There are lots of activities for families to see and do between presentations. Spend some time exploring Hendrie Gardens and look for these fun things to see and do!

  • Engage in inclusive multi-sensory activities at Telling Tales Programming Tents across the Festival (now with bigger and more spacious tents for our Early Readers and Preteens). These “yes spaces” are designed to be engaging and welcoming for the needs of Neurodivergent children and their families.
  • Each Programming Tent will also have a designated Regulation Station for children that prefer to be slightly removed from amplified sounds and would like to use Telling Tales’ collection of fidget toys and colouring sheets. 
  • Check out your own Sensory Kit as you enter the Festival at our Information Booth. 
  • ASL interpreters will be on-site at all Telling Tales Programming Tents on Saturday and interpreters will be available to support guests arriving at Registration.
  • Need some quiet time? Head to one of our Quieter Spaces identified on the Festival Map. 
  • Need to get your wiggles out? Head over to Play Project – Parkour at the east side of the park near many of our Food Vendors. 
  • Enjoy live theatre on the Main Stage with the Arts For All Kinderfest presents Tottering Biped Theatre, The Carnival of Animals / Le Carnaval des Animaux (in English on Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:45 am and in French on Sunday from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm )
  • Visit The World of Munsch Sensory Zone and discover the world of Robert Munsch’s beloved stories including The Perfect Paper Airplane and Leaves! in a sensory friendly space with audiobooks, a reading nook, and a Paper Airplane Creation Station.
  • Join all of our authors directly following their presentations at one of our Autograph Tents.
  • SATURDAY ONLY: join this year’s Word Scramble Scavenger Hunt–pick up a card at the info booth, hunt for words around the Festival, and hand in a completed card to win a book from Scholastic Canada. (One prize per family; limited quantities.)
  • Come check out the great selection of lightly used English and French books to swap with or buy at the Book Swap & Shop | Échange et achat de livres presented in partnership with Centre francophone Hamilton.
  • Visit Exhibitor Grove for activities and information from community groups, authors, book lovers, and more. See page 11 for Exhibitor Listings.
  • Head to one of our Creativity Zones to enjoy multi-arts activities presented by local arts organizations.
  • Join a Nature Discovery Walk with BurlingtonGreen. Meet at the BurlingtonGreen tent in F4 supported by Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection
  • Visit the major partners of the 18th annual Telling Tales Festival for fun activities and giveaways from (1) TD Bank Group, (3) Cogeco, (2) Access Storage, and (4) Corus Radio.
  • Fill out our online survey to win great prizes!