MEDIA RELEASE 12 September 2006

Spring School Holidays
23 September – 8 October 2006

Kids get the chance to GO VIKING at Auckland Museum these school holidays

Parents looking for somewhere to keep their children happy and occupied while the spring weather warms, need look no further than Auckland Museum which has a programme packed full of educational fun that the kids will simply love.

It’s a mix of Vikings – as the museum concludes its highly successful Norse exhibition – and Dinosaurs – as the blossoming romance between Delaurus and her new beau Basil continues.

The Auckland Museum spring school holiday programme begins on Saturday, 23 September and runs until Sunday, 8 October.

“We really are enthusiastic about the programme we have got for these holidays,” says Jo Lees, Auckland Museum Holiday programme co-ordinator. “The Viking programme in particular is bound to intrigue and delight children of all ages as it will really bring to life the objects and themes of the exhibition...

The Vikings - their religion, their sumptuous handcrafts, their seafaring and warfare – feature in daily activities during the school holidays.

On the final weekend opposing Viking forces take on each other in a full battle re-enactment on the grounds outside Auckland Museum. The final weekend also plays host to a Kids Battle Drill and a final Skirmish.

The blossoming romance between Delaurus and her beau, Basil is an ongoing spectacle at the Museum. The dinosaurs appear daily and are just bursting to share their big news with the kids – they are hoping that by the school holidays they will have succeeded in their attempts to lay an egg!

“We’ve made sure to provide different activities each day to ensure children’s minds remain captivated so families can spend holiday days enjoying the fun learning activities on offer.”

Other highlights of the programme include:

- making Viking badges, butterfly finger puppets and paper blossoms and weaving;

- constructing a variety of Viking craft;

- the Dino’s After Dark experience;

- storytelling; and

- a Viking Creative Writing Competition.

The Spring School Holidays is a great time for people to become members of the museum. A family of two adults and up to six children living at home can join for only $50 a year. Another option is the Kid Plus membership – a child can join for $30.00 and bring along any adult they wish.

Membership benefits include no request for an admission donation; discounts at the Museum Shop and BB’s Café; discounted entry to charged exhibitions; advance notice of events and exhibitions; free subscription to ‘MQ’ magazine; Stevenson’s Dinomites Club membership for all children aged up to 13 years; discounted entry to children’s programmes; performances; and more. Full details are available on the Museum’s website: www.aucklandmuseum.com

ENDS

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