My two girls, now 5 and 9, are at that stage where they have a million thoughts but not a lot of outlets to express them. Some days,…
It was one of those chaotic mornings every parent knows too well. My five-year-old, dressed in her mismatched superhero outfit, was attempting to use glitter glue to “fix”…
Let’s be honest: getting kids to help around the house can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats. You know they can do it; you’ve seen them organize…
Homeschooling can feel like an uphill battle some days, especially when it comes to keeping your child motivated to complete schoolwork. Imagine the time your little one hid…
Let me paint a picture for you: It’s the school holidays. You’re feeling hopeful, thinking of all the creative activities you’re going to do with the kids—baking, crafts,…
We’ve all been there—those in-between moments when the lesson ends early, energy levels drop, or your students just need a quick reset. You need something fast, fun, and…
Just the other evening, I found myself in the middle of yet another classic showdown between my two teenage daughters, Lucy and Hannah. Lucy, who’s sixteen, had borrowed…
Bullying remains a significant issue in New Zealand, affecting the lives of many children and their families. With the rise of digital technology, the scope and impact of…
Okay, confession time: Sometimes I feel a major wave of mum-guilt when I am working from home and my kids are parked in front of the telly or…
Easter is a time of vibrant colours, new beginnings, and of course, plenty of chocolate! It’s also a brilliant opportunity to get those creative juices flowing. Drawing is…
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
If you are looking for a special toy this school holidays look no further than Sparkle Girlz! Brought to you by Zuru Toys, the company behind Bunch O…
Schools tend to host a cocktail of disease, infection and fungal spores, just waiting to infect your child! A mixture of developing immune systems, close contact and low…
Most parents are equipped to get through the inevitable tantrums and meltdowns of little kids. As children grow they gain patience, develop more skills, learn problem solving and…
Not eating lunch at school is a common problem for a lot of children. It can be quite emotional for parents too, especially when you see good food…
ASICS has launched a unique new program designed to engage and encourage children through their athletic journey.
Here is a really cool project you can do with your kids. The inspiration for this project comes from all the beautiful woven wall hangings you see around…
Most people who know me will know that I’m crazy-addicted to the TV show Vikings. It’s not for the faint-hearted, and definitely worthy of it’s R18 rating. But it’s…
In response to a reader comment on our What is eczema article, Kiwi Families reached out to our wonderful Facebook community for advice. We had such a great…
Traveling in the car can sometimes be a nightmare with children. The all too famous line of ‘are we there yet?’ playing over and over like a broken record……
Drawing is a learnt skill. Sure, some kids have natural ability when it comes to drawing. But all children can learn to draw if they’re shown the correct…
We love heading away on summer holidays, and this year we’ve been blessed with my Husbands’ parents buying a classic 1950’s batch in Opunaki. If you haven’t heard…
With school holidays just around the corner (again?!) kids are now looking to take off their shoes and socks, shake off the school year and go wild with…
Children with learning differences are some of the bravest children I know. They show grit, resilience and a level of persistence that some of us would only dream…
I love wall hangings so decided since Matariki is just around the corner I would create a star wall hanging with little miss 3. I love creating with…
Matariki is a great time of year to celebrate and learn more about Maori culture. One way we’re doing this in our family is through story books. My…
The Kiwi Families team got the opportunity to interview Mister Maker for his upcoming tour. Read on to find out what he’s looking forward to when he gets…
Wal Herring is the author of Healthy Little Eaters, and she has a wealth of wisdom to share about kids and food. The Kiwi Families team had the…
One of our best friends’ daughters was turning six recently. I asked her what she wanted on her cake… and she said a unicorn. So this is what…
Hi Jen, I was wondering if you had some advice that could help us. We have been looking for a good way to help our son release his…
Whether or not it’s autumn where you live right now, it’s a great season to celebrate. I love the glowing light on a pleasant autumn evening. And of course…
These early days of a new school years are really important for how our young people will learn to get the best out of their school year. Here…
What a cruel end to a lazy, warm summer! Kids’ feet cramped by shoes; t-shirts and togs replaced with stiff uniforms, and parents girding themselves to become disciplinarians again.…
A common question parents ask cycling instructors is “how will my child become more confident on a bike?” Kiwi cycling instructor Marilyn Northcotte passes on her tips for parents…
To look at me, you might see a bit of a Mumsie. And you’d be right! I’m 46 years old, with two daughters, a sedate driving style and…
Life Love Living Learning Without one there are none of the others. Our bodies, hearts and minds connect each of us to ourselves, others and the world through…
A lot happens in our New Zealand Summer school holidays. We have the long summer holiday itself, Christmas, New Year and then the build up to going…
One of the major challenges within your blended family will be how to bond your stepchildren with your own children. We all have that ideal fantasy, The Brady…
My kids and I visited a local craft fair recently and all three of us were captured by some delightful paper decorations that were for sale. My son was particularly…
Hi guys! We’re really excited that you’re coming to New Zealand. My kids love to sing and dance along to your songs.
I have been thinking about traditions, and family, and how to make the effort lately. It’s easier not to make the effort. You feel the desire not to…
Join Snowplanet in kick starting the ho-ho-ho holiday season by welcoming Santa to Snowplanet on November 21st! They have created a fantastic and magical winter wonderland where Santa…
See our article Choosing the right lunch box.
Miss L is 7 and continually soils her undies (heavy skid marks) and once at the local pools, pooed her togs. We thought this was because she was…
Spring has arrived! Well – at least on some days. It’s lovely to make the most of spring flowers while we can. And here’s a fun spring activity…
Hi Jen, I have a nine-year-old boy who is very pessimistic and has developed a real talent for spotting problems. Even though we are very fortunate in our…
Dreams help us to decide which actions to take next, which attitudes to shift, which people to spend time with. Dreams ebb, flow and transform over time and…
School lunches… I can hear you groaning from here. They are one of those chores that causes a lot of worry and stress.
Do you want a change from Disney princesses and superheroes? I know as a Mum of two young kids (6 and 9) that what my children see on…
Kids’ activities can be a pretty big part of some families’ lives. And they can have an impact on the whole family – not just the children. This…
Father’s Day always brings a smile to my face – and a little bit of happy chaos too! Last year, my two decided to surprise Dad with a…
There are so many things you can do with empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, it’s just a case of choosing something, or working through them all!…
I am passionate about food and health but I don’t expect my kids to be. I know I wasn’t when I was a kid.
How does your family move together? Is family time also TV/couch time? Did you know that there is an epidemic in our society that is causing sickness and…
Holidays can be great times for reconnecting with our families and reinvigorating our passion for spending time together; whether we’re heading out of town, spending time with others…
David Stendl-Rast is a very wise man. He gave a TED talk all about happiness. It was a simple exploration of a question that dogs modern thinking. How…
Do you remember as a 7-year-old being mesmerised watching someone shoot the goal, singing in front of 1000s, or drawing a doodle on a page that looked like…
My eight year old daughter has been having a really tough time handling her emotions lately, particularly anger. She has always been a sensitive girl and somewhat reactive…
One of the hardest decisions we ever had to make as a family was to withdraw our 8 year old daughter from school and embark on our adventure…
I suspect I’m not the only one who takes hundreds of photos of my kids, only for so many of them to languish somewhere on my computer files.…
Good news, kiwi families! Visits to your family doctor will soon be free for children under 13. From 1 July 1 2015, all children under 13 are eligible for…
Kids content on our television is in a precarious position. We just have to look at the demise of John Campbell’s programme on TV3 to see how stories…
At the end of last year I was eating lunch when my mobile rang. The voice on the other end explained very matter of factly that I had won…
Matariki is a small group of stars – the constellation Pleiades – that reappear in the sky in winter (in late May or early June) and, through the…
Getting the kids into bed doesn’t need to be a drama. Having the right tools can make it a battle free zone, here are some tips.
Dealing with challenging behaviour from 6, 7 and 8 year olds is hard work, and can be very emotionally draining on parents. Here’s 4 key tips for managing…
Babies and children can catch diseases at any time. Immunisation is your child’s best protection against many serious but preventable diseases like whooping cough. This disease is still…
Have your child join over four million students around the world who are experiencing the benefits of this unique method of learning. Over a two-week period, students will…
As the first term closes, many schools have either already held their first parent teacher meetings, or will be indicating their availability for these meetings early in Term…
Children’s Day – Te Rā O Te Tamariki – provides New Zealanders with an opportunity to give time to children. It is a fun day for activities that start…
Creative thinkers and doers have shaped our world’s history and contributed to the future direction of the human race for centuries. Find out what the link is between…
Crafting is always more fun and meaningful when it is shared with the ones you love. Kids are natural tinkerers but here are a few tips and tricks…
Really? All I can think about is trying to relax while my, generally well-behaved, sproglets run in, out and around the house over the summer holidays. With school…
Permanently bored people are a bit terrifying. Not, as many may fear, because they might cause trouble of some sort. But because someone, somewhere along the line, has…
I thought I was dumb. That university and a ‘dream job’ with a salary was for other people but not for me. Until I learned about Mahatma Gandhi. A peaceful man…
Yay! Advent is my favourite season in the church calendar, and it’s here! I love to celebrate Advent and so I’ve put together 11 great ways to celebrate…
Treat your little ones to a Santa experience they will never forget at Snowplanet. This Christmas Santa and his elves will be staying in a Magic Castle amongst…
Technology is part of our lives and it is not going away. How much you want to let it into your life and for what purpose are questions…
In an age where we literally have an array of technological devices at our fingertips, there are a high number of articles, blogs and opinion pieces espousing the…
The first mention of ‘education and technology’ tends to bring people out in a rash of raising funds for computers in classrooms, and making sure every child has…
On Friday I gave a presentation to learning support staff and some educational psychologists around transitioning young people between schools. The process of thinking about what it means…
Many parents battle with trying to cook healthy meals that their young ones will actually eat. Fussy eating is common among children and they do eventually grow out…
The holidays are on and so is the mess in our lounge. I have got a great way to keep the kids busy and inspired and the mess,…
Kids at a loose end these holidays? Bored with being stuck indoors all winter? With an action packed line up of free entertainment, from Cup Cake Workshops to…
All human beings are born as natural scientists with the desire to make sense of their immediate environment. Research shows that young children learn and think in a…
Children and snacking is something that many parents worry about. Are my children snacking too much? Is it ok to snack between meals? What sort of food should…
It’s Money Week in New Zealand, and the word on the street is that we’ll need $4,000 in retirement just to spend on eggs! Time to get some…
This week I’ve seen a lot of students struggling with homework. Perhaps it’s the grey cold weather that’s making it extra hard to get the books out when…
‘Have you done your homework yet?’ It’s a question parents don’t like asking just as much as children don’t like answering. Whether it is maths, English or music,…
If you watch Nickelodeon, you probably know about Camp Orange – a multi-award winning children’s reality series. This year, two Kiwi teams took part – one from Auckland (the…
Mothers and daughters who run together – have fun together… Well … mostly 🙂
It’s Allergy Awareness Week soon and we talk to a family where allergies are part of everyday life. Kiwi mum, Amanda, talks about living with allergies for 6 year old Amelia.
Making your own pizza with kids is easy! Too often we perceive making things by scratch to be difficult and end up spending way too much money to buy a…
Here’s 5 easy Easter activities to make with kids. Spending time together on a food, or craft, activity is an awesome way to make some memories during your time…
If you’re looking for a fun, free way to keep the kids entertained these April school holidays, look no further than your local Westfield for a variety of…
A friend reminded me the other day that: “A happy mum means a happy family”. I can hear you say “What has that got to do with creativity?”…
While not being at the beck and call of the hungry and demanding summer veggies plants, the cooler months are a great time to look at the garden…
My young grand-daughter had to make up a story using as much creative ability as possible. She hummed and bounced many ideas of us, and finally presented this:
In a time where the school curriculum seems to become narrower and narrower, outlets for expressing creativity are becoming more and more vital in the lives of our…