Like with other languages, kids (and adults) can find learning Te Reo Maori challenging. But it
doesn’t have to be! View these fun ideas and activities to make learning Te Reo Maori a breeze!
Ready for some fun, laughter and family time? We’ve got some awesome ideas and activities to help
your child with learning Te Reo Maori!
Fun Activities for Learning Te Reo Maori
new skills. As parents, it’s our job to help guide and support our children in their play, and one way
we can do this is by providing a variety of books, toys and games. It’s also handy to have an idea of
activities that we can introduce to our kids to help them in their learning.
Here are a few of our favourite activities for learning Te Reo Maori:
Reading – if you have the skills, reading a book written in Te Reo Maori to your child is a
beautiful way of helping them learn the language. Or you could read a book from a New
Zealand author who includes Te Reo Maori vocabulary within their story, such as ![]()
Tane
Mahuta Has a Forest which includes a CD in both English and Te Reo Maori.
Board games – board games are always fun to play with the family, and when you choose
one which incorporates Te Reo Maori, it’s a double bonus.
Label making – using a ![]()
Kuwi and Friends Maori Picture Dictionary, choose objects around
your home and make labels for them. Practice using the Te Reo Maoriversion when talking to
one another. You could even make up a Bingo game matching photo of the object with the
name written on a card.
Simon Says – use the Te Reo Maori for common actions (clap is pakipaki, jump is peke, run is
oma and spin is hurihuri) to play a bilingual version of Simon Says.
Ti Rakau – we’ve got fond memories of playing ![]()
Te Rakau, a Maori stick game during our
childhood. In each handmade set there are four rakau, instructions and sheet music to help
remind (or teach) you about this fun game! Great for working on vocabulary, as well as hand
Do you have any suggestions or even activities you have used before to help your child with learning
Te Reo Maori? We’d love to know what they are, so please share them with us in the comments.