It may be organised for children, but grandparents are also joining in on the holiday fun at ILT Kidzone.

Hundreds of children poured into James Hargest College in Invercargill yesterday to experience the first day of the annual festival, many accompanied by grandparents.

Grandmother Annette Waldron was not letting pre-teens have all the fun, and said she planned to have a go at activities with her two grandchildren.

"I've played hopscotch already," she said. "It's exciting."

This year's event offers 170 activities, ranging from mini golf and bouncy castles to chalk art and a tiny town, and yesterday's tickets had completely sold out.

Mrs Waldron believed the festival was not only entertaining for children, but also educational.

"They learn so much."

She said she had picked up a few tips herself, including how to paint toast at the Incredible Edible station.

Another grandmother, Erice Molloy, had volunteered to accompany her granddaughter Lily and a few friends to Kidzone yesterday. It was Mrs Molloy's first time at the festival, and although she was not game to try out a funky hairdo with Lily, she said the event was worth attending.

"Some of [the children] come two or three days. It's good."

Kidzone organiser Laura Russell said generations were brought together during their time at Kidzone.

"It's a really big family event – grandparents, parents, aunties, uncles. It's time for them to actually sit together and have some family time."

She estimated 1800 children, parents and grandparents had attended the opening day of the event, which runs until Monday.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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