Kids Fun

It’s time to shake off the 2020 cobwebs and blow some fun into the silly season. We have three seriously cool activities to taste and try, and they involve three seriously fun ingredientsice-cream, bugs and bubbles! Enjoy!

we all scream for  Deepika Sulekh ice-cream

Summer is officially here, so when the warmer days roll around our thoughts turn to cooler things – especially ice-cream! And, the only thing better than eating ice-cream on its own, is in between two cookies. Deliciously creamy with the bonus crunch! Here’s our super easy recipe for ice-cream sandwiches:

What you’ll need:

• Ice-cream (any flavour) • Cookies (we recommend the classic chocolate chip) • Toppings – sprinkles, chocolate chips, lollies . . . go crazy!

How to:

Top one cookie with a generous scoop of ice-cream. Place another cookie on top of the ice-cream and gently press to form the sandwich.

Decorate the sides – dip it in caramel or chocolate sauce, or straight into your favourite toppings.

Pop the leftovers in the freezer for later.

Mix it up! Try these simple variations for next level scrumptiousness:

Mini-waffles or brownies instead of cookies. Mix fresh ingredients like bananas or berries into the ice-cream.

Bouncing bubbles

Now you can turn your ordinary bubble mixture into new and improved bouncing bubbles with just one secret ingredient!

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups warm water • ¼ cup dishwashing liquid • ¼ cup caster sugar • Bubble wand • Soft glove

How to:

Pour the water into a mixing bowl, then mix in the caster sugar followed by the dishwashing liquid. Stir well until dissolved. Put on the glove, dip the wand into the mixture then blow a bubble gently until it comes away from the wand. Now let it bounce softly on your hand, your arm, your head!

To make the bubbles bounce, you need to wear soft gloves because the oil on our skin breaks the surface tension which makes them pop. Make a bug hotel It’s time to celebrate our garden helpers. Insects help our plants by zzzzzz . . . fighting pests and pollinating crops, and are a fundamental part of any vegetable or fruit garden. This one’s a fun project to help you connect with the environment whilst learning about insects – and helping out in the garden! The bug hotel is destined to help garden insects thrive in your backyard sanctuary, providing them with a cosy shelter year-round.

What you’ll need:

There’s no one way to build a bug hotel, so we recommend you look around for things you can find in your backyard or around the house.

For example:

Twigs and sticks Broken crockery Empty toilet paper rolls Corrugated cardboard Bamboo Bricks Wood cuttings Natural garden bedding: pinecones, dry leaves/grass, moss, bark, etc Remember, the bugs won’t mind if it’s not perfect!

How to:

• Start with a shelter – you can use something like an old crate, small wooden drawer, shoe box, or even make your own. • Section your box with wood, bricks or cardboard to create ‘rooms’.

Fasten these with nails or glue. • Fill in the gaps with any natural goodies you can find. Try using a variety of materials to create different nooks and crannies. Feel free to design your hotel in any way that suits your garden. • Add a ‘vacancy’ sign for fun! • Watch the guests check-in!

Tip: Make sure you place your hotel in a warm, sheltered spot in your garden.

Make Te Puia top of your itinerary when planning your family holiday this Summer, nestled in the stunning Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. A place of powerful energies, natural beauty and rich history. Home to the magnificent Pōhutu geyser, bubbling mud pools and bush walks, local Māori have been living here for almost 700 years. Nourished by those energies that continue to shape our people and our culture today. Te Puia takes its origin from that heritage with our guides linking directly to Rotorua’s earliest hosts. The stories they relay to our visitors have been told for generations, handed down through their individual families. Our guided tours feature the Pōhutu geyser, mud pools, hot springs and silica formations. Visitors will also see skilful artisans create timeless pieces in the arts of carving and weaving at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Te Puia’s Kiwi Conservation Centre is an exciting addition to the park and is a must see, housing five resident kiwi in state-of-the-art enclosures. And after experiencing our geothermal and cultural legacy first hand, Pātaka Kai restaurant serves delicious lunch and dinner options, amazing coffee with spectacular views of the valley!

BOOK ONLINE www.tepuia.com  +64 7 348 9047  Hemo Road, Rotorua