Matariki is a special time of year in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a time to remember loved ones, celebrate the present, spend time with whānau, and look forward to the future. For young children, learning about this is most meaningful when it is hands-on, engaging, and fun.
Matariki in Preschool- Free Printable
Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a time for reflection and celebration in Aotearoa. In preschool, children engage in star-themed art, share food, sing Māori waiata, and plant seeds, fostering appreciation for Māori culture and values like gratitude and unity. This celebration honors heritage while instilling hope for the future.
What’s Included?
This printable pack currently contains 20 pages of Matariki-themed games and activities that encourage children to learn through play.
Activities include:
- Memory Match
- Shadow Matching Games
- Journey to the Matariki Stars Board Game
- Roll and Draw
- Bingo
- Movement Activities
- Star Yoga Cards
- Counting, Matching, and Visual Discrimination Activities
Each activity has been designed to support early learning skills while introducing children to important Matariki concepts and symbols.
Why Learning Through Play Matters
Children learn best when they are actively involved in their learning. Games provide opportunities to develop:
- Memory and concentration
- Turn-taking and social skills
- Fine motor skills
- Problem-solving
- Oral language development
- Cultural understanding
Through play-based learning, children can explore Matariki in ways that are meaningful, memorable, and developmentally appropriate.
Supporting Matariki Values
Many of the activities in this pack encourage children to reflect on the values.
Children are invited to:
- Share special memories
- Express gratitude
- Talk about family and community
- Work cooperatively with others
- Celebrate together
These conversations help children connect with the deeper meaning while building communication skills and confidence.
Perfect for Home and Classroom Use
The Games Pack can be used in a variety of settings, including:
- Early childhood centres
- Kindergarten classrooms
- New entrant and junior primary classrooms
- Homeschool environments
- Whānau celebrations and community events
Many of the activities can be laminated and reused year after year, making this a practical and valuable seasonal resource.
Make Matariki celebrations easy, engaging, and meaningful with this Matariki Games Pack. Designed for preschool, kindergarten, and junior primary learners, this printable resource is packed with hands-on activities that encourage children to learn through play while exploring the traditions and values.
From memory matching and bingo to board games, movement activities, shadow matching, and creative drawing challenges, there’s something to keep every learner involved. Simply print and play, with many activities suitable for laminating and reusing year after year.
If you’re looking for low-prep, interactive resources that support learning, conversation, and cultural understanding, this pack is a wonderful addition to your classroom or home learning environment.
Celebrate Together
Matariki is a time for connection, reflection, and celebration. By incorporating games and movement into your Matariki programme, you can create meaningful learning experiences that children will remember long after the season has passed.
I hope this pack helps bring joy, curiosity, and conversation into your classroom or home as you celebrate Matariki with the children in your care.
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