Hey Wellington parents! Ditch the usual haunts this weekend—we’ve found some seriously cool, hands-on stuff happening. From building cardboard creations to diving deep into local art collecting, there’s something weirdly wonderful for everyone this Saturday and Sunday.
Quick Picks
Waitangi: He kōrero hirahira
Te Papa
Family-friendly workshops to learn about Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Toi Art Saturdays: Sit and Sketch
55 Cable Street
Drop in and get creative drawing inspiration from the current art exhibits.
Toi Art Drop-in: Cardboard Creations
55 Cable Street
Get hands-on making cool stuff out of cardboard tubes—perfect for little makers.
· January 31
5SUMMER POOL PARTY : Time to hit the pool! They've got music, floaties, and even a manu platform. Best part? There’s a free sausage sizzle happening too!It's a proper evening party vibe at the local pool, complete with a free feed—hard to beat for a Saturday night!
TOI ART TALK: COLLECTING – A LIFELONG PURSUITFREE : Super niche alert! Catch local collectors chatting about their lucky finds and how they build their design and decorative art collections. Might inspire the teens.It’s a genuine peek behind the scenes of the collecting world—definitely not the usual weekend fare.
WAITANGI: HE KŌRERO HIRAHIRAFREE : Head to Te Papa to learn about Te Tiriti o Waitangi through hands-on, family-friendly activities and workshops. Runs all weekend!A free, culturally significant event running all weekend with interactive elements for the whole family.
TOI ART SATURDAYS: SIT AND SKETCHFREE : It’s a drop-in session this Saturday, so just grab a pencil and get inspired by the art to do some sketching. Super chill way to spend a couple of hours.Hands-on art activity that’s completely free and perfectly timed for a mid-day creative boost.
QUEST FOR THE MAGIC WAND (ESCAPE ROOM) : If you've got tweens or teens desperate for engagement, try the 'Quest for the Magic Wand' escape game. Better than screen time, right?Specifically targets that hard-to-entertain older kid/teen demographic with a highly participatory challenge.
· February 1
2TOI ART DROP-IN: CARDBOARD CREATIONSFREE : Time to build! They supply all the cardboard tubes inspired by a specific artist's work. Great free activity for the kids on Sunday morning.Perfect hands-on session for children to make something structural without you needing to supply materials.
LOW SENSORY HOUR : Space Place is toning down the lights and sound for a super gentle viewing session on Sunday morning. Ideal if your little ones get overstimulated easily.A niche offering designed specifically for sensory needs—a truly thoughtful community event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free, hands-on family activities are on in Wellington this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 31 - Feb 1) you can get creative for free! Head to Te Papa on Saturday morning for 'Toi Art Saturdays: Sit and Sketch' (11am-1pm), or on Sunday morning for 'Cardboard Creations' (10am-12 midday).
Is there anything fun happening on Sunday afternoon that isn't the usual park trip?
Yes! On Sunday afternoon, check out the gentle 'Low Sensory Hour' at Space Place (time dependent on website check) for a calmer experience, or if your kids are older, look into the 'Quest for the Magic Wand' escape game in Wellington central.
Where can we learn about local culture this weekend?
Te Papa is hosting 'Waitangi: He kōrero hirahira' all weekend (until 6pm Saturday), offering fun, family-friendly workshops focused on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.