Enjoy science-related activities during the autumn school holidays. Below are a selection of events held around New Zealand. Many of the providers have additional non-science activities that will be of interest. Follow the weblinks to see the full listings.

NOTE: If you know of any science-related events we have missed, please get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.

Auckland

MOTAT

Rad Robots

17 April–2 May: This holiday programme is sure to capture the imaginations of Sci-Fi enthusiasts, technology buffs, and arts and crafts fans with loads of hands-on activities.

Find out more here: www.motat.nz/events/school-holiday-experience-rad-robots

MOTAT is New Zealand's largest transport and technology museum and offers a fun and exciting learning experience for visitors of all ages.

Find out more: www.motat.nz

Stardome

19–30 April: These school holidays, treat the whole whānau to a visit to Stardome! Catch one of the amazing 360-degree planetarium shows for just $8 per person, per show. That’s the same great low price for both kids and adults!

Find out more here: www.stardome.org.nz/autumn-school-holidays/

  • Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.

Codecamp

19–30 April: CodeCamp allows kids to develop 21st-century skills in a fun and action-packed environment. Available for 7-12 year olds.

Find out more here: https://codecamp.co.nz/auckland-holiday-programme/

Auckland Zoo

Daily: The Auckland zoo is a great place for the whole family.

Find out more here: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/

Butterfly Creek

Daily: Visit Butterfly Creek these summer holidays, for butterflies and lots more, suitable for all ages.

Find out more here: www.butterflycreek.co.nz/

  • Want to know more, see our resources under our Butterflies and moths topic.

Botanic Gardens

Daily: Visit the Auckland Botanic gardens these summer holidays, for fun for the whole family.

Find out more here: www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/

Waikato

Waikato Museum

School holiday programme

19–30 April: Supervised programmes for ages 7–13. With science based programmes, including kitchen science, Galileoscopes and marble challenges.

Find out more here: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/2145883563/april-school-holiday-programme

Exscite science gallery

Daily: An interactive science gallery

Find out more here: http://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/257/exscite-

For a complete list of events at Waikato Museum, please visit: http://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/current-exhibitions

Te Awamutu Space Centre

Daily: Museum and activity centre suitable for all ages.

Find out more here: www.spacecentre.nz

  • Want to know more about space, see our resources under our astronomy topic.

Hamilton Gardens

Daily: Visit the Hamilton gardens these summer holidays, for fun for the whole family.

Find out more here: https://hamiltongardens.co.nz/

Wellington

Capital E

Capital E has a range of events on for the school holidays including Seasons, a puppet show about invasive weed species, Digital day and more

For what's on at Capital E: www.capitale.org.nz/whats-on-at-capital-e/

Wellington Zoo

19–30 April: Aimed at 5–12 year olds, the Zoo’s holiday programmes are perfect for kids who want to learn about animals and conservation. Each session will explore a different side of the Zoo and its inhabitants.

Find out more here: https://wellingtonzoo.com/things-to-do/holiday-programmes/

The Go Club

22 April–2 May: The GO Club young LEGO fans will explore and build, design and create in 2 different workshops. Aimed at 8-13 year olds

Find out more here: https://enrolmy.com/the-go-club#

Wilderkids

19–30 April: A school holiday programme for kids aged 5–12 centred around exploring nature and learning about the world around them.

Find out more here: https://sustaintrust.org.nz/pages/wilderkids-school-holiday-programmes

Police Museum

Explore fascinating resources on New Zealand policing and forensics.

Find out more about the museum events and activities www.police.govt.nz/about-us/history-museum/museum

Te Papa

Daily: A great place to take the kids during the holidays, for a list of events at Te Papa, please visit: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events

Space Place

Stop Motion

28–29 April: Lights! Camera! Aliens! Learn the art of stop motion at Space Place!

Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place-school-holidays-stop-motion/

Daily: Visit Space Place these summer holidays for lots of resources on astronomy and fun for the whole family.

Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place

  • Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.

Codecamp

19–30 April: CodeCamp allows kids to develop 21st-century skills in a fun and action-packed environment. Available for 7-12 year olds.

Find out more here: https://codecamp.co.nz/thorndon-holiday/

Zealandia

Daily: An awesome place to visit with the whole family to see New Zealand’s native wildlife.

Find out more here: www.visitzealandia.com/

Ngā Manu Nature Reserve

Daily: A great day out with hands-on experience with nature and education.

Find out more: http://ngamanu.co.nz/

Wellington Botanic garden

Daily: Visit the Wellington botanic gardens these summer holidays for fun for the whole family.

Find out more here: https://wellingtongardens.nz/our-gardens/wellington-botanic-garden/

Christchurch

Canterbury Museum

Daily: A great place to take the kids during the holidays, for a list of events at Canterbury Museum, please visit: www.canterburymuseum.com/whats-on/

International Antarctic Centre

The Antarctic Academy Programme offers daily and multi–day programmes with Antarctic themes.

Find out more here: www.iceberg.co.nz/our-experiences/school-holiday-programmes/

  • Want to know more, see our resources under our Antarctica topic.

Orana Wildlife Park

Daily: A great place to visit during the summer holidays for an animal adventure the whole family will enjoy.

Find out more here: www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz/

Go Wild Ōtautahi! Kids school holiday trail

2 April–2 May: Explore the cultural heart of Ōtautahi with this kids' holiday trail featuring wildlife of Aotearoa and activities at Christchurch Art Gallery, Tūranga, Canterbury Museum and the Botanic Gardens.

Find out more here: www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/event/go-wild-otautahi-kids-school-holiday-trail

Christchurch Botanic gardens

Daily: Visit the Christchurch botanic gardens these summer holidays, for fun for the whole family.

Find out more here: www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-gardens/

Otago

Otago Museum

Explorers' club

19–23 April: Whole day sessions including conservation and ocean days, for 5–12 year olds

Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/explorers-club-april-school-holidays

First Flight

17 April–2 May: Twice a day brand-new butterflies are released from the hatching space. Every visitor can hold a butterfly and release it into the Forest, where you can watch them flutter together toward the light.

Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/first-flight-butterfly-release

  • Want to know more, see our resources under our Butterflies and moths topic.

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 summer holidays, for fun for the whole family.

Find out more here: https://dunedinbotanicgarden.co.nz/

Vanished World

Daily: Take a walk along the vanished world trails or visit the Vanished world centre and see a range of geological finds including fossils.

Find out more here: https://vanishedworld.co.nz/

  • Want to know more, see our resources under the fossils topic.

Sinclair Wetlands, Te Nohoaka O Tukiauau

Daily: Visit the Sinclair Wetlands these summer holidays and see if you can spot all 46 bird species that live there.

Find out more here: www.tenohoaka.org.nz

Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary

Earth Day

22 April: Enjoy a family day out with a Kids Ecosanctuary Explorer Pack filled with fun activities

Find out more here: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2021/earth-day-at-orokonui-ecosanctuary/dunedin?

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/

Related content

Massey University is running a range of programmes during the holidays for secondary students interested in learning about engineering, food technology, veterinary sciences and more.

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