Weekender: Keeping holiday kids entertained | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Maureen Malcolm is just a big kid.

The 22-year-old Waikato University law and Maori studies student spends her school holidays working with up to 70 children attending the Playtopia School Holiday programme.

KEEN CARER: Rotorua's Maureen Malcolm spends every break from her studies at Waikato University looking after school children on a Playtopia School Holiday programme. ANDREW WARNER

She loves coming home to Rotorua each holiday break and loves working with the children on holiday.

"I enjoy coming home to Rotorua. I miss home so much and get homesick all the time," she says. "Working here is my break away from Hamilton and stress of studying. I love working with the kids. They are a breathe of fresh air for me."

Most would think with this student, also running an After School Care programme during the week in Hamilton at a kura kaupapa, she would want a break from kids but she doesn't even consider it.

"I just love working with kids and the silly things they get up to. It beats any other job. You build close bonds with the children you work with," she says.

"You get to play with kids all day long and be a big kid. I'm definitely just one big kid."

Maureen, along with nine other childcare workers at Playtopia, can have anywhere between 50 and 70 children on the programme on any given day.

She knows exactly what is needed to keep them engrossed too.

"There has to be lots of variety and it has to be lots of fun for them," she says. "They have to be busy and enjoying themselves or they get bored."

Playtopia provided the children on the programme with a wide variety of excursions which she also finds a lot of fun, Maureen says.

"They get to do some amazing things like go on helicopter rides. We are going to Rainbow's End later in the month," she says.

"You get to do a few different and interesting things. It's so much fun. There is a good balance. So long as the children are happy the parents are happy."

Playtopia holiday programme coordinator Missy Armstrong says they have 10 holiday programme workers who provide an amazing programme for the children enrolled during the holiday period.

It takes a special person to work with children during the breaks, Missy says.

"They have to have a lot of enthusiasm and energy and love children," she says. "They have to have the ability to be one step ahead of the children all the time."

Workers also have to be forward thinkers too.

"They have to be flexible and have a genuine love for children," she says. "They know kids sometimes get bored and they have to be able to jump in and do something else with them. They have to be able to improvise and be hands on with the kids."

Staff get to have just as much fun as the kids, Missy says.

"They have a lot of enthusiasm. They join not only supporting the children playing X-Box - they jump in and play it with them," she says.

It's vital to ensure children are happy, Missy says.

Bullying and teasing are not tolerated.

"They don't ignore anything," she says. "This is meant to be a fun and safe environment. It's a neutral place. The kids don't all come from the same school. They get to know each other and build strong friendships."

Local businesses like Agroventures and Helipro Helicopters help make events happen without it costing the parents "an arm and a leg", Missy says.

Children these holidays will be given the chance to have a go at jet-boating, extreme freefalling, Swooping as well as a raft of other activities including going to the movies, to the Huka prawn farm, swimming, take on a treasure hunt, go to Paradise Valley Springs and a ride on Duck Tours. They will go swimming at Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and will take on a Fear Factor challenge, go to the wave pool and are heading to Rainbow's End later in the month.

"It's because of local businesses that we can give these options to the kids," she says. "We try to balance the programme to keep them busy."

If you are looking for something for the children to do to kill time during the school holidays why not have a go at one of the many free activities being offered around the city or send them off on a holiday adventure at one of the many school holiday programmes being offered.

FREE ACTIVITIES:

Portal reading programme at Rotorua Library

A reading programme for children aged 0-12 with set challenges. Those who complete the challenge get to choose a free book and attend a grand finale party. Call (07) 348 4177.

 Bunnings DIY children's classes

The free one-hour classes run every Saturday and Sunday at 10am to keep children occupied while parents shop. Call (07) 921 2600

 Rave Artists in Residence

A chance for people to chat and meet with acclaimed artists and try creative activities through December and January - Tuesday through to Saturday 11am-3pm. Call (07) 348 9008.

 Rotorua Museum Crack the Code detective hunt

Monday December 19 - January 29. Crack the code tests children's investigative skills as they follow clues to work out the combination to a mystery safe.

 Rotorua Museum wand making

Channelling children's magical creativity to make their own wand. Thursday, January 26 at 10am.

 Rotorua Ta Moko T-shirt workshop

Take your own T-shirt, learn about the art of ta moko and Maori design and have a go at printing your own T-shirt. Wednesday, January 25 at 10am.

 Rotorua Museum pin-hole camera workshop.Learn how to make your own pin-hole camera and take photos with it. Tuesday, January 17 at 10am.

 Rotorua Museum eco-crafts workshop

So many things we put in the rubbish can be made into fun craft activities. Come along and create a range of things by re-using everyday objects. Wednesday, January 18 and Tuesday, January 24 at 10am and 11.30am. Call (07) 351 7829.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES:

 Green Team

A week of eco-activities and fun for children aged 7-14.

$60 per week. Contact: June Joseph (07) 350 0569 or email june.joseph@rdc, govt.nz.

 Te Waiariki Purea Break Away

A free holiday programme focusing on outdoor activities call (07) 348 5051.

 Lynmore Primary School holiday programme for children aged 5-12. $36 per day. Call Riza de Buys (07) 345 7508 or (mobile) 027 2342531.

 Mid-Island Gym Sports

Suitable for children aged 5-12. $35 per day. Call (07) 349 3108.

 Kidz World

The programme provides a host of outdoor activities. $40 per day. call (07) 345 6320.

 Tuwharetoa Ki Kawerau Hauroa - Kawerau

A free programme focused on teenagers' self development and life skills, suitable for children aged 10 and older. Call (07) 323 8025.