A Christmas adventure for our Ōtautahi tamariki

Our Hornby Pasifika and Te Puna Oraka early learning tamariki in Ōtautahi recently enjoyed a magical visit to The Christmas Collective store as part of the Barnardos Christmas Campaign. The excitement began the moment they arrived, with bright lights, sparkling decorations and festive displays filling the space with wonder.

Across Aotearoa, each store features a giving tree, and our tamariki eagerly added their own Christmas wishes to the special wish list. They imagined what they might hope for and carefully placed their wishes among the decorations for others to see. 

A highlight of the trip came when they shared a picnic inside a giant inflatable Santa house. The children sat together in this cosy festive space, chatting, giggling, and soaking in the cheerful surroundings. Afterwards, they explored the store even more, discovering shimmering ornaments, colourful themed rooms, and the very large snow people that brought plenty of smiles. 

Adventures like this give tamariki the chance to explore the world around them with their peers and kaiako. These outings nurture confidence, curiosity and a strong sense of belonging in the wider community. They also spark creativity and conversation, supporting rich learning experiences grounded in Te Whāriki.

Our tamariki left with Christmas cheer, shared moments, and magical memories they’ll carry with them into the holiday season.