Bookings Close 10/09/2025

Experience living history in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Explore heritage buildings filled with authentic furniture and textiles and see how people lived in early Auckland.

Howick Historical Village is a living history museum on 7 acres of grounds and heritage gardens. The museum depicts a settlement in the period from 1840 to 1880 and offers visitors an immersive historical experience.

We will split into 3 groups and work though some fantastic workshops as well as a self directed tour of the Historical Village in this exclusive organized day for Life Learners home educated families!

What are we doing?
3 x 45 minute activities run by the historical village educators
Break for lunch
1 x 45 minute self-guided tour of the Village

Activities (including rainy day options)

Under 5's are free to tag along and observe/ do the tour but must be supervised closely.

School Lesson
Once you enter our authentic Victorian classroom you step back in
time to 1850 and participate in a school lesson typical of that time.
Children are expected to be on their best behaviour and woe betide
those with dirty hands or fingernails! The lesson includes
handwriting (slates for years 0-4, pen & ink for years 5 and above),
arithmetic and spelling, with a good dose of discipline and 1850s
social comment thrown in!

Jolly Trolley
It's a race! Work as a team to assemble a trolley in the time given.
This is an exciting technology-based activity where children
cooperate to find the best and quickest method of construction.
The trolley is assembled using a picture as a guide. The nuts, bolts,
pins, wheels and axles are supplied.

Toy Time (Wet weather alternative)
This activity is every child's dream - to be surrounded by wonderful
toys and to be able to play with them all. Students are encouraged
to think about the differences between their toys and those from
the 19th century. Questions are posed about the physics and
technology involved in making and operating the toys, appropriate
to the children's age group. They are shown a variety of authentic
and replica toys and then it’s time to explore and have fun!

Digging up the past
An opportunity for students to participate in their own mini
archaeological dig. Students use special equipment to dig for a
variety of artifacts which are buried in sand-filled boxes. All findings
are recorded by students in their own booklets. Students learn how
archaeology tells us of our past and they earn the importance of
archaeology to a place like the Howick Historical Village. An
educational and enjoyable treasure-hunt!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE LEARNERS EVENTS:
(you will be asked to agree you have read and understand with your booking)

Cost includes: a group contribution; this supports the organization of outings/ sessions for the home educated community and online services used for bookings. All events are non profit and volunteer organized to benefit the home education community.

Check in: This is a self check in event. You will need to sign in your groups booking when you arrive at the event.

Group Minimums: There is a minimum amount of tickets that need to purchased on most events (set by the venue). If this event fails to reach the minimum amount of tickets booked before the last day of registration; the event will be cancelled and refunded.

General Information
Payments
Refunds, Cancellations & Transfers

Howick Historical Village Educational Day

Choose your tickets

Child 5-15 years ticket

Adult 16+ ticket

Preschooler under 5 ticket