When people say that New Zealand is a great place to raise kids, they’re not just referring to the fresh air and easy access to the outdoors. There is no shortage of organised activities catered specifically for the country’s younger residents. Even some events for grown-ups will have attractions such as bouncy castles and face-painting to keep the kids entertained.

Museums and libraries have areas for children and run fun and inexpensive programmes during school holidays, as do galleries, councils and organisations like the YMCA. Your local council, newspapers and noticeboards are good places to find out about these. Recreation and aquatic centres (see Leisure Facilities) also run holiday programmes and are inexpensive places to while away a few hours at other times. Many feature a range of depths, wave pools, slides and swings.

Some sporting associations will offer modified versions of sports that are suitable for primary-school-age kids upwards, with the emphasis for younger participants being on participation, skill development and fun, rather than winning.

There are plenty of cultural activities on offer, such as dancing, art classes and music lessons. Your council should hold a list of clubs and organisations in the area. Alternatively, ask at the school for ideas and contacts. The Yellow Pages is another useful resource, as is the online magazine Kids Friendly NZ (www.kidsfriendlynz.com).

Of course, you don’t need an organised activity or even to spend any money to keep the kids amused. It costs nothing to wander down to the swings and slides at the local park or to make sandcastles on the beach. The Department of Conservation (www.doc.govt.nz) has a list of suggested activities for kids on its website.