Visit

Visiting with Children

Practical tips for visiting with tamariki

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery is a place where families can explore, learn, and connect.

As of this place, we all share the responsibility of protecting our and the museum building.

This means we have some rules in place to ensure everyone can enjoy their visit while respecting the artworks, objects, and stories held here.

Whether you're visiting with in a pram or curious kids, we welcome tamariki of all ages.

This page gives you practical tips for visiting with children so you can make the most of your time whilst following the rules that keep the Museum safe and welcoming for all.

Entry Requirements

Before you enter the galleries, our will ask you to check in any bag larger than an A4-sized piece of paper, food and drink (including water bottles), and other large items.

These are kept in a secure cloak room that you can ask to access at any time.

No Food and Drink

Before you enter the galleries, our  will ask you to check in any food and drink (including water bottles).

No Large Bags

Before you enter the galleries, our will ask you to check in any bag larger than an A4-sized piece of paper.

Whaanau Friendly Facilities

Prams and Strollers

The Museum is pram-friendly, with lifts and wide pathways to help you explore comfortably. Prams and strollers must be in the control of an adult. Children must not push strollers in the Museum.

Food and Drink

Food and drink (including water bottles) are not allowed in the galleries. There is a dedicated space for to relax and enjoy some in the foyer, or you may choose to eat outside in the forecourt.

Baby Changing

Toilets with parenting-friendly facilities (fold-down change table, rubbish bin) are located in the Museum's main foyer, the corridor leading to Exscite, and the toilets within Exscite.

Feeding

You are welcome to breastfeed your child anywhere in the Museum, and please let our know if you'd like to use a space with more privacy for this purpose. Please note that, other than breastfeeding, no food or drink can be consumed within the galleries.

Museum Manners

We love welcoming tamariki to Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery. To help protect our and keep everyone safe, go over these museum manners with your before your visit.

Stay with your adult

Please stay close to your adult. They can help you follow these museum manners and enjoy your visit safely.

No food and drink

Food and drink (including water bottles) are not allowed in the Museum. This helps us protect our and keep the galleries clean for everyone.

Walk, don't run

Running can harm you, other visitors, and our . Take your time, there’s a lot to see and you don’t need to see everything in one visit.

Do not touch

Even the lightest touch from the cleanest hands can cause permanent damage to artifacts and artworks. 

Do not climb

Please don’t climb on displays, plinths, or furniture. Climbing can damage and put you at risk of injury.

Use inside voices

Our galleries are shared spaces. If you are outside of Exscite or Air Playground, please use quiet voices so everyone can enjoy the exhibitions.

Listen to instructions

We are all responsible for keeping our taonga and whare safe. Please listen to our kaimahi when they remind you of our rules. They’re here to help you learn museum manners.

Leave pens behind

Please leave pens in your bag. Ink can permanently damage artworks and taonga. If you need to write or draw, you may use a pencil.

Making the Most of your Visit

Being in a place with lots of rules can be hard for tamariki. Here are some ways to support your child while helping us care for our taonga and whare.

Relax and Enjoy

Let your tamariki lead the way. Follow their curiosity and explore what interests them.

Ask Questions

You don’t need to be an expert to talk about art or history. Ask your child what they see, what they think is happening, or how it makes them feel.

Stand Back

It’s easier to see artworks when you give them space. Standing back also helps our kaimahi know you’re keeping a safe distance from objects.

Bring Something to Touch

If your child likes to touch things, bring a soft toy, fidget item, or worry stone. These can help redirect busy hands while keeping our taonga safe.

Try some Gallery Activities

Be an art critic: Choose a piece in each gallery and talk about why you like or dislike it.

Tell stories: Take turns imagining stories about what you’re looking at.

Spot a theme: Pick a colour, shape, or theme and look for it throughout the exhibitions.

Treasure hunt: Grab one of our activity sheets from the front desk.

Have Fun

Museums are places of wonder. Explore, be curious, and enjoy the experience together. Every visit is a chance to discover something new.