Ahoy there, all ye landlubbers

Learn more about space at Stardome.

Pirates, Vikings and space exploration are just some of the diversions on offer these holidays to keep whippersnappers from getting under your feet.

Stardome begins World Space Week next Monday with a holiday programme about life in space. Visit the International Space Station and follow the great voyages of space explorers.

Each day there's the opportunity for children to create their own shuttle and attempt to launch it to the space station. There's also the chance to get creative while designing your own space station, making an astronaut badge and a flag for your favourite planet.

Start saving your cereal boxes now - Stardome would like you to bring lots of boxes and cardboard rolls.

The observatory will also present its new show Dark Star Adventure in the planetarium, with Subrah and her robot pal Sweeps.

Workshops are at 10am, 11am and 1pm daily. $15 for one adult with one child pair, each extra person $9.

Next Wednesday, kids can have a trip on the Ted Ashby sailing scow for a real pirates' adventure, firing a cannon out at sea. Later, they can explore the Maritime Museum. Pirates Ahoy is from 10am to noon. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Entry is $10 each.

You can always count on the Auckland Museum to help you while away a few hours. These holidays, children can learn all about Vikings - including runes, religion, woodcarving and warcraft- every day from 10am to 2pm. Sit around and hear Viking legends during the daily storytelling session at 2pm.

Children aged 11 to 15 can try their hand at some authentic Viking craft in the advanced workshops, including leatherwork, armour and how to how to write using runes.

You'll find a full timetable on aucklandmuseum.com