Education Activities
Our special activities are very popular and should be booked well in advance.
New Life In The Colony
An evocative and informative audio-visual presentation that explores issues involving emigration and resettlement. Follow 12 year old Mary O'Brien as she sets sail from England with her Fencible father and the rest of their family, and settles into her new life in Howick. This enlightening presentation is a good all-year-round activity.
Spot the Difference
Children love a treasure hunt and this is one with a difference! 20th or 21st Century items have been craftily hidden in some of our buildings. Its a race to see which group can identify all 12 items and get back to the starting line first – no running allowed! The items are more obvious for our younger visitors but much more challenging for the older ones, to encourage investigation into what discoveries initiated inventions and when and how things developed.
30 minute activity
Jolly Trolleys
Students from year 4 upwards
It's a race! Work as a team to assemble a trolley in the time given. A wonderful technology-based activity where children cooperate to find the best and quickest method of construction. Using a picture as a guide with the nuts, bolts, pins, wheels and axles suppli ed, the trolley is assembled!
30 minute activity
Victorian "Project Runway"
After viewing some genuine Victorian Women's garments displayed by our costume expert in her pristine white gloves, GIRLS ONLY are keen to design and create their own Victorian jacket out of paper. This is a fun, challenging activity, combining the History of Fashion with Fabric Technology. One girl per group models the creation and the best outfit is assessed by popular vote. Year 6 and above.
60 minute activityClothing
Using replica clothing, students become acquainted with the changing fashions of
Victorian times, e.g, why did crinolines give way to the bustle? Some of the students
are dressed "Victorian style" to demonstrate the practicalities of 19th century fashion
items. Girls...would you like to wear a corset? The boys model a selection of menswear
ensuring the appropriate etiquette is always maintained. Extra dress-up options
for the longer session.
Raupo Hut Model Making
Students from Year 5 upward have the opportunity to start building their own miniature Raupo Huts. Goups of students in work cooperatively on different aspects of the construction e.g. roof, raupo bundles for the walls, framework and rope tying. We have Raupo Whares in the Village for students to inspect. Instructions for each part of the building process are given. Depending on the speed of work and efficiency of building techniques, students may also use their imaginations to furnish the huts. This technology -based activity relies on problem-solving abilities to achieve a satisfactory outcome. The huts are taken back to school to complete as desired.
Suitable for either a 60 minute or a 30 minute activityDigging up the Past
An opportunity for students to participate in their own "mini" archaeological dig. Students use
special equipment to dig for a variety of artefacts which are buried in sand-filled boxes. All
findings are recorded by students in their own booklets. Students learn archaeology tells us of
our past and learn the importance of archaeology to a place like the Howick Historical Village.
An educational and enjoyable treasure-hunt!
Courthouse
Step into our authentic 1848 Howick Courthouse and play the parts of real 19th Century Howick
characters embroiled in a genuine court case. Learn about the development of our justice
system and compare this historic court case with what happens in the 21st Century. Learn
about the different ideologies held by people in 1848 which are demonstrated by the court
case This is an exciting and challenging activity for students who are good readers,
usually Year 6 and above.
Migrant Women
Using a combination of poignancy and humour, an Irish woman and her friend, together
with children picked from the audience, pack for the journey to New Zealand or unpack
on their arrival – no wonder they have difficulty knowing whether they're "comin' or goin'"!
Are the items packed similar to those you would pack for an overseas trip? Laugh as
some of the more humorous items are revealed! This first-person interpretation challenges
older students to reflect on the 'push-me/pull-you' factors behind the momentous decision
of families to join the Fencible scheme.
Unpacking the Trunk
Watch enthralled as items are removed from a typical Fencible trunk. This activity is "hands-on". Children can light the fire, revive it with bellows, mash potatoes, prepare a meal, or do the ironing, etc, etc! A wonderful way to learn about the uses of Victorian household items and the differences between original Victorian appliances and those used in the 21st Century. Older students get just as much satisfaction in guessing what completely un
30 minute activityParlour Games
Wonderful indoor entertainment which is extremely suitable if the weather is doubtful
or the area of study is 'leisure time'. Traditional parlour games of the mid to late 1800's
are chosen to suit all age groups and to enable all the children to participate for all of the
time. Often the venue is our authentic Parlour in Puhinui Homestead and a good time is
guaranteed for all.
Washday
We are delighted to allow students to do the village washing – 1850's style! Children learn about washing in Victorian times and get to use scrubbing boards, dollies and blue-bags to wash and rinse their laundry. They have to fetch the water from the well using our coopered buckets and a yoke! Clothes are hung on the line to dry using wonderful old wooden pegs and we demonstrate the different irons in use. Not available in cold weather and prepare to get a little wet!
30 minute activityNursery Rhymes
It is amazing how few Nursery Rhymes today's children know. We offer a selection of
Nursery Rhymes – all popular in the 19th Century—for children to sing along and to do
the actions. The history of some of these rhymes is fascinating and we give a brief background
and then launch into hand-clapping games such as Mulberry Bush and Oranges
and Lemons and perhaps a march to the Grand Old Duke of York. This activity is more
suitable for Years 0 to 3 or 4 but everyone enjoys them.
Breadmaking
Students from year 4 upwards
Experience the atmosphere and ambience of a Victorian kitchen. Roll up your sleeves – measure, mix and knead bread. Using our old wood-fired range, students bake a special loaf of bread to take back to school. Compare the gadgets of yesteryear with modern technology. Admire the dining room set ready for the evening meal.
Special Note: If circumstances dictate the Education Department reserves the right to substitute this activity with another, without notice
30 minute activity ** Available in Winter terms onlyMilitary Manoeuvres
Our Village represents a Fencible settlement, one of only 4 military settlements
making up early European Colonisation of New Zealand. Fencibles were charged
with defending Auckland and providing military protection for its citizens. In this
activity, young men of the Colony are led in military drill and manoeuvres by a
retired Imperial NCO. The Corporal enlists the men, leads them in drills and
marching, Instructs them on the care and management of equipment and teaches
aspects of military life so integral to Victorian New Zealand. Definitely BOYS ONLY!
Year 6 and above.
School Lesson
Once you enter our authentic Victorian classroom you step back in time to 1850 and participate in a school lesson which was typical of that time. Children are expected to be on their best behaviour and woe betides those with dirty hands or fingernails! The lesson includes handwriting (Slates for years 0–4, pen & ink for years 5 and above), arithmetic and spelling, with a good dose of discipline and 1850's social comment thrown in!
30 minute activityVictorian Outdoor Games
It's amazing today that some children have never walked on stilts, thrown a quoit or played with a
skipping rope! For this dry weather activity, students get the chance to learn how to play with a wide
range of Victorian outdoor toys such as log-walkers, diablos, hoops and skimmers and graces while
at the same time learning about the way in which toys were made and leisure time was utilised in the
1800s.
Indoor Toys
This activity is every child's dream – to be surrounded by wonderful toys and to be able to play with them all. Students are encouraged to think about the differences between their toys and those from the 19th Century. Questions are posed about the physics and technology involved with the making and operation of the toys, appropriate to the children's age-group. They are shown a variety of authentic and replica toys and then it is time to explore and have fun. Older students opting for a longer session can try making their own toy.
Suitable for either a 60 minute or a 30 minute activityButter Making
Students take turns to churn cream into butter and can then taste the butter on crackers.
During the activity the children observe the process of butter-making and learn about its
importance to 19th century house-wives - a far cry from getting the margarine pot out of
the fridge. The remainder of the butter is sent back to the school with the teacher. If the
children are lucky, the teacher may do some baking!
Rag Rug Making
A relaxing and therapeutic activity which gives students the chance to start making their own mini rag rug on hessian. A question and answer session encourages the students to consider the reasons behind rag rug making and the origin of the resources used. This sociable activity is enjoyed by students of all ages, both girls AND BOYS
30 minute activity