Kimbolton is a 90 minute drive northish from Waikawa Beach. At their Sculpture Festival they knew how to entertain, kids especially. Lots of food stalls, but also a pen of Dorset Downs sheep, a Mystery Wool Dig, a jump-in trampoline, a boat race pond and lots of other good rural stuff.

3 Dorset Downs sheep in a pen.
A tent of freshly shorn clean wool at least 50cm deep with prizes hidden below.
Bales of hay piled up above and around a trampoline.
A small pond made of hay bales surrounding a heavy plastic liner filled with water.