Ōtaki Playcentre tamariki and whānau love to connect with te taiao through our weekly nature play sessions – usually it’s the beach, bush, or park. But this time, we swapped sand for snow and headed to the maunga!
We packed all the thermals we could find (emergency change of clothes, IYKYK) and for 3 days, our group headed to Mt Ruapehu for a special adventure! For many tamariki, it was their very first time experiencing snow. We rode the Sky Waka gondola, took in the breathtaking maunga views, and spent hours sledding, playing, and discovering the magic of this winter wonderland together.
Even though we were all bunking together in giant rooms, everyone actually slept! Careful planning and cooperation made a big difference. To avoid food envy or melt-downs, we agreed on shared kai in advance — nachos one night and pasta the next — brought plenty of fruits and vegetables for shared snacks, and everyone contributed to tidy-up time.
In between adventures, there was always someone keen for a card or board game, and at least one adult on story-reading duty to keep things calm(ish).
This trip full of laughter, learning, and shared moments won’t be forgotten in a hurry and was great reminder of kotahitanga (working together), whanaungatanga (connection) and how much fun a group of Playcentre families can have – especially when you add snow into the mix.
