A colourful cartoonised image of four children and a donkey in a forest. One child is holding a wooden instrument, one child is in a wheelchair, one is a flying fairy, one is playing the cello, one is making something with dough. The Donkey is peering out from behind a tree and wearing a tshirt.

School Holiday Kids’ ActivitiesNgā Mahi Whai Mā Ngā Tamariki

Free events for tamariki ages 3–12 years.

Jump into the fun at Te Papa these school holidays with our activities for little ones. These whānau events are for children accompanied by adults.

From Sat 28 Sep to Sun 13 Oct

An artist's concept portrays a NASA Mars Exploration Rover on the surface of Mars

Q&A & Storytime: NASA’s Mars Opportunity Rover replica

An unrepeatable... Opportunity!

See the Mars Opportunity replica rover and enjoy a morning of robotics, space exploration, and engineering!

Fri 27 Sep 2024, 10.00am–12.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Asmiling man is standing outside and holding up four flat children's picture books.

Deano Yipadee presents: Moto Mike, the Motorbike!

Come meet Nee-Naw's new friend, Moto Mike the Motorbike, and join the fun singing along with Deano Yipadee!

Sat 28 Sep 2024, 10.30–11.15

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

An illustration of kids flying and driving in cardboard boxes.

Te Papa Learning School Holiday Programme – Cardboard Creations!

Experience the school holidays at Te Papa!

Tue 1 Oct 2024, 9.30am–4.30pm

Wed 2 Oct 2024, 9.30am–4.30pm

Tue 8 Oct 2024, 9.30am–4.30pm

Wed 9 Oct 2024

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Tamariki toy swap party

Get, give, share – and save money! Our second toy swap is on its way.

Tue 1 Oct 2024, 10.00am–1.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A still from an animation of a Mars Rover riding over the sand of Mars.

Movie screening, talk, and Q&A: Good Night Oppy!

Enjoy a free movie screening of Good Night Oppy, followed by a talk by Betina Pavri, Space Research Senior Principal Engineer at the Robinson Research Institute.

Fri 4 Oct 2024, 6.00–8.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

RNZB Midsummer Night's Dream, 2021, photo by Stephen ACourt, 2021. Courtesy of RNZB

Royal New Zealand Ballet presents A Midsummer Night's Dream – Rehearsals and Workshops

Fairies and magic enchant the forest in this dazzling ballet spectacle. Join us for performances, ballet workshops and fun all day long.

Sat 5 Oct 2024, 10.00am–3.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A performer stands on stage with a microphone stand holding and bamboo angklung. A percussionist stands behind the performer

The sound of Indonesia: Angklung workshop for tamariki

Learn how to make beautiful music with the angklung – a bamboo instrument from Indonesia.

Mon 7 Oct 2024, 12.00pm–2.00pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

A child is carving something into a clay bowl he is holding

Clay & Play: Air-dry clay workshop

Children can craft their own creative masterpieces in these wildly fun pottery classes.

Wed 9 Oct 2024, 10.15–11.15am

Wed 9 Oct 2024, 11.30am–12.30pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Movie screening: Good Night Oppy!

A second screening of the documentary for all space lovers, kindly offered to our audience by the US Embassy of NZ.

Thu 10 Oct 2024, 10.30am–12.10pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

New Zealand String Quartet presents Encounters

A taster of classical music for those wanting to introduce the artform to tamariki (children). Join this relaxed, performance for all the whānau (family).

Fri 11 Oct 2024, 10.30am–1.30pm

Event Ngā kaupapa motuhake

Book cover with white space either side.

The Te Papa Activity Book

Fun activities about Te Papa Tongarewa and the taonga (treasures) we hold.

Haast's Eagle, Te Taiao | Nature, 2019. Photo by Jane Harris. Te Papa

Taonga and spaces included in The Te Papa Activity Book

Have you found the Haast's eagle? What about our wharenui? Find out more about parts of Te Papa that feature in The Te Papa Activity Book or explore the taonga (treasures) in our collections – which ones have you seen?

Te Taiao | Nature

You’re the explorer in our Te Taiao | Nature exhibition zone. Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment – and get ready for our future as kaitiaki.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Three carved wooden marionettes with cords and feathers attached on a white background.

Karetao-puoro

Visit three karetao-puoro (instruments that are figures too) created by artist James Webster to give karetao a voice by incorporating taonga puoro into their design. Watch the whānau of karetao in action in Tokotū (Rise Up), the story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku.

On now

Wed 5 Jun – mid 2026

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Discovery Centres

It’s play time! Families get hands-on with educational exhibits, games, and books.

Te Papa cafés

Find our two vibrant and cosy cafes nestled amongst Te Papa’s treasures.

StoryPlace

StoryPlace is a space specially and exclusively for preschoolers and their caregivers. Here, toddlers can explore museum-related themes through play, games, storytelling, and song. Led by a friendly Te Papa Host.

Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand

Celebrate the story of Pacific people, past and present, in all areas of life.

On now

Long-term exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A man and two children standing on a suspension bridge look into the bush

Bush City

Step outside into a living, growing exhibition. Explore native bush and a volcanic landscape.

On now

Open daily until 5pm

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Manu Rere Moana

The navigation of the Pacific by waka hourua | double-hulled sailing waka is one of the great achievements of human technology. This exhibition celebrates the mātauranga of celestial navigation that enabled these extraordinary voyages.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

Free downloadable activity books

Our activity books are designed for use at home or in the classroom. We’d love to hear your feedback or ideas for other subjects.

Three kids make a rainbow from toys and other household items

Whānau challenges

Try some creative challenges at home with your whānau. Each challenge is connected to Te Papa’s collections or expertise.