Playcentre plans big day for kids

Fun, free activities to tempt little fingers will be part of the Little Kids Big Day Out.

The March 21 event is being run by the Northland Playcentre Association to kick off Playcentre Awareness Week.

Spokeswoman Abbe Clark says playcentre is based on the ideas of child-initiated play and parents as first educators.

"We believe children get their best education through their parents, with the parents learning alongside them," she says.

Playcentre in Northland started at Onerahi more than 50 years ago. About 500 families are now involved in the district, with children aged from birth to 6.

Abbe says playcentre also runs SPACE – Supporting Parents Alongside Child Education – a programme for parents with newborn babies.

A new session of SPACE is starting on March 17 at Totara Grove.

The Little Kids Big Day Out will have a range of typical playcentre activities – paint, blocks, "messy play" including slime, music, bubbles and playdough.

There will also be a bouncy castle and face painting.

Information will be available about playcentre's cultural arm, Te Roopu Whakaaro Kotahi, SPACE, and playcentres in the area.

The Little Kids Big Day Out is on Sunday, March 21, from 10am to 2pm at the Town Basin, on the grass area near the playground. Contact Northland Playcentre Association on 4382155, or email north.playcentre@actrix.gen.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News