Enjoy science-related activities during the autumn school holidays. Below are a selection of events held around Aotearoa New Zealand. Many of the providers have additional non-science activities that will be of interest. Follow the weblinks to see the full listings and for the latest updates.
NOTE: If you know of any science-related events we have missed, please email us enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Auckland
Auckland Museum
Weird & Wonderful Weekends
20 April–5 May, weekends: Explore Auckland Museum's Weird and Wonderful gallery and discover the delights of the natural world. The Auckland Museum Learn team are excited to host crafts, storytelling and songs in this immersive and amazing space filled with awe-inspiring collections. Various times, 30 minute sessions.
Find out more: www.aucklandmuseum.com/visit/whats-on/kids-and-family/weird-and-wonderful-weekends.
For more on at Auckland museum: www.aucklandmuseum.com/whats-on.
Auckland Zoo
Daily: Auckland Zoo is a great place for the whole family. Look out for the daily keep talks: from porcupines, flamingoes, kiwi, red pandas amd more.
Find out more here: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz.
Little Scientists!
15–26 April: This science based school holiday programme in Auckland is run in two locations: Herne Bay Playcentre and Hillsborough Playcentre. The programmes are designed for 5–10 year old children, to encourage participation and increase engagement in science.
Find out more: www.littlescientists.co.nz/holiday-programme-auckland.
Butterfly Creek
Daily: Part zoo exhibits and part fun attractions, Butterfly Creek offers a unique and fun visit for everyone. Check out our amazing array of animals for you to see, touch and learn about.
Find out more here: www.butterflycreek.co.nz.
- Want to know more, see our resources under our Butterflies and moths topic.
Botanic Gardens
Daily: Explore the Auckland Botanic gardens these summer holidays for fun for the whole family. Visit Mushrooms and Other Fungi – an exhibition of fungi drawings by the renowned mycologist Marie Taylor (1930–1990). In colloboration with Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.
Find out more here: www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz
- Want to know more, see our resources under our Fungi topic.
MOTAT
Daily: MOTAT is the place to be these school holidays! With two locations joined by free heritage tram rides, daily activities and live shows – holidays have never been so much fun, make sure you visit Te Kōtiu: the new immersive digital experience.
21 April: Live Day: Printing: Spend the day learning about printing technologies and let your artistic talents shine with sun printing. Immerse yourself in 3D printing and VR.
For all of April – teachers visit free!
Find out more: www.motat.nz.
Stardome
15 April–26 April: All daytime weekday planetarium shows are followed by bottle rocket launching (weather dependent) with one of our educators!
Here's what's on: www.stardome.org.nz/school-holidays.
- Why try out our Water bottle rockets activity.
19 & 26 April: Starry Storytime at Stardome! Join one of these special parent and baby sessions where Flit the Fantail and the Matariki Map will be read together. There will also be some mindful movements and a little sing-song, before heading into the planetarium for a show.
Find out more: www.stardome.org.nz/movie/starry-storytime.
30 April: Two low-sensory planetarium sessions tailored to accommodate individuals with autism or sensory and neurodiversity needs.
Find out more: www.stardome.org.nz/movie/quiet-hour.
Daily: Astronomy shows, sci-fi films, and night sky presentations for all ages. Come and enjoy the magic!
Find out more : www.stardome.org.nz.
- Want to know more, see the wide range of resources under our astronomy topic.
Waikato
Bat fun day
16 April: Calling all you Bat Fans! – it's time for a free BAT-ASTIC Fun Day. Did you know pekapeka-tou-roa (long tailed bats) live among us in Kirikiriroa – and some parts of Waikato? Come and learn all about this threatened native species and what you can do to protect them, from habitat restoration to predator control.
Find out more: www.facebook.com/events/917002436588349.
Discover more about New Zealand’s native bats – pekapeka and the ongoing conservation efforts to ensure their ongoing survival.
Hamilton Gardens
Daily: Visit the Hamilton gardens these summer holidays for fun for the whole family. Join the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides for a journey of hidden stories, secret symbols, interesting snippets and new insights into some of the most popular gardens. Include a visit to Te Parapara Garden – New Zealand's only traditional Māori productive garden.
Find out more here: https://hamiltongardens.co.nz.
Te Parapara Garden
Kūmara plants, growing in Te Taupa at Te Parapara Garden.
Te Parapara is designed to incorporate two realms representative of both wild, uncultivated foods and cultivated or farmed foods. Te Ara Whakatauki (Path of Proverbs) lies between the Piazza (section of garden) and the waharoa (gateway). This realm represents the unculivated foods under the care of Haumiatiketike. Te Taupa sits beyond the waharoa and is under the care of Rongomātane renowned as atua of cultivated foods such as the kūmara.
The garden takes its name from the pre-European Māori settlement that occupied the site.
Te Awamutu Space Centre
Daily: Museum and activity centre suitable for all ages, bookings recommended.
Find out more here: www.spacecentre.nz.
- Want to know more about space, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Waikato Museum
Visit the museum and see also the Whaanau Fun activity sheet and Cue Cards. For a complete list of events at Waikato Museum, visit: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/current-exhibitions.
Six extinctions – Waikato Museum
8 April–5 July: Come face-to-face with some of the top predators of the past and learn about the the Earth's mass extinction events
Find out more here: www.sciencelearn.org.nz/events/2740-six-extinctions-waikato-museum.
Gisbourne
The Unbelieve-a-Bubble Science Show
13 April–14 July: Come and join Whizz Bang Science on a journey of discovery and be amazed by the science that goes into making bubbles well, so incredi-bubble! Explore rubber bubbles, bubbles in a bubble or even see a bubble on fire! The show is suitable for all ages!
Find out more: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/the-unbelieve-a-bubble-science-show/gisborne
- For more on bubbles – check out the article Observing bubbles and activity Investigating bubbles.
Hawkes Bay
Flutter by Stringbean Puppets
12–13 April: A bat who is afraid of the dark encounters a glow worm who thinks she is a star. Themes of courage, friendship, and conservation are interwoven with a heartwarming story that introduces audiences to the unique and endangered short-tailed bat. Experience the magic of puppetry in this empowering and delightful show for young audiences.
Find out more: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/flutter-by-stringbean-puppets/hastings.
- Discover more about New Zealand’s native bats – pekapeka and the ongoing conservation efforts to ensure their ongoing survival. Find out more about glow-worms.
MTG Hawke's Bay
Daily: Visit this award-winning museum, home of the Hawke’s Bay region's taonga and other treasures, including the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Exhibition.
Find out more: www.mtghawkesbay.com/.
National Aquarium
April Holiday Program
15–26 April: Take part in the April holiday programme! There are five new daily topics where your budding scientist can discover all about animals that lay eggs, from those with feathers, those with scales, those that carry a shell on their back, to those that lived millions of years ago! Aimed at 6–12 year olds.
Find out more and to book: www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/learn/holiday-programmes/.
Easter EGGsploration
29 March–30 April: Nine lovable animals will be tucked away in their shells throughout the aquarium, just waiting to be discovered. Keep your eyes peeled for the cute kiwi, terrific tuatara, majestic albatross, and even a daring dinosaur! Enjoy fun activities and uncover fascinating facts about these incredible species along the way. There are also prizes up for grabs.
Find out more: www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/visit/easter-eggsplorers.
Manawatū-Whanganu
Te Manawa Museum
15–26 April: Come along for hands-on activities under the theme 'Museum Mixtape', where every session is different. From enjoying a dino dig, to exploring objects under a microscope, or exploring our our native New Zealand freshwater fish there are plenty of opportunities for tamariki to have fun learning new things. All activities are drop-in and gold coin entry except where noted.
Find out more: www.temanawa.co.nz/holidays
- Explore our resources on New Zealand freshwater fish and the range of resource under our Fossils topic.
The Unbelieve-a-Bubble Science Show
27 April–28 July: Come and join Whizz Bang Science on a journey of discovery and be amazed by the science that goes into making bubbles well, so incredi-bubble! Explore rubber bubbles, bubbles in a bubble or even see a bubble on fire! The show is suitable for all ages!
Find out more: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/the-unbelieve-a-bubble-science-show/palmerston-north
- For more on bubbles – check out the article Observing bubbles and activity Investigating bubbles.
Wellington
Capital E
Magnifying the Microverse
April: During the school holidays there are workshops for tamariki aged 6–12 years old. At the MediaLab, tamariki can learn digital skills such as 3D Game Design, Music Making, or compete in multiplayer gaming tournaments. There are also creative activities such as zine workshops facilitated by published authors, map-making, tie-dye and heaps more!
Find out more: www.capitale.org.nz/school-holiday-programmes.
For more of what's on at Capital E, there are lots on for the early years, see: www.capitale.org.nz/whats-on-at-capital-e/
Police Museum
Explore fascinating resources on New Zealand policing and forensics. Take the Junior or Senior Detective Trail, or one of the mueseum tours (bookings required).
Find out more about the museum events and activities: www.police.govt.nz/about-us/history-and-museum/museum/learning-events/museum-events.
- Use our activity DNA detective and the Mobile forensic kit – unit plan to explore the use of forensics in crime scene investigations.
Space Place
Daily: Visit Space Place these summer holidays for lots of resources on astronomy and fun for the whole family. See the school holiday planetarium schedule here.
Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place.
16–24 April: 3… 2.. 1… Blast off! Tamariki learn all about the forces of flight at Space Place’s 4-hour school holiday workshop featuring rocket experiments, vortex cannons and beyond.
- Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Te Papa
Daily: A great place to take the kids during the holidays. Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa | Dinosaurs of Patagonia doesn't finish until 28 April so there is still time to visit. There are also events such as the Emergency Services Expo 2024 and Fossil Finders Whānau Day
For a list of events at Te Papa, please visit: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events.
Holiday programme
16–18 April: This full-day school holiday programmes is only running for three days with limited spots available for children aged 8–12. This holiday programme is linked to the Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa | Dinosaurs of Patagonia exhibition and offers children a chance to experience the exhibition and spend the day in Hīnātore, Te Papa’s state-of-the-art learning lab alongside our expert educators.
Find out more and to book: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events/te-papa-learning-school-holiday-programme.
Wellington Museum
For fascinating stories of the Wellington region, the museum is open daily: www.museumswellington.org.nz/wellington-museum.
Wellington Zoo
Daily: Wellington Zoo is a great place for the whole family to visit.
Find out talk times and more: https://wellingtonzoo.com.
Holiday programme
15–26 April: The zoo's school holiday programme is for kids from 5 to 12. They’ll get to meet animals, learn from the specially trained Zoo staff and get sneak peeks behind the scenes. Every day of the Zoo holiday programme is filled with a new action-packed theme, so you can book for one day, or choose a few days that suit you.
Find out more and to book (spaces are strictly limited): wellingtonzoo.com/visit/plan-your-day/things-to-do/holiday-programmes.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
There are over 32 km of tracks where you can spot abundant wildlife among the regenerating forest at Zealandia. Check out the indoor exhibition and see a life-size moa, learn about the natural history of New Zealand and understand how Zealandia came to be. There are also variety of guided tours every day.
Find out more here: www.visitzealandia.com.
28 March–30 April: enter the Wetlands colouring competition – it is for all ages! There are amazing prize packs up for grabs across several age categories so the whole family can get involved in the fun. find out more: www.visitzealandia.com/Events/ArtMID/2271/ArticleID/550/Wetlands-colouring-competition
14 April: Bring your tamariki to Zealandia these school holidays and learn how to make your very own takahē puppet in time for Takahē Awareness Month. Find out more: www.visitzealandia.com/Events/ArtMID/2271/ArticleID/543/evr/1/Kids-Crafts-at-Zealandia.
- Explore the range of resources we have in Takahē – a context for learning.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne in the heart of Wellington City was conceived in 1995 and opened in 2000 after the erection of an 8.6 kilometre long predator proof-fence. The sanctuary has a 500 year plan to restore the reserve to how it would have appeared before humans arrived in New Zealand. It is home to many endangered species of birds, plants and animals such as saddleback, tuatara, giant wētā and little spotted kiwi.
Pūkaha Junior Rangers Holiday Program
16–25 April: The Junior Ranger School Holiday Programme is back at Pūkaha! Spend the day exploring the forest, getting to know the manu (birds) and watching the tuna (long finned eels) being fed! Suitable for children aged 5–11 years.
Find out more here: https://pukaha.org.nz/upcoming-events.
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
Daily: The 14 hectare Ngā Manu Reserve comprises a mosaic of habitats including the largest remnant of lowland swamp forest remaining on the Kāpiti Coast, ponds, wetlands, open lawn areas, walk-through aviaries, reptile enclosures, and a nocturnal house for kiwi. They also offer various experiences such as a Native bird close encounter or a Ranger experience.
Find out more: https://ngamanu.org.nz.
Wellington Botanic garden
Daily: Visit the historic Wellington Botanic Gardens these Easter holidays for fun for the whole family, the playground has been redeveloped and why not download the self-guided 'Buzzy Bee' activity booklet and explore the gardens. On 12 April join one of the Glow in the dark titiwai tours – New Zealand glow worms.
Find out more here: https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/wellington-botanic-garden-ki-paekaka.
Christchurch
Canterbury Museum
Daily: The Rolleston Avenue site is currently losed but you can visit the cool pop-up Museum at 66 Gloucester Street. It is a short stroll to Quake City, this special exhibition from the Canterbury Museum covers stories from the Canterbury Earthquakes.
For details: www.canterburymuseum.com.
International Antarctic Centre
The International Antarctic Centre is the world’s premier Antarctic experience, with real snow, penguins, Hägglund ride, family fun and more!
Find out more here: www.iceberg.co.nz.
Antarctic penguin keeper programme
15–24 April: Become a penguin keeper for a day! An immersive journey into the world of the smallest penguin in the world. There’s nothing quite like a day spent learning from our specialist keepers.
Find out more here: www.iceberg.co.nz/our-experiences/school-holiday-programmes.
- Want to know more, read about penguins and then see our resources under our Antarctica topic.
Orana Wildlife Park
Daily: A great place to visit during the holidays for an animal adventure the whole family will enjoy, Look out for special events celebrating Wild Dunedin 2024.
Find out more here: www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz.
Christchurch Botanic gardens
Daily: Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens these holidays, for fun for the whole family.
Find out more here: www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-gardens.
Otago
Wild Dunedin
19–28 April: You can see Dunedin's wild creatures at any time, but it is even better to come in the April school holidays when wildlife and wild places are celebrated during Wild Dunedin – New Zealand's festival of nature.
Find out more here: www.wilddunedin.nz.
Otago Museum
Explorers club
11–21 April: Whole-day sessions, for 5–12 year-olds covering many science topics such as plants, animation and transport.
Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/explorers-club-april.
Otago Museum has several other events on offer. To find out more and to book a place, please visit https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on.
Dunedin Botanic Garden
Daily: Visit the Dunedin Botanic Gardens these holidays, for fun for the whole family.
Find out more here: https://dunedinbotanicgarden.co.nz.
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Daily: An awesome family-owned and operated wildlife centre in the heart of Queenstown, dedicated to saving our endangered wildlife species.
Find out more: https://kiwibird.co.nz.
- Explore our resources on New Zealand’s iconic bird and on conserving our native birds.
Sinclair Wetlands, Te Nohoaka O Tukiauau
Daily: Visit the Sinclair Wetlands these holidays and see if you can spot all 46 bird species that live there.
Find out more here: www.tenohoaka.org.nz.
Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary
Daily: Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary is an awesome place to visit with the whole family to see New Zealand’s native wildlife.
Find out more: https://orokonui.nz/.
- Find out more about the creation of Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary.
Vanished World
Daily: Take a walk along the vanished world trails or visit the Vanished World Centre at Waitaki Whitestone Geopark and see a range of geological finds including fossils.
Find out more here: www.vanishedworld.co.nz.
- Want to know more, see our resources under the fossils topic.
Related content
Autumn is a perfect time to celebrate the season changes by observing leaves or going on a fungi hunt.
Early nights mean it is also a great time for star watching with the family.
Did you know that Autumn is also the time that adult eels leave the rivers and streams and head for the ocean?
Our Autumn science collection has more great ideas, see our Creating collections article for hints on how to make the most of the features in our collection tool.
If you want to continue the learning at home during the holidays whilst still keeping it fun – see Learning science from home – ideas to deepen learning before you begin. Science for young learners is about discovery, curiosity and observation. Two key outcomes of any activity can simply be enjoyment and the conversations that arise from the experience.
