Bring Children to Festival: A Parent Guide

A great family outing does not need a minute by minute plan. When you bring children to festival day, the winning move is to arrive with enough time, enough water and a simple agreement: everyone gets to choose a pie worth talking about. At NZ Pie Fest, that means a Wellington waterfront day built around signature pies from bakeries around New Zealand, with plenty of room for opinions, crumbs and a well timed pause.

The festival runs from 15 to 17 January 2027 at Frank Kitts Park, Wellington, from 10am to 10:30pm daily. It is a long summer day, so families can shape the visit around the part that works best for their crew. Come early for a fresh start, settle in through the afternoon, or make it one stop in a bigger day around the waterfront.

Bring children to festival with a simple plan

Children do not need a packed itinerary to have a good time, but parents usually benefit from one. Before leaving home, decide whether your visit is centred on lunch, an afternoon treat or an early dinner. That one decision makes choosing arrival time, packing bags and managing expectations much easier.

Think about appetite, too. Every pie token is redeemable for one bakery's signature pie, so it helps to buy tokens with your group in mind rather than trying to predict every choice before you arrive. Some children will be keen to pick their own. Others may be happiest sharing with a parent or saving room until they have seen what catches their eye.

The beauty of a pie festival is that food becomes part of the conversation. Ask the kids what makes a great pie. Is it the pastry, the filling, the size, or the first bite? Their vote counts as much as anyone's when it comes to the People's Pie competition, which turns lunch into a small but serious family mission.

Choose the time that suits your family

A 10am arrival can be ideal for younger children who are at their best before the day gets busy. You can take your time finding your bearings, enjoy the waterfront setting and make pie decisions without rushing. It also leaves plenty of space in the day if naps, sport or other plans need to happen later.

For families with older children, an afternoon visit may feel more relaxed. They can enjoy the atmosphere, compare favourites and stay a little longer without watching the clock. It depends on your children's routines, the weather and how much of the festival you want to make of the day.

Avoid treating a full day as the only version of success. An hour or two, a signature pie each and a vote can be a brilliant outing. Leave while everyone is still happy and you will have a much better chance of hearing requests to come back next year.

Make tickets part of the pre festival routine

Put tickets on the same checklist as hats and sunscreen. Entry passes include festival access, a courtesy drink and voting rights, while signature pie tokens are bought separately through the digital system. Having everyone organised before you set off means less time spent sorting mobile screens when hungry children are ready to get moving.

Children under 5 enter free on their own free ticket. For other children, check the available ticket options when booking so your whole group is ready to enter together. Keep the QR tickets easy to find on your mobile, and make sure your device is charged before heading out.

Adult day entry is $19.90 until 10 November 2026, then $25, or $27 at the gate on the day. A three day pass is $59.70 and available online only. If your family is planning more than one visit, take a moment to compare the option that matches your plans rather than deciding at the gate.

Pack for a Wellington waterfront day

The practical basics can make a noticeable difference. January sunshine, a waterfront breeze and children who have been walking all morning are a particular combination. Bring sun protection, water, a light extra layer and whatever small comfort items make a day out easier for your family.

A pram, carrier or small bag may be the right choice depending on your children's ages. Keep it manageable. You will want hands free enough to hold tickets, tokens and pies, while still having what you need if a little one needs a rest.

It is also worth talking through the plan before you arrive. Tell children they will see lots of tempting choices, that each bakery is presenting one signature pie, and that choosing is part of the fun. A clear expectation can prevent the classic festival moment when every stall suddenly feels like a promise.

Set a pie budget, then leave room for surprises

A signature pie token costs $7.50. For a family, setting a token budget before the day can keep the experience simple and give children a useful role in the decision making. You might choose one pie each, plan to share a few, or let everyone nominate a single must try choice.

There is no need to turn it into a lesson in restraint when you are surrounded by exceptional pastry. But a plan helps. It means the question becomes which pie should win your vote, rather than whether anyone is too full for the pie they were most excited about.

If children are old enough, let them help manage the token count. They will quickly understand that each token equals one signature pie, and it gives them a stake in working out the family tasting route. Keep the conversation light. This is a summer day out, not maths homework.

Give everyone a say in the People's Pie vote

The People's Pie competition is where the festival gets properly competitive. Every attendee can vote, and children are often wonderfully direct judges. They may care deeply about golden pastry, a filling that is not too spicy, or whether a pie earns an immediate second bite.

Talk about the vote as you go. Which pie had the best pastry? Which one would they tell a grandparent about? Did the first choice stay the favourite, or did a late contender take the crown? These are the details that turn a meal into a shared memory.

Parents do not need to agree with every young critic. In fact, a split family verdict is part of the fun. The important thing is that every vote adds to the public decision. Three days. One crown. Your vote.

Keep the day relaxed, not perfect

Festival days can be exciting, noisy and full of choices. Build in pauses before anyone reaches their limit. Take a seat, have water, look out across the harbour and let the children reset between pie decisions. A short breather can be the difference between a cheerful afternoon and a sudden need to head home.

Be realistic about your own energy as well. If one parent is managing tickets, bags and hungry kids, share the jobs where possible. One adult can find a spot while another sorts the next pie. If you are visiting solo, keep the plan even simpler and choose a pace that works for you.

There is no prize for trying everything. The bragging rights come from discovering a pie your family genuinely loves, backing it in the public vote and enjoying the argument all the way home. Pack the basics, arrive with an appetite and let the kids be part of the call. That is how a festival day becomes one they remember for all the right reasons.