School Groups

Firth Tower Museum offers an interactive education programme that assists children to gain appreciation of life in New Zealand in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The activities are designed by a teacher to meet the New Zealand curriculum, and teach local history. Activities can be tailored to suit all ages and abilities. We organise the day to fit with your requested timefames. Simply contact us to discuss your requirements and make a booking.

Many school groups dress up to help the children get a better experience from the day. Simple costumes can be made from items found in op shops or at Grandma’s. Some ideas are listed below.

• Girls: 3/4 length skirt or dress, pigtails, long socks, shoes and a hat. You could also include a pinafore, petticoat, jackets/coats, lace collars. (Not shawls)
• Boys: 3/4 pants or trousers, button up shirt and hat or cap. You could also include a tie, waistcoat, braces and long socks and shoes.

We can also tailor activities for preschool, kindy or at home childcare groups. Simply contact us to discuss your requirements and make a booking.

Museum Tour

This can be completed by groups or entire classes. We provide age appropriate questionnaire sheets aimed at increasing students perceptive and research abilities and time management skills.

Silent Movie

Children learn about the problems of the early movie projectionists and see pictures of movie stars of yesteryear. Then they have the opportunity to watch a black and white silent movie and make up a ‘sound track’ to go with it.

Washing the Clothes

Children are given the opportunity to try old washing methods including pump, dolly, washboard and mangle and then to hang out their washing on the old clothes line.

1900’s School Lesson

Children are marched into the old schoolroom carrying their school bags, where they discover pen and ink, blackboards, pounds, shillings and pence, yards, feet and inches, rote spelling and tables and the cane.

Butter Making

Learn about how our pioneering great-grandmothers made butter. Then make your own and taste on crispy crackers.

Other activities are Candle Making, Treasure Hunt and Tower Jigsaw

 

Buses & Group Visits

Additional activities are offered for groups.  Some also may be available from 'Schools...' section above, please enquire when booking:

Telegram

Give one of your friends a surprise. Send a telegram forms available in the Post Office. Cost $2.50

Photoboard

Have your photo taken and appear as if dressed in Edwardian style or as if in pre-European times.