Enjoy science-related activities during the summer 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.
All events are subject to changes – see the event’s weblinks for the most up-to-date information.
NOTE: If you know of any science-related events we have missed, please get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Summer is a wonderful time of year to explore science – UV light, solar power, beaches, the rocky shore, fire risks and more. Explore our articles, activities and interactives about all things Summer in this collection.
Online
Coding NZ
Weekdays: Online free holiday code learning activities for ages 9 to 18.
Find out more: https://codingnz.com/holidays
Auckland
Auckland Zoo
Daily: The Auckland zoo is a great place for the whole family with hundreds of animals and lots of events.
Find out more here: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/
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/
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.
Jaycar
11–21 January: Become a STEM experimenter! There are two workshops to choose from: build your own Arduino-based version of the classic phone game Snake and/or build your own wall dodging robot.
Find out more: www.jaycar.co.nz/workshops
MOTAT
Daily: 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 here: www.motat.nz.
That's so random school holiday experience
4–30 January, 10:00am–4:00pm: Learn how probability and randomness are part of everyday life, from the likelihood of your team taking home the gold, to the chances of you cleaning up at monopoly! Understanding probability lets us do some amazing things!
Live Day: Cycling
15 January: Watch and get involved as Motat is transformed into a cycling paradise, propelling into the future of MOTAT.
For more information: https://www.motat.nz/events/live-day-cycling
Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
Daily: Discover the wonders of the Hauraki Gulf these school holidays with the brand new Sea Cave Adventure zone at sea life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium.
Find out more: https://www.visitsealife.com/auckland/
- Find out more about Kaimoana in the Hauraki Gulf.
Stardome
Daily: Astronomy shows, sci-fi films and night sky presentations for all ages. Come and enjoy the magic!
Find out more here: www.stardome.org.nz/
- Want to know more – see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Waikato
Hamilton Gardens
Daily: Visit the Hamilton gardens these summer holidays, for fun for the whole family.
Find out more here: https://hamiltongardens.co.nz/
Jaycar
11–21 January: Become a STEM experimenter! There are two workshops to choose from: build your own Arduino-based version of the classic phone game Snake and/or build your own wall dodging robot.
Find out more: www.jaycar.co.nz/workshops
Te Awamutu Space Center
Daily: Museum and activity center suitable for all ages.
Find out more here: www.spacecentre.nz/
- Want to know more – see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Waikato Museum
Science in a Van: What’s the Matter?
14 and 22 January: Explore solids, liquids, gases, and explosive experiments while exploring the world of material science with Science in a Van. Suitable for tamariki aged 8 and older.
Find out more: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/2145883740/science-in-a-van-whats-the-matter
ABC Trail
9 December–23 April: Can you find the fascinating animals, plants, and countries on the list as you explore Wildlife Photographer of the Year?
Find out more: https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/view/2145883737/abc-trail
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
Hawke’s Bay
Faraday Museum of Technology
Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9.00am–3.00pm: a place of discovery where history and technology come alive through hands-on experiences. Celebrate LEGO® turning 90 years old these summer holidays with an amazing LEGO® exhibition. Take part in Challenge Days – get the whole family involved in a range of challenges such as building towers, bingo, technic vehicle races and more.
Find out more: www.faradaycentre.org.nz
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 of New Zealand
Daily: The aquarium is home to a wide range of saltwater, freshwater and land animal exhibits from New Zealand and around the world. Journey through the 1.5 million litre Oceanarium inside the amazing underwater viewing tunnel via a 50 m travelator as fish including shark, stingray and other reef fish, swim and feed, above and around you.
Find out more: www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/
Nanolab
17 December–29 January: Pull on your lab coat, step into our special Nano Lab and become a scientist. You’ll have the opportunity of taking an even closer look at the tiny creatures you can’t normally as you stare down the barrel of a microscope.
Find out more: https://www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/visit/nano-zoo/
- Want to know more – see the wide range of resources under our Microscopes and telescopes topic and Nanoscience concept.
Manawatu-Whanganui
Jaycar
11–21 January: Become a STEM experimenter! There are two workshops to choose from: build your own Arduino-based version of the classic phone game Snake and/or build your own wall dodging robot.
Find out more: www.jaycar.co.nz/workshops
Wellington
Capital E
Capital E has a range of events throughout the school holidays, including a new play station opening up.
For what's on at Capital E see: www.capitale.org.nz/whats-on-at-capital-e/
MakeRoom Holiday Programmes
23–27 January: there are three projects on offer in two locations across Wellington. Come build your own USB Games Controller, Arduino Memory Game or Useless Box from either our home base in Miramar or Petone Community House. Open to kids aged 10–14 these 1-day builds are a fun way for kids to learn some new skills and build something awesome.
Find out more: https://makeroomwellington.nz/pages/holiday-programmes
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
Daily: A great day out with hands-on experience with nature and education. This summer there is a special summer scavenger hunt to try out too.
Find out more: http://ngamanu.co.nz/
Police Museum
Explore fascinating resources on New Zealand policing and forensics.
Find out more about the museum's events and activities www.police.govt.nz/about-us/history-museum/museum
- 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.
Find out more here: www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place
- Want to know more, see our resources under our astronomy topic.
Te Papa
Daily: A great place to take the kids – big and small – during the holidays.
For a full list of events at Te Papa, visit: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/events/hirangi-summer-te-papa
Wairarapa Space Science Centre
30 December–27 January: A new space-focused pop-up space science centre in Wairarapa over the summer is the first of its kind in New Zealand. Based on a family-friendly theme, the Wairarapa Space Science Centre offers people the chance to have several interactive experiences and learn more about what lies outside Earth’s realm and how humans interact with those vast expanses.
Find out more here: https://wairarapa.space/
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/
Garden Magic
10–29 January: Gardens Magic is back with the iconic Concert Series, a Light Display, and a Kids Garden Trail.
Find out more: https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/events-and-festivals/gardens-magic
Wellington Zoo
Daily: Wellington Zoo is a great place for the whole family to visit.
Find out talk times: https://wellingtonzoo.com
Holiday Program
16 December–27 January: 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/
Wilderkids
16–27 January: A school holiday programme for kids aged 5–12 centered around exploring nature and learning about the world around them.
Find out more here: https://sustaintrust.org.nz/school-holiday-programme
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Daily: An awesome place to visit with the whole family to see New Zealand’s native wildlife.
Find out more here: www.visitzealandia.com
Christchurch
Canterbury Museum
A great place to take the kids during the holidays.
For a list of events at Canterbury Museum, visit: www.canterburymuseum.com/whats-on/
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/
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.
Find out more here: www.oranawildlifepark.co.nz/
Otago
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/
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: www.kiwibird.co.nz/
- Explore our resources on New Zealand’s iconic bird and on conserving our native birds.
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.
Otago Museum
Daily: Discover fascinating stories of nature, culture and science at Otago Museum and explore the range of galleries, the Tūhura science centre and planetarium.
Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz
Elves' workshop and makerspace
17–23 December: Join some merry elves in their workshop on Atrium Level 1 and make some festive decorations for your home and your Christmas tree. Including a time warp decoration and a shooting star.
Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/elves-workshop-and-makerspace-5
Explorers' club
16–27 January: Whole day sessions, for 5–12 year-olds covering many science topics such as dinosaurs, coastal waters and a day on scientific experiments.
Find out more: https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/explorers-club-january-2023
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
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.
Related content
We’ve curated lots of resources in our Summer science collection and our Science in the Sun Pinterest board.
Slip some science into everyday activities you can do while at home during the holidays. Learning science from home – ideas to deepen learning has hints about introducing new words and simple questions to use when talking with young learners.