Da Vinci family fun takes flight (+ video)

Liam, 5, and his sister Lily Evans, 8, were so excited after seeing the Da Vinci Machines and Robots exhibition they couldn't wait to build some flying machines at the Da Vinci Does Flight kids fun day.

Their dad, Grant Evans, said he had taken his children through the exhibition at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday.

"The kids wanted to come back and were keen to build some flying machines."

While making a helicopter out of ice-cream sticks and glue, Lily said her favourite part of the exhibition was the "fun" interactive pulleys and weights, one of Da Vinci's scientific ideas.

The Da Vinci Does Flight event was the first of three Da Vinci-inspired days hosted by the Rotorua Museum.

Abigail Bamforth and Michael Rayner from Lake Okareka brought along their children Arieana, 5, and Toby, 2, to take part.

"Arieana is creative and we thought she'd like to do some creative projects," said Miss Bamforth.

"Da Vinci was amazing. He was a genius and innovative, very ahead of his time."

There was also a paper plane throwing competition.

Rotorua Museum event co-ordinator Kathy Nicholls said many people were surprised by how prolific Leonardo Da Vinci was as they normally associated him with his art.

"The exhibition shows his bicycles, his early development [concept] of a helicopter, his look into autonomy and bone structure."

Mrs Nicholls said one part of the exhibition taught kids about Da Vinci's early designs and asked what the modern day equivalent was.

"It's important to see where these ideas came from."

To keep with the theme of flight, Wingspan Birds of Prey director Debbie Stewart gave a talk that included explaining how Da Vinci studied birds to inspire his inventive flying models, said Mrs Nicholls.

"It was a great turnout with 55 people attending the Wingspan talk, and the day has gone really well. We wanted to host family days to support the exhibition and draw attention to the new venue."

Da Vinci Machines and Robots is being housed at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre due to the indefinite closure of the Rotorua Museum.

Mrs Nicholls said overall they had seen steady numbers attending.

"It's fantastic to see locals and their families enjoy it. It's great for kids as it's interactive."

On January 18 Da Vinci Does Art will be held with people able to watch local artist Catherine Ward draw a portrait, and the third day, Da Vinci Does Code, is on January 25.