20 Matariki craft ideas for kids
These 20 Matariki craft ideas and activities are easy and fun, making them perfect for the school classroom, ECE, or homeschool setting. They are wonderful resource for Matariki craft ideas and celebrations for libraries, community groups, or even in a rest home setting.
This list of 20 Matariki craft ideas for kids offers some tried and true ideas that we have been doing for years, each year repeating the crafts as a whanau ritual. I hope you too find some Matariki celebration inspiration!
20 Matariki craft ideas for kids 2025:
1) MAKE MATARIKI LANTERNS
Matariki paper lanterns are an easy craft activity and make an effective display. They can stand on a table top or seasonal nature table display, or string them together to hang along a wall or window. You could string some fairly lights too for a magical touch.
Learn how to make Matariki lanterns! >>
Or – download the Matariki Lantern resource on TPT >>
2) MAKE A MATARIKI KITE
This Matariki paper kite is fun to make and play for kids of all ages. It is simple to create, and easy to fly, making it suitable even for young children.
Learn how to make a simple Matariki kite >>
View Matariki paper kite resource on TPT >>
3) WEAVE A SIMPLE MATARIKI STAR FROM HARAKEKE
This harakeke star is lovely to make at Matariki – made out of NZ flax, these stars are simple to make and can be hung as a mobile, placed on a nature table, a window or Matariki wall display; or scatter on the table around a hakari (feast).
As Harakeke is a firmer material to work with, young children could also make with paper strips which fold and hold easier, which could then be glued to a background to display.
Be sure to learn about safe harvesting and tikanga including karakia for Harakeke.
Learn how to weave a Matariki star from harakeke / flax >>
View Matariki Harakeke / flax star instructions on TPT >>
4) OUR FAVORITE MATARIKI CRAFTS!
Matariki Activity Book
(67 page value bundle)
This book bundles together 67 pages of our favorite Matariki craft activities.
Designed for tamariki, their whānau and kaiako (teachers); it makes for an affordable (and awesome) resource in a classroom or homeschool setting.
This downloadable, printable Matariki Activity Booklet includes:
– Craft activities
– Kai recipies
– Traditional Maori games
– Waiata
– Pepeha template
– Matariki colouring pages
– Matariki wall displays.
View Matariki Activity Book / printable resource >>
View Matariki Crafts Activity resource on TPT >>
5) MATARIKI 3D ORIGAMI STAR
These 3D Matariki whetu (stars) make a fun activity and effective Matariki display!
This downloadable, printable gives you:
- x2 origami whetu templates to print and colour.
- Step by step photographic instructions to make your 4 pointed 3D star.
View Matariki 3D Origami Star printable resource >>
View Matariki 3D Origami Star resource on TPT >>
6) MATARIKI SONGS FOR KIDS
Enjoy these Matariki songs for kids in the classroom, ECE or homeschool setting.
Download and print this resource to learn and sing along to x5 Matariki inspired waiata Māori.
Perhaps you become inspired to play along on the guitar or ukulele!
Or enjoy learning the art of poi or ti rākau.
Includes guitar / ukulele chords, translations, and links to other resources.
Waita:
– Tirama, tirama nga whetu
– Matariki Macerena
– E papa waiari
– E rere taku poi
– Tūtira mai ngā iwi
– Plus a Guitar and Ukulele chord chart
View Matariki songs for kids resource >>
View Matariki songs for kids resource on TPT >>
7) MAKE MAORI POI AT MATARIKI
Learn how to make Māori Poi, and other traditional Māori games at Matariki.
Great for a classroom, ECE, or homeschool setting.
Digital file includes:
– Instructions on how to make a Poi
– Instructions how to make and play Ti Rakau (stick games)
– Instructions and links how to play Whai (string games)
Supplied as a digital file for you to download and print.
Get this together with Matariki waiata for tamariki for Māori songs with with guitar / ukulele chords, to sing and play alongside your Māori games!
View traditional Māori games at Matariki printable resource >>
View Matariki Crafts Activity resource on TPT >>
8) MAKE MATARIKI CANDLES
We often roll these candles together as a family. It is a lovely activity to roll your candles as you celebrate special times of the year, especially during Matariki, a mindful act, making and remembering loved ones who have passed.
View rolled beeswax candle kit >>
9) WEAVE A MATARIKI STAR
This harakeke whetu (star) has 8 points and is great for older children and adults to learn to make. This can also be made out of paper, but there is magic in working with harakeke / nz flax at Matariki time.
This whetu is part of the Harakeke Nature Journal booklet which includes information about safe harvesting and tikanga including karakia for Harakeke.
10) LEARN TO WEAVE WITH FLAX
Learn to weave with NZ Flax (harakeke) with this printable booklet / resource for kids.
Learn about about safe harvesting and tikanga including karakia for Harakeke.
This 46 page resource is perfect for the classroom setting with illustrations, ideas for your tool kete and little projects to try.
View Harakeke weaving for kids resource >>
View Harakeke weaving book for kids on TPT >
11) MAKE MAORI FRY BREAD
Parāoa Parai / Fry Bread is a heart nourishing treat. that remains in the memories of those who eat it. It can be served with a hearty soup, boil up, hangi, roast dinner, or even drizzled with golden syrup. Children can help measure out the flour, and cut the dough, but perhaps not the mixing at it requires very minimal kneading with aim to form a sticky dough and keep the soft fluffy texture. You can find the recipe online here, or download a printable copy to frame or keep in your Matariki celebration kete or cookbook.
View Māori Fry Bread (Pāraoa Parai) Recipe >>
View Fry bread recipe on TPT >>
12) MAKE A SAND ART LIGHT BOX
A sand light box is simple to make, using a large plastic container with clear or white lid, place a torch inside and add some sand to the top, and get creative in a darkened out room. Children can create drawings and patterns or stories in the sand. This is how my daughter learnt to draw a 5 pointed star, tracing it out with her finger. There are some beautiful, creative videos on YouTube you can view for story inspiration.
View sand art Matariki story >>
13) LEARN MAORI DAYS / MONTHS SEASONS:
MARAMATAKA FOR KIDS
Relevant at the time of Matariki, and indeed across all months of the year, this maramataka for kids helps them learn about Māori days, months and seasons of the year. With detailed illustrations of the Southern Hemisphere seasons, it makes a great visual learning tool for the classroom.
14) MAKE MATARIKI PLAYDOUGH
Make this sensory playdough for young children including glitter (biodegradable is best!). Colour it black, navy or purple, or why not make all three and they can blend together. Pair with star shaped cutters for extra fun, or why not lay them out in the same format as the Matariki constellation. This activity is great time to read out Matariki stories or share waiata naming each Matariki star. It is important to be aware that in te ao Maori, food is considered sacred, so making your own playdough from flour may or may not be appropriate. From an environmental perspective it is better to make it that buy it in little plastic pots. Reflect on what feels right for you and your circumstance.
View bio glitter supplier >>
15) MAKE MATARIKI STAR COOKIES
Making cookies with intention to share with whānau and friends is just a bit special. And making with star shaped cookie cutters makes this an extra fun activity for small hands. I like to think of my children sharing these cookies with their elders, or even better: making them together. Here is a recipe for Matariki cookies, or you can download a printable copy to keep in your Matariki celebration kete or cookbook.
16) MAKE YOUR OWN MARAMATAKA
This sketch based art can be downloaded, printed and coloured and cut to create your own personalised Maramataka! Just pin in the centre to transform it to an interactive, circular calendar. It is a great tool for kids to observe the seasons and learn te reo Maori days, months and seasons.
View downloadable Maramataka calendar >>
View downloadable Maramataka on TPT >>
17) LEARN YOUR PEPEHA
Knowing how to introduce yourself ( mihi ) within a group or on the marae is an important skill. This illustrated template makes it engaging for kids to personalise and learn their pepeha. Download, print and personalise to your whakapapa (heritage).
It is not a ‘one size fits all’ introduction and so, this resource includes several templates – there are different pepeha for peoples of Māori descent, for Pakeha, and for Taiiwi (visitors).
View pepeha template for kids >>
View pepeha template for kids on TPT >>
18) PLANT TREES OR SOW SEEDS
Winter is a perfect time to plant, the ground is wet and soft and it allows trees and plants a good chance to get established without the need to water regularly. Consider planting as part of your Matariki celebrations. Think fruit trees, native forest, or even sowing trees or vege seeds to care for oand grow larger to plant out next Matariki.
With planting we show tamariki how to care for papatuakuku, the trees grow alongside the children, giving back fruit, habitat for wildlife and and a space in nature promoting mental wellness. Planting is a gift for generations to come.
19) FIND MATARIKI IN THE NIGHT SKY
Learn to find the Matariki constellation with your own eyes!
You’ll need to rise early – before dawn – to see Matariki over the winter months, but is worth it. Get up early to watch Matariki rise, perhaps go to the beach or mountain dress warm and take a special breakfast or hot cuppa.
This resource contains simple illustrations, making it easy to learn how to find Matariki.
Also includes how the stars form the ‘Great waka in the sky’, and a close up of the 9 main stars in the constellation.
View How to Find Matariki resource >>
View How to find Matariki resource on TPT >>
20) DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY MATARIKI IDEAS
For those kids who are more tech inspired than crafty, here is a list of ideas using digital technologies to engage students to create works as they celebrate and learn about Matariki.
So there you have it, our list of Matariki craft ideas and activities for kids.
I’d love to hear what you do or make, please share in the comments below!
Want more Matariki inspo?
Here are more resources you should know about:
MATARIKI CELEBRATION IDEAS – Here are some Matariki celebration ideas to do to create meaning and tradition with tamariki and whanau.
MAORI DAYS OF THE WEEK RESOURCE – This FREE te reo Māori Seasons, Months & Days of the Week printable for teachers that explains further the Maori units of time.
MARAMATAKA RESOURCE FOR SCHOOLS (+ discount) – Teach tamariki about te reo Maori calendar, the maramataka, with this Maramataka calendar for kids. Use the code: ‘ WINTER2024 ‘ to get it for $26!
MAORI DAYS / MONTHS / SEASONS FLASHCARD RESOURCE – This flashcard resource can be printed, cut and laminated for daily class use. Comes free with the maramataka calendar for kids.
NATURE HUNTS IN TE REO (+ ENGLISH) – Seasonal nature hunts for NZ primary kids, ECE, outside learning, forest school. Learn te reo kupu (words) as you hunt.
Make sure you check out these Matariki celebration ideas, download your FREE te reo Māori Seasons teacher resource.
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