9 Marvellous Matariki Crafts for Kids

Matariki is a small group of stars – the constellation Pleiades – that reappear in the sky in winter (in late May or early June) and, through the winter and spring, rise in the night sky just before dawn.

When the group of stars is visible, Maori celebrate the New Year. As we approach this time of year again, there are some wonderful Matariki crafts you can do with your children to celebrate.

If you want to find out more about Matariki, you can read more about this on our post about Matariki.

9 Marvellous Matariki Crafts for Kids

1. Matariki Southern Lights art project

Matariki and the Southern Lights has to be one of our very favourite Matariki inspired projects. It’s actually relatively simple to achieve, and makes a great project for school classrooms, as well as a beautiful art project for your children to try.

2. Matariki inspired DIY jewellery holder

With my daughter racing towards tween-age, her jewellery collection is growing, and she needs somewhere to store and display her new ‘treasures’. This Matariki inspired jewellery holder is just the ticket!

3. Make your own delta kite

Did you know that some Maori tribes celebrated Matariki by flying kites? Find out how to make a delta kite in 10 easy steps, and go kite flying with your family this Matariki.

4. Weave a flax star

These woven harakeke whetu (flax stars) look amazing, and would be just the perfect craft to spend some time discussing what Matariki means, and how it is celebrated.

Courtesy: Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research

5. Make your own bottle necklace

How about a beautiful Matariki-inspired bottle necklace with stars. This would make a wonderful New Year’s gift to give to someone special!

6. A star adorned wall hanging

This star craft wall hanging makes a great craft project, and an excuse for a winter excursion to the beach to collect some supplies.

7. Make your own tin can lantern

We always attend our local community’s Matariki celebration. These celebrations usually involve a wonderful night sky walk through our bush reserve. This DIY tin can lantern is a great craft project to use on such an occasion.

8. Paint and glitter art

An awesome kids book about the seven kites of Matariki inspired this water paint glitter art project. It uses paint, ribbon, glue and glitter, loads of fun for 3 year olds plus.

9. Glitter and star slime fun

Here’s a really unique craft idea for Matariki, what about making blue star glitter slime. It’s a great way to introduce the concept of Matariki to your preschooler, while having plenty of fun.

More Matariki crafts inspiration

• This 7 sisters star printable from diyThought is a great idea for kids.
• This clip is a reading of the Seven Stars of Matariki by the author, Toni Rolleston-Cummins
• Te Papa has this Waiata which you can listen to and learn.

Have fun celebrating Matariki with your family, and let us know what you’ve done to teach your children about the Maori New Year. For hundreds more craft ideas check out our Creative arts and crafts section.