Katikati Toy Library Launches Minikidi Play Sessions for Preschoolers

After more than two years of planning and fundraising, Katikati Toy Library Committee has launched Minikidi — a new regular play-based activity designed specifically for babies and preschoolers and their whānau. The sessions are held inside the toy library premises behind the Christian Centre on Henry Rd, and are separate from standard library hours.

Minikidi runs on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 1pm to 2.30pm, and on the second and fourth Mondays from 9am to 11.30am during school terms. The Monday timeslot is designed to suit caregivers who drop older children at school, while the Thursday session wraps up before afternoon pick-up. All children under school age are welcome, including babies, who will have a dedicated area set aside for them.

The committee has fundraised and purchased $14,000 worth of new equipment for the sessions, including climbing bars, padded tracks, tunnels, spinning tops, ride-on trolleys, soft balls, hoops and quoits. Sessions operate on a free-flow basis — families can arrive and leave as suits their child's routine, though parents and caregivers must remain on-site and actively supervise at all times.

Families do not need to be toy library members to attend. Entry costs $3 per child or $5 per family per session, with concession cards also available. For more information, search 'Minikidi' on Facebook.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).