What to do during the school holidays? Here’s what’s happening and where to go

From the Capsule team

Whether you’re looking for a last minute trip, a day trip, something to while away a few hours – or some fun things to do at home, we’ve got a few ideas to help.

Go to ancient Egypt

Auckland Museum, tickets $40 per person

Are you ready to make a mother? Write a tombstone, or try your hand at hieroglyphics? Then spend a magical night at the Auckland Museum as they take you back over 3000 years to the time when the pharaohs ruled Egypt.

The most popular school holiday museum tours sell out, so get in early! Especially as these holidays (and the following September / October) I look behind the works of the latest Egyptian exhibition. Night at the Auckland Museum: Wonders of Egypt, will introduce children to how ancient people lived to show you the many wonders of their powerful and fascinating civilization – from the beautiful reign of the pharaohs to the daily life of workers, farmers and artists.

If you miss out on tickets, the regular exhibition is open every day during the school holidays, and is well worth a visit!

Go to Jurassic World

Takina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Center, from $25.90

What’s better than Lego and dinosaurs? Dinosaurs made of Lego. If you’re in Wellington during the school holidays (or any time before October 16, you’ll want to take yourself (and the kids!) to the Takina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, for the Jurassic World by Brickman® exhibition. An adventure 6-million LEGO® bricks in the making, this jaw-dropping, interactive experience is a must-see.

It has huge dinosaurs, props, pictures and activities made from more than 6 million LEGO® bricks, allowing you to remember the beloved legends and characters of the Jurassic World franchise, as you embark on an exciting journey through Isla Nublar. .

Walk through the park’s iconic gates and see the inner workings of the Jurassic World lab. Enter the dinosaur enclosure, where the 1.8 ton Brachiosaurus awaits! Meet the amazing species of Triceratops, Velociraptors, T.rex and many more. Discover LEGO® brick palaeontology, mystery drawings, island construction, hybrid dinosaur creations and more. There will be 2.5 million LEGO® bricks to show off your building skills!

Go to Space

Auckland MOTAT, (included in entry fee – children, $10, adults, $19)

When was the last time you looked up at the sky on a cloudless and dark night? Above the city lights, the night sky is amazing to see – captivating and stimulating our imagination. Unlock the mysteries of space at night with what’s happening this July at MOTAT and Tūhura Tuarangi – Aotearoa in Space.

Tūhura Tuarangi is an experience that showcases the world of astronomy and world-leading research taking place here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Packed with fun and facts for the whole whānau, play, build, create, and explore the origins of our night sky, the connection between the earth and space, and the technology that helps us explore air, atmospheric pollutants, and meteorites.

In addition, these activities help children learn local stories – or pūrākau – about the origin of the stars. Pūrākau differs between iwi and hapū, reflecting different places and ancestral experiences.

The holiday program runs from Saturday, July 1 to Sunday, July 16. Performances will be held at both museum locations – 805 Great North Road and 98 Motions Road in Western Springs, Auckland.

Meet Peppa Pig

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, included in admission – Adults $36, Children $26.40 (online reservations)

We hope Peppa can swim, because this school holiday she’s going to Auckland’s Kelly Tarlton’s!

Peppa’s sea adventure will take you to different locations where you can help Peppa count all the fish in the sky, find hidden sea fish, and help the clownfish return home. Along the way, you’ll meet amazing creatures and see how you can protect them in our oceans.

There’s also the chance to meet Peppa herself at her regular meet and greets – you’ll get some online time.

Meet Not One, But TWO T-Rex

Peter and Barbara at the Auckland Museum, admission is FREE

What’s better than one dinosaur? Two! If you haven’t seen ‘Peter’ the T-Rex, you haven’t missed your chance – in fact, the experience has been amazing!

For the past year, ‘Peter’, one of the world’s rarest, complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons, has attracted the attention of visitors to the Museum. Now Peter is being followed by Barbara, a giant female T. rex who has an amazing story to tell about her survival.

Now, in the first world, you can witness history as Peter and Barbara make their pair in the Te Ao Mārama South Atrium – the only place where you can see a large male and female T. rex on display together. The pair will be on display until the end of 2023.

Go Behind the Scenes…

Wētā Workshop Unleashed, children $26, adults $50.

Join an exciting film workshop and see the worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy in the making, with Wētā Workshop Unleashed!

The 90-minute guided experience in Auckland’s CBD includes giants, giants and robots (oh my!), interactive gizmos, hands-on displays and great visuals as you discover how workers design, create and bring their creations to life.

Go to Movies…

As always, there are a number of family-friendly movies hitting theaters, just in time to keep your mind entertained for the holidays. Meanwhile, the reviews include

• Elemental. Exit now – Rated PG. This animated film is the latest from Pixar – an exciting adventure following the unlikely relationship between Ember – a walking flame – and Wade – a talking water creature – in a city where fire, water, earth and air live together.
• The Little Mermaid. Out now – Rated PG. An absolute must-see, this film is Disney’s latest adaptation of the recent Ariel mermaid sequel. It stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, along with Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy.
• The cats are in the museum. In theaters starting June 29 – Rated G. The film follows the famous four-legged people of St. Petersburg Winter Palace – museum cats who protect part of the State Hermitage from rats and mice.
• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. In theaters from June 29 – Rated M. Older children will enjoy the latest installment in the Indiana Jones legacy. Harrison Ford returns as the titular character. It also stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Antonio Banderas.
• Coco Reo Māori. In theaters starting July 13 – Rated PG. Coco is a beautiful Oscar-winning Pixar movie that follows a boy who travels to the world of the dead. Now, in cinema the Te Reo Māori genre has arrived and is worthy of a revival of the story.

Prepare to Kill…

SeekersCode, $39, or $21 via GrabOne for up to four people (recommended over 7 years old)

While you’re in Wellington, head upstream to solve Dr Oliver’s murder Turn at SeekersCode! Take just over an hour to challenge Sherlock Holmes in a Cluedo-style murder mystery, with 17 riddles spread across two kilometers of the city. Save 46% with GrabOne and enter the stairs – all in the name of fun!

Take a Road Trip with Kids

Come in trout in Turangi

If you have a young angler in the family, why not visit the Tongariro Trout Center in Turangi. There are fun tours around the river, including the aquarium and the Rainbow Trout Hatchery, but the real star (or reel?) of the show is the kids’ fly fishing area.

For $45 kids ages 5-18 get a license and all the equipment, then go out with an instructor who helps them land their trout. By the time you get back to the house – especially if you look at the warehouse – the fish is covered, smoked (in manuka honey and brown sugar) and ready to be eaten on the spot, or taken away. . If you’re looking for a place to stay in Tūrangi, we can highly recommend Tūrangi Trout Lodge – there’s a river right in front of you to test your new-found fishing skills!

Take the Kids to Mount Maunganui

There is plnety to do at the Mount for families – it is one of the best places in NZ for them. So where to go? Where to eat? What are you trying to do? We have all our top ideas here.