Schools Out - Spring 2015

SPRING 2015

Spring Fever

Travelling With Children

Calling all superheroes, princesses and movie buffs to Movieland in the Sky Tower these school holidays.

Play in the world’s highest ball pit – the ‘popcorn pit’. * Check out the Movieland exhibit and guess which movie each prop is from.

Each child receives a complimentary popcorn and a Movieland balloon.

Plus there are plenty of chances to WIN great prizes.

Sky Tower admission fees apply. Full terms and conditions for the competitions (including prize and entry details) are available at skytower.co.nz.

One complimentary popcorn and balloon per child (14 years and younger). *For children aged three years and over who are accompanied and supervised by an adult.

SKYA6666

Open 10am–3pm daily, 26 September –11 October 2015 Visit skytower.co.nz for more details

3

Welcome

M

ore and more of our institutions are realising that school holidays are a great opportunity to market themselves and improve their visitor numbers in a competitive market. And these holidays are no exception with plenty of fun activities on offer – many of them free (see our story p4-6). With the weather hopefully getting better soon and the prospect of longer evenings with the arrival of Daylight Saving, now is a good time to think about getting your child into tennis. Most clubs offer some form of coaching or school holiday programmes that are aimed at making the game fun while kids learn essential skills such as hand-eye coordination, balance and agility (see pages 12-13).

Travelling with children can often be challenging, especially on a long flight overseas. We share some tips about how to make that trip go smoothly and ideas about getting kids involved in the activities you have planned or excited about the places you plan to visit – so they don’t feel like they are being dragged along to something they have no interest in (p8-10).

Regular visitors to Auckland War Memorial Museum might want to take the chance to say goodbye to the historic street scene – Auckland 1866 – that has been part of the museum for almost 50 years. It is being removed to make way for a restoration of the East Gallery, with the collection being viewable online, but not before a special finale weekend (p14-15) And make sure you check out crafting guru Jane Aubrey’s flower-themed ideas for holiday fun. She has come up with some easily achievable projects that will keep little hands busy for hours.

Contents Spring fever

Events over the holidays ................................. pg 4-6

Hitting form

Getting kids into tennis .............................. pg 12-13

Heritage celebration

Museum farewells exhibit ............................ pg 14-15

Kids on the move

Overseas travel with children......................... pg 8-10

Flower power

Tulip-themed crafting ................................. pg 16-17

Puzzles and projects

Activities from our sponsors ........................ pg 19-23

Happy holidays!

‘The next issue of School’S Out is to publish on Tuesday, 8th Dec 2015’.

For all advertising enquiries contact Himanshu Shah on 09 373 6975; 021 870 372 or email: Himanshu.shah@nzme.co.nz

$12 CHILD

$10 ADULT

Suits children 5-12 yrs

Planetarium show

• 10AM (up to age 6): Perfect Little Planet • 1PM & 2PM (for ages 6+): We are Aliens

HOLIDAY FUN! SPRING SCHOOL

28 SEPT–9 OCT 2015

WEEKDAYS AT 10AM, 1PM, 2PM BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: STARDOME.ORG.NZ / 09 624 1246

Alien themed craft activities Rocket launching (weather permitting)

4

Spring fever Auckland is blossoming with a range of fascinating activities over the school holiday period.

S

pring is the season when things burst into life and that seems to be the same with Auckland attractions hosting an abundance of school holiday events and activities – many of them free Auckland Botanic Gardens at Manurewa has four fun events for kids in the school holidays, starting with the Living Roof Workshop on Tuesday September 29, from 10am-noon. Kids can watch horticulture apprentices create a living roof on a bird house and learn how to do it themselves at home. After the workshop, children can make a mini garden to take home. Suitable for ages 8-12 and bookings required.

On Thursday October 1 between 10am and noon you can drop into the Springtime discovery station with a range of springthemed activities suitable for all ages.

Kids can build a buffet for birds and learn how to attract birds to a garden on Tuesday October 6 at the All About Birds Workshop from 10am to noon. Suitable for ages 7-12 and bookings required.

At the Wild Winds discovery station on Thursday October 8 between 10am and noon, kids can drop in and have fun creating kites and learning about helicopter seeds.

All the activities are free but for those that need booking email Botanic.

Gardens@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone 09 267 1457.

Auckland Art Gallery is running a series of workshops with limited spaces so booking is essential through Eventfinda.

For six to eight-year-olds, there is a class dedicated to moulding clay characters inspired by ‘The Story of Rama’ exhibition (September 29 and October 6, both classes 10.30am-12.30pm, cost $18).

The same age group can create creatures that inhabit ‘A Hole of Yellow Archipelago’, an ever-changing world inspired by the new Creative Learning Centre iteration (September 30 and October 7, 10.30am-12.30pm, cost $18).

A jewellery workshop, What Do You Wear?, for 9 to 13-year-olds will explore contemporary jewellery, with participants creating small jewellery pieces to take home (October 1 & 8, 10.30am-12.30pm, cost $36).

And a workshop for five-year-olds Frances Hodgkins: Forgotten Still Life -allows children to look at conservation work on the Hodgkins’ artwork and explore different paint effects (October 2 and 9, 10.30am-12.30pm, cost $18).

For more information, ph 09 367 1930.

These school holidays, children will be invited to celebrate Auckland’s heritage at Auckland Museum. Tales of T maki - Stories over Auckland runs daily from September 28 to October 11, from 10am to 4pm. On the top floor of the museum there are lots of fun activities: creating tivaivai and poi, making a Victorian toy or joining artist Regan Gentry to create a spectacular collaborative sculpture. There are daily storytime sessions and performances by the likes of Mt Roskill Primary School’s

5

Ukulele Band, Mixit, Mahuika Theatre Company, Performance.net, and Captain Festus McBoyle.

A Youth holiday programme - Human History in Your Community – explores the museum’s Human History collections and looks at traditional knowledge, identity and adornment. Participants can create their own taonga. Programme is free and runs on September 29, October 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9 from 11am-2pm. Bookings are essential.

Meet the Objects (October 1 and 8 at 2pm in the WWII Hall of Memories) is a chance to view the WWI objects that inspired the building of the Gallipoli in Minecraft world. Human History educator Georgia will give kids a feel for what it was like to be part of the Gallipoli campaign. Gallipoli in Minecraft is open daily and is an interactive exhibition

featuring a re-creation of the landscape of 1915 Gallipoli in the world of Minecraft.

For more info: aucklandmuseum.com As part of admission to MOTAT, children can become forensic scientists during the Crime Scene MOTAT Holiday Experience running from September 26 to October 11. Kids will take on the role of sleuths as they gather and analyse evidence to solve a fictional crime at the museum. They must investigate the crime scene and gather evidence without contaminating it, working their way through a range of interactive activities to solve the mystery.

Game On, a MOTAT holiday workshop on September 30 and October 2 (10am-2pm), gives children the chance to become a digital game designer. Using a specific app for an Apple device, kids can learn how to design and build their own game. Tutors will help children to test and tweak the game and then bring it to life. Suitable for ages 8-plus, cost is

HOLIDAY WORKSHOP DATES: 30 SEP & 2 OCT TIMES: 10am – 2pm Age: Suitable for boys and girls, ages 8+.

Bookings essential at www.motat.org.nz Bo PLUS

*

MOTAT HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE SEPT 26 - OCT 11 w w w . m o t a t . o r g . n z

HILD PER C YOUR

BRING EVICE OWN D

6 $40 and bookings are essential at www.motat. org.nz or ph 0800 MOTATNZ (0800 668 286) Renowned Australian contemporary circus company Circa brings its physical theatre skills to town during the school holidays with Carnival of the Animals.

This quirky tale of creatures of the land and sea runs from October 6-10 at the Bruce Mason Centre, with shows at 11am and 2pm daily.

Circa’s acrobats tumble and twirl their way through the worlds of the animal kingdom in a blend of circus and

multimedia. The zebras juggle and ip, kangaroos skip and somersault, there are elephants with street-cred and even the dinosaur bones shake, rattle and roll to the music. The audience is transported from the oceans, to treetops and into the desert.

The show is suitable for ages 3 and up, with tickets from Ticketmaster at $30 each, $20 concessions.

The real heart of the Kiwi farm lifestyle

*Excludes 9:30am show. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.

Whether you want to get up close and personal with our kiwi, meet our cheeky kea or experience the live Bird Show, it has never been a better time to visit Rainbow Springs.

Open daily from 8.30am - late Fairy Springs Road Freephone 0800 724 626

141 Western Road, Ngongotaha, Rotorua Freephone 0800 339 400 / www.agrodome.co.nz

©Disney

8

Easy travels Taking children on an overseas trip is a lot of fun if you put in the groundwork

T

ravelling with young children can be fraught – even a car trip can become a nightmare – but flying and travelling overseas with youngsters can be really daunting.

As in most dealings with children’s activities, planning and preparation are key factors. And not just on your part; it makes a big difference to a child’s attitude if they are involved in looking at itinerariesand working out what they will need to pack and what they should take as carry-on luggage.

Get them interested in your destination whether it be through TV shows, movies or books and have them think about the local food, the language, landmarks, tourist attractions or cultural activities.

All these things help to build up

a sense of anticipation and give them things they can relate to and identify when they are there. Allow them to pick an activity or attraction so the trip will have a special moment that is all about them.

When it comes to packing bags, have children think about where they are going, what the weather will be like and what they will be doing. Let them help to compile a list of what needs to go into their bag, and they can tick it off as they pack. And get them to think about what they will need on the plane – drawing supplies, electronic device, headphones, neck pillow, medicines, toothbrush etc – and give them a bag they can manage themselves (if they are old enough).

With the entertainment systems on planes these days, keeping kids amused

10

is a lot easier but you still need to make sure they have everything they need at hand before you can relax. And let them enjoy the flight with some treats from the menu.

There are lots of learning opportunities on a trip – whether it’s a few words in the local language, the history behind the people and places you visit or finding out more about nature and the environment. Challenge everyone in the family to come up with a ‘fun fact’ as you explore new things – this can be a great game to play, and kids love showing off knowledge.

If you are planning a visit to an art gallery or museum, where you think their attention span might be challenged, arm them with some knowledge of the building and its exhibits – especially things that you know will appeal to them - so they can discuss these aspects on the visit and point things out. Going in cold will often lead to a child becoming bored and disengaged quite quickly.

Going on a trip is also a great time to get them into scrapbooking – collecting tickets and pamphlets, cutting out pictures and pasting in their own photos (a Polaroid-style camera is great for this). It’s a neat activity and they will end up with a great souvenir of their trip.

12

Hitting form Getting kids into playing tennis can start them on a game they can enjoy for the rest of their lives

T

ennis is one of the great social sports and a game you can play for life no matter what your ability.

Whether you are going hard out playing singles or having a more relaxed game of doubles with some ongoing banter, tennis is a great way to meet people and develop coordination, balance and fitness.

Sarah Hannaford-Hill, who coaches at Glen Eden Tennis Club, says the game has given her a lot from a young age and she aims to help kids have fun and reach their potential while playing the game.

“I started playing the game at age nine and I was quite a shy and quiet kid but I really came out of my shell when I started playing tennis when I saw that it was something I could be good at,” she says.

Sarah, who has been coaching at Glen Eden

for nine years, says there is no “right age” to get children into tennis.

“Age is no barrier; it depends on the child,” Sarah says. “The youngest we have had in class is four. So long as their lesson is age and ability focused they will enjoy it. For example, giving a lesson on the technique of a forehand ground stroke to a five-year-old is not appropriate. The focus is more on developing their hand eye coordination, more time working on their throwing/catching skills, balance, footwork, coordination etc.”

And the best way to get them started?

“A holiday programme would be ideal where they are playing every day for a few consecutive days and in particular getting the opportunity to have some one-on-one coaching during that time and if that isn’t possible, having a few private lessons to ensure a grasp of the basics,” Sarah says.

“A lot of people miss this vital step for their children, as they themselves have often missed it, too, in the past and just got on a court and played. That’s all well and good but so many adults say that they played as a kid and never had lessons and subsequently picked up “bad habits” and then they come to me because they don’t want those “bad habits” anymore. It’s important that these “bad habits” are avoided from the get-go and this is where the coach can make a difference.”

ALL IN DOOR S!

ND PET AUCKLA O 2 0 15 !

P X E L A & ANIM 10 - 11 October 2015 10am - 5pm daily ASB Showgrounds Greenlane, Auckland

FOR ALL PET AND ANImAL LOVERS

• ALL CREATuRES gREAT AND SmALL! • Dogs, Cats, Birds, Rats, Chinchillas, Rabbits, and more...

• The latest Pet Products and Services • Pet Food to Toys • Advice from the experts • Show Only Specials • FREE Samples • Kelly Wilson from Keeping up with the Kaimanawas • Educating and Promoting responsible ownership of pets • Farm Animals • Dancing Dogs and Animal Stars • New Performance Arena

At Glen Eden, Sarah uses the Tennis Hot Shots coaching programme, which originated in Australia and starts kids out with shorter racquets hitting softer balls on smaller courts.

“It is much better than what we were doing before,” says Sarah. “The kids are so much more engaged because it is aimed at making it fun and getting them hitting as many tennis balls as possible.”

Sarah adds, “Tennis is a confidence game and if a child is confident and prepared to work hard, they can go a long way. If any child is to improve in tennis, an hour a week of group coaching isn›t enough.

If the child can›t get on a tennis court to practise between their coaching sessions due to other family commitments or whatever, but they are showing an aptitude for tennis, hitting a ball against a wall (or rebound net) will do wonders for their game. Or for younger children balancing a ball on their racquet and walking around the home or garden for example.”

She says that parents can help their children by playing games at home with them, not necessarily having to organise a game at a local court.

“I think people in general underestimate the power of simply throwing and catching a ball with their children at home,” she says.

“There are so many different ways we can help our children improve their motor skills

DAILY ENTRY PRICES: (Door Sales, or to avoid the queues pre-purchase online via our website)

Adult: $16.00 Senior: $13.00 Child (5-16 years): $7.00 Family Pass (2 Adults/2 Children): $39.00 Under 5 Years: FREE - VISITING PUBLIC PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN PETS

www.petanimalexpo.co.nz

13 and it costs nothing. You don›t have to be on a tennis court in order to teach your child how to play tennis. You don›t even need a racquet! And by spending time with our children, simply just playing with them, we›ll be helping them develop their ball skills, balance skills and motor skills - fundamental skills for life, not just for tennis.

“A simple game of catch can teach the child to focus on the ball as well as to prepare to catch it out in front (like the connection point when you hit the ball) whilst doing this, slight angles on the throw can teach the child to move in to the correct position to catch the incoming ball as with movement on the tennis court.

“Particular hand eye games that we play - cone catch (using a cone to catch the ball) works on their ability to catch the ball out in front, direction and their underarm

throws (ground strokes and transference of weight forward) and footwork, tracking the ball and timing. Throwing in to hoops for targets, emphasising underarm (ground strokes), overarm (serve), transferring of weight when they throw, replicating a tennis ground stroke. Balancing the ball on the racquet (concentration on two things, sometimes three if they are walking around as well. Tag, for agility, footwork and fitness.”

For more info: tennishotshots.kiwi Glen Eden Tennis Club on Facebook

STORIES OVER AUCKLAND

14

End Of An Era One of the Auckland Museum’s most enduring exhibits is closing and is being farewelled with a special weekend

R

MAR0915

egular visitors to Auckland War Memorial Museum will be familiar with the Victorian street scene recreated in the exhibit Auckland 1866.

The shops and homes featured in the exhibit have furnishings, merchandise, clothes and documents from the period and give a fascinating insight into colonial Auckland.

Installed in 1966, Auckland 1866 was a generous gift to the museum from now defunct department store Milne and Choyce.

The exhibit occupies the East Gallery, which is due for renovation so on September 28 Auckland 1866 will officially close and become an online exhibition.

The renovation work is part of the museum’s ongoing programme aimed at taking it into the future but it will also allow the building’s neo-classical architecture in the top floor gallery to be revealed for the first time in almost 50 years. Windows and skylights will be uncovered, as will other features such as marble skirting, columns and an engraved timber stage.

CLEVER KIWIS

N

26 SEPTEMBER - 9 OCTOBER 2015

EW

ZEALAND

YOUTH NT OPME V E D EL SEAL

From fascinating inventions to true New Zealand ingenuity, set sail on a voyage of discovery at the Maritime Museum these schools holidays and discover our cleverest Kiwis.

Suitable for 5-12 year olds. $7.50 per child

15 Once the space has been restored it will be home to a commemoration centre in which people will be able to share knowledge and to learn about the human contributions to New Zealand’s war history.

While Auckland 1866 might be closing, it is going out with a bang. During a special finale weekend - as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival - on September 26 and 27, there will be behind the scenes tours that reveal the original heritage architecture and the gallery will come alive with Victorian characters, activities and photo opportunities.

The behind the scenes tour will take place on the half hour from 11am till 2pm. Just meet by David Evitt’s gun store.

Visitors will be encouraged to dress up Victorian style with the museum providing the costumes that will provide a great photo opportunity.

And you can even make

some Victorian headgear to go with your outfit.

Vistors won’t be the only ones dressing up. Some ‘locals’ will be appearing such as Thomas Green, the bartender at Steer’s Hotel, who will be relating some of the darker tales of Auckland in 1866. You will also get to meet Mary Jane Milne, Proprietor of M. and C. Milne, who is full of advice about what to wear and how to behave in Victorian times.

Staff will also be showing people how the virtual tour of the exhibition will work and how digital preservation of Auckland 1866 will benefit future generations.

And don’t forget to jot down your favourite memories of the exhibit and pop them in the post box provided.

Staff will post their favourite comments on the Museum’s Facebook page and there will be prizes. aucklandmuseum.com

Auckland Live & Insite Arts present

24 SEPT – 11 OCT Aotea Square architects-of-air.com

ival

x Fest the Bo ut of C’s O ble d QPA Ensem irca an e Circa C by tion and th oduc chitz ts a pr Yaron Lifs esen ve pr ated by and Li Cre Auckl

A TH

RILL

ING

US CIRC

A DV

ENT

URE

6 – 10 OCT Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna

BOOK NOW: AUCKLANDLIVE.CO.NZ

16

Flower POWE R S

pring is in the air and it’s got our crafting hearts racing! Nothing says spring like flowers - so we’ve crafted them, eaten them and had some awesome fun making and playing with play-doh and slime.

Simple pleasures.

Have a great school holidays and be sure to check out funwithjane.co.nz to see some ideas for your slime and playdoh!

Tiptoe through the tulips If you have any wool lying around - build up your little crafters fine motor skills with this fun, simple project. I drew some tulips that the kids cut out from cardboard - and then we got wrapping with our wool and have some charming bouquets to enjoy and share.

Here’s what you’ll need: • Wool • Popsicle sticks • Glue gun •Scissors

Here’s how to go about it: 1. I drew a few tulips to get the kids started, then they began cutting out the shapes.

2. Once we had our shapes, we began wrapping the flower with wool and when our flowers were covered enough we tied the end of the wool to the back and glued the popsicle stick to the base of the flower.

3. Repeat steps one and two until you have enough flowers!

Blooming healthy snacks I couldn’t help but theme the snacks around what we were making - and we enjoyed our cheese, melon and cucumber tulips. Healthy, easy to make and oh so cute!

We used melon and cucumber for our flowers - and the babybel cheese, which I remember having as a lunch box snack and crafting the wrapping to be little shapes. I’ve always been a crafter.

17

Easy playdough Craft yourself fit with this one - nothing like making a few batches of this fun stuff to get your arm muscles working! We had some eyeballs lying around (as you do) so we included a few props in our playdoh creations.

Here’s an easy recipe: • 1/2 cup salt • 1 cup flour • 1 cup water • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 2 tablespoons cream of tartar • Food colouring

Here’s how to go about it: Mix dry ingredients, blend to smooth paste with water, add oil and colouring. Cook on a medium heat 3-5 minutes. It keeps for ages if you have it in an airtight container.

Homemade slime: Slime is super fun. Kids love playing with it. It’s really easy to make - and we have tried recipes that use cleaning products and one that is borax-free.

Here’s an easy recipe: • 1 tsp of Borax (we got ours at Bin Inn in the laundry section) • 1/2 cup of PVA • Food colouring • 1/2 -1 cup of water • 2 bowls • Measuring cups • Teaspoon • Plastic bag

Here’s how to go about it: 1. In one bowl, mix 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of borax - stir and keep aside.

2. In another bowl, mix the PVA and 1/2 cup of water and add a few drops of food colouring.

3. Pour the PVA mixture into the bowl of water, and knead it until the water is absorbed - this bit’s messy! But FUN - and if you keep your slime in an air tight container it lasts for ages, too!

Have a great school holidays - and be sure to share any projects you make with us over at www.funwithjane.co.nz!

19

9

1

8

2

1

2

5 5

2

3

3 8

4

8 3

5

4

1

1

1

2

8

1

2

2

2

3 2

1

1

2 7

2

4

4

2

1 2

Hey kids, use the code and colour us in.

1 = dark green 2 = light green 3 = dark brown

4 = light brown 5 = yellow 6 = red

7 = grey 8 = blue 9 = white

Y&R_WES1763_NZH

AT YOUR LOCAL WESTFIELD MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER – FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER

WEEK ONE 28 SEPTEMBER – 2 OCTOBER

WEEK TWO 5 OCTOBER – 9 OCTOBER

MANUKAU

GLENFIELD

WESTCITY

ST LUKES

ALBANY

MAKE YOUR OWN PEANUTS JIGSAW

10.30am – 2.30pm

MAKE YOUR OWN PEANUTS JIGSAW

10.30am – 2.30pm

MAKE YOUR OWN PEANUTS JIGSAW

MAKE YOUR OWN BIRDHOUSE

MAKE YOUR OWN BIRDHOUSE

MAKE YOUR OWN BIRDHOUSE

MAKE YOUR OWN BIRDHOUSE

MAKE YOUR OWN BIRDHOUSE

MAKE YOUR OWN PEANUTS JIGSAW

10.30am – 2.30pm

10.30am – 2.30pm

10.30am – 2.30pm

10.30am – 2.30pm

Head to westfield.co.nz to find out more about our school holiday activities, and look out for Monty in-centre. Plus, join us for a jump on Springfree trampolines.

© 2015 FOX © 2015 PNTS

10.30am – 2.30pm

10.30am – 2.30pm

10.30am – 2.30pm