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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Abundance of boredom busters in Rotorua for April school holidays

Shauni James
By Shauni James
Rotorua Weekender reporter·Rotorua Daily Post·
12 Apr, 2019 07:00 PM5 mins to read

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Blake Brown, 8, is looking forward to taking part in a netball programme these school holidays. Photo / Stephen Parker

Blake Brown, 8, is looking forward to taking part in a netball programme these school holidays. Photo / Stephen Parker

Boredom can be busted these April school holidays with plenty on offer around Rotorua to keep young ones entertained.

Despite the days feeling cooler, being out and active is a great way for children to be entertained these holidays.

A number of sports programmes are taking place in Rotorua, including netball, basketball, rugby and golf.

Blake Brown, 8, is taking part in a three-day netball programme through the Rotorua Netball Centre.

She said she was looking forward to practicing netball and making new friends - "it's a fun way to keep fit."

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Next school term will be her first time playing netball for Otonga Road Primary School.

"I'm looking forward to learning more about the game. I've been wanting to play netball for ages."

She said she also enjoyed acting and dancing through the Lakes Performing Arts Company programme, and practicing a range of other sports in the holidays.

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"I'm going to start to practise tackling."

Blake's mother Jaime Rolfe said sports programmes in the holidays were great for children as it helped them get ready for the winter season of sports.

She said they were also great for parents who had to work during the holidays.

Four scavenger hunts across the Bay of Plenty's bush, lake and beach reserves are also available to help keep children busy and active.

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The scavenger hunts, are at Tikitapu (Blue Lake), McLaren Falls Park, TECT All Terrain Park and Ōhope Beach.

They encourage participants to solve clues, take photos and discover natural gems of the region.

Christian Wright explores the local streams around Rotorua as part of a school holiday scavenger hunt. Photo / Supplied
Christian Wright explores the local streams around Rotorua as part of a school holiday scavenger hunt. Photo / Supplied

Sport Bay of Plenty's recreation team leader Sonia Lynds said the scavenger hunts were a fun and engaging way to explore parks of high conservation value across the Bay of Plenty, including areas that were not necessarily well known.

"The scavenger hunts have been one of our most popular activities, encouraging people to get out and explore these regions, and they're a great excuse to gather the whānau and have some fun outdoors."

To take part people need to download clues from the Virtually on Track website. Entries submitted between April 13 and 28 are eligible to win a spot prize.

Lynds said national guidelines recommended children do at least one hour of moderate or vigorous physical activity spread over each day.

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"The school holidays are a great chance to spend some quality time together being active and building healthy habits.

"We find fun is the secret ingredient to getting kids active and creating a positive association with physical activity.

"Try a scavenger hunt, play some games in the backyard or head out for a walk or ride at the local park. But most of all – get out there and have fun."

Families can become Easter detectives with the free Great Rotorua Museum Easter Egg Hunt from todayto Sunday April 28.

Rotorua Museum events and engagement co-ordinator Tori Williams said this year there would be colourful wooden eggs hidden around the Government Gardens.

Each egg has a letter on it to help solve a mystery word.

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She said the hunt was a big favourite for local families and visitors who enjoyed getting out and about over Easter.

Rotorua Museum events and engagement co-ordinator Tori Williams with some of the eggs for a previous hunt. Photo / File
Rotorua Museum events and engagement co-ordinator Tori Williams with some of the eggs for a previous hunt. Photo / File

Last year it was run as a one-day event as part of Melt and had more than 2200 people attend.

"It is a fun way for kids and families of all ages to explore Rotorua, and a great way to work off those Easter eggs."

The clue sheet is available from todayat Rotorua iSite (Fenton St), the Children's Art House during free Easter crafts, and the Rotorua Museum Facebook page or website.

Once people have found all the letters and solved the mystery word, they can enter the draw to win an Easter prize pack.

Entry boxes will be located at Rotorua iSite and Children's Art House (during free crafts). All entries need to be in by April 29.

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Children can also get creative with free Easter crafts being hosted by Rotorua Museum at the Children's Art House from April 15 to April 18, 10am to 2pm.

Williams said children would be able to weave an Easter basket to put out for the Easter Bunny, and there were puppets to make and Easter cards to colour.

"We always try and have a few different crafts available so there is something for all ages.

"Often we get families with toddlers to teenagers, and parents like to give it a go too.

"It is nice to provide a free activity option to do that brings everyone together."

For more information go to rotorua.museum@rotorualc.nz.

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Children could also unleash their creativity in The Arts Village's Holiday Arts Academy for ages 8 to 12, with drawing, sculpture and painting just some of the activities on offer.

For more information go to www.artsvillage.org.nz.

The Rotorua Library's school holiday programme runs from Monday April 15 to Friday April 26, with a wide variety of activities and events.

Some require registration, but for others people can turn up on the day.

Rotorua Library youth and early learning lead Kylie Holmes said one highlight would be the Te Aka Mauri Ball on April 16 where children could dress up and bring their best dance moves.

Deano Yipadee, who presented a magic show at a previous library programme, is back on April 18.

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Holmes said there were also other activities which gave children the opportunity to be creative, and helped to teach them how things grew and were made.

Children learn about what work the Rotorua SPCA does with Rotorua SPCA education manager Geoff Rudsdale in a previous library programme. Photo / Supplied
Children learn about what work the Rotorua SPCA does with Rotorua SPCA education manager Geoff Rudsdale in a previous library programme. Photo / Supplied

All events are free but a gold coin koha is appreciated to help with costs.

Donations for the Pet Care session on April 24 will go to the SPCA.

For more information go to www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz.

According to MetService website's 10-day forecast, the first week of the school holidays is looking to be mainly fine, with some partly cloudy days.

The high temperatures are forecast to range between 15C and 18C.

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