While the forecast has been for an extra-hot summer, current conditions are proving otherwise.

So when those grey clouds release rain on holiday fun - or a break is needed from the sun - it’s handy to have a Plan B up your sleeve, especially if young children are in close vicinity.

Waitaki App has compiled a list of ideas - a “go-to guide” - for when bored kids are driving you up the wall, screentime is at an all-time high, and you can’t think your way out of a paper bag.

Waitaki Aquatic Centre

You know the saying… when children are bored, grumpy or fighting, “just add water”, and it really does work a treat.

If the rain is putting you off the outdoor water options - don’t forget the indoor Waitaki Aquatic Centre.

Usually open from 6am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 6pm on weekends, the Christmas hours are:

• December 24 - 6am to 3pm, 
• Christmas Day and Boxing Day - CLOSED, 
• December 27-30 - 10am to 6pm, 
• December 31 - 10am to 3pm. 
• New Year’s Day and January 2 - CLOSED. 
• January 3-5 2025 10-6pm

Regular hours resume from January 6, and keep an eye out on the Facebook page for updates about extra fun, such as inflatables for both the learner and main pools.

There are often inflatables at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre to make pool play even more fun for the kids. Photo: Waitaki Aquatic Centre/Facebook

Forrester Gallery

Allow your child to explore their creative side (and make the mess somewhere else!), at the Forrester Gallery's wonderful Wonderlab.

The Wonderlab exhibition in the lower Thames Street gallery is Warm Fuzzies showcasing wool in the Waitaki. 

Discover the woolly Waitaki history and view local gems from the Museum, Gallery and Archives collection and from the community. This is a whānau-friendly exhibition with hands-on activities.

It is free, although donations are always welcome, and you can explore the other exhibitions on display in the gallery at the same time.

Christmas hours are: 

• Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm
• Weekends 1.30pm - 4pm
• Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and January 2 - CLOSED

Waitaki District Libraries

Reading is always a great option (indoors or out) for any time you have a moment to put your feet up.

If you have a child in your life who loves a good book - or even if they don’t and you want to offer an incentive - grab an adventure pack from your local Waitaki District Library from 9 December, fill in the reading log every time a book is finished, and return it back to the library no later than the 25 January for the chance to win a prize pack.

The packs are available to all primary and high school aged children.

For opening hours across all the Waitaki District Libraries (Hampden, Kurow, Ōamaru, Otematata, Omarama and Palmerston) see here.

Steampunk HQ

Steampunk HQ is a museum like none you have ever seen before.

For those who have not come across Steampunk before, it is a quirky and fun genre of science fiction that features steam-powered technology, often set in an alternate, futuristic version of 19th-century Victorian England.

Steampunk HQ allows for hands-on exploration and discovery of an interesting collection of retro-futuristic sci-fi art, movies, sculpture and sound. 

The highlight is The Portal - a hi-tech mirror and lighting installation - which offers an experience children and adults alike will want to experience over and over again.

Steampunk HQ is open every day, except Christmas Day, from 10am to 4pm.

The magical Portal is a big drawcard at the Steampunk HQ. Photo: Steampunk HQ/Facebook

Whitestone City

Whitestone City is located in the heart of Ōamaru’s Victorian precinct, and is an indoor “city” set in an original 1882 grain store.

It harbours interactive activities such as a penny-farthing carousel, Victorian games, videos and a variety of displays.

The welcoming Victorian-clad staff help provide a glimpse of what Oamaru would have been like in the town’s early days - a living, breathing Whitestone City is not your run-of-the-mill heritage attraction.

Open daily - 10am-4pm (last entry 3.15pm).

Christmas Day and New Year’s Day - Closed (Open Boxing Day).

The Phoenix Complex

The Phoenix Complex, formerly The Galleon Family Complex, is situated at the north end of Ōamaru on Thames Highway.

It has an 8-lane tenpin bowling alley, Combat Laser Tag, pool tables and an arcade games area, and you can grab a meal, a drink, or some hot chips while you’re playing.

Riviera Cinema Ōamaru

A rainy day for a lot of people screams “Movies!” 

Over this holiday period, Mufasa, Sonic 3, and Paddington 3 all come out within a two-week span to keep the kids happy, and this will be the most movie-stacked Christmas period since the start of the pandemic, says Riviera Cinema owner Chris Rottenberry.

While for the adults, Better Man - a Robbie Williams biopic, is out on Boxing Day. 

“And then we have A Real Pain coming out, which is an arthouse film, and it's already started winning awards leading up to the Oscars, so yeah, it's going to be fun to watch. And then the other one would probably be Nosferatu, which is New Year's Day, which is a horror film, and reviews are coming out for that already, and apparently it's exceptional, so, yeah, got a bit of everything.”  

The cinema is closed on Christmas Day, but back open Boxing Day.

Chris and Grace Rottenberry are excited with the selection of movies screening at Riviera Cinema over the Christmas break. Photo: Ashley Smyth

Janet Frame House

Janet Frame House might be one of Ōamaru’s best-kept secrets when it comes to tourist attractions. 

Visit 56 Eden Street, where one of New Zealand’s most well-known authors lived until the age of six.

The house is open 2-4pm daily except Christmas Day, until the end of April. 

Visits outside this time may be possible by prior arrangement, and entry is $10 for waged and $5 for unwaged.

Monday to Saturday you will be greeted by curator Rachel Fenton, while on Sundays the house hosts are volunteers.

Harbour St Collective Cafe

Harbour St Collective Cafe is a well-known sanity saver for North Otago parents of young children on a rainy day.

Not only do they serve up the much-needed caffeine and a decent feed, but they also have an indoor playground that will keep those aged 11 and under entertained long enough to let you drink your coffee while it’s still hot!

The cafe is open seven days 7:30am-4pm, but closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 27 and New Year's Day.

The Pottery Patch

The Pottery Patch has just opened in Ōamaru this year, and will be a welcome addition to the list for parents with children who need occupying.

The kids can paint their own ceramic plate, mug, or ornament. Their masterpiece will be glazed and fired in the kiln, and comes out shiny and like new.

There are a variety of items to pick from, and also coffee, and cakes courtesy of The Sweet Smith.

The Pottery Patch is closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but open all other days from 10am to 5pm, until Jan 20 - when the owners will be having their own much-needed holiday.