Term 3: Toy Creation

Our special topic for Term 3 has been the very enjoyable Toy Creation. We've had fantastic feedback from teachers about this programme, which asks students to consider the different energies, movements and technologies of simple toys.

Educator Keri Elvin and students create their own cotton-reel toy.

Teachers tell us that students were "very excited and involved, right from the start. Lots of talk generated" and had a "look of wonder on their faces. Enthusiasm - wonder - had them thinking".

We still  have some Toy Creation spaces left in Weeks 10 and 11 - contact us now to book your class.

What makes these toys move? How can we make them move faster? And...which one will win?!

You might also like to attend our free Toys for Teachers workshop, to be held on Wednesday 19 September at 4.00pm. Contact us for more information.

Toys for Teachers Workshop

Interested in the mechanics of movement and energy? Looking for inspiration for fun, hands-on classroom activities? Our Toys for Teachers Workshop is for you!

Taranaki educators are warmly invited to join us on Wednesday 5 September at 4.00pm for a fun, hands-on workshop that explores the science and technology of toys. Led by the Puke Ariki educators, you'll learn how to make some simple toys from everyday resources, and discuss how to use these skills in the classroom.

This workshop is part of our popular Term 3 programme Toy Creation, and is the first in a regular series of teacher workshops.

Limited places - please phone 06 759 6060 or email us to register.

Toys for Teachers
Wednesday 19 September, 4.00pm-5.00pm
Noel and Melva Yarrow Education Room, Puke Ariki North Wing

Toy Creation - Term 3, Puke Ariki

Our next e-newsletter will be emailed to teachers and schools later this week, but we wanted to let you know about our exciting Term 3 programme Toy Creation.

We've had a great time in the office preparing this lesson - playing with toys has been a great excuse to be kids again!

Toy Creation will look at how toys have been traditionally made and how they work. What makes them move? What mechanics do they use? Students will get the chance to make a simple toy and consider technology concepts such as balance and energy. They'll also look at traditional toys on display in the museum, many of which you might recognise from your own childhood!

Anyone visiting the office can't resist playing with the woodpecker toy...

Toy Creation promises to be a fun, hands-on programme that everyone will enjoy (trust us, we've had fun making it!)

Email us for more information or book your class visit online.

Toy Creation - Term 3

Check out these cute little creatures, currently residing in the education office. They're part of the fabulously fun and entertaining programme Toy Creation, offered at Puke Ariki in Term 3.

These wooden push-up toys are part of the hands-on activities for students in Toy Creation.

Toy Creation focuses on the art of making toys. Students will examine how toys were traditionally made, how they work, and explore the concepts of balance, movement and different energies. With lots of traditional wooden toys to touch, play and work with, this programme promises to be as much fun for the teachers as the students!

We're taking bookings for Toy Creation and our other Term 3 programmes now - contact us for more information or book your class online.

Our collection of wooden toys is getting a lot of feedback from our colleagues. What was your favourite childhood toy? Let us know - you may see it included in Toy Creation...