Turn shells collected at the beach into colourful flowers that can be displayed in a vase or hung on a wall. This step-by-step shell craft uses scallop shells,…
Learn how to talk to teens about consent with calm, practical scripts for dating, parties and online situations – without awkward lectures or panic.
Practical steps for what to do if your teen is sending nudes, including calm conversations, safety moves, consent, and when to get help.
Learn how to set screen time boundaries for teens without constant fights, with clear rules, phone-free zones and scripts that build buy-in.
Learn how to talk to your child about pornography with calm, age-appropriate scripts, practical boundaries and what to do if they’ve already seen it.
A parent-friendly walkthrough of instagram safety settings for parents, plus what to say to your teen so the rules actually stick at home.
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.”…
You think you’re tech-savvy. You’ve locked down the iPad, added time limits, and installed parental control apps with names like “SafeSpace” and “KidShield.” But here’s the bad news:…
Most of us at 14 were too busy worrying about Fortnite skins, school uniforms, or awkwardly trying to flirt over Snap. But not Heman Bekele. Nah. Heman was…
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself this: “How do I help my child grow up confident and resilient—without pushing them too hard or shielding them too…
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’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 you’re here because you’re worried your child could be a bully—or you’re scared they could be the target of one—you’re exactly where you need to be.Today, I…
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 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 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,…
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…
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…
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…
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”…
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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
In kid’s sports, there’s no doubt parents are essential – they’re the free ferry service, the half-time orange supplier, and the local cheer squad. But when it comes…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
I used my favourite ‘messy’ art technique making custom/upcycled coasters earlier in the year. I recently discovered blank baubles at Kmart and thought I could recreate it on…
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…
There’s nothing more I like than hand made, custom objects about the home. One of the simplest ways to create custom items is to just paint over objects…
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!…
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…
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…
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…
Teenage pregnancy rates have been trending down in most countries in the developed world since the early 1970’s. As education increases, availability of contraception becomes more accessible and…
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.
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…
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…
With the Māori new year Matariki soon upon us again, my thoughts turn to the sky and to the stars.
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…
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.
Remember your first period? If your answer is “barely, but I do recall crying in the school bathroom and stuffing toilet paper in my pants,” you’re not alone.…
Mother’s day, Father’s day, Christmas and Birthdays are always a great reason to think about, and give gifts to, those we love and hold special in our hearts.…
It can be scary for some parents when their teen decides to go vegan. For many parents a vegan diet is quite foreign, and lots of parents worry…
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…
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…
Wow what a year we have had. I don’t think anyone is going to forget about 2020 in any hurry. So as the year is pulling to a…
We recently bought a new home, which is all very exciting, and we’re now turning our minds to getting all the rooms ready before we move in.
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…
I have been looking around for an option for my daughter’s necklaces and brackets, which often just get left lying around on her dresser, or fallen on the…
This air dry clay hand dish makes a great gift for Christmas, Mother’s day or even birthdays. You can make it using your child’s hands, as a keepsake. And teens…
Christmas is a time for giving, not a time for receiving. The magic of gifts comes from holding the thought of a person in your mind, while you…
Air drying clay has to be one of my favourite materials to use with kids young and old. This Christmas I’m thinking about doing a bit of a…
Sexting is a really tricky topic for parents to deal with. How can you provide sexting advice when it literally didn’t exist when you were young? But a…
We have an old wooden toy chest that we acquired from my Poppy some time ago now. It’s been one of those must-get-around-to-doing projects for a long time.…
My eleven-year-old had completely bypassed the healthy afternoon snacks I carefully left out on the kitchen bench. Meanwhile, my little seven-year-old was happily munching on fresh carrot sticks…
Supporting kids isn’t just about cheering from the sidelines, it’s also about making sure they’ve got the right gear to back up their active lifestyles. The sports that…
If you’re looking for a super-quirky Christmas decoration project, this one is for you. These candy cane wooden Santa’s are so much fun. You can just rest them…
Over the past few weeks I’ve been creating and making fun Christmas decorations to make my home feel more festive. With the right tools these whimsical wooden Christmas…
Using air drying clay to make Christmas decorations is so easy, and so much fun! It really is an activity the whole family can join in on. Here’s…
This year I decided to starting decorating my home early with Christmas decorations. You see for the past 2 years we haven’t had the tree and decorations up…
My eyes were opened to the danger our society faces with online pornography and its influence on our young people. You may be your teen’s best source of information…
Last month I made this amazing painted driftwood mirror, that’s the perfect teen craft activity. I ended up with quite a bit of driftwood leftover from this craft, so…
From toddlers to teenagers, every parent knows that not getting enough sleep can make our kids grumpy and prone to tantrums. But what’s less well known is that…
The kids and I love heading to the beach to go scavenging, and always bring home a bag full of beach treasure. Find out how we turned our floatsome…
I got the inspiration for this great little family craft project from my school, where the kids were making something similar for wood-working. These bright and colourful bird…
Eve Gordon, from The Dust Palace Circus School, gives us some insight into the world of circus.
No doubt we’re all on the same page when it comes to cyberbullying. It’s a terrible thing that some young people find themselves driven to take their own…
I’ve just discovered the joy of making my own DIY bottle necklace. The initial idea to make one was because I was thinking about creating some more craft…
Here’s a super-simple and effective craft idea. The DIY jewellery hanger on painted driftwood is perfect for your teenager’s, or older kid’s room, to organise all that jewellery…
In response to a reader comment on our What is eczema article, Kiwi Families reached out to our wonderful Facebook community for advice. We had such a great…
We really can’t cope without our Mums can we? They’re always there for us, when we need a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to bend. And…
I’d just been thinking about making a cool decorative wall clock, when I was going through the aisle at Spotlight, only to see all the elements I need to make and…
I love concrete planters and I’ve been meaning to make some for a while now. So with Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought what a great…
I have to admit I’m pretty addicted to Pinterest! I can waste many an hour scrolling through, looking for fun and fresh crafts to do with my kids…
It must be that time of year because at the moment I’m surrounded by school galas, kindy craft fairs and kids’ enterprise days at school.
The end of the final year at school can be a stressful time. Your teen will be focusing on exams and assessments. They’ll also be thinking about what…
Oh the minefield of teen birthday parties… You’ll walk a tightrope trying to satisfy your teen they’re doing something ‘seriously cool’, while satisfying yourself that it’s within the realms of possibility, budget…
My heart died a little bit when my daughter got ill and my arms could not comfort her. When she looked at the light, and turned towards the…
Our young teens often ‘feel’ like adults, but as parents, we habitually still treat them like kids. The fact is, they are still ‘kids’ in some respects, but they…
Bullying is repetitive, deliberate, and hurtful behaviour, aimed at causing harm to another person. If your child is being bullied, they may not tell you. Find out how…
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…
A driving test, whether a theory test or practical test, can be a nerve-wracking experience. Fortunately there are tried and tested ways of improving your memory and confidence,…
This is easy to make, looks fun and would make a great gift. Peppermint oil works well but you could use whatever oil you like the smell of…
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…
This craft activity is one to get the children involved with. Ask young children to draw something to do with Christmas: Santa, baby Jesus, an angel etc. Older…
Occasionally figures are published regarding how much it costs to raise children. The costs are often eye-watering! One of the major costs for kids is clothes. But clothing…
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…
Of all the learning difficulties, hyperactivity is perhaps one of the most difficult for parents and teachers to manage at home.
After the summer break, it’s time to get ready to send the kids back to school. We become used to relaxed mornings, fun outings, seeing friends and family,…