School holidays are here again - and they come around more quickly than many parents would like.
If you’re wondering what to do to keep the family busy and entertained, we’ve got you covered. Auckland Council has a raft of holidays activities catering to a range of ages.
Check out Kids Crew, a one-stop shop that showcases what is on in your area. Whether it is indoor or outdoor, full day care, a few hours or doing something together as a whānau, Auckland Council’s Kids Crew has your holiday break sorted.
For parents who need somewhere to have the kids for the week or a few days during the holidays, Kids Crew has some great options. Please check carefully to see whether the activities your child/children will be involved in require parental presence or whether the activity is a 'drop and go'.
Here are a few highlights to whet the appetite.
Fantastic activities for a few hours
For the busy parent who has some chores to do and needs to drop the kids off for a couple of hours, Auckland Council Libraries have plenty of free events on during the holidays for tamariki and rangatahi.
Become an eco-warrior and learn how to protect a natural area in your community, explore and understand what makes an animal or plant endangered.
If you’re up for a reading challenge, download the Beanstack Tracker and join in the holiday fun. Collect badges and go into the draw to win prizes.
Go wild in our parks
Our park rangers have lined up an awesome holiday programme. Join the Junior Ranger explorer walks in Papakura or Henderson or pest detection sessions at various locations and learn how to search out those pesky pests.
Auckland Council Leisure Centres
If you’re keen for younger members of the family to be involved in new experiences, there are adventures for them to join at our leisure centres.
Rangatahi, or teenagers, are not forgotten these holidays. 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 a free holiday programme for teenagers thanks to funding from the Ministry of Social Development.
Aimed at 11 to 18-year-olds, the programme will run for six hours a day and will involve activities like team building, swimming, sports competitions, shared lunches and mystery trips.
Spaces are limited for Break-Away, so spots need to be booked by applying in person at the centre; parental consent is required. Both these programmes do not require parents to remain with their children.
Explore Tāmaki Makaurau
If doing something together as a whānau is important for you these holidays, why not take in some of the events at the World of Cultures multicultural festival. Join the play festival at Western Park and explore traditional games, music and food from different cultures.
There are plenty of other opportunities for your tamariki, rangatahi and your wider whānau to have some holiday fun, so 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.
