Entertainment
The first term of the year is coming to an end. It’s time to start thinking about entertainment ideas to keep those busy little bodies and minds occupied during the break and into the winter. We’ve put together some fun options to get you started. Have a happy and safe Easter!
Auckland Museum
Intrepid Explorer – Finding the Guvnor’s Gifts!
MON 9 – FRI 20 APR
SESSIONS EVERY WEEKDAY 10.30AM, 11.30AM, 1PM & 2PM, $5
It’s not every day you get to attend a 200th birthday – join us to celebrate what would have been Sir George Grey’s 200th birthday. Sir George was a governor and premier of New Zealand and he was also a collector of amazing artefacts. Many of his treasures are in our Museum, but where are they? Don a pith helmet, some binoculars and join us we seek out his treasures using a newly discovered map. Help Maxxie von Riksen, intrepid explorer to follow the clues, complete the tasks and avoid the pitfalls to find these great gifts. All adventurers will be rewarded for their efforts.
Approx. 40 mins. Suitable for ages 6 years and up. Numbers are limited. Bookings recommended. Meet in the Atrium beside the Conservation windows.
Keeping a Nature Journal
APR 14 & APR 21, 1 – 5PM
Weird & Wonderful and Museum galleries, $20, Members $15
Learn how to use a nature journal with Sensational Survivors author Sandra Morris. The workshop begins in Weird & Wonderful viewing journal samples and practicing drawing and recording techniques with specimens from our collections. After you’ve honed your drawing skills you’ll get the chance to try them out on an adventure around the Museum galleries – record what you see in your own journal with sketches and text. Bookings required. Suitable for children 8 years and over.
Weird and Wonderful Picture Books
MON & TUE, APR 9 & 10, 10.30AM – 12.30PM
MON & TUE, APR 16 & 17, 10.30AM – 12.30PM
Two-day workshops: $15
Throughout history animals have walked through the pages of children’s literature, from Jemima Puddle Duck to Mother Goose all the way through to the Little Red Hen! Join Nina Rycroft & Sandra Morris for this Weird & Wonderful illustration workshop and learn how to transform specimens from our collections into a picture book character that can walk, run, dance and leap right off the page! Bookings required. Suitable for children 8 years and over.
Kids Safari Toddler Programme
EVERY WEDNESDAY, 10.00AM – 10.45AM
Kids Safari is a fun, interactive storytelling experience for toddlers. The ‘Safari’ will include storytelling, drama, music & craft. Activities will engage little ones in a fun-filled and imaginative learning experience, taking them on a bumper mission through the gallery and getting up close with some of our Weird & Wonderful specimens! Gold coin.
Weird & Wonderful creative creatures
EVERY WEEKEND, 10.30AM – 12PM & 1.30 – 3PM
Whether it’s a centipede, millipede, dragonfly or moth, join us in Weird & Wonderful to create some crafty, crawly, flitting creatures and then open the drawers in this hands-on kids space to discover the real thing! Lots of fun – and plenty of facts – for children of all ages. Gold coin.
YMCA Auckland holiday programmes
YMCA offer holiday daily programmes as well as camps for children of all ages and abilities. Great value for money, well trained staff and venues all over Auckland. Bookings essential at www.ymcaauckland.org.nz.
Crystal Mountain
Birthday parties are a specialty at Crystal Mountain, so make your child’s day by planning their party with the receptionist today. Meet the loveable animals and have fun on the activities. Phone 09-833-5033, www.crystalmountain.co.nz.
The Bead Hold
The Bead Hold is Auckland’s largest bead shop providing top quality beads, tools, books and beading classes. Visit 161 Point Chevalier Road, Auckland, Monday-Friday 9.30am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm. www.beadhold.co.nz.
Waitomo Caves (Ruakuri Caves) 6-22 April
Hunt for Easter eggs, meet glowworms or simply explore with Cave Kids! Adults not required (except with those under age eight), so relax with a coffee or see more of Waitomo Caves, just two and a half hours from Auckland. Supervised tours 2pm daily. Children $30 (includes lunch), adults $67. Phone 0800-782-5874 or visit www.waitomo.com.
Holiday specials
The Bead Hold
What a great boredom buster this winter – beading classes at the Bead Hold in Point Chevalier. From ages five up. For full details and bookings phone 09-845-1345, www.thebeadhold.co.nz.
Auckland Museum holiday special
Be in to win an iPod touch by playing detective and solving the mystery of who poisoned and murdered scientist Felix Spicer! Open daily in the special exhibition hall, $5, under threes free. www.aucklandmuseum.com.
Artz on Show 10—20 April
Artz on Show, a performing arts company for children, provides workshops for children aged five to 15. Workshops: Epsom and Botany, 10-13 April and Hamilton and the North Shore, 16-20 April. Theme is outer space. Bookings www.artzonshow.co.nz.
Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition, 11-15 April
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Meridian Season of Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition – a production for the younger audience in mind – will be in Auckland 11-13 April, Takapuna 15 April. Bookings www.nzballet.org.nz.
Playhouse Theatre Incorporated 14-28 April
Playhouse Theatre presents Are You Being Served – a classic, crazy comedy.
At 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden. Bookings taken now on 09-361-1000 or www.iticket.co.nz.
Compiled by Lee Keenan
