KEY POINTS:
1. Design a robot
Techno kids will love this: Robo Explorer is a five-day course in Auckland offering 9- to 14-year-olds the chance to design and programme their own robots, using laptops and Lego Robotics technology. They create and crash-test their own Lego robotic bulldozer, design a robotic golf putter and animal, and embark on a tour of the University of Auckland's robotic lab.
The fee is $335. To enrol your child, phone the Parnell Trust, on (09) 379 2095, ext. 9724. Have a look at their other innovative programmes, including go-cart racing excursions or a course in which children help real professors conduct lab experiments.
2. Play zookeeper for a day
What child wouldn't get a buzz from being junior keeper at the Auckland Zoo for a day, feeding and caring for some amazing wild animals under the guidance of an experienced keeper? Anyone aged from seven to 17 can join in, at $100 per day. For more information, phone (09) 360 4700. For a full rundown of the zoo's many children's holiday events, including initiatives on becoming a conservation crusader for elephants, cheetahs or orang-utans, browse www.aucklandzoo.co.nz. Meanwhile, it's all creepy crawly at Wellington Zoo where four different species of tarantula - including the giant Goliath Birdeater (which eats crickets, not birds) - will be on display. Catch a bus there and you'll get in for half price. Choice!
3. Learn to dance at the mall
Soul of Siren will entertain children with their Decade of Dance performances at nine of Auckland's Westfield shopping centres for the next two weeks. Each performance represents a different era in dance history, from the 1950s onwards. During the 25-minute shows a performer will teach the participating children a series of dance moves, be it pop or hip-hop, for free. For show times and venues, visit www.westfield.com/nzcentres
4. Take to the stage
Want to learn how to act, dance or do stage make-up? Auckland's Artz on Show's holiday workshops gives children aged 5 to 15 a taste of all the performing arts in a fun, educational atmosphere. Each of the intense five-day workshops comprises a mix of drama, dance and vocal tuition, and covers disciplines such as photography and team building. Places for this winter's Footloose courses are still available at the North Shore and Botany Downs centres. Phone (09) 638 9449. Also keep the Performing Arts School of New Zealand's performing arts and circus arts workshops in mind - unfortunately they're fully booked for this break. Phone (09) 845 0290 ext. 2 for a brochure.
5. Explore ancient Egypt at the Auckland Museum
You can't beat the real thing, but a visit to the Egypt: Beyond the Tomb exhibition will give your children a good idea of what life was like for one of the world's most magnificent ancient civilisations. In keeping with this theme, the museum is hosting a range of exciting events, including Egyptian craft workshops, an interactive show explaining how they mummified their dead, and a free quiz tournament in which trios aged eight years plus can test their knowledge of ancient Egypt. If you are or become a member of the museum, you and your family will receive discounts. www.aucklandmuseum.com
6. Go camping
The YMCA takes young people on five-day camping trips to teach them to take responsibility, help them develop their mental and physical strengths and operate as a team. During the camp, participants embark on all sorts of challenging adventures, including abseiling, pole climbing and mud sliding. For more details about this winter's camps - Misty, for 7- to 12-year-olds; and Crispy, for 13- to 16-year-olds - visit www.nzymca.com. Camp costs are $225, and non-members are welcome. Phone Whangarei (09) 438 2926, Auckland (09) 303 2069, Hamilton (07) 838 2219, Rotorua (07) 348 5445, Taranaki (06) 752 7876, Wellington (04) 385 0505.
7. Yum, chocolate
It's winter, and it's holidays, which means pudding time. One of the easiest and most scrummy puds to make is this, one of dozens of variations on the theme.
Self-saucing chocolate pudding
Melt 100g butter, stir in 3/4 cup sugar, an egg and 1 tsp vanilla.
Sift and fold in 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp cocoa; stir.
Place in greased ovenproof dish. Mix 1/4 cup cocoa, and 1/2 cup brown sugar with 2 cups of boiling water and pour over the pudding.
Cook in moderate oven for 35-45 minutes.
8. Lights out
No, not you Vector. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Snuggle up in bed with your siblings if it's cold one morning, or have an early lights out, and using a torch or dull lamp, turn your fingers into shadow puppets. The winner gets to lick the self-saucing chocolate pudding spoon.
9. Help abandoned animals
The holidays are the ideal time to encourage older children to invest time in a good cause, for example by helping the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to nurture abandoned animals. Children can volunteer at the SPCA from age 16, or age 14 provided their parents or a legal guardian accompanies them. If you have younger children, take them to the animal shelter instead with some pet food or toys for the animals. Or adopt a pet and teach your child how to take responsibility for it. Phone the SPCA on Auckland (09) 256 7300 Hamilton (07) 847 4865, Taupo (07) 378 4396, Bay of Islands (09) 407 7515, Hawkes Bay (06) 835 7758, Manawatu (06) 357 2516, Wellington (04) 389 8044.
10. Tween modelling
Vanity Walk is a Kidactive course that teaches seven to 11-year-olds to confidently strut their stuff on the runway, take care of their skin and hair - skills that are great for prepping them for their teenage years. It may also help them get work with a talent or modelling agency later on. The duration of the course is three days and costs $199. Kidactive, the country's largest holiday programme provider, has over 100 courses to choose from, including indoor cricket, rock climbing, skateboarding, cookery, drama and even first aid. And if you have trouble teaching getting your child to ride a (two-wheel) bike, their Tykes on Bikes programme may be worth a try. Phone 0800 543 228 or visit www.kidactive.co.nz
