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What's on these holidays? 
October 2020

While a lot of term time activities and play groups don't run during the holidays there are lots of other events and activities to keep the little ones entertained in Porirua and around the Greater Wellington Region.

toddler in tow on Facebook
While a lot of term time activities and play groups don't run during the holidays there are lots of other events and activities to keep the little ones entertained in Porirua and around the Greater Wellington Region.

Car Trip Scavenger Hunt PDF to print

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If you are heading off on a long car trip you might like this little scavenger hunt for the kids to do on the way. Feel free to download the PDF on the right to print and use!
car_trip_scavenger_hunt.pdf
File Size: 626 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Car Cricket - the preschool edition

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Here is another game to play in the car. I made up the sheet so you can write your scores on it. 
Have fun!

car_cricket.pdf
File Size: 175 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Kids movies showing in the cinemas these holidays...

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Mitre 10 MEGA Buggy Walk

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Thursday 1 October 10am-12pm
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​The Mitre 10 MEGA Buggy Walk invites you to bring along the family for this special Buggy Walk. As it it the International Day of the Senior and school holidays we want to make it a special outing for you and the whole family! Meeting at Awakairangi Park we will walk a flat loop along the Hutt River trail, past the duck pond towards Harcourt Park and back along the lovely sealed Totara Park pathway. This is a 4.5km walk on a mixture of graveled and sealed paths. We will have lovely hot Laffare Coffee and yummy Southern Cross slice available plus some special entertainment.

School Holidays @ Te Papa

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​The Lost Letter Office - Kāpiti

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The Lost Letter Office:
by Jen McArthur and Renata Hopkins

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A young girl Nixie has just moved into the neighbourhood and a retired magician NahNah is back from her world travels. Each alone in their homes, with a longing to write and connect with someone – their letters go on a adventurous journey, making their way to The Lost Letter Office. Can the Lost Letter bumbling sleuths help the letters on their way? Or will their letters be enveloped in their snail-mail chaos forever? 

The Lost Letter Office is a love letter to handwritten letters. Using magic, movement, music and clown performance, it explores how these paper creations can deliver powerful gifts of love.


Saturday  10 October 2020 10am and 1pm (45 min duration)
Te Raukura ki Kāpiti – Performing Art Centre
32 Raumati Rd, Paraparaumu. 
 
  • WHEN:10/10/2020
  • PRICE:$8 , under 2 years old free
  • DURATION:45
  • AGES:2+
  • ​BOOK HERE

The Glitter Garden

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30 Sep – 10 Oct
Circa One 
Tues – Sat 11am & 6.30pm; Sun 4th Oct 4pm
BOOK NOW All tickets are $15
Suitable for all ages and aimed at children aged 3 – 8 years

The Glitter Garden is a drag musical extravaganza for kids – the first of its kind in the world – featuring dazzling outfits, sickening moves, and fierce lip syncing.
Created by TVNZ’s ‘House of Drag’ winner Hugo Grrrl (George Fowler) and acclaimed stage director Dr. Lori Leigh, this children’s theatre show aims to educate, empower and entertain young people through the art of drag. Join Hugo the Gardener on Pride Parade as he attempts to embrace self-care, personal growth and planter boxes, all with the help of his glittering garden friends.

“I made this show because everybody loves sparkles. And because if I had seen this show as a kid it might have changed my life” — George Fowler
The Glitter Garden stars Hugo Grrrl, Eva Goodnight, The Everchanging Boy, Robin YaBlind and features an original score by Maxwell Apse.

Science Jam @ Capital E

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What is light? What colour is the universe? What would it be like to see like a bee? Using lasers, lenses, and cameras, Professor Inventus will shed some new light onto the unseen. Join this exciting science workshop to learn about the wonder of light, make and take away your own laser powered Micro Biome Projector and prepare to beam up!
  • WHEN:08/10/2020 10am & 1pm
  • WHERE:Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf
  • PRICE:$15
  • DURATION:2 Hours
  • AGES:6-8
  • ​BOOK HERE

Make Your Own Stained Glass Window @ Capital E

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Design your own stained-glass inspired art with Little Creators’ Halo the Craft Queen.
  • WHEN:07/10/2020 11am
  • WHERE:Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf
  • PRICE:Free
  • AGES:3+

Little Creators: Make Your Own Kaleidoscope @ Capital E

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Drop into PlayHQ to make your own kaleidoscope in our special Little Creators workshop!
  • WHEN:30/09/2020
  • WHERE:Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf
  • PRICE:Free
  • AGES:3+

POP GARDEN PINT SIZED PRINTS @ Expressions Upper Hutt

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Sunday 18 October 2020 | 1pm - 3pm

Be inspired by Andy Warhol's 'Flowers' and have a go at screen-printing your own pop art creation to take home. Families will work with our artist educator to create silkscreen prints during this drop-in silkscreen session.

Free Event

Suitable for all ages

​No bookings required

Slime Time @ North City Shopping Centre

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Slime Workshop Bookings open Wednesday, 23 September!

Join us for our Free Slime Workshops in-centre from Monday, 28 September to Friday, 9 October.
Bookings will be available through a link here on our website from 9am Wednesday, 23 September.
Kids can make their own slimey creation at our free Slime Workshops. Sessions run daily for approx 20mins, every half an hour between 10.30am – 2.30pm. This free activity is for kids aged 4 – 12 years old.
The Slime Workshop will be located on the lower level of the shopping Centre by Centre Stage.
Once you’re done making slime you can enter the draw to win a slime prize pack that includes a $250 North City Gift card and movie tickets!* Simple take a photo of you with your slime and tag us in on Facebook or Instagram to be in the draw!

*Terms and Conditions apply.

The Great Pirate Treasure Hunt @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre

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​FREE school holiday fun for the kids with The Great Johnsonville Treasure Hunt!
Locate all 5 lost treasures to be in the draw to win 1 of 20 $25 Johnsonville Shopping Centre Gift vouchers.
Collect your treasure map from Centre Court (outside Black Pepper).
Drop your completed sheet in the box located at Centre Court.
20 winners of a $25 Johnsonville Shopping Centre Gift voucher will be selected at random on 12 October at 10am.

FREE Circus Fun @ Queensgate Shopping Centre

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FREE Circus FunCome along to Queensgate these October School Holidays for free circus fun!

From Monday 28 September - Friday 9 October (weekdays only), we are hosting sessions where kids can come along and make magic glitter wands, complete an activity sheet and snap a fun circus photo!

Bookings are essential. Each session is 20 minutes long. Customers will be required to sign in to the activation for contact tracing purposes and strict hygiene practices will be in place.
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BOOK NOW

Coastlands Star Search

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​Coastlands Star Search Heats 30th September - 1st October at 11am.

Finals Friday 2nd of October - Juniors 10am - Seniors 11am.
Prizes to be won!

To enter, go to the Coastlands Star Search Facebook page.
Entry forms also available from the Customer Service Desk.
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(Due to possible Covid restrictions we have separated the finals this year)

Art Competition @ Staglands

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Staglands Art Competition is back!
Get up close and personal with Staglands’ spring baby animals for less by entering their Art Competition! Kids get ½ Price Entry when they bring their artwork to Staglands these school holidays.  PLUS fantastic prizes from Staglands and The Learning Connexion up for grabs for winning entries!
 
To enter kids will need to download an entry form and draw or paint Fun things to see and do at Staglands in the space provided, complete details requested then visit Staglands to hand in their artwork.
Visit www.staglands.co.nz for more details and to download an entry form.
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Kidzstuff Theatre Present 'Thumbelina'

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26 September – 9th October 
Monday - Friday 10am & 11:30am
10am shows only on Saturdays!
Tickets $11.00 pp, Children under 2 Free
$7 Special Preview, Saturday 26th September 2020
Bookings: www.kidzstufftheatre.co.nz

Written By Rachel Henry
Starring: Amalia Calder, Rebecca Tate, Shannel Sidal, Steven R
Directed By Hilary Norris

Thumbelina is a character-filled journey of an old Danish yarn, with droplets of KidzStuff magic and fairy dust.
A Mother who longs for a child, gets more than expected when she meets two flamboyant fairies and wishes for a fairy baby.
Fairy babies are not actually babies, but they will always be very tiny indeed. There are many challenges Thumbelina faces on
her shrunken adventure to meet her mother, including a famous frog family and a wealthy Mole named, well.. Mole.
So grab on your tiny shoes, sprinkle yourselves with fairy dust and join us in the magical garden to help Thumbelina find her
Mum.

The Pantoloons Present 'Rapunzel' @ The GryphonTheatre

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Our hair-raising tale finds poor Rapunzel locked in a tall tower deep in the spooky forest by the wicked witch. Rapunzel dreams of escaping and exploring the wide world beyond the window while her mother Dolly Dinglebottom has never given up looking for her. Her only chance of rescue is by Dolly and her madcap apprentices, but who is the mysterious stranger and will he rescue Rapunzel or will the wicked witch succeed in her plot to ruin Rapunzel’s happiness?!

​BOOK ONLINE NOW

Gelissimo Glow Gelato

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Gelissimo’s Glow in the Dark Gelato is here to brighten your evenings over the next two months!
Our Gelateria is transformed into a UV-lit haven inside and out and serving up the only glow in the dark gelato around!
So put on those fluorescent threads, grab a friend or 3 and treat each other to some Gelissimo Glow!

​Gelissimo Gelateria, Odlins Plaza, Wellington Waterfront, Wellington

School Holidays @ Porirua Police Museum

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Meet one of your local Police OfficersTuesday 7 July (week 1) and Tuesday 14 July (week 2), 1-2pm 
All ages
Free, no booking required
Visit the museum and also meet a local Porirua Police Officer. You will have the opportunity to ask the officer questions, have a chat and find out more about what a police officer does and the different roles within Police. 

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Scene of Crime Officer Workshop: Footwear Impression Evidence

Wednesday 8 (SOLD OUT) and Wednesday, 15 July (week 2), 1:30pm - 2:30pm 
7 - 12 years              
$5 per child

Bookings required
Create a footprint cast and record a shoe impression using forensic techniques. All junior recruits take home their own cast and impression. Both sessions featuring a real Scene of Crime Officer! 
Book at museum reception
P (04) 238 3141, E museum@police.govt.nz

Scene of Crime Officer Workshop: Latent Fingerprint Evidence

Monday 6 July (week 1) and Monday 13 July (week 2), 1:30pm – 2:30pm 
7 - 12 years
$5 per child

Bookings required
Learn to dust, develop and lift fingerprints. All junior recruits take home their own fingerprint evidence. Both sessions featuring a real Scene of Crime Officer!
Book at museum reception
P (04) 238 3141, E museum@police.govt.nz

Museum Tours

Available everyday, 10am - 5pm
Bookings required
5 years+

Museum tours are available for visiting groups and can be adapted to suit individual needs and ages. To find out more about museum tours, view the Police Museum learning and experience programme (PDF 288KB).
Tour charges, per person: Children $5 / Adults $5 / Seniors $3
To make a booking::
P (04) 238 3141
E Police Museum contact form

Bigair Gymsports Holiday Programme

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Bigair Gymsports™ runs a fun active programme during the school holidays for children aged 5 to 12 years.  All sessions are run by experienced and qualified coaches with First Aid Certification.
Activities include tag games, relays, dancing and moving to music, indoor netball, indoor soccer, dodge ball, 12 metre trampoline, big trampoline, parachute games, treasure hunts, circuits, fun gymnastics (vault, bar, beam, floor), cheerleading and displays.

Children are encouraged to participate in all activities but are welcome to play with their friend and have free play as they want to.
PLEASE NOTE YOU CANNOT MAKE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME BOOKINGS ONLINE
BOOKINGS CAN ONLY BE MADE BY CONTACTING THE OFFICE ON 04 232 3508 OR OFFICE@BIGAIRGYM.CO.NZ
Morning (8.30am to 1.00pm) - $20.00 per session
Afternoon (1.00pm to 5.30pm)- $20.00 per session
Full day (8.30am to 5.30pm)- $40.00
All holiday programme sessions must be paid for at the time of booking - the holiday programme is very popular and places are limited.
Late pick-up charges will be charged - $10 for every 15 minutes.

Wellington Zoo School Holiday Programme for 5-10 year olds

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Keeping your kids entertained during the school holidays might sometimes feel like wrangling wild animals, so why not let the professionals take over?
Every school holidays we run a school holiday programme for kids from 5 to 12. They’ll get to meet our animals, learn from our specially trained Zoo staff and get sneak peeks behind the scenes.
Every day of the Zoo Holiday programme is filled with a new action-packed theme, so you can book for one day, or choose a few days that suit.
The kids will have an unforgettable school holiday experience, and be inspired about animals and conservation, all while having fun getting stuck into exciting activities.
Spaces are strictly limited so please book using the form below to make sure you don’t miss out.
Time: Drop off between 8.30 and 9am; pick up between 3.30 and 4.30pm. 
Where: Zoo Holiday Programme pick up and drop off is at Wellington Zoo’s Archibald Centre, just up from the Zoo entrance
Cost: $69 per child per day
What to bring: Morning tea and lunch, a drink bottle, weather appropriate clothing, sun/wind protection, and sensible shoes.
Select the Holiday Programme you're interested on the website to read a little more about it! 

Island Bay Marine Education Centre

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Website and Facebook Page
Open Every Sunday ***CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO COVID19 ALERT LEVELS - Check the Facebook page for the most up to date information.
10am to 3pm
Everyone Welcome!

Click here to see our location and how to get to us.
Usually open every Sunday from 10am to 3pm.   The Sunday Open Day is a great opportunity for everyone to have a look at what's happening in the Aquarium and share a special experience with family and friends.   Click here to see what's new in the Aquarium.

All our marine life is from the Wellington region. Octopuses, Seahorses, Blue Cod, Groper and loads more are always on display.  Our most popular exhibit is the "Touch Gently Pool" where visitors are able to have close-up encounters with some of the marine animals in our care.  

Open Sundays are  also an opportunity for children to show their parents what they've been learning during their class visits to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre.


Visits to our Bait House Aquarium are hosted by knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers to help visitors learn more about the marine life they're seeing.

Entry:
Child: $2
Adult: $5



Other School Holiday Activities...

* For other activities and places to go all year around, such as wildlife parks, check out out Out & About page.
* If you are travelling up the Kapiti Coast at all make sure you check out www.kapitikidsconnect.co.nz and see what School Holiday Activities are on up there!
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