Let’s be honest: life’s chaotic. Between endless screens, non-stop notifications, and schedules that make us feel like unpaid Uber drivers, finding a moment of family zen seems as…
Want to add an extra bit of fun to holidays throughout the year? Printable activities are a brilliant way to get the kiddos involved and make celebrations feel…
Okay, confession time: Sometimes I feel a major wave of mum-guilt when I am working from home and my kids are parked in front of the telly or…
It’s odd that we’ve travelled all over the world, but really haven’t seen very much of our own backyard, especially not the South Island. So we were so…
We just love Easter at Kiwi Families HQ. We like to include a bunch of activities, and story-telling, in the lead up to Easter weekend. And we try to make it…
Art activities for preschoolers are as important to your child’s development as reading, writing and other physical development skills. We’ve pulled together 19 art activities for 3, 4…
Here’s 5 easy Easter activities to make with kids. Spending time together on a food, or craft, activity is an awesome way to make some memories during your time…
Children have fun learning and bonding, which develops a sense of confidence and security. As a kaiako (teacher) of children in home based childcare, I’ve learnt that having…
Outdoor activities are a great way to keep the kids entertained and to help them to burn off energy. This is especially important during the school holidays when…
Feel like your family is stuck in an exercise rut and need some ideas other than a visit to your local school playground or park? We rarely think…
It’s winter again – cold, dark, and occasionally wet and/or snowing, depending which bit of New Zealand you live in. So how can you keep the family active…
Sometimes it’s just plain hard to think of new things to do at home with toddlers and/or preschoolers. You don’t really have the time or energy to search…
April 25th is a day of great significance. Here are some ANZAC Day activities to do together as a family, so you can mark this day in a memorable…
Combining exercise with family activities has many benefits, and not just to our waistlines and fitness levels. Active kids eat better, sleep better and think better and so…
As Christmas comes closer, I’ve been thinking about things that I can do with my children to celebrate the Christmas season. Here are three easy ideas that you can…
“Oh no, not another rainy day!” If your plans have been hijacked by a never-ending downpour and you’re dreading another round of “Muuum, I’m bored,” we’ve got just…
Slow the pace down in the holidays with some reading and storytime activities. Find ideas about how to get started in our 7 great reading and story time…
If your child is a real movie lover, then here are some Movie Magic activities to keep them busy over the school holidays.
Get gardening with your children these holidays. Here are some great gardening activities, projects, and ideas to get kids started. This should keep them busy for at least a…
Find out what can you create with your kids for free or at low cost in our Craft Activities for Parent and Child article. Craft activities like card…
Here are some free or low cost craft activities for 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 year old kids. Create something fabulous and practical that you and your children can…
Here are some free or low cost craft activities for young children. Fabric and ceramic painting, mosaics and more. Find it all in Craft Activities for 4 –…
Here are some animal lover activities for the animal lover in your family these holidays. Places to visit, research ideas, find these and other activities in our article.
Getting messy is a part of being a child, and art activities tend to be messy. By making art activities a time when it’s okay to make a…
Fabric painting is such a fun activity for young children, and fabric paint is so cheap and easy to use. Kids of any age can turn ordinary things…
Children love to play with clay, and there are some great craft projects that kids can make. Read here about types of clay, and ideas for clay creations.
Boys like arts and crafts just as much as girls, in fact boys love to make and do. These art and craft ideas for boys are a great…
Young children love to paint, and there are so many different art activities they can enjoy with a pot of paint. Art activities are supposed to be fun,…
Warmer weather jolts many of us into action. Whether it is spring cleaning or just tidying up in the garden, it makes us feel good knowing we are…
One of the questions we are often asked as parents is “What after school activities do your children do?” Maybe it is just the “mother thing”. Since the…
Wondering is my child ready to start school? Learn the signs to look for, what matters most, and how to build confidence before day one.
Need co parenting schedule examples? See 7 realistic routines by age, plus how to choose one that suits school, work and your child’s needs.
Montessori vs play based learning: what changes in the classroom, what children gain, and how to choose the best fit for your family.
Find the best chores chart by age printable, with realistic tasks from toddlers to teens, plus scripts and tips to make the routine stick.
Mental load in marriage signs include being the default parent, constant planning, and invisible chores. Learn what it looks like and what to do next.
Teenagers today live in a world where a swipe or a tap can open the door to a whole new social circle—but it’s not always a safe or…
My two girls, now 5 and 9, are at that stage where they have a million thoughts but not a lot of outlets to express them. Some days,…
It was one of those chaotic mornings every parent knows too well. My five-year-old, dressed in her mismatched superhero outfit, was attempting to use glitter glue to “fix”…
Disciplining school-aged children felt like I was walking a tightrope. On one hand, I was worrying about being too permissive and raising children who lack structure or respect…
As a mother of two energetic girls, now aged 5 and 9, I vividly remember the day I decided it was time to introduce them to chores. Picture…
Let’s be honest: getting kids to help around the house can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats. You know they can do it; you’ve seen them organize…
Picture this: it’s 2 a.m., and you’re wide awake, standing in your living room with a baby monitor in one hand and a half-eaten cookie in the other.…
Ah, the teenage years! If you think navigating the toddler stage was a rollercoaster, just wait until you experience the wild ride of adolescence. I remember the first…
If you’ve ever sat back and watched all the changes happening in your pre-teen, you’re not alone! I remember the day my eldest daughter, now nine, came home…
Ever find yourself staring at your kids in disbelief, wondering how they’ve gone from tiny, helpless bundles of joy to full-blown little humans with opinions, preferences, and—dare I…
When we talk about child behaviour, it’s easy to picture a toddler throwing spaghetti on the floor or a teenager rolling their eyes (again!). Just the other day,…
Homeschooling can feel like an uphill battle some days, especially when it comes to keeping your child motivated to complete schoolwork. Imagine the time your little one hid…
Imagine this: you open a fresh journal, ready to spill your thoughts, dreams, and wildest ideas onto the blank page. But suddenly… writer’s block hits. Don’t worry; we’ve got…
Let me paint a picture for you: It’s the school holidays. You’re feeling hopeful, thinking of all the creative activities you’re going to do with the kids—baking, crafts,…
We’ve all been there—those in-between moments when the lesson ends early, energy levels drop, or your students just need a quick reset. You need something fast, fun, and…
Just the other evening, I found myself in the middle of yet another classic showdown between my two teenage daughters, Lucy and Hannah. Lucy, who’s sixteen, had borrowed…
Transitioning your toddler to sleep in their own bed can be a challenging yet rewarding process. It’s a significant milestone that not only represents your child’s growing independence…
Bringing a new little miracle into your life is like holding a whole galaxy in your arms. There’s so much joy, wonder, and of course, a whole spectrum…
Turning 13 is a huge milestone, so why not celebrate with birthday parties that are just as awesome? Don’t worry, you don’t need to break the bank to…
Matariki — the Māori New Year — is one of the most significant events in the New Zealand calendar, and in our house it’s become one of our…
Easter is a time of vibrant colours, new beginnings, and of course, plenty of chocolate! It’s also a brilliant opportunity to get those creative juices flowing. Drawing is…
Living while teaching in Taiwan could be the ultimate adventure for parents who are considering relocating overseas. Known for its fascinating culture and stunning scenery, this Southeast Asian…
There’s 101 things to do in Auckland, but when it comes to visiting with kids some activities are better suited. We discovered 51 epic things to do in…
As families across New Zealand welcome the new year, growing concern looms over the wellbeing of our children. And one of those concerns is around e-cigarette use, otherwise…
Are you looking for ways to earn money from the comfort of your own home? Well, you’ve come to the right place! As parents, we understand that making…
We’ve pulled together the top 20 educational websites for kids updated for 2024. These are educational websites full of games, video, content and activities to keep your kids…
How do we foster creativity in our children and in our parenting? Both require space and time. We all need ample time and a sense of abundant space…
At this time of year, families are entertaining their kids by painting pictures or having an impromptu dance party. While these activities are fun, art and dance movement…
The au pair experience offers a fantastic opportunity for young adults to immerse themselves in a new culture while providing childcare support to a host family. In exchange,…
As parents we have dreams for our children. We hope they will live happy lives with a sense of purpose. But how do we make sure children learn…
New Zealand School Holiday Dates 2026 & 2027 Planning family life around school terms just got easier. Below you’ll find the complete NZ school holiday dates for 2026…
As tech evolves, children with easy access to the internet are being bombarded with inappropriate content. It’s understandable if you’re worried about what your kids are doing online.…
You may find yourself wondering, ‘is Santa really real?’ At Kiwi Families we 100% believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas. If you’re wondering what to believe,…
We’ve pulled together our selection of the best free Maths Games online for kids, updated for 2025. These are educational websites full of games to keep your kids entertained while…
Here at Kiwi Families, we love crafting ideas that are simple enough for little ones to have a go at, but difficult enough to keep older kids engaged.…
Birthday party games are hilarious for 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 year olds, because they really get into the birthday party spirit; provided you choose the right…
New Zealand is home to some of the best family road trips in the world. New Zealand is a touring country with destinations around every bend. We know…
There are lots of different ways to potty train your child. Some parents are super-lucky and watch as their child virtually trains themselves, others find it takes much longer…
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week is a week where New Zealanders both here and overseas are encouraged to recognise and practice the Māori…
Your child’s 1st birthday party is not just a celebration of their first year, but one of yours as well. It’s a birthday party to recall milestones and…
All around the country families are starting to prepare for their child’s return back to school or even starting school for the first time!
There are lots of different recipes available for Anzac Biscuits, many of which have evolved over time. This is one of the more classic Anzac Biscuit recipes you’ll…
As the weather gets colder outside, we’re constantly searching for fun and colourful activities to brighten up our days. That’s why we thought it would be the perfect…
This could be the perfect little back-to-school craft for your tamariki. I think this DIY painted canvas pencil case project is sure to be a hit!
Wellington provides a scintillating range of things to do and places to go for all members of the family throughout the year. Here’s our list of 31 Things to do in…
Not living with your child full-time doesn’t mean you lose your rights—or your place—in their life. Being a non-custodial parent in New Zealand comes with a unique set…
We recently spent a few days in Queenstown, to see what it’s like in the warmer months. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park and it…
It’s cold outside but this easy to make heating pad or wheat bag will help keep you toasty warm. Wheat bags are so easy to make, and they’re…
What child doesn’t want to create their own treasure box or Jewellery box. This is a super easy craft that can be great for a rainy day, a…
Finding suitable party games for teenagers, or tweenagers, can be tricky business, but we have some great teenage birthday party games that even your ‘coolest’ teenagers will enjoy.
Dads have a special and important role in their children’s lives. We’ve compiled over 90 tips and ideas to help Dads show up, and be the Dads their…
‘Mum’. The small word carries a big meaning for most of us. That meaning partly depends on how we feel about our own mothers and grandmothers and also…
Let’s face it. Power bills are typically the biggest ones that New Zealand families face each month. Household energy costs tend to climb highest during the winter, but…
If there’s one thing we’ve learned last year, it’s that digital devices are key to ensuring learning continues in spite of lockdowns and disruptions.
I don’t know about you, but we always have cardboard tubes lying around the house. Be it toilet rolls or paper towel rolls. And often I find them…
The school holidays are fast approaching and the winter polar blast has started to take hold here. So I’m in need of some easy indoor craft activities to…
The school holidays are fast approaching and the winter polar blast has started to take hold here. So I’m in need of some easy indoor craft activities to…
Gutter board is one of the most underrated games to come out of the 80s. Sure Skip-it was all the rage for a bit, slip-n-slide was cool and…
Parenting can be a demanding and stressful job at any time, however parenting through a pandemic can pile additional pressure on parents, according to new research.
As parents, the sense of worry and guilt that comes with offering your child the iPad or turning on the TV can feel all too familiar. Neuroscience Educator…
Men in general have fewer social and emotional support systems and these generally involve the sort of social activities that are Covid-19 has currently curtailed, such as meeting…
In association with professional midwife experts at birthEd, find out everything you need to know about pregnancy at 14 weeks, including how your baby is growing, changes to…
In association with professional midwife experts at birthEd, find out everything you need to know about pregnancy at 3 weeks, including how your baby is growing, changes to…
In association with professional midwife experts at birthEd, find out everything you need to know about pregnancy at 2 weeks, including how your baby is growing, changes to…
I just love using driftwood for art and craft activities. It can be used for so many different projects and has the added benefit of getting to spend…