KidsFest

KidsFest is Christchurch's festival for kids that takes place in the winter school holidays. KidsFest 2019 runs from 6 to 20 July. Christchurch City Libraries is hosting a range of exciting events and programmes.

KidsFest

KidsFest at the Library - Free!

The following KidsFest events and activities at libraries are free, but you will need to book a spot. Phone (03) 9417923 or email library@ccc.govt.nz.

Traditional Māori Games - KidsFest

Come along to our traditional Māori games themed school holiday sessions. Learn a tī rākau (short stick) routine, and make some tī rākau to take home. Ages: 7 to 12 years.

Aranui Library Tuesday 16 July 10am to 12noon; 1pm to 3pm
Tūranga Wednesday 17 July 10am to 12noon; 1pm to 3pm
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Thursday 17 July 10am to 12noon; 1pm to 3pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Sustainable Bags Workshop - KidsFest

Make the world a better place and learn how to make your own sample sustainable bags in the library. Personalise them with a funky cool logo and rock on! Ages: 8 to 12 years. (children only, no caregivers).
Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4 Thursday 18 July 9.30am to 12.30pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Learner Librarian Licence (Junior) - KidsFest

Want to be a librarian for a morning? Love books and reading? Come along and learn what happens behind the scenes at your local library. Learn how to sort and shelve, use the catalogue, share stories and many other wonderful things our librarians do!
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Tuesday 9 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Papanui Library Thursday 11 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

Learner Librarian Licence (Intermediate) - KidsFest

Want to be a librarian for a morning? Love books and reading? Come along and learn what happens behind the scenes at your local library. Learn how to sort and shelve, use the catalogue, share stories and many other wonderful things our librarians do!
Papanui Library Tuesday 16 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Thursday 18 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

KidsFest at the Library - from $7 to $30

Bookings and payment are required for the following programmes - call (03) 9417923 or email library@ccc.govt.nz (conditions apply).

Robot Adventures - KidsFest ($7)

What is a robot? Come and find out for yourself. During this time, hear some great stories about what robots get up to. You will even have a chance to play with a robot and do some other fun activities too. Ages: 5 to 7 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $7 per child
New Brighton Library Tuesday 9 July, 10am to 12noon
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday 15 July, 10am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

Stop Motion Animation - KidsFest ($20)

Get creative using Lego and discover the process of producing animated movies. Plan a story themed on being kind to our world, create a set and craft your own movie using stop motion photography. Ages: 8 to 12 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $20

  • Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Tuesday 9 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED
  • South Library Thursday 11 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED
  • New Brighton Library Wednesday 17 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Upper Riccarton Library Friday 19 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED

Find out more in the events calendar.

Minecraft Game Zone - KidsFest ($7)

Minecraft game zone is a 3D gaming experience that involves interacting with others in our own virtual world. Students will need to have a basic understanding of how to use this software. Book in for a two hour session and play to your heart's content. Age: 6-10 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $7

  • Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4, Monday 8 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Wednesday 10 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Upper Riccarton Library Thursday 11 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • New Brighton Library Monday 15 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • South Library Thursday 18 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4, Friday 19 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED

Find out more in the events calendar.

Technology Tinker workshop - KidsFest ($30)

Join our team of library staff and the team from the Canterbury Engineering Hub in a fun day of tinkering with gadgets and gizmos. Be inspired to innovate and create. Take home a sample of your brilliance. Ages: 10 to 13 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $30 per child

Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4, Friday 12 July, 9.30am to 3pm FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

Robofun - KidsFest ($15)

Working with a range of robots, you'll learn the basics of how robots work and how to programme them to use sensors to complete a set of challenges. Age: 10 to13 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $15 per child

New Brighton Library Friday 12 July, 9.30am to 3pm
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Wednesday 17 July, 9.30am to 3pm FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

More school holiday info

Conditions for bookable Learning Centre holiday programmes

Note: A Learning Centre Consent Form is required to be completed by the child and a parent/caregiver for all learning centre after school and holiday programmes. Please ensure this is completed when you call in to pay the course fees or drop your child off for the programme.

  • Payment is required 48 hours prior to the start of the programme – if payment is not made prior to this, the Learning Centre reserves the right to cancel your booking.
  • Please pay at the library where the programme is held or by credit card over the phone to the Fingertip Library, (03) 941 7923.,
  • A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is requested for cancellations. After this time the programme cost in non-refundable.
  • A Consent Form is required to be completed by the child and a parent/caregiver. Please ensure this is completed when you call in to pay the course fees or drop your child off for the programme.
  • Drop off and pick up times are 10 minutes prior to the advertised programme times. We are not responsible for your children outside of these hours.
  • If your child is absent or running late, please telephone us.
  • Please do not bring along an unwell child to the programme.
  • You are obliged to inform us at registration if your child has medical or behavioural conditions. Your child will not be excluded, but we require accurate information.
  • Children outside the recommended age range will not be placed on the course.
  • Children may be enrolled in two programmes only. If you would like to enrol your child in more than two programmes he/she will be placed on a waitlist and notified closer to the start date as to whether or not there is place available.

More KidsFest fun

Check out the KidsFest website for games, puzzles and downloads.

All about KidsFest

KidsFest is New Zealand’s biggest annual children’s festival. It is aimed at kids up to the age of 12. Christchurch City Libraries supports KidsFest by hosting a range of events for kids — from special storytimes sessions to writers’ workshops and treasure hunts — at our libraries and learning centres.

KidsFest took place for the first time in 1992, beginning as an idea from the then Mayor, Vicki Buck.

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