KidsFest is full of winter holiday fun for kids in Christchurch and Canterbury. It runs from 8 to 22 July. KidsFest is always popular and many events book out quickly, so have a look and book your spot! Tickets are on sale NOW.
- See KidsFest events at Christchurch City Libraries.
- Browse the KidsFest website for all KidsFest events and activities.
- More ideas for holiday events and activities.
- Explore all the classes and activities at libraries and learning centres
KidsFest at Christchurch City Libraries
There are plenty of events and activities on at your libraries, including Lego animation courses (these run over 2 days and are aimed at ages 8 to 12 years, $22). There are also free activities, including:
Caterpillar craft for ages 5 to 8 years. Create your own mini MAKE company caterpillar to take home. All sessions run 10.30am to 11.15am.
Free, bookings required. Phone 03 941 5140.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Gardens Storytime for ages 3 to 7 years
Explore and discover scenes from The Very Hungry Caterpillar nestled in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Follow the team from the Christchurch City Libraries around the beautiful gardens, as they bring these scenes to life through the art of storytelling.
Free, bookings required. Phone 03 941 5140.
More KidsFest events
Here are a few KidsFest favourites:
More FM Lantern Parade on Saturday 8 July is the launch event for KidsFest, and this year it starts in Cathedral Square and winds its way to Margaret Mahy Playground where there will be fireworks.
Once upon a time ($15) Monday 10 July 10am to 12pm (WORD Christchurch)
Tired of all of those fairytale princesses waiting around to be rescued? Come and invent your own! A fun workshop for 8-10 year olds which looks at favourite fairytales, and how they continue to work their magic, centuries after they were first told. Next, you’ll write your way into the woods to discover witches, heroes and talking bears for a tale of your own. With Renata Hopkins, prize-winning fairytale writer.
Once Upon a Time ($15) Monday 10 July 1pm to 3pm (WORD Christchurch)
Do you like your fairytales dark and exciting, or sweet and comforting? Dangerous wolves or Disney princesses? In this fun workshop for 11-13 year olds, Renata Hopkins, prize-winning fairytale writer, will look at some of the qualities that set fairytales apart from other genres. Then, leaving the Disney sweetness behind, she’ll lead participants into the dark woods of their imaginations, digging down to the gnarled roots of fairy tales and planting some seeds for a modern telling of their own.
The genius of bugs FREE Tuesday 11 July 10.30am to 11.30am at South Library (WORD Christchurch)
Do you like bugs? They may be small, they may be creepy, but bugs have super-sized powers! Join Simon Pollard, author of the wicked new book The Genius of Bugs, as he takes you into the world of the everyday and the extraordinary, the grotesque and the mysterious, with bug tales, facts and figures that showcase insect ingenuity and reveal astounding bug behaviour. Be entertained and amazed and bring your best bug questions. Ages 7-13.
Explorer night at the Museum (we went last year and it was busy and fun romping around the Museum on a cold winter night). Free and no bookings required, it's on four nights from 6pm to 8pm: Tuesday 11, Thurs 13, Tues 18 and Thurs 20 July.
Zany Zines workshop ($15) Wednesday 12 July, 9.30am to 12pm (WORD Christchurch)
Want to learn to create your own cool zine? Zines are low-fi magazines created using colouring pens and pencils, illustration, photography, collage, hand drawn typefaces, and can be about whatever topic you love: animals, music, the environment, even your Gran! This workshop will help you with content, construction, decoration and design. Bring scissors, pencil and pens, and we’ll collaborate on a zine that everyone can take home with them. With Liv Worsnop from Plant Gang. Ages 8-13.
The Christchurch Brick Show ($5) Saturday and Sunday 15 and 16 July. Fun for all the family to be honest - amazing LEGO displays to admire, hands-on play areas, and more.
See the full list of fun stuff to do on the KidsFest website.
Find out more
- Read our page on KidsFest and its history.
- Browse the KidsFest website for events.
- Like KidsFest on Facebook.
eResources for kids
Here's another things for kids - whether on holiday or during term. Our eResources enhance kids’ learning, fun and play.They are free, and all you need is your library card number and password / PIN.
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