Grab your gumboots, wrap up warm, and lose those winter blues! It's raining fun at Auckland Zoo these July school holidays (4 July - 19 July).

The zoo is celebrating the winter climate with wet weather games, 'feedback@star-times.co.nz'daily 'Splish Splosh Splat' shows, interactive water displays, snow weekend (18 and 19 July) and the chance to learn about water conservation and the zoo animals that live in it.

Kids keen to join in the watery fun can take part in gumboot throwing and puddle splashing games and help support conservation by purchasing a raindrop to help fill the hippo's waterhole so that he can wallow, wade and drink. Wear your own gumboots and be in to win spot prizes.

After splashing and jumping kids can take a break in a dry area at the two free daily shows (10.45am and 11.45am) and join Periwinkle the penguin and his special friends as they share everything they love about water. In keeping with the winter theme, the Old Elephant House turns into another dry area - a movie theatre to screen Ice Age and Ice Age 2 movies between 10am - 2pm. Plus, be in to win Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs prize packs full of goodies including movie tickets, posters, character toys, story books and more.

Water lovers can explore the zoo and take in the water-based animal encounters, which include otter, sea lion, hippo and alligator, and learn more about the importance of water in our environment.

The temperature is set to drop for snow weekend (18 and 19 July) when snow arrives for the zoo animals from Snow Planet. What will a lion make of snow? Will the tiger cubs play with it? Will the elephants try to eat it? Come and find out!

July school holidays sponsored by Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and supported by Newstalk ZB, Classic Hits, ZM and Snow Planet.

Event details

July school holidays 4 July - 19 July, 9.30am - 5pm Daily shows: 10.45am and 11.45am (20 minute shows) Additional holiday animal encounters : Sea lion encounter daily at 10am, alligator encounter Tuesdays 1pm, otter encounter, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12.30pm and hippo encounter Tuesday and Fridays at 1.15pm Normal zoo encounter schedule remains Ice Age and Ice Age 2 movie screenings in Old Elephant House continuously between 10am -2pm Snow Weekend 18 and 19 July: animals will receive snow in their enclosures throughout the day Spot prizes and prize packs courtesy of Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs include movie posters, movie tickets and more Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs - only in cinemas Normal zoo admission prices apply For further school holiday details, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz or phone (09) 360 3805.