What's On During Play Activities in Aotea Square at We The Young
Te Kura Maninirau | Circus Have-A-Go
📅 Sat 26 – Sun 27 Sep | 11am – 3pm
Come and unleash your inner circus star at Te Kura Maninirau "Have a Go" circus workshops! Have a go at with aerial and ground-based circus. The Dust Palace have balls, hoops and spinning plates for you to try on the ground and you can get lots of help to learn to juggle and hula hoop and plate spin from their trained kaiako!
Ready to take things to new heights? Climb aboard their portable aerial rigs and safely discover the magic of aerial circus. Swing, spin and fly as skilled kaiako guide you through exciting aerial equipment including lyra, silks and hammock.
Ngā Taonga Tākaro | Traditional Māori Games
📅 Tue 29 – Wed 30 Sep | 11am – 3pm
Learn some traditional Māori games such as, ā-ringa (hand games), ā-rākau (stick games) Āria, Matau Māui, ā-kōhatu, Kōruru and Mu Tōrere, the children will help weave a kupenga from harakeke a change it into a hinaki poi toa, learn traditional string figures from the Te Whai a Waewae a Māui.
Puppet Play and Little Top Circus
📅 Thu 1 – Fri 2 Oct | 11am – 3pm
Join puppeteer Jon Coddington for hands-on puppet-making and imaginative puppet play sessions where you can create, explore and perform together. Set outdoors, these drop-in workshops encourage creativity, storytelling and active participation throughout the day. You can also enjoy a special showing of The Little Top Circus, a new puppet theatre performance featuring handcrafted puppets and live storytelling.
Ukulele Jam
📅 Sat 3 – Sun 4 Oct 2026 | 11am – 3pm
Grab a ukulele and join The Nukes for a fun, interactive music session where you can learn songs and play along together. Each session begins with a hands-on workshop before building into a lively participatory performance led by the band. Set in Aotea Square, gather, sing, play and move with the music. This FREE experience combines facilitated music-making, shared instruments and active audience participation throughout the day.
‘Original’ inventive and entertaining…’ DREW JAMES, TARANAKI ARTS FESTIVAL.
‘The Nukes experience is uplifting, fun and feel-good.’ AMANDA WRIGHT, ERUPT FESTIVAL
POP Hats! Hat Making
📅 Tue 6 – Wed 7 Oct | 11am – 3pm
Be inspired by the colourful characters of POPS! and design, create and wear your own playful, wearable hat. With materials and guidance provided by The Open Fort team, you can drop in throughout the day to craft unique creations and express your creativity. Once their masterpieces are complete, you can strut your stuff and take part in a fun and informal fashion show to showcase your design!
The Bee Garden Game
📅 Thu 8 – Fri 9 Oct 2026
Step into The Bee Garden, a playful outdoor space where children and families can explore, create and connect through hands-on activities inspired by the natural world. Visitors are invited to drop in throughout the day and discover a buzzing garden environment brought to life by The Open Fort's facilitators. A game for all ages, let’s find out who can build the biggest hive and make the most honey!
K-POP Party (on Dance-o-Mat)
📅 Sun 11 | 11am – 3pm
Jump onto the Dance-O-Mat and experience the excitement of K-Pop with performances, dance workshops and high-energy participation led by Rina Chae and her dance crew. Learn popular moves, join a random dance play session and cheer on friendly dance battles as kids, parents and friends take to the floor. Throughout the day, audiences can dance alongside performers, take part in group routines and enjoy a vibrant soundtrack mixed live by a DJ. This interactive activation combines dance performance, amplified music, audience participation and facilitated movement activities in a lively outdoor setting.
Free Play Days
📅 Mon 28 Sep – Sun 11 Oct
Take your time exploring Aotea Square on these relaxed free play days, every Monday of the festival where you can drop in and enjoy creative activities at their own pace. Challenge friends and your whānau to a range of giant outdoor games or contribute to a collaborative mural and art-making space under the Stretch Tent.
