Find a great collection of Māori art projects for kids that you can do in your whare (home) with your tamariki (children). You’ll love these awesome Māori-inspired projects, and so will your whānau (family).
We’ve also included a summary of one of our favourite books below. This is a great book for inspiring your Māori art and craft projects. You can find it at the library, or grab a copy online.
7 Marvellous Maori Art Projects for Kids
New Zealand Māori Koru Art
In this neat little project children become familiar with the Māori Koru designs and are encouraged to use pastels effectively.
The koru is the Maori name given to the new unfurling fern frond and symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace. It is an integral symbol in Maori carving and tattoos.
Check out this project here: New Zealand Māori Koru Art
Matariki and the Southern Lights Art Project
This little art project is super simple and easy to re-create. Your kids will love making this Matariki and Southern Lights-inspired art piece.
You could start this project by telling your kids a little bit about Matariki and what the Southern lights are.
You can find this project here: Matariki and the Southern Lights art project
Māori Bone Carving Necklace Project
Kids can have a go at making these stunning pretend bone carving necklaces traditionally worn by Maoris in New Zealand and very popular today around the world. We have three designs to make.
The ‘bone carving’ necklace in koru (unfurling fern) shape. The koru necklace represents new beginnings, growth and harmony.
You can find this project here: Māori Bone Carving Necklace Project
Paint and Glitter Art
This is a great project for younger children.
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.
You can find this project here: water paint glitter art
Māori Design Star Art Card
One part Māori art and design, and one part origami. This is a very cool project.
Remind your tamariki it is the cutting and folding that will ensure these fit together nicely. As an extension exercise they could scale the measurements up and make a bigger star card.
You can find this project here: Māori Design Star Art Card
Weave a Flax Star – Harakeke
Learn the amazing art form of harakeke with this simple project.
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.
You can find this project here: Weave a flax star
Māori Art for Kids Book
If you’re looking for more projects, we highly recommend the book Maori Art for Kids, a collection of 15 projects, which offers children a range of unique Maori art experiences. Practical skills cover sculpture, photography, design, paint, mixed media, collage and more.
This is such a great book. It’s wonderful to have something so authentic that is also accessible. When this book arrived, I immediately showed it to my daughter’s teacher, who ordered it both for the library and also as as a teacher resource. It’s that kind of book 🙂
Maori Art for Kids is published by Craig Potton Publishers and has a RRP of $34.99
