Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Crustaceans come in all shapes and sizes – from huge king crabs to tiny sand hoppers! Get to know them through movement, storytelling, puzzles, and more!
Sciences
Activity book
Ages 5–10
Most crustaceans live in the sea, but some prefer to live in fresh water, on land, or even underground. They’ve developed all kinds of tricky traits to thrive in these environments – including camouflage and motion detectors!
In Aotearoa New Zealand we have over 3,000 different kinds of these clever creatures living alongside us.
Learn how to recognise crustaceans
Spot crustacean body features
Practise moving like a crustacean
Follow the life cycle of a crustacean
Find the right home for our crustaceans
Read a story about catching kōura
Get clever with a crustacean crossword
Bring a kōura to life with colour!
Printing tip: Print double-sided and in colour.
Download the Clever Crustaceans activity book (40.75 MB)
If you enjoy our activity books and would like to contribute to their creation, you are welcome to make a donation.
We want to hear how you’re using this activity book and if you have any feedback. Email us at learning@tepapa.govt.nz
Crustacea includes lobsters, crabs, shrimps, prawns, hoppers, wood lice, water fleas, and several other groups. Most crustaceans live in the sea but some are found in freshwater or on land. The one thing they all need to survive is water, or at least a moist habitat.
Discover crustaceans’ smart survival tricks in a mini exhibition with real specimens and hands-on interactives. Created in collaboration with NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi.
Closed
22 May – 21 Aug 2023
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
