Proudly supported by The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, Little Sailors Village is a family-friendly haven with plenty of grassy space to relax. Pull up a beanbag, enjoy the free entertainment, and let the kids roam free in a welcoming, fun-filled setting—all amidst the vibrant festival atmosphere!
FULL LITTLE SAILORS VILLAGE PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE COMING SOON
- Quiet space at The Book Barge marquee
- Outdoors with several temporary marquee spaces
- Wheelchair accessible
- Uneven surfaces
- Concrete and grass
- Temporary toilets (nearest all access toilet is 150m opposite at Princes Wharf 1)
Kumundar Gujo Jungle Gym
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February 10:00-12:00 & 13:30-15:30
Tickets: $10 Suitable for children aged 5-12 years.
Bring the kids along to Little Sailors Village for a unique, hands-on experience with “Kumundar”, a captivating wooden jungle gym inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry! At an impressive 5m x 5m x 3m, this large structure will be assembled piece by piece with wooden mallets and wedges. Kids will have the chance to create, learn, and play as they help build this interactive jungle gym, experiencing the joy of hands-on construction while discovering the beauty of traditional Japanese woodcraft.
Kumundar is supported by the Hobart-Yaizu Sister City Committee and Dobson Mitchell Allport.
Kumundar Gujo Sailing Ship
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for children aged 4-12 years.
All aboard the sailing ship “Kumundar”! This imaginative wooden playground invites kids to explore, climb, and play all day. Inspired by the beauty of sailing ships, this engaging play area offers endless adventures for young explorers.
Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka Workshops
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 & Sun 9 February 14:00-15:00, Mon 10 February 11:30-12:30
Free. Suitable for all ages.
Kapa Haka is a Māori phrase loosely translated as ‘performing arts’, encompassing haka (think the All Blacks), poi, and waiata (traditional song and chant). It takes years to master these arts, but here is an opportunity for kids and adults alike to have a go under the tutelage of our Kiwi guests.
Solar Boat Challenge
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years.
The Solar Boat Challenge invites children to design, build, and race their own solar powered boats. A race pool will be set up with materials provided for kids to create and test their models on the water!
Scouts: Knot Challenges and Knotcraft
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for children aged 6-12 years.
Join Scouts from all over the Hobart region to have some knot tying fun with Nautical Knot Challenges and Knot Craft. Learn some useful knots, tie them fast in competitions, undo them, make something to take home, and more!
Woodcraft Guild Workshops
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for children aged 6-12 years.
Join the experts from the woodcraft guild to design and build your own huon pine boat. Amazing what can be done with a couple of bits of huon pine and a copper nail!
Bubble Building
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for all ages.
Join us on the lawns for a Huon Pine Bubble Fest! Children can create clouds of bubbles using handcrafted, steam-bent Huon Pine frames and special bubble mix. It’s a fun and interactive activity for all ages!
My First Boat Display and Parade
Parliament House Lawns
Display: Sat 8 & Sun 9 February 10:00 -17:00
Parade to Con Dock: Sun 9 February 09:45
Free
Come meet the My First Boat crew—a spirited team of young, aspiring sailors building their very first rowing boats! Watch as they put the finishing touches on their vessels, preparing for an exciting parade to Con Dock for the big launch. We’re thrilled to expand the fleet with each festival—a handful of boat kits are available for those who get in quick! We recommend building the kits with kids aged between 5-10 years. Go to our shop to secure your kit. Join us in cheering on the next generation of sailors!
The Book Barge
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for all ages.
For those seeking a moment of peace, Variety Tasmania—The Children’s Charity, is introducing The Book Barge, a tranquil reading nook where children can immerse themselves in sea-themed stories. Families can escape the bustle of the Festival while immersing their little ones in tales from the deep blue. The Festival is encouraging the public to contribute to The Book Barge by donating new or pre-loved sea-themed children’s books. To find out how you can support this initiative please click here.
New books have been kindly donated by Fullers Bookshop and the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
The Mariner's Makerspace
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for all ages.
The Little Sailors Village will also feature The Mariner’s Makerspace, where children can craft ocean-inspired creations and enjoy interactive storytelling sessions. Whether building boats or spinning tales, the space is designed to spark curiosity and encourage creativity.
Face Painting and Pirate Dress Ups
Parliament House Lawns
Sat 8 to Mon 10 February
Free. Suitable for all ages.
Add a splash of colour and fun with face painting and pirate dress ups! Kids can dive into creative costumes and get their faces painted by skilled artists, transforming into their favorite characters or creatures. A perfect stop for festival magic and memorable photos!
