Last updated: 10 June 2026 The quick version Matariki 2026 is on Friday July 10th. Most schools and whānau celebrate the week before and after. The simplest crafts…
Getting the kids into bed doesn’t need to be a drama. Having the right tools can make it a battle free zone, here are some tips.
Dealing with challenging behaviour from 6, 7 and 8 year olds is hard work, and can be very emotionally draining on parents. Here’s 4 key tips for managing…
Babies and children can catch diseases at any time. Immunisation is your child’s best protection against many serious but preventable diseases like whooping cough. This disease is still…
Have your child join over four million students around the world who are experiencing the benefits of this unique method of learning. Over a two-week period, students will…
As the first term closes, many schools have either already held their first parent teacher meetings, or will be indicating their availability for these meetings early in Term…
Children’s Day – Te Rā O Te Tamariki – provides New Zealanders with an opportunity to give time to children. It is a fun day for activities that start…
Creative thinkers and doers have shaped our world’s history and contributed to the future direction of the human race for centuries. Find out what the link is between…
Crafting is always more fun and meaningful when it is shared with the ones you love. Kids are natural tinkerers but here are a few tips and tricks…
Really? All I can think about is trying to relax while my, generally well-behaved, sproglets run in, out and around the house over the summer holidays. With school…
Permanently bored people are a bit terrifying. Not, as many may fear, because they might cause trouble of some sort. But because someone, somewhere along the line, has…
I thought I was dumb. That university and a ‘dream job’ with a salary was for other people but not for me. Until I learned about Mahatma Gandhi. A peaceful man…
Yay! Advent is my favourite season in the church calendar, and it’s here! I love to celebrate Advent and so I’ve put together 11 great ways to celebrate…
Treat your little ones to a Santa experience they will never forget at Snowplanet. This Christmas Santa and his elves will be staying in a Magic Castle amongst…
Technology is part of our lives and it is not going away. How much you want to let it into your life and for what purpose are questions…
In an age where we literally have an array of technological devices at our fingertips, there are a high number of articles, blogs and opinion pieces espousing the…
The first mention of ‘education and technology’ tends to bring people out in a rash of raising funds for computers in classrooms, and making sure every child has…
On Friday I gave a presentation to learning support staff and some educational psychologists around transitioning young people between schools. The process of thinking about what it means…
Many parents battle with trying to cook healthy meals that their young ones will actually eat. Fussy eating is common among children and they do eventually grow out…
The holidays are on and so is the mess in our lounge. I have got a great way to keep the kids busy and inspired and the mess,…
Kids at a loose end these holidays? Bored with being stuck indoors all winter? With an action packed line up of free entertainment, from Cup Cake Workshops to…
All human beings are born as natural scientists with the desire to make sense of their immediate environment. Research shows that young children learn and think in a…
Children and snacking is something that many parents worry about. Are my children snacking too much? Is it ok to snack between meals? What sort of food should…
It’s Money Week in New Zealand, and the word on the street is that we’ll need $4,000 in retirement just to spend on eggs! Time to get some…
This week I’ve seen a lot of students struggling with homework. Perhaps it’s the grey cold weather that’s making it extra hard to get the books out when…
‘Have you done your homework yet?’ It’s a question parents don’t like asking just as much as children don’t like answering. Whether it is maths, English or music,…
If you watch Nickelodeon, you probably know about Camp Orange – a multi-award winning children’s reality series. This year, two Kiwi teams took part – one from Auckland (the…
Mothers and daughters who run together – have fun together… Well … mostly 🙂
It’s Allergy Awareness Week soon and we talk to a family where allergies are part of everyday life. Kiwi mum, Amanda, talks about living with allergies for 6 year old Amelia.
Making your own pizza with kids is easy! Too often we perceive making things by scratch to be difficult and end up spending way too much money to buy a…
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…
If you’re looking for a fun, free way to keep the kids entertained these April school holidays, look no further than your local Westfield for a variety of…
A friend reminded me the other day that: “A happy mum means a happy family”. I can hear you say “What has that got to do with creativity?”…
While not being at the beck and call of the hungry and demanding summer veggies plants, the cooler months are a great time to look at the garden…
My young grand-daughter had to make up a story using as much creative ability as possible. She hummed and bounced many ideas of us, and finally presented this:
In a time where the school curriculum seems to become narrower and narrower, outlets for expressing creativity are becoming more and more vital in the lives of our…
Hooo weee! Can’t kids’ birthday parties be just a little bit crazy?? The food; the gifts; the decorations… it can all just get a bit out of hand.…
This year for Children’s Day, as well as recognising your own little cherub, why not spread the love to other children in your community? In the process you’ll…
Here I was thinking all this time that I needed to take dance lessons when it seems that I am actually rather acquainted with the Cha Cha, and…
Here are two lovely and simple Valentine’s crafts to brighten someone’s 14th of February. These little boxes hold a Hershey’s chocolate kiss… it’s quick to make them in…
With the school holiday already becoming a distant memory, and the school term getting into full swing, it’s an ideal time to establish some routines and expectations in…
Christmas is just around the corner. I’ve always loved Christmas and after becoming a mum last year I think I love it even more! I love everything about…
From Rudolf and Santa to Slinki Malinki and the proverbial Pukeko in a Punga Tree, there’s a Christmas-themed picture book for everyone. In most bookshops, though, Baby Jesus…
In the old days when I was growing up – way back in the sixties and the seventies – school and home seemed like two different and separate…
As the school year ends, parents tend to breath a sigh of relief that the morning school rush is over, tired children will catch up on sleep, there’s…
Hey it’s Vanessa here, I decided to jump on the recycling band wagon and upcycled some used milk formula tins simply by painting them, and planting herbs in…
Combining games night with a family meal is one way to have a lot of fun. You can get dressed up, divide family members into who is responsible…
This time of year typically means rather changeable weather and often clear windy days where I live, so what better thing to make than a kite? And what…
What better reason could there be to celebrate the wonderful dads in our families than Father’s Day? Dads come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes it’s someone…
Most teachers, when asked what parents can do to support their children at school, would suggest parents spend more time with their children, encouraging active learning. They’d ask for televisions,…
My little boy loves getting out and exploring. It’s never a fast walk when you have a toddler setting the pace as there are so many things he…
As I am writing this, outside my window it is a beautiful crisp clear Wellington morning – the perfect day for an outdoor adventure with the family. If…
If Huck Finn could float down the Mississippi on a couple of logs lashed together to resemble a raft, then I reckon two adults and a preschooler can…
It’s probably fair to say that family is where most people lay down the foundations for all later interactions in their lives – one of those interactions being…
This post looks at how to make family fitness fun and why it’s a worthwhile investment. We all know that physical activity is good for our bodies, inside…
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…
A vegetable garden is a fabulous way for a family to work together to achieve something amazing. As luck would have it, the time is right to get…
Why is it that some children love to write and draw and for others it’s a struggle to get them to even pick up a pencil? Encouraging your…
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” I read this and I can relate. No,…
We often think of change as something scary; something to be avoided at all costs in some cases! Whether you are adjusting your child’s daily routine, testing a…
I was contacted recently by a parent who is concerned about how his 4 children access the internet. He told me that his kids are growing up and…
Children are constantly grappling with increasingly new amounts of information, environments, activities, expectations, people and so much more. Helping children to adapt to change, and to become more…
When a new baby comes into the home it can be a trying time for everyone – including siblings. Sometimes any uncertainty or uneasiness on the sibling’s part…
Changes within the family come in almost any conceivable way. It could be as joyous as the addition of a new baby all the way through to the…
Pets are often a part of the family, and for children they can be their best and most unconditional friend. As a home-based early childhood teacher/kaiako for Footsteps…
On long, wet days – especially during the school holidays – getting together around the table can be a lot of fun and games provide a welcome pastime.…
Combining craft with making lasting, visual memories is a fantastic way to bond together with your children. If you’ve never tried scrapbooking before, it doesn’t have to be…
School holidays require a little bit of extra effort on the part of parents of school aged children. Generally speaking all extra activities are off for the school…
Kids love music! Whether you’ve got young children or older school children in your house, making music can be a great way to spend some time together. If…
Sometimes it can be pretty difficult getting everyone into an activity when they’re at different ages and/or stages of development. So today we look at spending some school…
When the weather forecast features some sun in the holidays, it’s a nice opportunity to get out and about with the kids. It’s also a great opportunity for…
It’s the weekend between two long weeks of school holidays. It might be time for dad to take the kids for a day (or part day) if mum…
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…
Autumn is an awesome time to explore the garden with your kids! It’s a bit cooler and there’s lots happening. My 4 year old is currently obsessed with…
Awesome treasure hunts do not have to be difficult to organise or especially time consuming… but they can be if you want them to be!
Welcome to the school holidays! Whether you dread the thought of filling those long school-less days or you love the chance to hang with your crew, we’ve got…
It’s easy for us to forget that events in our (fairly recent) past – things that we were involved in or might be able to remember – count…
Monitoring software is available for mobile devices, just like it’s been available for laptops and desktops for some time. The software is simple. Parents create an online account…
We parents can feel consumed by our role to care for our children, and feeding is a big part of that responsibility. Try these 9 ways to avoid picky…
Cupcakes: what better way to get all the kids involved in not only creating a masterpiece using their imaginations but also learning about baking, measuring, decorating and so…
Gluten is a protein and is found in foods made from wheat, barley and rye. It is what makes food such as pasta and bread elastic and chewy in texture. A…
The occasional drought notwithstanding, New Zealand is a pretty good place for a backyard garden; for growing a few fruit and vege plants that you can feel proud…
Making meal times easy for kids shouldn’t be so hard! This easy meals for kids article is packed full of tips for introducing kids to new foods, without…
There are some alarming reports on childhood obesity and the long-term impact it’s going to have on our kids’ lifespan, health and the nation’s wallet. It’s easy to…
Ever wonder what to do for your child’s birthday party? Do you feel pressured to keep up with the latest party trend? Maybe your children expect bigger and…
After the sad death of Margaret Mahy last year, the title of greatest living children’s author in New Zealand must go to Joy Cowley, author of literally hundreds…
I get lots of questions about toilet training children and with some children, it can be a really challenging business. Recently, I received this email from a desperate…
Get out of the Rut Putting your kid’s lunchbox together can be boring. It involves ticking off a mundane checklist as you quickly fling items in: sandwich -…
I saw this on a craft blog and LOVED it so I had to share it! This would be great for in mum’s handbag, in the car or…
Hi everyone, Cecilia Robinson here with a few more tips on easing the transition back to school. I hope you have all had a fantastic summer break. Funny…
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…
We love getting creative in our family and I believe it is extremely important for children to be able to use their minds and imagination to explore different…
How well do you know stories of your ancestors? I go back five generations in this land, on each side of my family, but what came before that…
A new rule increasing the age of mandatory child restraint use is a positive step in the safety of kiwi kids, says Kelly Good, car safety technician based…
My girls are quite creative, I guess they take after their mum in that respect. They both love to colour, but my youngest has recently taken a real…
I don’t know about you, but we’re in the middle of Games fever here at the moment! If your kids are keen on the Games too, here are some…
Almost every day parents write to FamilyLab and say: “My children never listen to what I say!” What they sometimes mean is that the children do not obey…
My daughter Sophie turns 11 next week. She’s also in her last year of primary school. I am struggling with all of this to be honest. My girls…
Over 2000 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said ‘All disease begins in the gut’. This is as true today as it was then. When our digestion…
Auckland Museum presents for the first time CAMERA Season of Photography, a major showcase of some of the most remarkable wildlife and documentary photography from New Zealand and…