This year's Rotorua Children's Weekend is shaping up to be a fantastic family day out with two days of free events planned to celebrate national Children's Day.

The event, hosted by Council together with various organisations and community groups, begins next Saturday March 2 with a range of activities taking place around central Rotorua between 10am and 3pm.

Children of all ages can experience diverse cultures from around the world and be in to win prizes by collecting stamps for their Children's Weekend 'passports”.

"The passports can be picked up from several venues (see listed below) on the day and passport holders will receive a stamp for every activity they participate in. Children will ‘travel' from France to Mexico, from India to the Pacific Islands, stopping off in Japan, The Netherlands and Aotearoa on the trip," says Rotorua Lakes Council.

"Families with more than three stamps in their passport will go into a draw to win a prize pool valued at more than $3000, including passes and vouchers from a range of Rotorua attractions alongside art and gift packs.

"The fun will continue on Sunday (3 March) from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at the Redwoods Children's Day in the Redwood Forest with nature-based activities such as forest games, storytelling, log dig, bucket fun, soundscapes, clay, paint, Taiko drumming, hut building, gymnastics, pony rides, young artists alfresco art exhibition and the opportunity to be a star on the stage!"

The talented Travelling Tuataras will bring their own special brand of magic to the forest with interactive stories and songs.

The City Ride bus (route 3) takes people directly to the end of Long Mile Road from where people can wander through the Mokopuna Track to the clearing behind the Redwoods iSite where the activities will be held.

Families are encouraged to bring along a picnic and share lots of laughs with the little people in their lives and treasure the time spent together.

Last year the weekend of celebrations were a huge success with nearly 4,000 people attending and it is this success that has attracted several new organisations and community groups to take part in the event.

Day 1 (Saturday 2 March) - Around the World venues:

Rotorua Multicultural Council – Celebrate Polynesia! Make Pacific bead bracelets, get your face painted and learn some Cook Island drumming. Location: Te Rūnanga Tea House, Government Gardens.

Local Indian Community – Celebrate India! Learn Bhangra dancing, turban tying and saree draping. Location: Bowling Club, Government Gardens.

Rotorua Museum – Celebrate Mexico! Make Mexican paper dolls or wrestling masks while listening to traditional music. Location: The Arts Village.

Safe & Sustainable Journeys – Celebrate the Netherlands! Have a go in the peek-a-boo photo booth and add to the large colouring picture of windmills, tulips, bicycles in a Dutch landscape. Location: Jean Batten Square, Haupapa Street.

Rotorua Library – Celebrate Aotearoa! Learn how to make cool fantail headbands to wear. Location: Ground Floor, Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri.

Rotorua Japanese Community – Celebrate Japan! Make beautiful origami and get your name written in Japanese calligraphy. Location: Children's Art House, Government Gardens.

Rotorua Aquatic Centre – Celebrate France! Make your own French bilboquet (cup and ball game) and enjoy land inflatables. Gather 3 or more stamps on the passports during the day and kids get to swim for free. Location: Rotorua Aquatic Centre, Tarewa Road. ​

This year you can also get a stamp on your passport at the Redwoods Children's Day on Sunday 3 March 2019 from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

Both days of events will be on rain or shine. For more information go to rotorualakescouncil.nz/childrensweekend