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Category: Playgrounds & Parks

Exploring the new Matairangi Nature Trail, Wellington

Posted on March 30, 2017March 30, 2017 by BritMumInNZ

I first stumbled across the enticing play areas of the Matairangi Nature Trail, along the ridge line of Mt Victoria, on one of my long runs. I couldn’t wait to grab an opportunity to bring my two youngest children to explore, climb and play. I’ve always loved walking and running the town belt trails of…

Road trip, Wellington to Taupo, from beaches & playgrounds to volcanoes and snow!

Posted on September 28, 2015September 28, 2015 by BritMumInNZ

What a road trip (in a good way)! I was dreading it many ways (5 hours driving with three children), but also quietly confident (as they’d been incredibly awesome for me all week – whilst their Daddy was working away overseas). We left our home in Wellington at 9.30am on a Saturday morning, trying to…

Hobbit or Dwarf, Wizard or Man? We found out at Rivendell.

Posted on April 18, 2015April 18, 2015 by BritMumInNZ

Rivendell, the place where hobbits and dwarfs meet with men, wizards and elves. Our youngest explorer was delighted to be hobbit sized, whilst my friend, Nicola, and I were wizards. Sophie, aged 9, wasn’t so sure about being dwarf sized, but she’d have a lot of growing to do to be on a par with…

Autumn child’s play, in the park at Masterton, Wairarapa

Posted on April 10, 2015April 10, 2015 by BritMumInNZ

The Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton is a delight in early autumn. The park has plenty of deciduous trees to set the tone for autumn, with a mix of yellows, reds, browns and oranges. There’s even a Horse Chestnut tree, near the children’s play area, offering up seeds for conker games. I felt a strong…

New Year’s Day | Blessed with sunshine, sea & friends

Posted on January 2, 2015January 7, 2015 by BritMumInNZ

As the sun set on 2014, after an inclement day of weather in Wellington, New Zealand, we gathered at one of our neighbour’s homes, along with other lovely folk in the community that we are blessed to have in our lives, sharing this parenting journey. Pizza and puddings was the perfect combination, with fireworks at…

Five outdoor family loves in Wellington from the past fortnight…

Posted on October 19, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

We’ve been back in Wellington, New Zealand, a fortnight and are quickly reacquainting ourselves with favourite haunts. The weather has mostly been conducive to outdoor activities and our children are loving playing with their friends. Here’s five outdoor favourites from the last fortnight… 1. Rock pooling, climbing and beach play at Scorching Bay beach. This…

A place to play in central Copenhagen

Posted on July 19, 2014August 20, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

We stumbled across a lovely playground in the centre of Copenhagen on a hot summer’s day. A paddling pool invited the children to splash around and cool down. Ride-on bikes lay about for children to freely play on. A welcoming hut had toys outside, akin to a pre-school, but all the toys were for passing children…

Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen – Mr Disney’s Inspiration

Posted on July 18, 2014August 20, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

After living in California for a year and being very fortunate to have visited Disneyland, it was wonderful to visit Tivoli gardens – the place that first inspired Walt Disney to set about creating Disneyland.   From the moment we walked into the gardens and amusement park it was very clear to see how Mr…

The Great Outdoors (in the centre of Copenhagen)

Posted on July 9, 2014August 23, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

We are currently in Copenhagen, Denmark. In this city of bike loving, apartment dwelling, contented people are numerous gardens and playgrounds. We are still recovering from jetlag and all the children are on different body clocks – but we have managed to get out and explore one little playground in the central city, called ‘Skydebanehaven’,…

Country Kids – more like ‘Spy Kids’!!!

Posted on April 27, 2014August 22, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

Okay, last weekend we had a blast. I turned forty in style, celebrating in Santa Monica, California. My daughters LOVED the beach gym that brings the community and tourists together for some active fun. There were some serious gymnast types, flexing muscles on the ropes and swings cirque du soleil style. I was in awe…

Country Kids | Active snapshots from our week

Posted on April 18, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

Sharing some active snapshots from the past week of my three active daughters… Swinging in the garden under a shady tree, with friendly lizards and birds for company – Climbing at the playground, with the agility of monkeys, the enthusiasm of bees chasing pollen, and the confidence of feeling comfortable in their own bodies –…

Weekend Fun Carpinteria & Santa Barbara

Posted on April 7, 2014August 20, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

Some family weekends are golden and this was one of them, the highlight being a delicious meal at a local restaurant (Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro, Montecito) with all three daughters behaving charmingly. It was an impromptu meal out (often preferred to a scheduled, overly anticipated evening) and the love around the table was brimming over…

Things I’m Loving

Posted on March 16, 2014August 21, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

Had a beautiful week with my daughters and escaping out for runs. The clocks have swung into spring time in the northern hemisphere and having an extra hour of daylight in the evening makes a huge difference to our available ‘play time’. Sharing here a few loves from my week… ❤ Hanging out in the…

An active week in Santa Barbara – and yes, I am running a half marathon…

Posted on February 27, 2014August 22, 2014 by BritMumInNZ

Between the game play (Minecraft), the crafting (Rainbow Looming) and all the preschool arts and crafts (baking ginger-bread men, sand play, painting, imaginary story telling and so on…) there’s been a lot of action in the house in California this week. My New Zealand born children have been energised with slightly cooler temperatures and rain…

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