Rotorua keeps kids entertained these school holidays

Rotorua Museum school holiday crafts in 2017. Photo/Supplied

There is plenty on these school holidays to help keep your young ones entertained and out of mischief.

Rotorua Museum's April School Holiday Activity Trail will take place from Saturdayto Sunday April 29. Clue sheets can be collected from Rotorua iSite.

Rotorua Museum event and engagement co-ordinator Tori Williams says the trail aims to get children exploring some of the historical elements of Government Gardens in a fun way.

They learn more about the Princes Gate arches and why they are there, who the Rose Garden is named after and how hot the Rachel Spring is, she says.

"It is a great way for families to get outside to explore the area and something free for them all to do together during the holidays."

She also recommends the museum's drop-in craft sessions.

For more information go to www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz.

Rotorua Library also has a range of activities on offer.

Families will be able to join the creators of the Pipi Ma dolls for a story and fun activity, make a taniwha draft-stopper from recycled materials, learn about dog safety, and Lego sessions.

The library's programme will also include drawings to be displayed on the library's Community Pride Space video wall, and children's author and musician Deano Yipadee sharing his musical show and new book.

For more information on these activities go to www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz.

The Arts Village has a range of classes on, such as dramatic storytelling, theatre sports and play reading, and giant jungle bird paintings.

For more information and to book, as spaces are filling up, go to www.artsvillage.org.nz.

The Rotorua SPCA is holding Keeping Our Kids Safe Around Dogs sessions during the holidays.

The centre's education manager Geoff Rudsdale will be presenting tips at the shelter on Tuesdayand Thursday.

There will be morning sessions, 11am to 12pm, for 3 to 7-year-olds and afternoon ones, 2pm to 3pm, for ages 8 to 13.

They will include information on how to meet and greet a dog, finding out why dogs bite and how to read a dog's body language.

There will also be an opportunity to meet Max the Border Collie Cross, one of their animal advocates, and for the younger audience there will be an animation to highlight important safety tips.

All children must be accompanied by an adult and the cost is $10 per family.

If you are interested in registering email Rotorua.Education@spca.nz.

Children can also find out everything they need to know about small pets these school holidays.

Families who want to get active can check out Sport Bay of Plenty's outdoor recreation programme Virtually on Track, which is launching a number of free, family friendly Scavenger Hunts.

It is a collaborative initiative between Sport Bay of Plenty, Department of Conservation, and local councils designed to connect locals and visitors with the Bay of Plenty's beautiful parks, spaces and reserves.

The Scavenger Hunts take place from Saturdayto April 29 in six Bay of Plenty locations.

They require participants to find objects and shapes in nature, solve clues, take photos and answer questions about the park or reserve they are exploring.

The six locations are TECT All-Terrain Park and McLaren Falls Park in Western Bay, Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Boyes Beach in Central Bay and Hukutaia Domain and Fairbrother Loop in Eastern Bay.

There are prizes to be won from local providers, including Waimarino Adventure Park, Rocktpoia, Redwoods Treewalk Rotorua and Whakatane Aquatic Centre.

For more information, go to www.virtuallyontrack.co.nz/votscavengerhunt.