Plenty on in Rotorua to keep young ones entertained these school holidays

Rotorua Library's Hannah Swale (left) and Kylie Holmes show some of the things children can create these school holidays. Photo / Stephen Parker

Keeping young ones entertained will be an easy feat for Rotorua families with plenty on offer these school holidays.

The Rotorua Library have more activities planned than ever before.

Scheduled activities start on Monday with the STEAM Mystery Bag Challenge where children get a range of materials in a mystery bag and solve an engineering challenge.

Children can win spot prizes for dressing up in their favourite colour for the Rainbow Dance Party, and there is the chance to make an instrument from recycled materials and be a part of the first Great Te Aka Mauri Band.

With Lego sessions proving popular in past holiday programmes, the youth and early learning team have come up with a new Lego challenge - Lego Towns - to be held in the Makerspace.

Children can plan and build their own town, including all its amenities.

Families can also do the Great Te Aka Mauri Scavenger Hunt with all new questions and challenges.

These holidays will be the first time the hunt is available in te reo Māori and English. All entries will go in the draw to win one of four prize packs.

Rotorua Library youth and early learning lead Kylie Holmes says as well as having more sessions there is more variety with different types of art, music, dance and STEAM activities in the line-up.

"The activities are designed to integrate learning and fun, and to start conversations which can carry on at home long after the activity is over."

Activities will appeal to children of all ages, and Kylie says there is something for everyone.

"The parents often seem to enjoy the activities as much as the children do and with the numbers who keep coming back over and over, they must be having fun."

For more information go to www.rotorualibrary.govt.nz.

Meanwhile, the Rotorua Museum is giving little builders the chance to get creative with Play Space blocks, which allow children to build a new world every day.

This is running during the first week of the holidays, October 1 to October 5, from 10am to 2pm at the Te Rūnanga Tea House. Bookings are not required and entry is free.

Young, budding artists can also get creative at The Arts Village's Holiday Arts Academy for 8 to 12-year-olds. More information is available at www.artsvillage.org.nz.

The popular Children's Art House programme has already been fully booked.

Children who want to keep active over the holidays can check out the Rotorua Basketball Hoopstar Holiday Programme.

This programme is running from October 1 to October 5 at the Sportsdrome. Bookings are required in advance. Visit the Rotorua Basketball Facebook page or email rotoruabball@xtra.co.nz.

Families can also get active with Virtually on Track Scavenger Hunts, allowing families to explore the natural parks and reserves around Rotorua.

Solve clues, take photos and answer questions, then send answer sheets into Sport Bay of Plenty for a chance to win prizes. For more information visit www.eventfinda.co.nz.