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.
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.
Read our top five tips for visiting the exhibition.
Explore our exclusive Mr Squiggle merchandise.
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
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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.
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It’s squiggle time!
In celebration of the Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition, we’re inviting artists of all ages to unleash their creativity in our drawing competition.
Complete the squiggle on the official entry form and you could win one of 40 exhibition prize packs, each valued at $69.99 RRP.
Each pack 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.
How to enter
1. Get the squiggle
Download the official entry form online.
You can also pick up a hard copy at the Museum’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre, Information Desk or at select onsite events or find it in select print publications.
2. Get creative
Finish the squiggle to create your own masterpiece and complete the entry form.
3. Send us your masterpiece
Scan or photograph your completed squiggle artwork and entry form and email it to squiggle@nma.gov.au.
Don’t forget to name your files using the entrant’s name and age.
Entries close at 11.59pm (AEST) on Sunday 7 September 2025.
Entry to the competition is open to Australian residents of all ages. Entries for people aged under 18 must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. Entry opens 9am (AEST) Friday 4 July 2025 and closes 11.59pm (AEST) Sunday 7 September 2025.
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Book a special Mr Squiggle event
Enjoy a dynamic program of events starting with puppetry workshops for kids or a quiet hours session. Join our Museum Friends for access to exclusive Mr Squiggle events. Bookings essential for all events.
Winter school holiday programs
Craft your own characters and props, then step inside the tent to see how shadow puppets can be used to tell stories.
Explore puppet-making and performance while learning about the art, movement and storytelling that bring puppets to life.
Build your own puppet and experiment with movement, storytelling and performance.
Mr Squiggle quiet hours
Join us for a session with reduced noise and sensory experiences from 4pm.
Join us for a session with reduced noise and sensory experiences from 4pm.
Join us for a session with reduced noise and sensory experiences from 4pm.
Friends exclusive events
Hear how Tom Hetherington-Welch performing with his grandfather’s puppets enriches our understanding.
Discover how a spectacular painted stage backdrop from Norman’s 1950 play was prepared for display.
More Mr Squiggle events
Subscribe to eNews for more event news, including details of a special panel conversation with members of the Hetherington family and drawing workshops for all ages.
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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 ]
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Plan your visit
The Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition is in the Temporary Gallery, just inside the front entrance.
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.
The National Museum of Australia acknowledges First Australians and recognises their continuous connection to Country, community and culture.