Rotorua Children's Weekend is back with two days of fun, free events planned.
The event, hosted by Rotorua Lakes Council, and various organisations and community groups, begins this Saturday with a range of activities taking place around town between 10am and 3pm.
Children of all ages can experience diverse cultures from around the world and be in to win prizes by collecting stamps for their Children's Weekend "passports".
The passports can be picked up from several venues (see listed below) and passport holders will receive a stamp for every activity they participate in.
Families with more than three stamps in their passport will go into a draw to win a prize pool valued at more than $1600 including passes and vouchers from a range of Rotorua attractions and art and gift packs.
The fun will continue this Sunday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at the Redwoods Children's Day in the Redwood Forest with nature-based activities such as hut building, clay sculpting and heaps more.
Families are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the afternoon in the Redwoods.
The City Ride bus (route 3) takes people directly to the end of Long mile Road from where people can wander through the Mokopuna Track to the clearing behind the Redwoods iSite where the activities will be held.
Last year the weekend of celebrations was a huge success with more than 3200 people attending including Mayor Steve Chadwick and her grandchildren.
"It was great to see so many locals enjoying the Children's Weekend events last year. I am looking forward to attending again this year with my mokopuna," said Mrs Chadwick.
"All the activities are fun for the whole family, and the best part is that they are all free. Community groups coming together, celebrating our young people and making the most of the great venues and open spaces we have really is the Rotorua way. "
Day 1 - Around the World venues
Rotorua Arts Village and Philippines Club of Rotorua - Celebrate the Philippines! Traditional Filipino games and dance (Location - Hinemaru Street)
Children's Art House and Roto Rocks - Celebrate Australia! Try traditional Aboriginal dot painting and a rock hunt in the Gardens. (Location - Memorial Drive, Government Gardens)
Rotorua Museum (at Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre) - Celebrate Italy! Create a Roman shield and visit the interactive Da Vinci Machines & Robots exhibition. (Location: Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, Fenton Street).
Rotorua Multi-cultural Group - Celebrate China! Traditional Chinese games and beautiful Chinese calligraphy lessons. (Location - Te Runanga Tearooms, Government Gardens)
Rotorua Library and Kobushi-kai (Rotorua Japanese Community Friendship Group - Celebrate Japan! Japanese paper folding, calligraphy demonstrations and Japanese story-telling (in English) (Location - Rotorua Library, 1238 Pukuatua Street)
Rotorua Aquatic Centre - Celebrate New Zealand! Water activities and play the traditional Maori game, horohopu, Free child entry (10am - 6pm) with a paying guardian or adult entry. (Location: Rotorua Aquatic Centre, Tarewa Road).
Both days of events will be on rain or shine. For more information go to rotorualakescouncil.nz/childrensweekend