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Free fun activities for kids and families are being provided this summer, thanks to funding from Rodney Local Board (RLB).
The Out & About Auckland initiative aims to help people of all ages get active, connect with nature and enjoy the region’s parks and open spaces.
Local activities range from kayaking and kite flying to skate clinics and stand-up paddleboarding, with dates planned for parks and reserves in Wellsford, Warkworth, Snells Beach and Puhoi.
This will be the second summer that RLB has funded Out & About Auckland activities, which are running from now until early April.
The next local session will be a free girls’ skateboard clinic at the Wellsford Skate Park, off Hazelmere Street, on Sunday, December 14 from 2pm to 4pm.
Coaches from Girls Skate NZ say they will be running a session designed to build confidence, resilience and skills in a fun and supportive environment, for all ages and abilities.
“Girls Skate NZ aims to empower girls through skateboarding, an activity that boosts confidence, mental toughness and physical health,” they say.
“Students are taught how to skate in a warm and friendly environment where they can feel safe and progress at a level that is comfortable for them.”
There is no charge and all equipment is provided, but bookings are essential – see link below.
A second girls’ skate clinic will be run at the same time and venue on the following Sunday, December 21.
A slightly more gentle play session will be held in Warkworth on Friday, December 19 at Lucy Moore Memorial Park, between 9am and 1pm.
Nurture in Nature is being run by Barefooted NZ, and is described as a range of nature-based play activities that are child-led and focus on connecting children with the natural world.
Barefooted NZ founder Harry Scott says while the session is perfect for young children, “it will be loved by all ages”, as well as suitable for those who have limited mobility, intellectual disabilities and sensory needs.
He says while there will be enough activities to fill the whole session, families are welcome to come and go as they please.
“There’s no pressure to stay the whole time. This is a flexible, relaxed event designed to fit around your whānau’s rhythm,” he says.
Participants should wear comfortable outdoor clothing and sun protection, bring water and snacks, and maybe have a change of clothes for any tamariki who love messy play.
On January 10, there’s plenty of fun football action at the Puhoi Pioneers Memorial Park, but it’s not traditional soccer matches.
Instead, there’s the chance to play two relatively new sports, Kiwi Bubble Soccer and Hungerball, at drop-in sessions running between 12 noon and 3pm.
Bubble soccer involves eight players at a time wearing giant inflatable bubble suits over their heads and bodies, resulting in plenty of flips, falls and bouncy collisions while trying to score.
Organisers say no skills are required, “just a sense of fun and adventure!”, and anyone can play – kids, teens and adults, with options as well for people with mobility or neurodiverse requirements.
Hungerball also involves inflatables, but in this case it’s the playing arena that’s filled with air. A hexagonal blow-up arena has six goals, with players defending at least one while trying to score in all the others, either one-on-one, two-versus-two or three-against-three.
Much like bubble soccer, organisers say Hungerball is fast, fun and seriously addictive, and is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Everything is provided – just bring comfortable clothing and plenty of water.
More activities such as kite flying, kayaking and skate clinics are being planned for Wellsford, Snells Beach and Warkworth later in the summer, details of which will follow in the New Year, or they can be all be found on the link below.
Event info and updates: https://www.facebook.com/OutandAboutAKL/events
Wellsford girls skate clinic bookings: https://shorturl.at/7otHO
