Are you looking for fun ways to include Waitangi Day commemorations and cultural learning in your programmes this year?
Here are 10 engaging activity ideas to help kids understand the significance of Waitangi Day and connect with Maori Culture through interactive, creative and educational experiences in your programmes. From Taniwha tags to Maori app recommendations for digital learning, find ideas for all types of kids’ activity businesses.
Taniwha Tag
Turn a classic game of tag into a fun cultural activity by introducing the Taniwha. In Māori mythology, a Taniwha is a mythical creature, often seen as a guardian or monster. The player who is "in" becomes the Taniwha, chasing the others. You can play this game on land or in the water to add more excitement.
Learn Te Reo Māori with the Kupu App
STEM and kid-tech activity providers can elevate children's learning experiences with the free Kupu app. Kids can take photos of objects, and Kupu will show the Māori word for the item in the picture. It’s a great way to integrate digital learning and Te Reo Māori. You can download the Kupu app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Create Your Own Poi
Embrace the Maori way of learning through story and song. Introduce children to the art of Poi—a traditional Māori dance tool made from a ball on a string. Start by exploring the cultural significance of Poi with this video.
Then, follow a step-by-step tutorial to create your poi. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 foam cubes
- 2 pieces of chord (for the poi handle)
- 4 small bundles of wool (for poi pompoms)
- 1 sheet of white plastic (to cover poi)
- 6 pieces of wool to tie the plastic wrapping to the poi ball
You’ll also need scissors and some cello tape to finish your Poi. Children will love learning through movement and music!
Play Takaro – A Māori Card Game
Takaro is a fun and educational card game that helps kids learn Te Reo Māori by turning the classic game of snap into a learning tool. The cards feature Māori words and pictures, making language learning enjoyable.
Craft Taonga from Salt-Dough or Air-Clay
Let children make their own taonga (treasured objects) using salt-dough or air-clay. In Māori culture, taonga are often carved pendants made from greenstone or bone, representing ancestry or heritage stories. You can explore the meanings behind different Māori symbols here.
If you don't have recipes to make your clay, check out this page. For salt-dough instructions, refer to this page. This will help the kids shape and paint their own creations.
Māori Myths and Legends
Introduce kids to the rich world of Māori myths and legends. Use these captivating stories to inspire crafts, storytelling sessions, or role-play activities for the week of Waitangi. You can find many traditional Māori tales online or in children's books to share during your programme.
Waitangi Day Learning Resource
Bring the educational magic of the Te Papa Museum to your programme! Te Papa offers a downloadable resource that explains the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) in a child-friendly way. This free activity book helps kids understand the significance of Waitangi Day through maps, flags, word puzzles, drawing, and colouring activities. It’s perfect for primary-aged children. Check it out here.
Waitangi Day Display
Spend a few days leading up to Waitangi Day helping kids create their own display. The display can showcase what they’ve learned about Māori culture and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Families can walk through the display during pick-up or drop-off, turning it into a fun learning experience for everyone.
Plant a Native Tree
If you have outdoor space, why not plant a native tree or shrub with the kids? You can teach them about the importance of protecting New Zealand’s native plants. The Department of Conservation has useful tips on how to care for native plants, which you can share with the children.
Māori Language Treasure Hunt
Set up a treasure hunt to help children learn Te Reo Māori. Download treasure hunt or bingo cards that feature essential Māori verbs and objects. The children can search for the objects or perform actions to match the words on the cards, making learning the language fun and active.
These activities will bring cultural awareness and excitement to your Waitangi Day programme, allowing kids to learn and connect with Māori traditions in a fun and meaningful way—without a doubt!
By incorporating these exciting activities into your Waitangi Day programme, you'll not only foster cultural awareness but also create memorable experiences for the kids as they connect with Māori traditions. And to make managing these activities even easier, Enrolmy is here to help! Our platform streamlines your enrolments and communications, allowing you to focus on delivering engaging programmes that inspire young minds. Let us handle the admin work so you can concentrate on what you do best—nurturing creativity and cultural learning!
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