Read the riddlesand solve the mystery at MOTAT

Get the whole family along to MOTAT for an exciting new adventure at the new ‘MOTAT Mystery Weekend Experience’.

Kids can be a real Sherlock Holmes for the day and follow the clues from their map to solve each MOTAT mystery. They’ll need to read the rhyming riddles on their map carefully and take in every hint to uncover four MOTAT artefacts from the 1950’s.

Bridgette Robinson, Events Coordinator at MOTAT, said this unique exhibition is sure to challenge kids and encourage them to think outside the box.

“Each riddle is designed to engage children and get them thinking about the history and significance of these four 1950’s artefacts. They’ll learn heaps about what Kiwi life was like in the 1950’s while having fun with friends and family,” said Ms Robinson.

By the end of their thrilling ‘Weekend Experience’ at MOTAT, kids will be well-informed about some of New Zealand’s most iconic artefacts and eager to learn more about this country’s rich history.

But for now, to get them thinking, here are two clues to ponder: One relic was a much-loved form of transportation that was the last of its fleet, and another was owned by a famous Kiwi star. Visit MOTAT to be let in on the rest of the clues and crack the mystery.

Kids can stamp their map and hand it in once they have solved the four MOTAT mysteries and their team could be in to win a reward for their careful investigating in the monthly prize draw.

Dates: Now until 3 January 2011

Location: MOTAT - Great North Road and Meola Road Western Springs, Auckland.

Costs

You can enjoy MOTAT’s ‘Mystery Weekend Experience’ as part of your entry fee to MOTAT. You can also enjoy the rest of the museum, free tram rides and entry to the Tactile Dome and Voyager1 for one great price.

Entry Fee:
Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $35
Adults $14
Children (under 16) $8
Students $8
Senior Citizens $7
Children under 5 years are free

MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

Auckland Airport opens a new parents room and a new kids corner

Travelling with kids isn’t always easy, but Auckland Airport is doing its best to make what can be a difficult experience a whole lot more enjoyable.

A brand new parents’ room has now opened airside in the international terminal. The space is a dedicated place where parents can go to get away from the crowds, change nappies or feed their offspring. The room is equipped with feeding cubicles, changing tables and a microwave to heat baby food and bottles. There is also a new fully enclosed play area that is sure to keep energetic toddlers entertained – and tire them out – while you wait for your flight.

Parents can also head to the Kids Corner - Auckland Airport’s fantastic new playground on level one landside near McDonalds. The new facility is sure to make the airport experience a lot more fun for the kids – and their parents. Designed for pre-schoolers, the playground is fully enclosed with lots of exciting wall and floor mounted toys brought in especially from Australia.

The landside parents’ room in the international terminal is also about to undergo refurbishment to bring its facilities up to scratch and will reopen before Christmas.

Simple tips for making travelling with babies and young children enjoyable

Summer is here and in the next few months you’ll most likely be planning to catch up with family and friends. You might even be thinking about having a family holiday and getting away from the day to day routine of housework and family life. While we all get excited about holidays, there is also that realisation that your days of just throwing a few things in a bag and hitting the road are over.

Travelling with babies and young children can be challenging, there are hours of planning, loads of baby equipment and all those baby supplies from baby bottles to nappies, the list just goes on and on. However there are some very basic things that will make your trip enjoyable.

• Ensure that your child doesn’t overheat by keeping cars cool.
  
• Fluids and food are very important so stop frequently, every couple of hours for about 10 to 15 minutes, to top them up. This is also a great time to breastfeed.
  
• Take advantage of those feeding times, make it a toilet stop too.
  
• Getting the children to stretches their legs.

Toilet training while on the road

Travelling with children while they are making that transition from nappies to underpants can be stressful for both parents and children. Like most things with children being prepared is the most important thing. Ensure your nappy bag has a change of clothing, and of course a plastic bag for soiled clothes. This will save both of you the embrassment of your child remaining in wet and smelly clothes.

When on the road keep a portable potty in the car. This can be very handy at times when you might not necessarily be close to toilets. If carrying a potty make sure you have wipes and a couple of plastic bags to deal with the aftermaths.

Car sick children

While some parents are lucky and their children are born travellers, other parents have the consistent worry of travelling with a child that will get carsick. When planning a long holiday make sure you plan will. If children are in the rear of the car, take corners slower to keep stomachs settled. There are other things you can do like:

• For those with children that get car sick allow plenty of extra time for your trip. Stop frequently, every hour if necessary and allow your child to get plenty of fresh air.
  
• I use to carry a packet of Gingernut biscuits with me on long trips, ginger has a settling effect on stomachs.
  
• A clean, empty ice cream tub, with lid, is a great idea for catching vomit and ideal for those parents with children that get car or motion sickness easily. Ensuring the container is in easy reach place for when you need it!

While you can't always make things perfect for a trip, these tips can help to at least prepare you for your journey. Happy travelling :)