Explore local nature, history these holidays

The South Canterbury Museum is the perfect place to visit these school holidays and enjoy exploring local nature and history, as well as taking part in fun activities for kids.

Located in Perth St, downtown Timaru, the museum is open every day of the school holidays with free admission, from 10am on weekdays and 1pm on the weekends and South Canterbury Anniversary Day.

From fossils to fashions, the museum always has hundreds of fascinating things from local nature and history on display, featured in the long-term exhibition areas. Also on view is the latest exhibition, Herstory of Women’s Rugby, which features women’s rugby past and present right up to the current Rugby World Cup.

There will be several activities available for younger visitors, including fun activities for kids to do while touring the galleries, as well as the old favourites of Find the Golden Frog and the Horsey penny game. There are special rugby-themed craft activities running on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.30am-11.30am and 1.30pm-2.30pm. No need to book, just drop in and get making things.

If your youngsters have not already joined the free Museum Explorers Club, now’s a good time to do so. Members are given a special passport and lanyard, and begin collecting cool badges featuring museum exhibitions. Museum Explorers are always the first to find out about upcoming special events at the museum.

There are also a range of child-centred books and other items available for sale at the museum. These include New Zealand nature books and New Zealand insect playing cards and books. These are great for the holidays or as birthday gifts.

Museum admission is always free for locals. Keep up with what’s happening at the museum through following the museum’s Facebook page or monitoring the website at museum.timaru.govt.nz.