“Our focus is on play activities that include the opportunity for tamariki to be active; this could be anything from scavenger hunts to community play days, closing off a street temporarily to create a loose play space, creative play experiences or nature play.”
Some community activities happening during Play Week are:
· Wanganui Surf Lifeguard Service is hosting a Beach Play session at Castlecliff Beach from 9.30am – 11.30am on Saturday, November 11. Families are invited to explore nature in a safe beach environment.
· The Great Whanganui Play Trail will have a special activation each month over summer, starting in November with a draw to win a Riverland Family Park voucher when you pick up a Play Trail map from the Whanganui iSite on Taupō Quay.
Organisations are also encouraged to consider play activations beyond Play Week.
“If you want to use Play Week to trial an idea, we can help with seeking funding for larger future projects through the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund,” says Brunger.
Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa is a Sport New Zealand fund that is administered locally by Sport Whanganui and is for projects and programmes seeking to activate tamariki and rangatahi through play, sport, and active recreation. Funding rounds are open four times a year, with applications currently open until October 31.
If you are holding a play event or activity open to the community, Sport Whanganui would love to help promote it. Send details to Jodie Brunger at jodie@sportwhanganui.co.nz. Find more information, including inspiration and ideas for Play Week activities, at playweek.co.nz.