wand, Mothers & Daughters stone sculpture and iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, as well as multiple playgrounds along the path. Or, if you’re in the mood for speed and competition, head to Hillsborough Hideaway and challenge the family to the downhill luge course or Bathurst-themed mini-putt.

New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park is wonderful to explore and includes the free, family-focused Brooklands Zoo with an aviary, mini farmyard full of playful animals, plus otters, monkeys and more. There’s a kids’ playground and a picnic area for a great family day out.

At Stoney Oaks Wildlife Park there’s more friendly animals to meet with pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, and deer to pat and feed. See the Kune Kune pigs, donkeys, miniature horses, white peacocks, llamas and more, and take a fairy bush walk.

Walk in the footsteps of the pioneers of the 1850-1950 era at the Taranaki Pioneer Village. Explore over 40 original buildings and see artifacts of the era. There’s an on-site cafe and animals to feed, plus mountain views, picnic spots, and interactive displays to keep the kids amused. Take the Pioneer Express around the Village and see the craftsmen on every second Sunday of the month.

Travel back in time at the Taranaki Aviation Transport & Technology Museum (TATATM) between New Plymouth and Inglewood. This amazing museum preserves Taranaki’s past for the enjoyment of future generations. It’s fantastic for kids with loads of hands-on experiences like operating a telephone exchange, winding up the fire siren, and transferring money via vacuum!

For something completely different, the iconic Stratford Glockenspiel Clock Tower performs excerpts from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm daily in both English and Te Reo Māori!

For those with bikes, the Stratford and Bell Block children’s bike and pump tracks are a dream on wheels!

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Time for indoor fun

While there is no shortage of sunny days in Taranaki – the sunniest region in New Zealand – sometimes a day indoors is needed. Take the family to Bowlarama for ten-pin bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and an 18-hole black light mini-putt course. Escape Masters is ideal for competitive family-fun, where you search for hidden clues to solve the puzzle to escape. Fun Ho! Toy Museum displays toys from the decades and offers live demonstrations of the toys being made. The whole family will love to see the past revealed through the life-size and scale model displays at Tawhiti Museum, and be enthralled by the underground boat ride at Traders & Whalers.

Puke Ariki Museum in New Plymouth is an integrated museum, library, and i-SITE, which also showcases the history of Taranaki through exhibitions and galleries. Free to enter, it also features regular school holiday programmes.

The world-renowned Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand’s contemporary art museum and the home to pioneering filmmaker and kinetic sculptor Len Lye’s multi-media art work. Even the building itself is a work of art!

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre

Family-friendly eateries

Your Taranaki adventures will have you working up an appetite! Discover an exciting selection of delicious food to satisfy even the youngest of palates.

Satisfy those hunger pangs at Marble’s Buffet – a firm family favourite, or head to Deluxe Diner for one of their famous freakazoid milkshakes. Upside Down Eatery has a relaxed ambience that will put families at ease, or for a meal with a view, try Mountain Restaurant, situated inside the Stratford Mountain House, atop Taranaki Maunga. Tempt those tastebuds at more family-friendly eateries below.

New Plymouth

Tea House On The Lake – This beautiful cafe sits beside the main Lake in Pukekura Park. A picturesque spot for fresh-baked goodies or a great coffee while you explore the park.
Crowded House – A family-friendly establishment serving hearty meals for hearty appetites for brunch, lunch or dinner (and don’t forget to leave room for dessert!).
Liardet Street Projects – Can’t agree on what to have for dinner? This communal courtyard of food trucks and stalls offers a wide range of street food and cheap eats so everyone can pick their own cuisine!
Locals Cafe – A ‘locals’ favourite with plenty of space to dine and a cool kids’ corner!
Manou’s Waterfront Café & Restaurant – Unique, rustic and fun – great food with a spectacular view! Open for breakfast, lunch and sunset dinners with seafood and daily specials.

Volcanoview (Kaimiro) – If you can take your eyes away from the amazing view, Dutch Pancakes are the speciality at this beautiful restaurant. There’s also a playground with pedal carts and a flying fox!

Someday Cafe (Hāwera) – Reputed to be the best cafe in town and well worth the turn off the main highway for freshly made goodies.

Cafe 487 (Urenui) – The rustic, homely and welcoming surroundings of this cafe makes for a great stop on SH3. There’s plenty of outdoor space for the kids to run around and stretch their legs.

Whangamomona Hotel – Dine at one of NZ’s historic heritage hotels on the Forgotten Highway (SH43). You can even get your passport stamped at this self-declared republic!

Black Sand Pizzeria & Bistro (Oakura) – Wood-fired pizzas with unbeatable ocean views.

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Shakee Pear Cafe (Stratford) – Part of the Taranaki Pioneer Village, choose from mouthwatering cabinet food or blackboard specials at this friendly cafe.

Ōpunakē Fish, Chips & More -Fresh fish and homemade chips – enjoy them on-site or at one of the local picnic tables overlooking the beach, bay or lake.

Where to stay

For family-friendly stays, we recommend checking out the accommodation below.

Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park & Motels – Quiet and relaxing accommodation with breathtaking sea views, easy access to town’s attractions and the Coast al Walkway at your doorstep. Choose from a variety of motel and self-contained units and studios, cabins, and powered or unpowered sites.

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park – New Plymouth’s only holiday park on the beach with a wide range of accommodation options including sheltered sites, studios and cabins. Direct access to both the Fitzroy Beach surf and the Coastal Walkway. Kids facilities on-site and nearby include a jumping pillow, playground, and summer pool.

Stratford Mountain House – Luxurious accommodation in mountain chalets allowing you to relax and soak up the views of Taranaki Maunga.Enjoy easy walking tracks nearby where you can experience unique alpine flora and fauna.

The Residence Fitzroy – Serviced apartments with full kitchens and separate bedrooms for great value luxury accommodation. Situated in the heart of the Fitzroy village with dining, shopping, and the beach all nearby.

Tairoa Lodge – Award-winning, Tairoa Lodge offers boutique accommodation, just two minutes from Hāwera. The 1875 Victorian villa as well as Tairoa Cottage, The Gatehouse and Kingfisher Cottage offer a range of accommodation options among native and exotic trees plus spacious lawns and an outdoor swimming pool.

Piwakawaka Family Hut – For something completely different, sleep above the treetops in this hut-style, bunk-bed accommodation, one hour’s walk into the Pukeiti rainforest.

Discover all there is to see, do, eat, and experience in Taranaki

Explore further

Written by Kidspot New Zealand with information provided by Venture Taranaki.

Simple Courses That Can Be Super Rewarding

Posted on 09/08/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Do you have some free time on your hands? Are you looking to learn something new, interesting, and potentially useful? Instead of scrolling through your social media feed or streaming a hyped TV series, consider taking some online courses instead.

While a formal tertiary education always has its perks, there are many advantages to taking online courses. For starters, you can learn from virtually any setting – no more feeling stuck amidst four classroom walls! Secondly, you can also study on your own time, which grants a lot of advantages if you work or have other commitments.

With a wide range of courses available on various topics, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest. Here are five great online courses that can be both rewarding and fun.

1. Project Management

Project management is an essential skill for anyone looking to be successful in the corporate world. This course will help you understand the basics of project management, from developing schedules to tracking milestones. You’ll also learn how to create and interpret project reports, a valuable ability in any work environment.

The great thing about this course is that it can be applied to any industry or field, so you’re sure to carry your learnings with you wherever you go. Whether you’re looking to start your own business or simply want to be a more effective team leader at your current job, this course will give you the insights and tools you need to excel.

2. Creative Writing

Have you ever been told that you have a knack for writing? If you’ve ever dreamed of being a novelist or journalist, this course is perfect for you. Even if you don’t plan on writing a lot on your day job 24/7, you may still end up writing emails, reports, or articles at some point. And with a Creative Writing course, you’ll learn how to hone your writing skills and develop your own compelling style. No more jarring run-on sentences or overly verbose office memos!

Creative Writing also helps you develop other essential skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. In today’s world, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is more important than ever. With this course, you’ll be able to write with confidence and ease, impressing both your readers and your potential employers with your ability to articulate your thoughts.

3. Psychology

Understanding human behaviour is a crucial life skill both in one’s personal and professional life, and a psychology course is one of the best courses to advance your career and enhance your understanding of how people think, feel, and act.

With a psychology course, you’ll take on various psychological concepts and theories, research methods used in psychology, as well as psychological principles that appear in real-world scenarios.

This course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about how the human mind works, whether you’re planning on becoming a psychologist or simply want to gain an upper hand when it comes to negotiating, marketing, and sales.

4. Youth Work

If you’re passionate about working with children and teens, then a course in Youth Work is definitely worth considering. In this course, you’ll learn about the different stages of human development, as well as how to effectively communicate and engage with young people.

You’ll also gain valuable insights into the different issues that young people face today, such as bullying, peer pressure, and substance abuse. With this course, you’ll help equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate through these challenges and emerge as responsible and successful adults.
If the thought of making the lives of young people better fills you with excitement, acquiring a diploma of youth work can help shape your dreams into reality.

5. Data Analysis

In today’s data-driven world, being able to analyze and interpret data is a highly sought-after skill. With a course in data analysis, you’ll learn how to make sense of data sets, identify trends and patterns, and visualize your findings clearly and concisely.

You’ll also develop essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which will come in handy in any work environment. Whether you’re looking to become a data analyst or simply want to show off your data interpretation skills to your boss, a data analysis course can give you the hard skills you need to get ahead.

6. Happiness and Wellbeing

Courses don’t have to revolve around professional development to be beneficial. If you’re looking for a more personal and introspective way to improve your life, consider taking a happiness and wellbeing course.

One particularly viral course is Yale’s “Happiness” course, which has gone the rounds of social media not too recently. In this type of course, you’ll undergo a process of learning and unlearning, letting go of harmful belief systems such as materialistic values and the pursuit of perfection, and replacing them with positive and life-affirming ones.

You’ll also learn practical techniques to increase your happiness through assignments to complete outside of class – such as performing random acts of kindness to a stranger and practising mindfulness. The best part about this course is that you don’t have to look too hard to find them, so you can start reaping the benefits of a happier and more positive life without spending a dime.

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.

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Book Review | Edmonds My First Cookbook

Posted on 03/08/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Promotion for Hachette

From breakfast through to dessert and all the meals and snacks in between, Edmonds My First Cookbook includes more than 90 recipes to instil a life-long love of baking and cooking. With an illustrated, step-by-step layout, you’ll find it super easy to cook with your little one and become a champion pikelet-maker, an expert afghan-baker or an award-winning pizza-creator!

We gave Kidspot reader, Katie, the chance to review Edmonds My First Cookbook and try out a couple of the recipes with her two kids.

“The secret ingredient is always love”

Since I was young I have loved being in the kitchen, and I’m really glad that this passion for food and cooking is something which both of my children have inherited. Since Charlotte (6) and Alice (3) were both little they have loved being involved with baking and meal preparation, and more recently they have both developed a real interest in kids cookbooks. We have tried lots of different types, but the ones which have been most successful have simple but tasty recipes which the girls can complete for themselves with just a little support. We were so excited to review Edmonds My First Cookbook, specifically designed to get kids in the kitchen cooking, and foster a lifelong love of preparing nutritious and healthy kai.

The book is similar in look and feel to the other books in the Edmonds series which are very well known and loved. In this version, the familiar orange cover and spiral binding is jazzed up with cartoon-inspired drawings of some of the recipes contained within it, as well as rainbow coloured writing, which made it instantly appealing to both of my girls. The book is split into two easy to understand sections- savoury and sweet, making it simple for kids to find a recipe they would like to make.

All of the recipes are presented in steps, with an illustration of each step provided to make it really intuitive to follow. Both my six and three year olds loved how involved the step illustrations made them feel, and it meant that even if they didn’t understand the words, they were able to engage with the recipe. Another cool feature was that many of the measures in the recipes were in cups and table/teaspoons, again making it simple for even the youngest cooks to participate with minimal equipment.

A great recipe collection

The selection of recipes was fantastic. The book contains a collection of simple but super tasty recipes, with a great balance between savoury and sweet. There are lots of classic family favourites in there like sweetcorn fritters and scones, as well as a few more modern takes like sushi and poke bowl. There was certainly no issue in finding recipes we wanted to make, in fact there was more of a problem deciding which awesome recipe to make first! This book has recipes simple enough for any child, but which would also be the perfect staples for student life and beyond (a little like the other Edmonds recipe books). The recipes are all written clearly so that my six year old was easily able to read them herself, and the methods and techniques used were simple enough that she was also able to help her youngest sister.

There is a section right at the back with standard weight abbreviations and conversions, oven hints, food safety and using the recipes. It would seem like this is really aimed at adults supervising their kids using the book, although this can easily be read by an older child, or an adult to younger kids. There was also a standard recipe index, and it was a really cool introduction for my daughter as to how this works. The only thing my kids struggled with was that there weren’t photos of each completed recipe, but rather small illustrations of the completed dish. Often when trying to decide what they would like to cook, the girls look at the pictures, and photographs are a little easier for them to interpret. It also meant that my three year old needed a little more support when trying to decide what to cook. This certainly wasn’t a deal-breaker issue for us, and the girls and I really enjoyed using it.

Pikelet perfection

Having had a good look through, we settled on a selection of sweet and savoury recipes which caught our eye. The first recipe we decided to try was a classic- pikelets. The recipe’s steps were very easy to understand, and the girls completed the entire thing themselves with very little help from me. Both the mixing and the cooking processes were well explained, and they came together quickly and easily. The results were awesome – the pikelets were fluffy and light, with a hint of sweetness, and perfect for topping (our favourites are jam, honey and marmite – separately of course).

Mexican fusion

The next recipe we tried was chicken enchiladas. Unfortunately I realised quite early on that I didn’t have enough tortilla wraps to continue with the whole recipe, however, we substituted pasta in, and made it into a Mexican fusion dish. Once again, the recipe was easy to understand, and Alice really loved adding all of the ingredients into the pan to make the tomato sauce. The finished dish, although not quite what we had wanted to prepare, was still awesome, and both of the kids loved it.

Pick-your-own poke bowl

Another successful recipe we tried was poke bowl. We decided to prepare each of the ingredients separately, and then everyone constructed their own bowl at the table. The kids loved prepping the vegetables and tuna, and they also really enjoyed making their own bowls, eating way more vegetables than they would normally choose. We particularly loved the dressing which was added to bring everything together, and this will definitely be a meal which is added into regular rotation at our house.

Super snickerdoodles

Edmonds My Firist Cookbook Snickerdoodles

The fourth recipe we made was snickerdoodles. I had never heard of these biscuits before, but the girls loved the sound of the name, so we decided to give them a try. Once again, I let them take the lead with this recipe, and they found them very easy to make. They were able to complete most of the steps between themselves (with just a little support from me), and the completed biscuits were absolutely scrumptious- perfect for enjoying with a hot drink and a good book.

Brilliant bliss balls

Watch Charlotte and Alice make the delicious bliss balls in the video below.

The fifth and final recipe we tried was for bliss balls. This was an amazingly simple recipe which, again, the kids completed with very little supervision, but packed a real punch in terms of flavour. They were so delicious we went through the batch very quickly, but knowing how easy and economical they were to make meant that we could whip up a second batch in no time at all. The kids have already requested we make these again, and I know that these will become a regular easy bake for us, and a great alternative to chocolate and other lollies.

A new kitchen companion

Overall we have loved using this book. It was easy to use, the kids really loved making recipes from it, and it definitely encouraged them to make recipes for themselves which were achievable and super tasty. This is a book which is great for kids, but which can also grow with them to become a perfect source of basic recipes for whatever stage of life they are at. Perfect for any child, it would also make a great gift, giving years of enjoyment and fun in the kitchen. We all loved using this book, and I know that it will be a regular kitchen companion for us for a very long time.

A note from Alice:

“I liked cooking with my sister. The recipe I liked the most was bliss balls. I also liked making the tomato sauce (it was yummy). I like this book – it is really fun in the kitchen making things.”

A note from Charlotte:

“I enjoyed all of the recipes. I really liked making them myself with Alice. My favourite recipes were bliss balls and pikelets. I loved using the blender to mix the bliss balls and rolling them in coconut. I also really liked flipping the pikelets in the pan. I have seen more recipes in there (the recipe book) which I would like to try. All of the recipes we made were yummy. I love cooking – especially when I get to lick the bowl!”

Buy your copy now

Katie was provided with “Edmonds My First Cookbook” for the purposes of this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Kidspot NZ or Hachette.

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The Notorious Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud | Kids Book Review

Posted on 27/07/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

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The Notorious Scarlett and Browne is a fast-paced fantasy adventure set in a broken, future England.

Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne have outwitted their pursuers and escaped into the wilderness once more, and it’s not long before they become famous for their audacious heists across the Seven Kingdoms. Yet neither is fully able to escape the shackles of the past – as they discover when a dangerous job turns sour.

Soon old enemies and sinister new threats are pressing in on every side, and Scarlett and Browne must pull off an impossible mission and strike out against The Faith Houses and the Brothers of the Hand if they are to save the people they hold most dear.

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for The Notorious Scarlett & Browne below

Book review from Michael (12)

Scarlett and Browne (that’s Albert’s last name!) are extremely good thieves. They live in a fantasy-created world like ours but after a Cataclysm, mostly controlled by mean people who hoard and are very smug about it. Scarlett and Browne like to carry out impossible heists using their wide range of skills. This is the second book. In it they are challenged by old enemies to carry out a heist that really is physically impossible, in order to save people they care about.

Jonathan Stroud has put in hilarious little one liners between Scarlett and Albert. It is wonderfully laid out and understandable but you never know what’s going to happen next. He’s left several things hanging at the end so I’m waiting for the next installment in the series!

The Notorious Scarlett & Browne book review

I learned there are things you can do with spoons that should not be spoken about and I liked it enough that I want to go and get the previous book and the next one! I think this book is great for boys and girls aged twelve and up who like suspense, magic, action and adventure. It is funny, it’s got lots of action, it’s fast paced and it’s got real emotions and challenges.

Book review from Sebastian, aged 12

The Notorious Scarlett and Browne is an intriguing action/mystery book about the misdeeds of the infamous criminals, Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne. After executing their biggest scheme yet, they are tasked by their old enemies to complete a seemingly impossible heist in only 1 week, as well as being chased down by a powerful operative.

Scarlett is a lone wolf with self taught survival and thievery skills. Browne is an escapee from stonemoor, a prison for the ‘gifted’. He has amazing powers such as mind reading but refuses to let himself be absorbed by fear, an uncontrollable and unrivalled power.

This book is full of descriptive language and exciting plot twists. I was hooked with this story till the very end! 4.5 Stars.

Book review from Hamish, aged 12

This book starts off with two children named Scarlett and Albert, who left their parents when they were young to start a new life. As they get older they go through several places across the Seven Kingdoms. Together they plan heists to steal jewels to trade with other people for goods.

While training as a little kid, Albert got the power to read other people’s minds. Albert and Scarlett end up being caught and captured by someone they meet in the past, and this is where the drama begins …

I really enjoyed this book. It was insanely thrilling when Albert and Scarlett had to ride in an old buggy in a mine while going over a broken bridge and blowing up a path on the way. I disliked the way the author described parts of the story, I would have liked more details about who the characters were. I believe people who like dramas and twists in their stories would like this book. Overall I would give this book a 7.5/10.

Book review from Tessa, aged 11

This book is AMAZING!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you like adventure, thrills, and a tad’ bit of violence, this book is for you. I think that every kid should have a chance to read this book! 😃😍🥰😘

The Notorious Scarlet and Browne is a wonderful book with wonderful characters and a nail biting storyline! Follow Scarlet McKain and Albert Browne (public enemies #1) as they travel around the map dealing out justice to the people of the Towns.

With Scarlet’s combat skills combined with Alberts mind reading, they are unstoppable! But when their friends get taken hostage, will they be able to accomplish an impossible heist to get their friends back and avoid getting a trip to the gallows? Will the good guys win in the end? Read the book to find out.

Book review from Lucas, aged 12

This Story takes place in One of the 7 kingdoms of the United Kingdom. Based on two teens, Scarlett McCain & Albert Browne. The two are a thieving duo, the book being a recount of the fearless outlaws and their infamous deeds.

While adventuring for their next task they have a run in with old enemies and have to unearth priceless treasures. Scarlett & Albert both are special in their own ways. They are forced to carry out an impossible task, they have no choice but to accept the challenge. The only problem is there are lives on the line. They are given 7 days to complete the challenge, or else.

I enjoyed this book because of the plot and that it was full of surprises. I loved how it was adventurous and explorative. Some parts were great and filled with action, others were confusing and had to be read twice. I liked the positive attitude Albert kept throughout the story. It was a really great book. Overall I’d give it a 9/10.

Book review from Holly, aged 13

Jonathan Stroud’s novel The Notorious Scarlett and Browne follows the misadventures and heists of Scarlett McCain and Albert Browne. But these friends are not regular thieves, they steal for the people. What will these two friends do next as their infamous heists across the seven kingdoms start to win them notoriety?

This novel does a great job of capturing Scarlett’s bravery and strength while still maintaining a soft spot for Albert and her other friends. On the other hand, Albert is a charming but awkward figure with extraordinary abilities.

Through Scarlett and Albert’s heists, this tale offers wonderful character development. In spite of not being anticipated to return, this book follows these two protagonists on a spectacular quest during their impossibly daring theft.

Overall, I’d rate this book 4.5 out of 5 and recommend adding it to your list of must-reads. People who enjoy action-packed novels with never-ending story twists should read this book!

Grab your copy of The Notorious Scarlett & Browne now!

This book is about a boy and a girl that go on a dangerous journey to steal some ancient artifacts located in an abandoned part of a mine. While dangerous people and weird creatures try to get in the way the two are only worried about saving their 2 friends that were captured.

This book will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved it!

Zoe, 12

I really enjoyed the book at the start then lost interest in the middle. Some of the words were hard to understand which made the book sometimes hard to follow.

I did enjoy it and would recommend to others.

Tyler, 12

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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Act by Kayla Miller | Kids Book Review

Posted on 27/07/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content

Olive is excited to start grade 6: new teachers, new experiences, and a field trip to the big city with her best buds! But when Olive finds out that a school policy is keeping some kids from going on the trip, she decides to act. Act is the funny and honest follow-up to the middle school graphic novel sensations Click and Camp.

Olive is prepared to do whatever it takes to be heard – even if it means running against Trent and Sawyer, two of her closest friends, in the student council election! With intense campaign competition and emotions running high, can Olive make a big change and keep her friends?

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Kayla Miller crafts a genuine and inspiring story about evolving friendships, supportive family, and finding out that you – yes, you – have the power to make a difference.

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Act below

Book review from Leo (8)

Act, by Kayla Miller is a book about a girl named Olive who wants to make a difference in her school. When she finds out that some of her school friends can’t afford to go on the school trips, she decides to run for a place on the student council so that her voice can be heard. Olive wants to make school life fair and equal for all students.

Olive’s confidence and passion has encouraged me to make changes too. I really liked this book and enjoyed the graphic novel style. The information about protests, and the recipe in the back was cool.

I would recommend this book to others, and I can’t wait to read it again!

Book review from Abigail, aged 9

Act by Kayla Miller is about a girl called Olive who is in the 6th grade. She finds out that her friends are being treated unfairly and feels she has to do something to help them.

I learnt that when someone is getting treated differently I should Act! .

I enjoyed reading this book and the comic style it was written in, it was fun and easy to read and was cool to see the characters too. I have read it twice already and will be reading it again soon.

Thank you Kidspot for the book!! I loved it.

Book review from Ihaia, aged 8

Act is a graphic novel about a girl called Olive. Olive’s class are going on a trip, but when Olive finds out some people don’t get to go on the trip because they can’t afford it, she decides to do something about it. She does everything she can to change the school’s rules, even when she has to go against her friends. Will she succeed?

I liked reading Act because it is a graphic novel which are my favourite type of book to read. I enjoyed it so much I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one day. The story is interesting and I kept reading because I wanted to find out what happened next. I liked that Olive was brave and helpful, and I really enjoyed the funny parts of the story.

I would rate this book 9/10 and I think you should definitely read it if you like graphic novels.

Book review from Dani-Nicole, aged 10

I enjoyed this book because it was like a comic and I love comics.

It was a really interesting story about always standing up for what is right. Olive showed great courage and it taught me that sometimes you have to stand up for others even if it means you have to stand against your friends.

Book review from Kyle, aged 7

The story is about a girl named Olive who really believes she can make other things better and acts on it. I love the book is like a comic and full of twists, colourful, funny and exciting. I love the part where she is part of the student council because she got to talk to everyone in the school and help them. I also found the pudding moment was funny!

I like the extra information at the back of the book where you can go look for more on the protests that happened through time. I love that it has a chocolate pepermint chip cookie recipe that I am definitely going to try!!

A note from Kyle’s mum …

Kyle really was involved in this book, and he went afterwards to look into more about protests which was really cool. He would cuddle up on the couch before bed time and read, I struggled to get him to put the book down as he was so involved and wanted to see what happened next. I loved how colourful the book was and how they made it into a comic feel, it was quite awesome! Definitely a positive book to read.

Book review from Eva, aged 9

I think Olive, the main character, is a great role model to people who may have problems like this. Act’s moral of the story is to stand up for other people, and yourself.

It was a nice, easy comic book, followed by lots of onomatopoeia. This book has amazing detail, and acts that – even you – could follow along with!

Grab your copy of Act 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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How To Plan A Birthday Party With The Perfect Food

Posted on 26/07/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Birthday parties are the prime time to celebrate, but you can’t throw a memorable party without organising and planning it. And when it comes to parties, one of the biggest concerns is always what ends up on people’s plates.

To save you the headache, we’ve created a list of tips on how to plan the perfect birthday party, no matter what your guests’ dietary restrictions may be.

Be mindful of food restrictions

As obvious as it sounds, you should take into account any known allergies or dietary restrictions of each of your guests.

Many cultures and religions have specific dietary guidelines that should be respected. For example, people who follow the Islam faith are not allowed to eat pork or drink alcohol. Hindus do not eat beef, and some Buddhists may avoid eating meat altogether.

Allergies are also a big consideration. Before going all-out with a seafood-themed party, for instance, make sure that you have an alternative dish readily available for your guests who don’t or can’t eat seafood.

The last thing you want is for someone to not be able to enjoy their meal—and ultimately the party—because of the limited food selection. If you’re not sure about someone’s dietary restrictions, ask them in advance when you’re sending out invitations. They’ll usually inform you if there’s anything you need to be aware of.

Consider the age group

The age group of your guests will also dictate what kind of food you should prepare – their perspectives will differ by age and are always important. For example, young children might enjoy finger foods or dishes that they can easily eat with their hands. Things like hotdogs, popcorn, chicken nuggets, and pizza are all food ideas that are sure to be a big hit at children’s birthday parties.

If you’re throwing a party for adults, on the other hand, you might want to consider preparing more sophisticated dishes. This could be anything from a buffet of international cuisine to gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Cocktails and other alcoholic beverages are also something you might want to have on hand for adult parties.

Set a theme

While certainly not mandatory, having a theme can add an extra level of cohesion and fun to your party. It can also make things easier when it comes to deciding on the food. For example, if you’re throwing a pool party, you might want to serve light snacks and finger foods that are easy to eat. If you’re having a Halloween party, on the other hand, you might want to get creative with spooky-themed dishes. Think, for example, of deviled eggs that look like eyeballs or a green punch that resembles slime.

Delegate work to others

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of having to prepare food for your guests, caterers are a safe approach to food that anyone will enjoy. Or, you can opt to consider making the food with friends or family members. This is a great way to lighten your load and also have some fun in the kitchen together. If you have the budget for it, you can also hire a caterer to take care of all the food preparation and cooking. This way, you can focus on all the other important aspects of party planning, like organising the venue or planning the programme.

Follow your budget

While you certainly want to make a good impression on your guests, you’ll need to be realistic. Setting a budget for your food is key. One way to do this is by considering less expensive but equally delicious alternatives to some of your more expensive food ideas. For example, if you’re considering serving freshly-grilled steak, you might want to consider serving chicken cordon bleu instead. No one will be disappointed with a well-made chicken dish, but it will cost you a lot less than steak would.

You can also save money by making some of the food yourself instead of hiring a caterer or ordering takeout.

Get creative with it

One thing that’s for certain: a really good party is wound to end up on social media reels. If you want the merriment to carry over to your guests’ feeds, you’ll want your food presentation to be nothing less than exceptional.

If that’s one of your goals, consider prepping the buffet creatively. For example, you can set up a chocolate fondue station and let your guests dip fruit, marshmallows, or pretzels into it. Putting up a dedicated gelato bike for an ice cream party will also be a surefire way to get some likes and impressions on you and your guests’ stories!

You can also get creative with the presentation of your food. Instead of just placing everything on a table, you might want to consider, say, using a cubby for pastries or setting up a beautiful charcuterie board.

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

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11 Fun Family Activities Sure To Keep The Kids Entertained

Posted on 15/07/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

As a parent, it can be tough to come up with activities that will keep the kids entertained. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Here are 11 fun family activities that are sure to keep the kiddos occupied. From visiting the zoo to making crafts, there’s something for everyone. So get out there and have some fun!

Visit the zoo

Children love animals, so a trip to the zoo or a wildlife park is sure to be a hit! And it’s a great opportunity to learn about different species and their habitats. When you take your children to the zoo, be sure to point out the different animals and tell them some fun facts about them.

You can also make a game out of it and see who can spot the most animals. This is sure to be a day that the whole family will enjoy — but don’t forget to pack plenty of snacks and drinks to keep everyone fueled up.

Have a picnic

What could be more fun than enjoying a meal outdoors with the whole family? When the weather is nice, pack a picnic lunch and head to your local park. Don’t forget to bring some games and toys like LEGO along to keep everyone entertained.

This is also a great opportunity to teach your children about healthy eating. So be sure to pack plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as some water to stay hydrated.

Make some crafts

Craft time is a great way to bond with your children and let their imaginations run wild. There are tons of easy and fun crafts that you can do with household items. For example, you can make homemade play-doh, paper airplanes, or even popsicle stick puppets.

If you need some inspiration, there are plenty of resources available online. Take a look at the Kidspot Activity Finder, or just do a quick Google search for “kids crafts” and you’ll find plenty of ideas to keep the little ones busy.

However, make sure that your kids remain safe while crafting by supervising them at all times. That’s because some materials, such as glue and scissors, can be dangerous if used improperly.

Play some games

Games are always a fun way to spend time with the family. And there are plenty of games that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. For example, you can play tag, hide-and-seek, Simon Says, or even learning games.

If you want to mix things up, there are also a ton of board games and card games that the whole family can enjoy. Just make sure to choose games that are appropriate for your children’s age group.

Take a hike

Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. And it’s a perfect activity for the whole family. You’ll want to pack some snacks and drinks, as well as a first-aid kit in case of any minor injuries.

If you have small children, be sure to take breaks often and carry them when they get tired. And always stay on designated trails to avoid getting lost.

Have a family dance party

Dancing is a great way to get some exercise and have fun at the same time. So crank up the music and let loose! This is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

And if you really want to get everyone moving, you can even turn it into a family dance competition. Just make sure to award prizes for the best dancers!

Make homemade pizzas

For a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy, make homemade pizzas together. This is a great way to teach your children about cooking and nutrition. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to make your own pizzas with toppings that everyone will love.

However, remember to supervise your children while they’re using the stove or oven. And always be careful with knives when you’re cutting the pizzas.

Watch an animated movie

Animated movies are loved by children and adults alike, making them an ideal fun activity for your family. And there are plenty of great options to choose from. For example, you can watch classics like “The Lion King” or “The Little Mermaid.” Or you can enjoy newer movies like “Frozen” or “Coco.”

No matter what you choose, you’re sure to have a blast watching an animated movie with your family. Just make sure to have some snacks on hand to keep everyone happy. If you’re feeling a bit fancy, you can make homemade pizza with your children and watch an animated movie while you eat them!

Declutter and clean your house

Many people find cleaning to be a relaxing activity. If that’s the case with your family, you can declutter and clean your house together for a good time. This is a great opportunity to teach your children about organization and responsibility.

Plus, it’s a lot more fun to clean when you’re doing it with someone else. Just make sure to set some ground rules before you start. For example, children are not allowed to touch potentially harmful things, like knives or cleaning products.

Have a family photo shoot

Family photos are a great way to capture memories that will last a lifetime. And they’re even more special when they’re taken by your loved ones. So why not have a family photo shoot?

This is a great activity for everyone, as it’s a lot of fun to dress up and take photos together. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with your family. Just make sure to choose a place with a good background for your photos.

Visit a local museum

Last but not the least, museums are a great way to learn about new things and have fun at the same time. And there are plenty of options to choose from, depending on your interests. For example, you can visit a history museum or an art museum.

No matter what type of museum you choose, you’re sure to have a fun-filled and productive time with your family. Remember to read the signs and exhibits so you can learn as much as possible.

These are just a few of the many fun activities you can do with your family. So get out there and start having some fun! If you have any more ideas that you’ve tried with your family, make sure to share it with others in the comments below.

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

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Saving For A Home As A Small Family

Posted on 15/07/202220/06/2026 by Julie Lankow

A family’s decision to purchase a home is one of the most consequential financial decisions they will make in their lifetime.

For many families, a home provides stability and security. It’s also one of the most valuable assets that can be passed on to future generations. Regardless, purchasing a home requires a substantial amount of money – perhaps the largest sum of money a family will ever have to spend.

With patience and perseverance, however, it’s certainly possible for any family to save for a deposit on a home they can call their own.

Here are some ideas for saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month so you can secure your dream house.

1) Set up automatic transfers to your savings account

Let’s face it, it can be tempting to spend every last penny of your paycheck on frivolous rewards. But if you plan on saving for a home, you’ll need to be disciplined about your finances. That starts by controlling the inflow and outflow of money in your household. While you won’t always predict or prevent major life expenses, you can set up your finances in such a way that will make it easier for you to save.

One way to do that is to set up an automatic transfer from your current account to your savings account. Many banks and credit unions offer this service, which makes it easy to save money as you go about your everyday life.

You can typically set up these transfers to happen on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and you can decide how much money you want to transfer each time. This method is effective because not only are you periodically putting away increments of money into savings, but you’re also able to more reliably forecast when you can make your big purchase.

2) Eliminate unused subscription services

In the current age, it’s easy to fall into the trap of subscribing to multiple services that you never use. Whether it’s that gym membership you never use, that streaming service no one watches or the online dating service you signed up for on a whim, these little expenses can add up over time. Take a close look at your recurring payments and see if there are any that you can do without. You may be surprised at how much money you can free up each year by nixing a few unused subscriptions.

3) Find cost-saving plans on essential bills

Even if you’re already living frugally, there may be ways to save even more on your essential monthly bills. For instance, you can call your power company and see if there are any discounts or promotions they can offer you.

You can also switch to a cheaper mobile phone plan or, if you have a landline, see if you can get by without one. Another example is car insurance rates, as they can vary significantly from one provider to the next. It pays to shop around for the best deal.

Even though it may feel like a chore having to interact with various utility company personnel, it can be well worth your time if it means increasing your monthly savings.

4) Track and budget your expenses

One of the best ways to get a handle on your spending is to track where every penny goes. This will require discipline on your end, but it will be very illuminating to see exactly where your money is going each month. Once you have a good understanding of your spending patterns, you can then work on creating a budget that will help guide your future choices. This will be an ongoing process, but it’s a necessary one if you want to get a handle on your finances.

5) See what’s out there for smaller deposits

While saving cash for your first home is a tried-and-true process, getting to the magic 20% for a house deposit may not be achievable for all. Non-bank lenders may offer lower deposit levels, though you will need to be aware of possible higher interest rates and other criteria.

For first-home buyers who have been contributing to KiwiSaver for at least three years, a First Home Grant may be an option. The amount available doubles if you’re looking to buy a new build. First Home Loans underwritten by Kāinga Ora can reduce your required deposit to as low as 5%.

Once you’ve rounded up your options, determine the viability of the plans offered and decide from there. Online tools like Westpac’s mortgage calculator can help weigh your options and come to a decision about the best way to finance your home.

6) Increase your earning potential

While saving money is essential, you can only do so much with your current income. If you want to make a real dent in your savings goals, you’ll need to find ways to increase your earning potential.

If changing your full-time job is out of the picture, there are still several ways to bring in extra cash. You can start freelancing on the side, take on a part-time job, or even start a small business.

Whatever route you decide to take, be sure to factor in the additional income when creating your budget and savings. This way, you can make the most of your new earnings and get one step closer to achieving your homeownership goals.

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

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Kidspot Creators Opportunities

Posted on 12/07/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Please complete the form below if you have been invited to apply for a Kidspot Creators opportunity.

If you are selected as a reviewer you will receive an email from us to confirm.

Optional: To help us create more opportunities and match you to opportunities you may be interested in, we are asking that you also please create a Creator profile. Click on over to this page and fill in all the details if you haven’t done so already.

Understanding Fertility And Conception

Posted on 07/07/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

We all know how reproduction works, right? The birds and the bees and the trees and the … leaves … Seriously though, even when you know how to get pregnant, it’s not always straightforward. There are intricacies that you might not know about.

In a perfect world, a healthy, fertile couple has about a 30% chance of conception during each menstrual cycle. Around three-quarters of couples will get pregnant within six months of trying and about 90% will get pregnant within one year.* However, there are so many factors that can affect fertility and conception that it could easily take that “normal” couple up to a year to get pregnant. Don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns you may have with your GP.

Fully understanding how your body works (and your partner’s) in regards to fertility and conception may help your chances of conceiving.

It all starts with an egg

The fertile phase of the menstrual cycle represents the best time for conception. At the beginning of the fertile phase, an egg starts to mature in an ovary, activating the release of the oestrogen hormone and the thickening of the uterus lining. Around 3-5 days later, the egg is released into the fallopian tube (ovulation). Your window of opportunity for conception lasts about six days, ie up to five days before ovulation plus the day you ovulate.¹

The egg is fertile for only about 24 hours after release but sperm can survive for several days, so it’s best to get the swimmers in there ready for action in the days before the egg’s release – unless you have impeccable timing of course!

Ovulation

Pinpointing the timing of ovulation is not an easy science. Every menstrual cycle is different and often cycles simply don’t seem to follow a set pattern. Kidspot’s ovulation calculator can help you determine your ovulation date. Keep a note of the first day of your period and over a few months, you will be able to work out an average cycle length to give you an idea of when ovulation occurs. Generally, ovulation occurs about 14 days before your next period is due to start (plus or minus a couple of days).

Cycle examples²:

In a 28 day cycle, you will release an egg sometime around day 14. The fertile phase will be around days 9 to 15.
In a 26 day cycle, you will release an egg sometime around day 12. The fertile phase will be around days 7 to 13.
In a 35 day cycle, you will release an egg sometime around day 21. The fertile phase will be around days 16 to 22.

Changes you might notice

Mucus

Just before ovulation, estrogen levels are at their highest and the uterus and cervix begin producing a special mucus that helps to protect the sperm survive for up to five days in the woman’s body and transport the sperm to the fallopian tubes. Getting to know how your cervical mucus changes during your menstrual cycle can help you predict ovulation.

Before ovulation, you’ll likely notice very little mucus and what there is will tend to be thick and opaque. Approaching ovulation, mucus will increase and become creamy in colour. Around ovulation, the increased mucus will likely be thin, clear and stretchy (referred to by many women as being like egg white). After ovulation, mucus returns to being thick and opaque again.³

Just as unpredictable as your cycle, the amount of mucus your body produces (and that you notice) can differ from person to person.

Temperature

Ovulation may cause a slight increase in your resting body temperature that lasts for at least three days. The temperature rise is usually about 0.2 to 0.4^o Celsius and may last until just before your next period.

Keeping a record of your temperature at the same time each day for a few months can help to show these fluctuations. Using a digital thermometer will give you better accuracy. Try to take your temperature in the morning before you get out of bed. This record can help you predict when ovulation occurs within your cycle so that you can time having sex just prior to the rise in future months because you are most fertile in the few days prior to ovulation/slight increase in temperature.⁴

Other signs

Some other signs of ovulation that have been reported include lower abdominal, pelvic or back discomfort, tender breasts, and bloating.⁵

References

* https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-pregnant
¹ https://nationalwomenshealth.adhb.govt.nz/womens-health-information/fertility/timing-for-conception/
² https://nationalwomenshealth.adhb.govt.nz/womens-health-information/fertility/timing-for-conception/
³ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323503#fertile-discharge
⁴ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/basal-body-temperature/about/pac-20393026
⁵ https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/ovulation-symptoms#ovulation-tests

This article was written by Kidspot NZ

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Family Review: Kiwiherb Children’s Goodnight Chest Syrup

Posted on 01/07/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Promotion for Kiwiherb

Hearing your child cough through the night can fill parents with dread during the winter months. Kiwiherb’s new Children’s Goodnight Chest Syrup works to soothe your little one’s airways all night for a well-rested household.

While administering liquid herbs can be challenging, especially when your child is reluctant to take medicines, Kiwiherb has been working hard on creating flavours with kids in mind. We gave Hayley, mum of two, the opportunity to try out a winter wellness duo from the Kiwiherb range including the new night-time chest syrup. Read Hayley’s review of these products below.

Kiwiherb Children’s Goodnight Chest Syrup

Children’s Goodnight Chest Syrup soothes tickly airways to support your child’s easy breathing and aid in a restful night’s sleep. It works to calm the cycle of repeated night-time chest agitation to help the body restore and recover.

Wild cherry and passionflower work to support restful sleep
Hyssop, thyme and marshmallow combine to support clearing mucus from airways
Supports clearing lung mucus
Supports restful and restorative sleep

Kiwiherb Organic De-Stuff For Kids

Organic De-Stuff for Kids helps to “de-stuff” the nose and head. The natural herbal ingredients, organic elderflower, ribwort and echinacea root, work to support clear airways and helps loosen mucus to support easy breathing in children. With a base of organic apple juice, and natural peppermint and orange oil, this is specifically formulated to taste great.

Supports upper respiratory health
Ear, nasal and sinus support
Echinacea also provides systemic immune support
Convenient liquid formulation
Sweet peppermint taste
BioGro certified organic formula
Suitable for children and also available for adults

All Kiwiherb products are suitable to take from 0+ years.

Kiwiherb to the rescue!

Thank you for the opportunity to trial these fantastic products! We have purchased Kiwiherb before and really enjoyed their products so it was great to have them to use on both my children. Ivy is 10 months old and Ruby will be 3 years old next month.

Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of sickness in our household recently (flu, colds and gastro!) thanks to daycare bugs, so these products couldn’t have come at a better time.

Kiwiherb Children's Goodnight Chest Syrup

Clearing congestion

Children’s Goodnight Chest Syrup is a fantastic product from Kiwiherb which we used when our girls had coughs as it assisted them in clearing chesty, blocked mucus.

This is a product I would purchase again, mainly because it is safe to use for younger children. It makes it a lot easier when you have a product that you can use for both children regardless of their age – thank you Kiwiherb!

The Children’s Goodnight Chest Syrup was really easy to administer to the kids as it came with an easy applicator and the girls seemed to like the taste of it. Certainly easier than some other cough syrups or wellness tonics, no bribery required! It did seem to aid sleep during illness by helping to clear congestion too.

Find out more about Children’s Goodnight Chest Syrup

De-stuffed

Organic De-Stuff for Kids is a product we’ve purchased before and will purchase again because it is easy to administer, both my girls loved the taste and I feel comfortable using something frequently that I know is safe for Ivy who is under 12 months (which is very hard to find!).

This product is great to help with nasal congestion in particular and helped to clear my girls’ noses when they were stuffy. I actually ended up using it myself while I had the flu and found it gentle and tasty!

The liquid form makes it very easy to use and importantly, easy to measure the dosage.

Hayley

Find out more about Organic De-Stuff For Kids

Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your health professional.

The Kiwiherb range is available from your local pharmacy, health store, and online. For more information, visit kiwiherb.co.nz.

The reviewer was provided with Kiwiherb products for the purpose of the review. Views are those of the reviewers.

This article contains additional information supplied by Kiwiherb.

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Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson | Kids Book Review

Posted on 27/06/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Sponsored content

From bestselling author Terri Libenson, Remarkably Ruby is a story about how there’s more to everyone than meets the eye.

Pride. Popularity … Poetry? Middle school.

Ruby and Mia are total opposites. Ruby is a little awkward, not a “joiner,” and loves to write poetry. While Mia is type A, popular(ish), and wants to be class prez.

They used to be friends. But now they have nothing in common anymore … Or do they?

Don’t miss the rest of the Emmie & Friends series: Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzy, Just Jaime, Becoming Brianna, Truly Tyler, and You-Niquely You: An Emmie & Friends Interactive Journal!

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Remarkably Ruby below

Book reviews from Ellen (13) and James (10)

I loved Remarkably Ruby because of the bright colours, and that it was a graphic novel. Because I LOVE reading graphic novels! I loved how there were two perspectives of people in middle school, and that they were really different. One was quite popular and the other one a bit quiet, with only a couple of friends. I love how you get to meet students from other books in this series that Terri Libenson has written.

This book made me feel like I was there at the middle school learning all the drama, gossiping with friends “BESTIES!”, and new relationships like bonding friendships and crushes. This book shows what happens in a lot of schools with all the different types of students.

Thank you Kidspot for letting me read this fabulous book. I loved it so much I feel like going and buying another one from a book store! Thank you again for giving me the pleasure of reading this book and I hope to do this again.

Ellen

Remarkably Ruby is a very good book and very interesting. The thing I liked was that it was from two points of view. I give it 10 out of 10. It has made me want to read the whole series. This should probably be for 10 – 12year olds, and you should definitely get it!

James

Book review from Bella, aged 13

Remarkably Ruby is about two girls who are total opposites. One is called Ruby and she loves poetry and is a little awkward. The other is called Mia and she is popular(ish) and is running for class president. These two used to be best friends but now they have nothing in common … or do they? Through a poetry club, talent show and election these two girls will go through a lot and have many difficult problems all while trying to survive middle school. Will they be able to overcome their challenges?

Overall Remarkably Ruby was a great book. It was an easy read and it was fully illustrated in a fun art style. I really liked the plot line and it was very interesting. It also felt very real and you could really relate to the characters and story. Although I would recommend it for younger readers, overall it was a great read!

Book review from Holly, aged 11

The book Remarkably Ruby is about two old friends Ruby and Mia, who grew apart over the years. Now they have absolutely nothing in common anymore. Or at least that’s what it seems like, but sometimes people can surprise you. A little bit of both of them wants to be friends again, but that’s easier said than done …

The story made me laugh so much and Ruby is such a quirky and relatable character. Ruby is a girl with such an amazing personality that is unfortunately hidden beneath her shyness. She is the type of girl I would love to get to know and be friends with!

Ruby and Mia’s relationship is definitely something a lot of people can relate to, and I think having a book about it will definitely help people who are struggling with friendships. Both Ruby and Mia are such cool characters, and I like to see their different interests!

I think the age group this book is aimed at is any age from eight to twelve, and even someone a bit older might still enjoy it, as long as they are happy to read something easy. I would one hundred per cent recommend this book to anyone looking for something fun and uplifting to read.

Book review from Abby, aged 12

This book follows Ruby, an awkward, shy 12-year-old girl as she navigates the struggle of middle school. Her POV, alternates with Mia’s, a popular, type A girl running for class president. This book is about them and their own struggles as they rebuild their old friendship.

I would say this book is for children aged 8-12 as it is an easy read. It also has a lot of funny, interesting illustrations that follow the story. Some of this book was repetitive but overall, I really enjoyed it as a fast, fun read. I rate it 7/10.

Book review from Maggie, aged 12

Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson is about a wonderful colourful character called Ruby. She became really tall from 4th grade and didn’t really fit in with other kids at school in terms of her height and the way she was. Her job at home was watering all the pot plants and she has a cat called Buford. Her and her mother look very alike. Her mother is a sculptor. She bravely copes with a medical condition called Irritable Bowel Syndrome, in an unforgiving school environment.

Ruby seems to be out of step with all her peers. However, Ruby likes poetry and helps start up a poetry club at her school. She wants to read a poem at the school talent show.

Another girl Mia pops up all along in the book. There are lots of intriguing issues around elections, friends and poetry.

I really enjoyed the format of the book, the different sections about Mia and the subjects. I believe the book celebrates those that are different and puts the spotlight on those that are not so kind in the school system. Ruby is witty and unique and I think everyone can see some of her in themselves.

Book review from Charlie, aged 12

Mia and Ruby used to be friends but now they aren’t. They are both different, Mia is running for class president and Ruby loves to write poems. Mia is confident and has lots of friends supporting her in becoming class president but maybe she’s forgetting what’s important. Ruby is quite shy but when she gets the opportunity to join a poetry club, everything changes for her.

I would definitely recommend this book because you want to find out what happens to both Mia and Ruby. The characters in the book are interesting, fun and have many different attributes, which although it makes the girls different it makes them both special in their own way.

The book tells the story through each of the girls eyes, swapping between the two the whole way through until the end when their stories come together. There are so many different problems and things that happen in the book that it keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next. It creates suspense which makes you want to keep reading.

After reading it, I gave it to my 10 year old sister who has read other books in this series. She loved that all the books have characters from each of the other books in the series. I enjoyed the story, however I think the book is more aimed at my sister’s age.

Grab your copy of Remarkably Ruby now!

I really liked the relatability of the main characters and without giving anything away, there’s a totally unexpected plot twist at the end. I also like how the illustrations are similar to each of the girls. Ruby’s illustrations are quite plain and Mia’s are very bold and colourful.

This is the first book I have read from Terri Libenson, but I found out Remarkably Ruby is the sixth book in a series called Emmie and Friends. I would give this book 10 out of 10! I enjoyed it so much that I have issued 4 of the other books from the library and I’m currently reading Becoming Brianna.

Sarah, aged 12.

What I liked: I liked how Ruby got more and more confident as she makes more and more friends and invites people to the Poetry club. I also was pleased when Ruby and Mia became friends again. Also, once they have rebuilt their friendship, how they encouraged each other in specific areas.
What wasn’t my favourite: All the romance stuff; it just isn’t necessary because it doesn’t add to the story in my opinion. Another thing that doesn’t quite fit, is how the school is American, so I can’t really make links to my school.

Remarkably Ruby isn’t the type of book I normally read, because graphics aren’t my favourite, but I think some people in my class would enjoy it.

Kaitly, aged 11

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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Rise Of The School For Good And Evil | Kids Book Review

Posted on 27/06/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

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The battle between Good and Evil begins in Rise of the School for Good and Evil. Go back in time to the beginning and uncover the never-before-told events leading up to Sophie and Agatha’s dramatic arrival and the beginning of their epic fairy tale.

Two brothers. One Good. One Evil.

Together, they watch over the Endless Woods. Together, they choose the students for the School for Good and Evil. Together they train them, teach them, and prepare them for their fate. Then, something happens. Something that will change everything and everyone. Who will survive? Who will rule the School?

The journey starts here. With magic, surprises and daring deeds at every turn, courage and loyalty will be put to the test, only to lead you to the very beginning of the adventures that are The School for Good and Evil.

The School for Good and Evil will soon be a major motion picture from Netflix – starring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Sofia Wylie, Sophie Anne Caruso, Jamie Flatters, Earl Cave, Kit Young and more!

Take a look at the reviews from our Young Readers for Rise of the School for Good and Evil below

Book review from Jonathan, aged 13

Rise of the School for Good and Evil is a book with many characters. It takes you to another world, similar to Harry Potter and Morrigan Crow. It has magic, betrayal, love and mystery. With a compelling storyline and interesting characters galore, it is a great book, with few flaws. The book puts you straight into the action, and around 5 chapters in gives you a hint of mystery and shows that there are a lot of unsolved secrets in this world. As you go through the book, you can learn about a whole other world, and you see a lot of battles over being the better side – good or evil.

The book is about 2 twin brothers, one for good and one for evil. They live in one school and teach Evers (good people) and Nevers (bad people) the ways of good and evil. At the start there is little separation, but as the events of the book unfold, there becomes separation and discord between the two polar opposites. The main character at the start of the book is a mixture of both, sure to upset the balance between the two. There is also a future-telling pen that writes stories about students and teachers. Throughout the book, you travel to many different places in this magical world, and although a lot is going on at a time, you will have a great time reading it.

Book review from Ciara, aged 13

Rise of the School for Good and Evil is the prequel to the series The School for Good and Evil.

I really enjoyed this book, and I found that it lined up very well with the information given in the rest of the series. There weren’t any little things that just didn’t match; this book tells the story of what happened around a century before the rest of the books.

This book is better suited for older kids as it is a bit more grown-up – there is some violence, like in the later books, but it has some great language and is very exciting. I liked the story and there are some great plot twists which I can’t tell you about, you’ll just have to read it!

The characters are very realistic and fun. There are a lot of funny bits in this book and some very good irony. It is a decent-sized book and took me around 2 days to read. There are a lot of good scenes in this book and you can see everything happening (things are well-described). Overall, I really liked this book and I would recommend it for kids aged 9+ who have enjoyed the rest of the series. would definitely read this one after the earlier books, even though it takes place before.

Book review from Lydia, aged 12

Rafal and Rhian are twins, picked by the Storian to be the new school masters. One for good, one for evil. They pick the students for their school. They train them, teach them, and get them ready for their future. The only thing that keeps the schoolmasters teeenagers and keeps them from getting hurt is their love for each other. If they betray each other the magic is lost.

One day a student changes it all, this student is Aladdin. He steals, tricks, and so much more. When he gets picked for the school both school masters expect him to be evil, but instead, the bird that carried him flies right over evil and plants him in good. The schoolmasters are confused. The Storian must have made a mistake.

After Aladdin joins the school chaos is made, people leave, new people join, and there is lots of betrayal. The school has changed forever.

I think it’s a really good book, and I enjoyed reading it. ★★★★★ – five stars a very good book!

Book review from Fin, aged 10

Rise of the School for Good and Evil is a book about two twin brothers who were given immortality by a magical pen named the storian. To keep their immortality the brothers’ love was not allowed to fall and they had to be loyal to each other.

The two brothers Rafal and Rhian are both headmasters of a school for good and evil. The School teaches pupils how to be heroes and villains. A new kid came to the school. The brothers thought he would be chosen by the storain to be in the school for evil but was put in the good school. This started an argument between the brothers that led to war, betrayal and [spoiler].

The story didn’t start as I thought it would. The brothers were only introduced part way through. I found this a bit confusing and have since found out that this book is a prequel. If I had read the original book first this book may have made more sense faster.

I would recommend this book for children a little older than me and I would definitely suggest reading the original book first.

Book review from Olliver, aged 12

I am a 12-year-old boy who loves to read and found this book kept my attention as the story was intriguing. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and will look to see what other novels he has written to see how they compare.

The general storyline is that there is one school with two masters, Rhian and Rafal the twins, who stay immortal as long as they love each other. This all changes when the magical pen – the Storian- starts favouring Good in its fairy tales. When Rafal finally loses a bet with his brother Rhian over the fate of a student, he gets so mad he leaves the school.

Upon his departure, Rhian, the good schoolmaster, gets so annoyed he builds a new glass castle and hires a new schoolmaster for evil – Vulcan – who shows off so much and makes so many changes that the students start favouring him. Rafal ends up going on a quest with a young pirate, James Hook. And that is all that I can share, as you will have to read the story to find out what happens in the end.

Book review from Kyra, aged 9

This book is about two school masters Rafal and Rhian, who are brothers. Rhian leads the school of the good and Rafal leads the school of the evil, teaching their students magic. They both think that a young student Aladdin, has been placed in the wrong school. This book also tells the story of Aladdin and his journey to find out if he really is good or evil. Everything that happens next, is really unexpected.

After reading this book, I am very interested to read the other books in this series and find out more. I really liked the way that this story was written, everything had really good descriptions and I could picture it all in my head like a movie. I would recommend this book to people who like magic and adventure stories.

Grab your copy of Rise of the School for Good and Evil now!

I was really excited to read this book because I love reading new books and stories. I found the length of the chapters a good size and not too long and I also loved the characters, especially my favourite princess Kyma.

The story was very descriptive and I was easily able to understand what was happening. There were parts that were a bit romantic and also lots of fantasy, which I love. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and look forward to seeing what other books this author has written.

Grace, aged 11.

This book is mainly about two brothers, one good and one evil and they choose students for their school. Something happens which means things will never be the same again. There are some Disney characters in the story like Captain Hook and Aladdin.

I found this book really intriguing. It was a bit slow at the start, but once I got into it, it got more interesting.

Saskia, aged 10.

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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5 Interesting Student Research Topics For Kids

Posted on 21/06/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

Guest blog

The benefits of research projects for kids are numerous. Research assignments help kids practice thinking and working independently. Topics are easy to set provided you’re familiar with things kids love.

Regardless of their studies, you will always find it comfortable if you allow the kids to suggest various topics they’re interested in. That means they’ll enjoy writing part of the research project because they’re conversant with something they’re working on. Here are five interesting student research topics for kids.

Tip for teachers: Ask for help with research paper topics

Coming up with great research paper topics is a time-consuming process that’s often tiresome, especially when you have several kids in the class. Still, you must prepare the topic well and ensure that you guide the students on what they should write about. You can seek professional help from the research paper writers on the Edubirdie site. The site professionals will help you create relevant topics for your students. This way, you will get great topics that are unique for the research paper writing.

Scientists and inventors

This is a fascinating and vast student research topic for the kids to get stuck into. Kids aspire to become great people in society, so they’ll be interested to learn about the great scientists and inventors who have made life easy on Earth.

The number of inventors that students can research is endless. Every invention you see around you was brought into existence by an inventor or scientist. That means you’ll have plenty of topics to choose from. The best idea is to assign the kids a particular inventor and tell them to write about their life, work, and achievements they made in life. Alternatively, ask them to research a specific invention.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Currently, news about extreme weather and natural disasters in different parts of the world is rampant. That’s primarily due to climate change and other forces of nature. That’s why extreme weather and natural disasters can make a good research topic for kids. This may include earthquakes, fire outbreaks, tornadoes, blizzards, and hurricanes.

Research into extreme weather and natural disasters can help students be more aware of what’s happening worldwide.

Kids classroom photo created by pch.vector – www.freepik.com

Cultural celebrations and holidays around the world

Cultural celebrations and holidays worldwide are a great research topic for kids to write a research paper on. Most kids have engaged in different, interesting activities during these celebrations, so this will be a great research topic for students.

There are lots of holidays around the world that are celebrated differently. Each culture has unique traditions and festivals for a specific holiday.

Dinosaurs

Kids love watching movies with dinosaurs (just like they love movies with dragon characters). That’s what makes them a great research topic for the students. There are lots of sub-topics related to dinosaurs that the kids can delve into. The students can research factors that led to their extinction, history, or present-day archaeology. The student can choose a specific dinosaur to cover in their research paper. Here, the student will be responsible for finding out their genetic makeup, hunting techniques, their diet, and their natural habitat.

The solar system

This is among the easiest research topics your students can cover while doing their research. Kids like fascinating facts about outer space, and there is a range of topics that each of the kids can cover in their essays.

The student can choose one of the solar system’s planets or a broader topic. This will get them to do in-depth research about the solar system and all the heavenly bodies associated with it. You can opt for space-themed topics like the moon, the existence of aliens, the planet Pluto or the history of space travel.

Conclusion

There are lots of exciting research topics that students can cover in their research projects. Each topic mentioned above is a great option that you can consider as you can get as many themed topics as possible. The wider the topic, the more the number of sub-topics to write about; hence, the students will explore different options that will enrich their understanding.

This article is a guest contribution, written by James Collins and edited by Kidspot

Author’s bio

James Collins believes in living life the easy way. He achieves that for himself by travelling the world, working as a freelancer and helping students in doing their academic papers, including essays, term papers and homework. He plans to travel to every country in the process. He loves watching NBA, swimming and coaching students on writing.

Main image credit: Student kids photo created by pressfoto – www.freepik.com

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Key Vitamins & Minerals For Baby During Pregnancy

Posted on 20/06/202216/05/2026 by Julie Lankow

The saying “eating for two” is often a source of light-hearted ribbing during pregnancy. But did you know that the recommended dietary intake of some nutrients actually increases by up to 50% when you’re pregnant¹?

Eating the right foods with all those extra vitamins and minerals can be a challenge, especially when you may also be dealing with morning sickness, loss of appetite, tiredness, or cravings – not to mention being busy preparing for your little one’s arrival.

To help you navigate this time, we look at some of the key vitamins and minerals that are important for the healthy development of your baby.

Folic acid (folate)

Folic acid is one of the most important nutrients that your body needs in early pregnancy. It aids the body in making new cells and can help to prevent neural tube defects that affect a baby’s brain and spine.

Sources of folate include:

Green leafy vegetables
Citrus fruits
Berries
Bananas
Some cereals and bread

Ensuring you have a good store of folate at the time of conception and during those key first months of pregnancy can be hard to maintain through food alone. So if you’re planning on getting pregnant, it’s advisable to take a folic acid supplement before you get pregnant and through to 12 weeks after becoming pregnant².

Iodine

Pregnancy increases your need for iodine because it is an essential nutrient for the growth and normal development of your baby’s brain and nervous system.

During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, it is recommended to include foods that are high in iodine in your diet and take an iodine-containing supplement to support the needs of your developing baby².

Foods that are high in iodine include:

Seafood (ensure it is well cooked)
Milk
Eggs
Some cereals and bread

Vitamin D

The warmth of the sun isn’t just good for our souls! Vitamin D is an essential nutrient during pregnancy for bone, teeth and muscle development as it helps your body to absorb calcium. Vitamin D also assists in the function of our immune system and cell development.

Our usual source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight (while staying sun safe) but that is not always possible due to climate, location, health, and circumstance. Some foods also contain vitamin D but supplements are available for those at risk of deficiency.

Other important vitamins & minerals

Iron – Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue for the mother-to-be and in severe cases may result in low birthweight, pre-term birth or poor development. Sources of iron include red meat, fish, chicken, leafy green vegetables, legumes, enriched cereals. It is important not to exceed the recommended intake of iron as too much can cause health issues.
Vitamin C – To help in the absorption of iron. Sources include a variety of fruit and vegetables.
Calcium – For bone development and health. Sources include milk and dairy products, nuts, tinned bony fish (ie salmon), and dried apricots, dates and prunes.
Vitamin B12 – For blood and nerve function. Sources include meat and other animal products, plus fortified foods like breakfast cereals, non-dairy milk and Marmite.

References:
¹National Library of Medicine: Maternal Diet and Nutrient Requirements in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. An Italian Consensus Document, October 2014
² Ministry of Health NZ: Helpful advice during pregnancy – Folic acid, iodine and vitamin D, July 2018
³ IQVIA NAT Scan Sales MAT April 2022

Written by Kidspot NZ.

Sources include: New Zealand Ministry of Health, Health Navigator New Zealand, Elevit

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

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

For further information, see the full Silk range.

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Photos from our reviewers

Reviewer notes

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

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

Book review from Ellen, aged 13

Book review from Ashling, 12

Book review from Tomas, aged 9

Book review from Jonathan, 13

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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.

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

Book review from Kaitlyn, aged 11

Book review from Fin, aged 10

Book review from Leo, aged 8.5

Book review from Grace, aged 12

Book review from Olliver, aged 12

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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.

Why sugar is the enemy

Acidic foods can cause tooth erosion

The danger of too much fluoride

Sticky foods are also to blame

Do not let them chew ice

Good oral hygiene saves the day

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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.

North Island road trips

Auckland to Wellington via Taupo

Auckland to Napier

Auckland to New Plymouth via Forgotten Highway

South Island road trips

Alpine lakes to glaciers

Christchurch to Nelson loop

Christchurch to Queenstown via Dunedin

The new Haval H6

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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!

Try kayaking

Mum-approved skydiving

Dig this!

Glide on a zip line

Experience the passion of the All Blacks

Get on your bike

Take the wheel

Try your hand at curling

See more

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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.

Fush and chups

Kaimoana

Perfect peanut butter

Cultural feasts

Country cafe

World-famous in New Zealand

Cookie monsters

Bakery treats

Fish & chips with a view

Play at the prawn park

Dine like a Hobbit

See more

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

Fun family experiences

Free family activities

Family friendly eateries

Where to stay

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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.

Getting there

Getting around

Day 1