SCHOOL HOLIDAYS INSIDE & OUTSIDE | NORTHLANDS

The bell has rung, and the starter gates are open. They’re off. Out of the school gate and home for the school holidays.

Yes, school holidays are upon us. With them comes a change of pace. For some parents it’s a more frenetic time as they try to juggle childcare with their working lives. For some it’s a chance to slow down a little – no school lunches to make and a break from all those extra-curricular activities that involve a lot of chauffeuring. Back in our pre-pandemic world, it was also sometimes a time when families holidayed overseas. Whatever the case, it’s a child-focused time… a time to perhaps create some memories.

What’s your favourite childhood holiday memory? Apparently three-quarters of adults say their fondest is of playing outside during summer school holidays.(I know it’s not quite summer holidays but the sun will show its happy face over the next few weeks.)The statistics got me thinking about my favourite holiday memory from days gone by. I was nine and staying at a friend’s place – a dairy farm where we had a hut made of haybales, we helped feed out, we played hide and seek, we climbed the grain silo, we made bridges over streams… it was all great outdoors fun. So, maybe, get out (or go buy) the frisbee, balls, fishing rods, pavement chalk, bikes, scooters and the likes and ensure your children get out in the fresh air.

Clockwise from left: Farmers MADD carve rookie scooter | Whitcoulls Crayola washable sidewalk chalk | The Warehouse Arvaro trainer soccer ball | The Warehouse Navigator South festival pop up tent | Smiggle express light show yo-yos | Farmers sports frisbee max flight coaster

There are also heaps of things in store perfect for entertaining the younger generation during those inside days. These can be as diverse as a karaoke microphone, modelling clay, play station games, books, puzzles, board games, craft kits and art supplies. Perhaps the holidays are a good time to encourage your children to spend time in the kitchen – a smoothie-making blender may be just the tempter.

Clockwise from left: Smiggle hair chalk | Whitcoulls Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran | Stevens Capital Kitchen cookie cutters | EB Games Nintendo Switch Lite Console | Whitcoulls Crocodile Creek 100 piece puzzle | The Warehouse Crayola washable fingerpaint | Typo A5 Fashion Activity Journals | Smiggle Shine DIY pencil case

It may be that homestyling fits into the holiday equation. Could the holidays mark the time for a wee bedroom makeover? Your teenagers (and younger ones) may relish the idea of shopping for the likes of a new duvet cover, cushions, rug, mirror and/or wall art to zhoosh up their rooms.

Clockwise from left: Typo peg board light box | Bed Bath N Table Aria tufted cushion | Smiggle silicone rainbow talking clock | The Warehouse Living & Co kids sheet set cloud white | Farmers Hiccups space race duvet cover set | Typo Cushy cushion | Typo mini hoop wall art | The Warehouse Living & Co wooden arch mirror | Bed Bath N Table Morgan & Finch beth sheet set

However the school break pans out at your place, here’s wishing you Happy Holidays – that’s what we all want!

And if you are looking for a gift while you venture outside to NORTHLANDS,  how about a Kiwi Property gift card? You can order them instantly to your email or theirs, and they can be used at over 800 stores across our 6 shopping centres nationwide Click HERE to purchase.