The Creative World of Norman Hetherington
Join us for this playful exploration of puppetry, cartooning and art as we reunite Mr Squiggle with his friends Blackboard, Gus the Snail and Bill Steamshovel.
Book your school holiday workshops and activities today!
Our top tips will help you make the most of your visit to the exhibition.
Discover the stories and magic behind one of Australia’s most original and creative minds on this 45-minute host-led tour.
Listen to audio highlights, including anecdotes from Norman Hetherington’s family.
Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington reveals the magic of one of Australia’s most original and creative minds through nearly 300 objects including costumes, props and sets, artworks and 90 puppets.
This delightful exhibition takes us on a journey through Norman Hetherington’s remarkable career.
From his early years as a cartoonist, war artist and performer, to creating the much-loved children’s television program, Mr Squiggle and Friends, Norman brought passion and fun to everything he did.
A vivid imagination and the desire to experiment were essential to his creations, but most importantly, Norman’s puppets had to be fun – fun to make, fun to use and fun to watch.
Fun is the driving theme behind this exhibition. Watch episodes of Mr Squiggle, become a puppeteer and put on a show, and get creative with your very own squiggle on our digital interactive.
Acknowledgements
The National Museum expresses its deep thanks to the Hetherington family for their generosity, time and commitment to sharing Norman Hetherington’s legacy with all Australians.
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Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington is on show in Canberra from 4 July to 13 October 2025.
Read the media release
Get your limited edition Mr Squiggle tote bag
Click and collect! Book your tickets today and pick up your tote bag order when you visit.
Only available online
Select an adult or child pack at a special offer price of $25.
Join Museum Friends to receive a 10% discount. Existing members, log in to access discounted pricing
Child pack: cotton tote bag, Mr Squiggle activity book and 12 duo colour pencils. Total value $45.
Adult pack: cotton tote bag and 'Play' edition of The Museum magazine. Total value $40.
Pick-up only: collect your order when you visit the Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition.
It’s squiggle time! Competition closed
Thank you to everyone who entered our Mr Squiggle drawing competition. Entries have closed and we are reviewing all the wonderfully creative artworks.
Winners will be announced on this webpage on Wednesday 24 September 2025. We will email winners with information on how to redeem their Mr Squiggle prize pack.
Each prize pack is valued at $69.99 RRP and includes:
- a limited-edition Mr Squiggle and Friends tote bag
- a Mr Squiggle activity book and pencils
- a copy of Mr Squiggle and the Preposterous Purple Crocodile by Margaret Hetherington, illustrated by Norman Hetherington.
Book a special Mr Squiggle event
Check out our special Mr Squiggle events, to complement the exhibition experience.
School holiday fun
Get creative these school holidays making wacky sock puppets! Suitable for children aged 5–12 years. Mon 29 Sep to Fri 3 Oct.
Costs apply, bookings encouraged
Learn about sustainable design then make your own creations using recycled materials. Suitable for children aged 8–12 years.
Tues 7 and Wed 8 Oct. Costs apply, bookings essential
Get an intro to design, sustainability and problem solving from designers then transform recycled materials into your own creations.
Thu 9 and Fri 10 Oct. Costs apply, bookings essential
Help solve a mystery in this interactive puppet detective show from the Little Wing Puppets.
Fri 10 Oct. Costs apply, bookings essential
Mr Squiggle quiet hours and tours
Discover more stories and magic on this 45-minute host-led tour. Various dates, costs apply
Join us for a session with reduced noise and sensory experiences from 4pm. Free
More Mr Squiggle
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- Year levels
F–6
- Group size
Up to 60 students
- Cost
$7 per student with free entry for supervising adults
- Availability
21 July to 26 September 2025
Mondays & Fridays
9–10.30am, 11am–12.30pm & 1–2.30pm
The Magical World of Mr Squiggle excursions
What makes the world of Mr Squiggle and Friends so captivating?
How do design and innovation influence puppetry?
Meet Mr Squiggle and his friends, along with their creator, on this fun and creative Museum educator-led program.
Students will be guided through the exhibition, discovering the magic of storytelling through the eyes of artist, performer and puppeteer Norman Hetherington.
As they wander, students will meet the famous puppet with a pencil for a nose and his friends, Blackboard, Rocket, Bill Steamshovel and Gus the Snail.
They will then spend time in a hands-on workshop, exploring the design principles that shaped Norman’s world.
This is a 90-minute program, with 45 minutes in the exhibition and 45 minutes in the workshop.
Curriculum links
- Download The Magical World of Mr Squiggle curriculum links138.0 kb pdf [ PDF | 138.0 kb ]
Plan your visit
The Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition is in the Temporary Gallery, just inside the front entrance.
Use our sensory map before you visit to see the layout of the Mr Squiggle exhibition and the location of elements including screens, speakers and audio-described objects.
- Download Mr Squiggle exhibition sensory map661.6 kb pdf [ PDF | 661.6 kb ]
Quiet hours sessions
Join a quiet hours session with reduced noise and sensory experiences in Mr Squiggle and Friends on the first Tuesday of the month, from August to October. Bookings essential. Book now
Audio-described objects
Hear audio description and exhibition labels for key objects in the exhibition. For visitors with additional vision needs. Listen now
Hearing loop
All video content in the exhibition is accessible through a hearing loop.
More on accessibility at the Museum
Information about parking, toilets and more on accessibility at the Museum.
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The National Museum of Australia acknowledges First Australians and recognises their continuous connection to Country, community and culture.