Preschoolers are invited to attend a new regular playtime activity in Katikati, which has finally come to life inside the community’s toy library facility.

Katikati Toy Library Committee this month launched Minikidi – a new, fun play-based activity catered especially to babies and preschoolers and their families.

Committee spokeswoman Sandy Goode says Minikidi will be run at the toy library premises – but will be separate from the library hours.

“Two of our committee members, Jaclyn Phillott and Melissa Laughton, have generously donated their time to run the sessions, with one session programmed for each week during school term time.

“We’ve always had toy library members commenting that there needs to be more preschooler activities in our community which run on a regular basis – for learn-by-play development and for social interaction for both the children and parents,” Goode said.

“Our committee worked for more than two years to get this Minikidi activity up and running – finally we’ve launched it and it’s very exciting! We invite all preschooler families to come along to sessions.”

James Phillott, aged one, watches Kereama Laughton, aged four, and his sister Harriet Phillott, aged two, play in a tunnel at Minikidi. Photo / David Hall

Sessions will be run inside the toy library – behind the Christian Centre on Henry Rd – on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 1pm-2.30pm; and on the second and fourth Mondays from 9am-11.30am.

Phillott, who will run the Thursday sessions, said the times cater to families and caregivers dropping older kids off at school on Mondays, who can then come along; and before school pick-ups on Thursdays.

“So anyone under school age is welcome to come along – this includes babies below 1 year old, which we will cater for with an age-specific area of play. We also have brand new chairs and sofas to breastfeed on.” Toilet and nappy-changing facilities are available too.

When people arrive at Minikidi, obstacle-based activities will be set up ready to go. “There’s no strict start time, you can just roll in as it suits your family and sleep times – the only thing you need to do on entry is sign in,” said Phillott.

“We also must have parents and caregivers stay at the activity with their child or children and actively supervise their play. It’s free-flow play, there’s no set structure but children do need to use the equipment safely and practise good and fair play so everyone has a good time.”

James Phillott, aged one, enjoying Minikidi in Katikati. Photo / David Hall

While some toys from library may be incorporated into Minikidi play, most items used will be the $14,000 worth of new equipment the committee has fundraised and purchased for Minikidi.

This includes climbing bars, padded tracks, tunnels, spinning tops children can sit in, ride-on trolleys, soft balls and hoops, quoits, and much more.

“This is brand new equipment catered especially to preschooler play – the whole point of this session is to get your kids moving! Because a moving child is a learning child.”

Laughton said the beauty of Minikidi is its located in Katikati township, so families don’t have to travel to Tauranga for such an activity, and that it is very chilled out. “You can come and go with your children – you don’t have to stay the whole session.”

Phillott said families don’t have to be toy library members to attend Minikidi – everyone is welcome. “There will be a small entry cost of $3 per child per session, or $5 per family per session – and we have a child 10-session concession card for $20 or a family 10-session concession card for $40.

“These funds will help us to run the session, maintain and repair equipment and keep improving the offering,” said Phillott. “So please come along so we can grow this new regular activity for Western Bay of Plenty preschoolers!”

For more information, search “Minikidi” on Facebook.