KidsFest – SOLD OUT

KidsFest is Christchurch's festival for kids that takes place in the winter school holidays. KidsFest 2020 is from 4 to 19 July.

Most of our KidsFest events are fully booked; you might like to try our drop-in holiday activities at libraries.


Bookings are online this year. Make your bookings and payments with Humanitix.

View all library KidsFest events at libraries.

My Family! My Story! - ages 9 to 12, $7 per child - SOLD OUT

What do I know about my family? Where do I start? Become a family history detective for the morning in this fun session that looks at ways to uncover your ancestors.
You will create your family tree, investigate old records, and discover library archives. Dig deeper into the treasure that is your family.
Come to Tuakiri (Level 2) at Tūranga with your birthdate and be prepared to become a super sleuth.

Make a booking for one of these sessions.

  • Thursday 9 July 9.30am to 12noon at Tūranga - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Thursday 16 July 9.30am to 12noon at Tūranga - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available

Claymation Creation - ages 8 to 10, $20 per child - SOLD OUT 

Discover the process of producing animated movies, using clay. Plan an original story, create your characters and craft your own movie using stop motion app.

Make a booking for one of these sessions.

  • Monday 6 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at Tūranga - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Tuesday 7 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Wednesday 8 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at South Library - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Monday 13 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at Tūranga - SOLD OUT - Waitlist FULL
  • Tuesday 14 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Wednesday 15 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at South Library - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available

Claymation Creation - ages 11 to 17, $20 per child - SOLD OUT

Discover the process of producing animated movies, using clay. Plan an original story, create your characters and craft your own movie using stop motion app.

Make a booking for one of these sessions.

  • Friday 10 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at South Library- SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Friday 17 July 9.30am to 3.30pm at South Library - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available

Minecraft Fun - ages 8 to 12, $7 per child - SOLD OUT

Minecraft is a 3D gaming experience that involves creating your own virtual world and interacting with others online. To really enjoy this programme, you will need a basic understanding of Minecraft. Book in a two hour session and play to your hearts content.

Make a booking for one of these sessions.

  • Tuesday 7 July 9.30am to 11.30am at Tūranga - SOLD OUT - Waitlist FULL
  • Wednesday 8 July 9.30am to 11.30am at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Thursday 9 July 9.30am to 11.30am at South Library - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Thursday 9 July 1.30pm to 3.30pm at South Library - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Tuesday 14 July 9.30am to 11.30am at Tūranga - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Wednesday 15 July 9.30am to 11.30am at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Thursday 16 July 9.30am to 11.30am at South Library- SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available
  • Thursday 16 July 1.30pm to 3.30pm at South Library - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available

Te Manu Huna a Tāne: The hidden bird of Tāne - ages 6 to 12, FREE! - SOLD OUT

The hidden bird of Tāne. Join us for some Native New Zealand bird themed stories and crafts. Come along to learn more about our native birds including the story of how kiwi lost his wings.

Make a booking for one of these sessions.

Due to demand we have added some new dates and times.

  • Tuesday 7 July 10.30am to 12noon at New Brighton Library - SOLD OUT
  • Thursday 9 July 10.30am to 12noon at Fendalton Library - SOLD OUT
  • Thursday 9 July 1.00pm to 2.30pm at Fendalton Library - SOLD OUT
  • Tuesday 14 July 10.30am to 12noon at South Library - SOLD OUT
  • Tuesday 14 July 1.00pm to 2.30pm at South Library - SOLD OUT
  • Thursday 16 July 10.30am to 12noon at Tūranga - SOLD OUT
  • Thursday 16 July 1.00pm to 2.30pm  at Tūranga - SOLD OUT

Introduction to Kerbal Space Programme - ages 13 to 17, $7 per child
Wednesday 15 July 4pm to 6pm at Tūranga - SOLD OUT - Waitlist still available

Lift off these holidays into a fun filled voyage of rocket science and space exploration with an introduction to Kerbal Space Programme. Join Library staff and University of Canterbury Aerospace Student Volunteers to learn the basics of this exciting 3D rocket building and launch simulator. In building and launching your very own rockets (and most likely watching them spectacularly explode), you will also be learning about several significant sciences in the background. Widely renowned for its’ educational relevance, Kerbal is also great fun and highly engaging for those that love a challenge. Sound like you? Enlist now for a spot on the next launch, we’d love to have you aboard.

Please Note: Best suited to Yr 9+ through to adults that are interested in science and space exploration. A good level of computer skill would be advisable as well as an enjoyment of problem solving.

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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