KidsFest is full of winter holiday fun for kids in Christchurch and Canterbury. It runs from Saturday 6 July to Saturday 20 July. KidsFest is always popular and many events book out quickly, so have a look and secure your spot! Tickets are on sale now.
- See all library KidsFest events.
- Browse the KidsFest website for all events and activities.
- Discover library school holiday programmes and activities.
- Find more ideas for holiday events and activities.
KidsFest at Christchurch City Libraries
Visit our KidsFest page or the KidsFest website to find out more about these classes. Make a booking by calling (03) 9417923 or emailing library@ccc.govt.nz.
Free KidsFest classes
The following KidsFest events and activities at libraries are free, but you will need to book a spot. Make a booking by calling (03) 9417923 or emailing library@ccc.govt.nz.
- Traditional Māori Games
- Sustainable Bags Workshop
- Learner Librarian Licence (Junior)
- Learner Librarian Licence (Intermediate)
Find out more on our KidsFest page.
KidsFest classes
Bookings and payment are required for the following programmes. Make a booking by calling (03) 9417923 or emailing library@ccc.govt.nz.
- Robot Adventures ($7)
- Minecraft Game Zone ($7) FULLY BOOKED
- Technology Tinker workshop ($30) FULLY BOOKED
- Robofun ($15) FULLY BOOKED
- Stop Motion Animation ($20)
Find out more on our KidsFest page.
KidsFest at Tūranga
Tūranga is going to be the venue for a range of KidsFest and holiday activities:
Swapna Haddow: Telling Tales - WORD Christchurch - Friday 12 July 11am to 12pm (FREE!)
Come and meet award-winning UK author Swapna Haddow and hear her talk about her brand new book Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!). Come along and ask questions and find out what it takes to be an author.
Green elephants and Purple Oceans with Swapna Haddow - WORD Christchurch - Friday 12 July 1pm to 3pm ($15 + $1 booking fee)
Calling all budding young authors! Have you ever wanted to write a story? Are you interested in starting out as an author? Unleash your inner writer in this interactive workshop with award-winning author, Swapna Haddow! In this workshop you will learn about creativity, editing and writing your very own stories.
Joanna Grochowicz - WORD Christchurch - Tuesday 16 July 11am to 12noon (FREE!)
Roald Amundsen - hero or villain? Amundsen's South Polar conquest is an extraordinary tale that combines risk, intrigue and adventure. Come and meet author Joanna Grochowicz as she recounts the gripping tale of the great Norwegian explorer's courage, determination and ruthlessness in the race to the South Pole.
Writing the past with Joanna Grochowicz - WORD Christchurch - Tuesday 16 July 1pm to 3pm ($15 + $1 booking fee)
Do you love history, horrible or nice? How do you write a story based on real life events? In this workshop with author Joanna Grochowicz, you’ll come to grips with the elements necessary to create stories based on your favourite well-known moments in history.
There's something dark in the water! - WORD Christchurch - Thursday 18 July 3pm to 4pm (FREE!)
An interactive book launch for 'Ringlet and the Day the Oceans Stopped' presented by author Felicity Williams and her shoal of merkid helpers. Step into a sparkling interactive underwater world created by set designer Julian Southgate. Come dressed-up as an anemone, a sea witch, a crab, a sharky-fin boy or just your everyday merkid, or find something to wear when you arrive. Face painting! Nail painting! Book cover illustration! Prizes for the most imaginative dress-up!
Photographic print activity - SCAPE - Monday 8 July and Monday 15 July (FREE! Bookings required)
Come and explore the SCAPE artwork Tree Houses for Swamp Dwellers by Julia Morison in central Christchurch, on the corner of Colombo St and Oxford Tce. Explore the artwork, then walk down to Tūranga to make a special cyanotype print. This is an exciting art making session which everyone can enjoy.
Imagination Station
- Technic Starter
- Technic Contraptions
- Movie Making with LEGO ($17)
- Movie Making with LEGO 2.0 - Special Effects ($22)
- Introduction to Robotics ($12)
- Battlebots - Robotic Sumo Wrestling ($22)
- Dozerbots - Robotic Bulldozers ($22)
- Holiday Brick School 9.30am to 3.30pm, 8 July to 19 July ($39)
- Technic Remote Controlled Race Cars
- Remote Controlled Rescuebots ($22)
More cool KidsFest events
Here's a selection of KidsFest events, browse the KidsFest website or brochure for all KidsFest events and activities:
- The Big Chill at Linwood Park Saturday 13 July, 12pm to 3pm (FREE!)
- Write on - Winter Writing School Monday 8 July to Thursday 11 July, 10am to 2pm daily ($30)
- Shadow Art - Christchurch Art Gallery every day of KidsFest except weekends, 1.30pm to 2.45pm ($10)
- #glitter school holiday workshops - The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, Thursday 11 July ($15 per child, $25 for two children)
- Polar night at the Museum 6pm to 8pm on 9, 11, 16, and 18 July (FREE!)
- A Day out with Park Rangers various locations ($5)
- Scorpio Books Reading Challenge FREE!
The Christchurch Brick Show - Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July
Join The Christchurch Brick Show for a fun-filled weekend as they raise money to support the Imagination Station. There will be more than 200 exhibitors on show. The Imagination Station will have an Interactive Play Area where you can build from tens of thousands of LEGO bricks and have a go with Robotics, Mechanics, LEGO energy generators and more.
Like The Christchurch Brick Show on Facebook.
Subscribe to The Christchurch Brick Show Facebook event.
- All ages
- Cost: $5
- Location: Horncastle Arena
Shows
- Once upon a happy ending Malthouse Theatre, 6 to 20 July, ($9)
- Big Brass Bang The Piano Centre for Music and the Arts, Sunday 7 July (FREE!, $5 for caregivers)
- Violet the Pirate Queen NASDA Theatre, Ara City Campus, 9 to 11 July ($10)
- CSO Presents: Peter and the Wolf in association with Eliot Sinclair Christchurch Town Hall, 9, 10, 11 July ($8)
- The Snow Queen Imagine Theatre, Elmwood Auditorium, 9 to 20 July ($12)
- Badjelly the Witch Riccarton Players, 10 to 20 July ($10)
- The Princess and The Frog (and the robber!) The Court Theatre, 10 July to 20 July ($10)
- Alice in Wonderland Merivale Lane Theatre, 14 to 20 July ($9)
- My Cat likes to hide in boxes Christchurch School of Music, St Margaret's College, Monday 15 July ($5)
- This is the way we sing and play Julie Wylie Musical Play Team, Upper Riccarton Library, Wednesday 17 July ($10)
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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