Children get crafty as part of festival

Children have got messy and got their creative juices flowing in a tulip-themed art and craft workshop.

About 18 children this morning used the tulips in the Government Gardens as inspiration to craft their own tulips using mixed media.

The series of Rotorua Children's Art House workshops is Dutch-themed and form part of the Rotorua Tulip Festival activities.

Art House co-ordinator Ally Rogers said the children used paint, pastels, tissue paper, collage, some print making and drawing to create their art.

She said this afternoon's session was making bikes, which were small wire and cardboard sculptures.

There are more art and craft workshops being held tomorrow , with the themes of windmills, paper crafts, clogs and spring.

Ms Rogers said although the workshops were themed children were allowed to tackle their own project.

"That's the whole philosophy of the Children's Art House."

Cassie Ward, 9, said she enjoyed making her tulip 3D that she had been trying to get to look like a red and white striped one in the garden.

It had been hard getting the tulip into the 3D shape, but she was happy with how it turned out, Cassie said.

She said she enjoyed doing art because, "I get to do what I want".

Each session costs $5. To book a child into a workshop call (027) 921 8652 or email childrensarthouse@gmail.com.

Rotorua Tulip Festival activities include:
Tuesday:
-Speaker, Dave Stewart from Rhodohill talks about caring for your rhododendrons: 11am to 12pm, Te Runanga Tearooms, Government Gardens, Free
-Speaker, Paul Shaw from the Rotorua Festival of Gardens, 2pm to 3pm, Te Runanga Tearooms, Government Gardens, Free
Wednesday:
-Self-drive to Plenty Flora Gerbera Greenhouse at Horohoro, 10am to 11.30 and
2pm to 3.30pm, Plenty Flora Limited, 1188 State Highway 30, Free
-Guest Speaker - Maree Kinder on Travel and Keukenhof Gardens, 11am, Te Runanga Tearooms, Government Gardens, Free
Thursday:
-Speaker, Darryl from Palmers on Edible Gardens, 3pm to 4pm, Te Runanga Tearooms, Government Gardens, Free
Friday:
-Speaker, John Beech from the Bay of Plenty Garden and Arts Festival, 11am to 12pm, Te Runanga Tearoom, Government Gardens, Free
-Guest speaker, Gary Coker, conservation manager at Rotorua Canopy Tours, 1pm to 2pm, Te Runanga Tearooms, Government Gardens, Free
Sunday:
-Tulip Festival Closing Concert, 1pm to 4pm, Band Rotunda, Government Gardens, Free
For more Tulip Festival activities visit www.tulipfestrotorua.co.nz