School holiday solutions

Six-year-olds Nazharina Sao (left) and Madison Hart get close to a Roboraptor toy at Motat. File picture / Glenn Jeffrey

It's school holiday time ... and here's a selection of activities in Auckland that will help to keep the family happy:

AUCKLAND ZOO

What: ASB Animal Stars at the Zoo - A celebration of the movie stars of the animal kingdom. A chance for kids to see animals from Madagascar, Racing Stripes and other famous movies in real life.

Where: Motions Rd, Western Springs.

When: To Sunday, July 16.

Hours: Daily from 9.30am to 5pm.

Contact: (09) 360-3800, Auckland Zoo

Cost: Adults $16, children 4 to 15 $8, children under 4 free.

Also at Auckland Zoo:

What: Witch Whoopsie and the Wild Thing - Help Witch Whoopsie create a wild new animal.

Where: Grasslands Theatre.

When: Daily from 10.30am to 11.45am.

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ROCKING ROBOTS

What: Rocking Robots - Create your own robot or play with the latest prototype toys designed by former Nasa scientist Dr Mark Tilden.

Where: Museum of Transport and Technology, Great North Rd, Western Springs.

When: To Sunday, July 16.

Hours: 10am to 12.30pm/12.30pm to 4pm: Robot Craft Activity.

10.30am/1.30pm: Robot Workshop.

11.30am/2.30pm: Lego Mindstorm Workshop.

Noon to 2pm: Robot Free Style.

Contact: 0800-66-82-86, MOTAT

Cost: Adults $14, children $7, children under 5 free, family pass $30.

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MERMAIDS AND SAILORS

What: Immerse yourself in the world of mermaids and sailors.

Where: Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei.

When: To Sunday, July 16.

Hours: 9.30am to 10.45am: Screening of The Princess Diaries featuring Ariel the mermaid.

11am to 1pm: Meet and greet a real live mermaid.

1.15pm to 2.30pm: Repeat movie screening.

2pm to 3pm: Salty Tales - Story-telling in the Mermaid Grotto.

3pm to 4.15pm: Repeat movie screening.

Contact: (09) 528-0603, Kelly Tarlton's

Cost: Come along dressed as a mermaid or sailor and get in for free.

Adults $26, children 4 to 14 $12, children under 3 free.