If you’re standing over a half-eaten plate of pasta (again), wondering how your kid survived the day on two crackers and a banana, you’re in the right place.…
You’re standing in the kitchen. Shoes nowhere to be seen. Bag unpacked. Clock ticking. Your kid’s moving like molasses. You take a breath, try again: “Please get ready.”…
We’re told from day one that if we want our kids to succeed, we need to hammer phonics and math facts into their brains before they can even…
You’re here because you’ve hit a wall. Maybe your once-sweet toddler has turned into a dinner-flinging dictator. Maybe you’ve followed every “gentle parenting” script, downloaded every PDF, and…
If your toddler has ever screamed bloody murder because their sock seam was “wrong” or their banana broke in half, congratulations—you’ve met the toddler amygdala in action. This…
You’re two minutes into the supermarket. You’ve got a list, a trolley, and a toddler. And then… bam — a full-body, limbs-everywhere meltdown because they saw a Paw…
You know that kid who walks into a room like they belong there? Who tries, fails, laughs, and tries again — without crumbling? Who doesn’t need a hundred…
If you’ve ever praised your kid for being “so smart” after they crushed a puzzle… Or muttered “You’re so clumsy” when they tripped over the dog for the…
If you’re raising a son—and you’re worried sometimes that he shrugs when he’s upset, or that you’re supposed to somehow “toughen him up” even when your gut says…
If your child falls apart the moment they lose—whether it’s a game, a test, a turn, or a race—you’re not alone. If you’ve felt that flush of secondhand…
If your child has ever come home upset after being left out, said “Nobody likes me,” or turned into a tiny dictator during group playdates… don’t panic. You’re…
If you’ve ever stared into the glazed-over eyes of a child who “forgot they had a test,” panic-scrolled Google for division tricks, or tried to motivate your kid…
If homework time at your place feels like a full-blown crisis—where someone’s crying, something’s burning, and you’re Googling “how to explain fractions to a 9-year-old without losing your…
If you’re here wondering what happens when one doctor walks into a room filled with twenty people who don’t believe in vaccines… you’re in the right place. Yes,…
You know how some things just hit different in your own language? That’s because language isn’t just words—it’s your history, your vibe, your entire worldview wrapped up in…
If you’ve ever tried to comfort your child during a meltdown or a moment of self-doubt, you’ve probably said this phrase.It seems harmless—kind, even. We say it because…
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard the term school deciles thrown around over the years—at school meetings, in news articles, or from other parents chatting at…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Bullying remains a significant issue in New Zealand, affecting the lives of many children and their families. With the rise of digital technology, the scope and impact of…
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…
Birthday party games are all about having fun, and these birthday party games for 5, 6 and 7 year olds are perfect for your next party.
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,…
School attendance is important, but truancy (that’s when kids skip too much school) is a growing problem. It’s been getting worse since 2015, and it’s something we need…
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…
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…
There’s nothing quite so cool as making your very own DIY toys and games at home, and then spending hours playing with them. There’s just something really satisfying…
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.…
Family movies are a great way to spend time with your loved ones and enjoy a fun and uplifting story. But did you know that family movies can…
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…
Every year we like to make some DIY or crafty decorations for Christmas. Whether it’s something new and quirky for our Christmas tree, or something to display on…
Because this goop recipe uses only natural ingredients, it is unlikely to cause any skin irritations, but it is likely to have your child thinking, ‘I wonder what…
Are you looking for a fantastic school holiday project for your budding artists at home? Well, I’ve got the perfect project for you, that’s tried and tested. This…
If you’ve been following our crafts section this year you might have seen a few projects using iceblock sticks. I decided to do a Christmas themed craft this…
Calling all aspiring astronauts and space enthusiasts! Get ready to embark on an out-of-this-world adventure, I think you’re going to love this cool little space-inspired iceblock stick craft.
This is a super-fun and engaging activity to do with your kids as a weekend project. I think you’ll really like building this marble run from cardboard rolls!…
We’ve been thinking a lot about DIY games that you can make together at home. This project is also a great way to reuse those cardboard rolls and…
Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to get into the spooky spirit than by crafting your own creepy crawlies? Try out these spiders made…
This craft project is super flexible and loads of fun. I’ve tried it out with my own kids at home and with a bunch of 8 to 12-year-olds…
We’ve made lots of cardboard roll crafts over the years. I love them because it reuses the rolls, they’re very easy for small hands to work with, and…
Cactus are so cool! They’re like mini trees that can live in your house. My Mum and I made cactus stationery holders and they’re so much fun!
This isn’t the first time we’ve tackled a Viking-themed craft. Find out everything you need to know to make a Viking shield that looks and feels like the…
Looking for a fun and easy way to introduce your kids to the world of printmaking? Look no further than LEGO and Duplo!
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…
I never maintain to have all the answers, in fact I spend a lot of my time helping parents realise they already have the answers, deep down inside…
Looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate the changing of the seasons with your kids? Autumn is a beautiful time of year, with its colourful leaves…
Creating your own handmade crafts is a cool way to spend time with your family, and it can also be a fulfilling and therapeutic experience. This simple craft…
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!
Welcome to the wonderful world of polymer clay crafting! Today, we’re making a fun and whimsical craft activity for kids – a polymer clay mushroom and mushroom house.
Of all the learning difficulties, ADHD or Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is perhaps one of the most difficult for teachers to manage in the classroom and for…
When can hypnotherapy help me or my child, and what are the benefits of hypnotherapy? Find out all you need to know about this growing practice and how…
The first, and most important, learning in a child’s life happens within the family. Children learn from the way people treat them and from what they see, hear…
What do you get if you have kids who love macaroons, a husband who loves beer and a Mum who loves hand-made Christmas decorations? You get this bottle…
Here is a fun and incredibly simple craft you can do with your kids. And if you’re anything like us, and don’t mind a tree full of random…
This is a fun little activity that you can make with both young and older kids. We have made these ones as Christmas cards but you can really…
This is a fun little activity that kids of all ages can do. It’s an idea based on the really simple ‘squash and fold’ style of art I…
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…
Are you trying to think up a gift from your kids to that someone special in their life, a nanna or poppa for instance. Well if you are…
With the school holidays upon us and the weather wet outside what better way to keep the kids engaged, than with some fun monster loose parts craft.
The other day we were at the beach and, as children do, they started collecting shells along the walk. This is a common occurrence for us. But often…
Here is another great use for those old Pringle tubes you end up with. They are the perfect size for your felts, pens and coloured pencils. So why…
I love this art idea because you can use it to get your kids thinking about the things they are grateful for, or things they love about someone…
Having kids create their own gift bags is a really cool way to add a special touch to any gift. It also helps save a lot of wasted…
My kids and I spent the evening making Easter-inspired crafts after school. I decided to make an Easter wreath, so then the kids took all the supplies for…
February, being the month in which love is celebrated on Valentine’s Day, it seemed only fitting to play around with heart art. Of course this craft idea is…
Here is a simple follow-a-long drawing and painting activity that you and your children can do. Once you’ve learnt how to draw the little Elf, have a go…
It’s Christmas time, and I’ve been thinking about how to reduce waste this Chrissy. So I decided to make DIY Christmas Gift Bags. I have so many brown…
Cardboard tubes are so easy to come by and make a great material for kids to craft with. They can be used to make cars, butterflies, puppets any…
I think I’ve fallen in love with wreath-making! After making this I realised they are really, really easy to make and the materials you can use are endless.
Spring is in the air and so are cute little spring chickens and lambs! My kids and I really love going for country walks this time of year,…
Some kids (especially mine) just love dinosaurs, so here is a fun little craft you can make with your kids using recycled cardboard, paint and bubble wrap.
My kids really enjoy printmaking so I wanted to share this super-simple activity using cardboard tubes found around the home. Paper towel rolls or toilet rolls work great…
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
Sometimes I am so surprised at how one little craft project can open up a world of play and revive olds toys that haven’t been touched for awhile.
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…
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
If you are looking for a special toy this school holidays look no further than Sparkle Girlz! Brought to you by Zuru Toys, the company behind Bunch O…
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…
It is pouring with rain today as I sit in my studio and ponder what arts and crafts I can make with the kids. I’m looking around at…
Schools tend to host a cocktail of disease, infection and fungal spores, just waiting to infect your child! A mixture of developing immune systems, close contact and low…
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…
The noughts and crosses game is such a great game for kids, and all ages can play it. It’s one of those games that just never gets old.…
Easter is just around the corner so I’m making these cute little Easter bunny and Easter chick terracotta pots for our Easter Hunt this year.
Most parents are equipped to get through the inevitable tantrums and meltdowns of little kids. As children grow they gain patience, develop more skills, learn problem solving and…
This little colourful terracotta plant pot will brighten up any corner of the garden or home. These can be made for both inside or outside display. They also…
Often parties and special occasions are a real challenge with a child who is a picky eater. It’s one of those times when a spotlight can be shined…
This is a great little activity that you can do with kids of just about all ages. I just took a group of 5 year olds through a…
I am loving playing with stencils at the moment. They are pretty easy to use and you normally end up with a fairly good result. I found a…
This is a super-simple craft that you can do for Halloween, or if your kids are studying spiders. The thing I liked best about making these paper plate…
We have quite a few paper plates left lying around from children’s birthday parties gone by. So I thought I’d share a few more paper-plate-create ideas for your…