Plenty of ways to beat the back to school blues

From City Scene, published on 3 February, 2008

Beat the back to school blues: the summer holidays may be over for kids heading back to school, but there is still plenty to keep them entertained

The summer holidays may be over for kids heading back to school, but there is still plenty to keep them entertained at council owned and supported venues during the weekends. There is so much to see and do, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Head along to Motat and check out the wide variety of exhibitions on offer.

See how movies are made with Special FX - Secrets Behind the Screen, an interactive exhibition that shows how special effects are created, and where children can even star in their own stunt movie.

Check out a selection of costumes from the museum's much loved and valued Victorian textiles collection in Stepping Into The Workplace, or take a thrilling virtual reality adventure on 4-D simulator, Voyager 1.

Find out what it takes to evolve from a protozoa to a human in Auckland Museum's Metazoa, a lifesized interactive video game based on the journey through evolution. Take budding artists along to the Auckland Art Gallery's Kids' Club every Sunday (11am and 2pm) where they can learn about the gallery's exhibitions and let their imaginations run wild.

All Auckland City Council community libraries are open on Saturdays (10am to 4pm) so catch up on study, relax with a book, or take part in an interactive story time. Mt Albert, Mt Roskill, Onehunga, Panmure, Remuera and St Heliers libraries are also open every Sunday (noon to 4pm), as well as the Central City Library (10am to 4pm).

Go on safari at Auckland Zoo where you can see your favourite animals and learn about wildlife conservation, every day (9.30am to 5.30pm).

Take a break from the February heat at one of the council's nine recreation centres or 12 swimming pools. You can book swimming lessons, have fun on the hydroslides, or get moving at a recreation class or fitness centre.

If you would rather head outdoors, then make the most of the summer weather by visiting your local public tennis courts or one of our city's sports fields for a game with family and friends. And don't forget about the Music in Parks series of free concerts in some of Auckland's most beautiful park settings, featuring talented Kiwi musicians.

For more information about things to do in our city visit the website or phone 379 2020.