Believe it or not, it’s school holiday time, yet again!

For those not lucky enough to be travelling to a tropical island somewhere, or hitting the slopes, there is still plenty happening in the Waitaki to keep the kids occupied. 

We have selected a few options …

Kick your holidays off, by exhausting the children with a good boogie at the Kids Disco Night, a fundraiser for the Network Waitaki Event Centre this Friday night (June 27).

This is the second time the fundraiser disco has been run, and it will be at the Loan and Merc, at two separate times for different ages, to keep everyone safe and happy.

Years 1 to 4 can dance themselves to a standstill from 5pm to 6.30pm, and Years 5-8 from 7pm to 8.30pm.

The younger ones need to be accompanied by an adult, while the older kids will be supervised, with no pass-outs, so you know they’re safe.  

Entry is $5 and includes the necessary disco glowstick accessory, with drinks and snacks also available for $2 a pop.

Scenes from the last disco fundraiser held for the Waitaki Event Centre. Photo: Supplied/Facebook

Once the kids have recovered from dancing the night away, you might want to take them to soak up some culture.

The George Burns Memorial Art Exhibition is running until July 13, at the Forrester Gallery.

Every year schools and pre-schools from around the district contribute a number of artworks to the exhibition as a celebration of children’s art.

See if your child can spot their own artwork - or a friend’s.

The Waitaki Recreation Centre is once again running its Active Kids Holiday Programme in the first week of the holidays.

For $10 a day or $36 for all four days, your primary-age children will be kept off the devices, and get to experience a range of different sports and activities, thanks to a bunch of great volunteers. Be quick to register though, places fill up fast.

Also at the Recreation Centre, in the second week, the latest craze - Cross Over Basketball - is running on Monday (July 7) and Tuesday (July 8), in the mornings for years 3 to 6.

Again, don’t forget to register, or you could miss out.

Not against picking a pocket or two, are Fagin's young gang of followers, who can be seen on stage in Oliver! at the Ōamaru Opera House. Photo: Facebook

Perfectly timed with school holidays, Musical Theatre Ōamaru's production of Oliver! has two 4pm performances in the last weekend of the holidays.

This means the younger children who want to see this classic family musical aren't kept out past their bedtimes.

And now that Riviera Cinema Oamaru has opened a third screen, the movie options are aplenty, for some kid (and parent) quiet time.

Don’t forget Aqualand is at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre with its amazing-looking indoor inflatable water park on July 5 and 6, for kids over six. The pool is open every other day as well.

Waitaki Libraries also have things in the pipeline, with the promise of Superhero Fun - details yet to be released.

Pottery Patch - where you can paint your own ceramic piece - is open seven days from 10.30am to 5pm these holidays, at 1 Ribble St. And just for the holidays they are offering a free hot chocolate with every paint.

For those parents who are still working, and need a hand with the childcare, Youthtown and Oscar@Fenwick have once again got your back, and WINZ support is available to help cover costs.