Redwoods Children's Day in Rotorua delights young and old in Whakarewarewa

Hundreds descended on the Redwoods for Children's Day activities.

The usually quiet and peaceful Redwoods Forest was far from it today as hundreds of children of all ages wandered beneath the foliage for the annual Redwoods Children's Day.

Children played music, made art and took part in different activities throughout the afternoon.

Organiser Jill Walker said the day was all about celebrating children and the forest.

"It's the combination of families and children in this beautiful space.

"There's so much we can do in here. We're trying to encourage people to create their own games as well."

The day featured nature-based activities like working with clay and wood, bows and arrows, hut building, pony rides and more.

Walker said the day grew every year both in terms of the number of families who went and the number of organisations involved.

"It's vibrant and full of energy.

"The art in the trees is always amazing. I like just sitting and looking at what's happening."

Chasa Weston was enjoying the day with her son Kaysen, 4, and said it had grown each year.

"It's been really great. There's a lot more to do with lots of arts and crafts."

Kaysen agreed and said he liked the face painting.

"There are so many things to do I don't know what to do first."

Winston Edwards, 6, (front) and Samuel Brooking, 7, give jump rope a shot at the children's day. Photo / Ben Fraser

Teacher Jo Collyer was sitting among the trees with a selection of books in te reo to read and said she was enjoying the day among the trees.

"It's really relaxing which I love and there's plenty to see. You can decide whether you want to get involved or just watch."

Collyer had brought along a selection of te reo books including some written by Aunty Bea.

The annual Redwoods Children's Day concluded a weekend of free events to celebrate National Children's Day.

On Saturday there were a range of activities held around central Rotorua with an "Around the World" theme. As part of it children could collect stamps for their "passports".

Families with more than three stamps in their passport will go into a draw to win a prize pool valued at more than $3000.

The first Redwoods Children's Day celebrations were held in 2010 after Children's Day was combined with the Redwoods Family Fun Day.

Children's Day is a national celebration observed annually on the first Sunday in March.