Join us for the
School Holidays!

Spring into the school holidays at Te Manawa as the sun comes out to play! Learn about light, experiment with colours and discover the secrets of the sun in our awesome “Sunlight” exhibition. Plus enjoy some spooky Halloween-themed stories and creations. Open every day during the school holidays with drop-in activities the whole family can enjoy. All activities are gold coin donation unless otherwise stated.

photograph of the sun in space used as a promotional image for a science exhibition about Sunlight

Opens 28 SeptSunlight: Ihi Kōmaru

Bring the kids to discover the secrets of the Sun in our new science exhibition, Sunlight – Ihi Kōmaru. Get hands-on with Earth’s star at room temperature - no sunscreen required!

Black and white photograph of female skaters at a skating competition

28 Sept | 10am - 12pmMeet The Manawatū Skating Club

Kick off the school holidays with the Manawatū Skating Club! Current skating club members will be available for Q&As, and there will be a special opportunity for our first 20 visitors to get involved in the sport!

All Holidays - Self Led ActivityChalk Shadows

In this fun chalk activity, learn to draw using the sun! With your piece of chalk, trace how shadows change and move during the day. Ask for this activity at the front desk.

birds eye view photograph of art materials and kids creating halloween themed artworks

All Holidays Long | Self Led ActivityColouring Competition

Colour your way through our spooky colouring competition and you'll be in to win tickets to our Trick or Treat Halloween event. This self-led activity is held all holiday long. Head to the front desk to get your colouring sheet!

photograph of a stack of pancakes with a halloween decoration

30 Sept | 10am - 12.30pmSpooky Pancakes

With Halloween coming up, it's time to get spooky! Join us in this fun activity where you'll get to create and eat your own "Spooky Pancake".

1 Oct and 8 Oct | 10am - 12.30pmCyanotype and Watercolour

Combine science and photography to make cyanotype prints; a camera-less technique that involves laying objects on paper coated with iron salts and exposing them to UV light.

2 Oct | 10am -12.30pmTōtaranui Open Morning

Spend a sunny spring morning getting to know what life was like for a for an early settler family at the turn of the 20th century.

photograph of two children in halloween costumes reading a spooky story from a book

2 Oct | 11am - 12pmSpooky Stories with Palmy City Library

Palmerston North City Library are joining us in the museum this morning for a spooky Halloween story session!

illustrated pattern of smiling suns, clouds and moons on an orange background

3 Oct | 10am - 12.30pmSun Art

Create an artwork inspired by the colours of the sun using kitchen chemistry. What will you create?

decorative pattern of space themed illustrations on a white background

4 Oct | 10am -12.30pmSpace Sessions - VR Headsets and Paper Rockets

Explore the International Space Station using our VR headsets. As our headsets are limited, please collect a ticket for this activity from the front desk and create your own paper rocket while you wait! Please note, tickets cannot be booked ahead of time and will only be available on the day.

bright illustration of sunflowers on a blue background

7 Oct | 10am - 12.30pmSunflowers and Pot Decorating

Celebrate the start of Spring with a spot of garden planting! Decorate your own plant pot and plant a sunflower seed. Take it home and watch it grow!

8 Oct & 9 Oct | 10am - 12.30pmCosmodome Sessions

Enjoy one of four video showings in the Cosmodome. This is a ticketed activity with assigned time slots - head to the front desk to pick up a ticket. Please note, tickets cannot be booked ahead of time and will only be available on the day.

photograph of four blue stained glass windows

9 Oct | 10am - 12.30pmStained Glass

Create your own artwork inspired by stained glass windows that use light from the sun to bring out their beautiful colours.

Cropped photo of an abstract artwork by artist Miranda Parkes

10 Oct | 10am - 12.30pm3D Paintings with Recycled Materials

Be inspired by exhibiting artist, Miranda Parkes and create your own 3D paintings using recycled materials. What materials will you choose to make your artwork unique?

A graphic of a space shuttle surrounded by colourful planets.

11 Oct | 10am - 12.30pmExplore The Solar System: VR Headset Sessions

Explore the solar system using our VR headsets! This is a ticketed activity with assigned time slots - head to the front desk to pick up a ticket. Make your own sundial while you wait for your session. Please note, tickets cannot be booked ahead of time and will only be available on the day.

kōrero mai

get in touch

Phone: +64 (06) 355-5000
0800-4-A-MUSEUM

Te Manawa Museum
326 Main Street
Private Bag 11055
Palmerston North, 4442
Aotearoa New Zealand

haere mai

visit us

HOURS:
Tues – Sun: 10am – 5.00pm
(Opens 1pm Anzac Day. Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Open Mondays during School Holidays)

Free general entry.
Donations appreciated
Charges may apply to some exhibitions/programmes.