Every parent knows that during school holidays it can be hard to keep tamariki entertained and engaged, with raumati (summer) being a particular challenge due to the long break. Auckland Council understands those challenges and wants to come alongside parents to help them by providing care for their tamariki and rangatahi that is convenient and affordable.
To make it easy, Kids Crew has been created as a one-stop shop. It will showcase what is on in local areas. As well as highlighting something for every child, Kids Crew is also about helping parents with what they need for the holidays as well. So, whether it is indoor or outdoor, a full day care, a few hours or doing something together as a whānau, Auckland Council’s Kids Crew has your summer holidays sorted. Here are a few highlights to whet the appetite.
Fantastic activities for a few hours
Would your kids enjoy learning how to cartoon or keen to try making shadow puppets? Perhaps they love kung fu movies and would get a real thrill out of learning some tips from professionals? Or they love music and would get real joy out of trying their hand at the ukulele?
For any parent looking for something different to challenge the kids for a couple of hours, Auckland Council Libraries have these and many other free events on during the holidays for tamariki and rangatahi.
Keeping adventurous tamariki active
With summer being quite a wet one at the moment, things can be a real challenge for the more active kids who love getting out and about. Fortunately, Auckland Council Pools and Leisure run school holiday programmes that provide adventures, team sports, games and day trips for the most active tamariki. Ten of the centres across Tāmaki Makaurau have these options, all of which are Ministry of Social Development approved. The school holiday programme is for 5-to-13-year-olds and are full of adventures and fun.
Break-Away Programmes
Rangatahi, or teenagers, have not been forgotten this summer with a free holiday programme for teenagers, Designed with youth in mind and based on youth feedback, Break-Away will keep older kids engaged with fun activities.
Aimed at 11-to-18-year-olds, the programme will run for six hours a day and will involve activities like swimming, sand dune rides, sports competitions, and day trips.
Three of our Auckland Council Pools Leisure Centres (Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre in Māngere, Ōtara Pool and Leisure Centre and Te Matariki Clendon Community Centre) are running the Break-Away programme thanks to funding from the Ministry of Social Development.
Spaces are limited for Break-Away, so spots need to be booked by applying in person at the centre. Parental consent is required but for anyone living in Māngere, Ōtara, Clendon or the surrounding suburbs this is a great opportunity for your rangatahi to try something new.
Explore Tāmaki Makaurau
If doing something together as a whānau is important for you this raumati (summer), why not explore the best that Tāmaki Makaurau has to offer.
From takutai moana (foreshore) to ngahere (forest), our incredible takiwā (region) is ready for you to enjoy with plenty of free summer events, pools, splashpads, playgrounds, paths, over 4000 parks and our refreshed city centre to explore. Start with trying 50 fantastic fun and free things to do, but don’t stop there. Raumati is when Tāmaki Makaurau is really at its best so what are you waiting for? Karanga rā te raumati… Summer is Calling.
Head to the Kids Crew page on OurAuckland to find the closest activities to you, or the ones that your whānau will enjoy the most.
