Family Friendly Outing: Kids Zone at Te Manawa

KIDS ZONE AT TE MANAWA

By Jessica Ensing

If you’re wanting to get your children out of the house this winter but aren’t wanting to brave being outdoors, Te Manawa’s recently revamped Kid’s Zone is the place to be! The classic favourite for my kids is the construction zone! With a wall full of removable foam bricks, and a playing area spread across two levels to make use of the crank controlled brick conveyor belt and the crane, this area has provided many hours of fun for our family! The play kitchen is another familiar favourite, although it’s been modernised in the renovations and now includes a play induction cooktop (complete with lights, but no heat) and a fake window showing a cow in a field! The two new additions, the Westpac Rescue helicopter and the electric car, have been thoroughly enjoyed by our family. We have an electric car at home so the kids particularly enjoy getting to reenact processes they see us do such as plugging it in to charge. The car also features removable wheels, which my 4yo loves to take off and roll around the facility. I’m not sure if it’s the height or some other factor but my two haven’t spent much time in the helicopter. They do enjoy crawling through the tunnels underneath it, and from what I’ve seen it looks exciting, with an instrument panel inside that includes a button to make the propeller go! Last time we were there my youngest took an interest in the reading corner. It’s been streamlined in the makeover, now a cosy nook with many comfortable bean bags. We were delighted by the array of books available to read, including many in Te Reo Māori! The reading area also houses the entrance to the secret passage! My two are not keen so I’ve only been up there once. I won’t tell you what’s there...it is a secret, after all! So next time you’re looking to do something out of the house, especially if it’s rainy, why not give Te Manawa’s children’s area a go?