Sometimes it feels like they only just went BACK to school, yet here we are again, getting ready for a new set of school holidays.
No matter the weather, we’ve gathered some of our tried and tested family favourite crafts and activities to keep the kids busy in-and-out of the house, please you’ll also be able to see what is happening around the nation these holidays and find more fun ideas in our Parenting Directory.
Rotorua Canopy Tours
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In cinemas September 12
In cinemas September 19
In cinemas September 26
In cinemas October 10
Spooky School Holiday Activities
Location: Auckland
When: 28th September – 13 October 2019 plus all weekends until 3 November 2019
Cost: FREE with usual park entry
Kids of all ages will love Spooky School Holidays at Rainbow’s End, with rides, entertainment, haunted attraction Manic Manor for the older kids, and Tricks and Treats for the little ones.
See you at Rainbow’s End, 2 Clist Crescent, Manukau!
Mr McGee and the Biting Flea
Location: Wellington & Paraparaumu
When: 28-29 Sept (Paraparaumu) 2-11 (Wellington)
Cost: $10 (under 2 free)
Patch Theatre Company’s mesmerising theatre show ‘Mr McGee and the Biting Flea’ based on the books by popular NZ children’s author Pamela Allen is coming to Wellington’s Hannah Playhouse 2-11 October and Southward Theatre in Paraparaumu on 28 and 29 September.
Get creative at Paint the Earth
Location: Auckland
When: 28 September – 13 October 2019
Cost: from $20/item
Open every day during the school holidays for the kids to create a special keepsake masterpiece. We have a huge range of figurines and plates to choose from including amazing new Halloween and Christmas stock.
Kids Go Free on selected Real Journeys experiences
Location: Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Stewart Island
When: 28 September – 13 October 2019
Cost: Free for maximum two children (up to 18 years) per full fare-paying adult.
Looking for things to do with your kids on holiday? Real Journeys offers a range of family-friendly activities in Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, plus Stewart Island.
- Cruise Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu on our vintage steamship – the TSS
Earnslaw. - Visit Walter Peak High Country Farm and get up close to sheep, alpaca and
more. - Experience the natural wonder of Milford Sound or travel via catamaran to
enchanting Stewart Island. - Step into the magical world within the incredible Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
Tech Time at Capital E
Location: Wellington
When: 4 to 11 October 2019
Cost: See ticket prices online
October School holidays are a blast with heap of fun and exciting activities to ignite the creative spark in your tamariki!
From inventing something the world needs, to the highly interactive Tech time! Or Digital Day, where you design a 3 d game, to
our Wear your Imagination workshop!
Roll up! Roll up to Cirque du Play at Capital E!
Location: Wellington
When: 27 May – 14 November 2019
Cost: Free
Experience spectacle, shadow play, kinetic mobiles and sculptures to play with in this new installation, inspired by artist Alexander Calder. Contemporary, fun and bold, Cirque du Play lets your child be the Ringleader of their own curious circus!
Colour-in the sky at the Sky Tower these holidays!
Location: Auckland
When: 28 September – 13 October 2019
Cost: FREE *Normal Sky Tower admission applies.
Make your mark on the world’s highest colouring wall! Join us for the school holidays as the Sky Tower unveils its giant 6.5-metre-long colouring wall, 186 metres above the ground!
Where else can you colour on the walls? #colourinthesky
T&Cs apply.
Exciting School Holiday Programme @ YMCA Ellerslie
Location: Auckland
When: 28 September – 13 October 2019
Cost: $48 – $62 per day
The Ellerslie YMCA holiday programme is jam-packed with activities for kids. One day children could be tackling a rock climbing wall, and the next, they could be skating or jumping and tumbling at gymnastics.
See you at 46 Michael’s Ave, Ellerslie, Auckland.
Solve the MOTAT Mystery
Location: Auckland
When: 28 September – 13 October 2019
Cost: Included in normal MOTAT admission fee
Come and solve the MOTAT Mystery these school holidays – who took the Golden Macguffin? – and learn about forensic scientific methods used to decipher clues and scrutinise evidence in an investigation!
Your young investigators will use these to solve the case and earn their MOTAT Detective Badge.
Take your family on the adventure of a lifetime this spring
Location: Rotorua
When: 1 September – 31 November 2019
Cost: 40% off kids tickets this spring
Soar through the trees and experience New Zealand’s ancient forest in this unforgettable family adventure. The Original Canopy Tour is the perfect mix of fun and education that will have the kids and even grandma raving! North Island’s #1 outdoor activity on TripAdvisor, the Original Tour is is an eco-adventure like no other where you explore ancient native forest on a network of ziplines and swing bridges.
Celebrating 50 years of ‘A Lion in the Meadow’
Cost: FREE
The little boy said, “Mother, there is a lion in the meadow.”
The mother said, “Nonsense, little boy.”
Do you think there is a lion in the meadow? Award-winning author Margaret Mahy’s delightful story of truth and imagination, A Lion in the Meadow’ is a classic tale for every child, illustrated charmingly by Jenny Williams. These holidays you can download & print lion ears and tail for the kids to colour and wear!
Family Activities Directory
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Family Holidays and Travel Directory
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School Holidays Directory
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