School Holiday Programmes and Activities
Our exciting programmes ignite imagination, foster curiosity, and create lasting memories. From captivating technologies to creative arts and crafts, our activities engage young minds, and provide a safe, inclusive environment for fun and discovery.
We offer a range of programmes including drop-in sessions and classes that require advance bookings (both free and paid options).
Please read our Parent/Guardian Agreement for Child Participation in Christchurch City Libraries Programming: Terms and Conditions.
What's happening at your local library
Holiday events at libraries
School holiday programming at libraries
Free, drop-in sessions and events
Free school holiday events
Meet the Mini-Beasts with Canterbury Museum
Apr 13th | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meet the mini-beasts and explore the incredible world of insects up close with real display cases and live stick insects.
Meet the Mini-Beasts with Canterbury Museum
Apr 14th | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meet the mini-beasts and explore the incredible world of insects up close with real display cases and live stick insects.
Meet the Mini-Beasts with Canterbury Museum
Apr 15th | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meet the mini-beasts and explore the incredible world of insects up close with real display cases and live stick insects.
Meet the Mini-Beasts with Canterbury Museum
Apr 16th | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meet the mini-beasts and explore the incredible world of insects up close with real display cases and live stick insects.
Hooray for Hat! Story Walk at Richmond Community Garden
Apr 16th | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Richmond Community Gardens
Come along with Elephant and Friends on this interactive story walk at the Richmond Community Gardens.
Our Insect Neighbours: a closer look at their hidden world, part of a series
Mar 21st, All day
Our Insect Neighbours: a closer look at their hidden world. Visit to see all sorts of wonderous critters and learn something new!
$ Paid, Bookings Required
Create NZ Nature on a T-shirt
Apr 15th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Create a unique image of NZ nature using different art techniques. Your image will be printed using a DTG (direct-to-garment) printer.
City Nature Challenge - Wall Decal Workshop
Apr 16th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Get into the zone for the upcoming City Nature Challenge by creating a memento inspired by nature. Bring your photo or art with you.
New Brighton - Create NZ Nature on a T-shirt
Apr 17th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Create a unique image of NZ nature using different art techniques. Your image will be printed using a DTG (direct-to-garment) printer.
Shirley - Nature Maker's Lab - 7 years +
Apr 14th | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Bring a digital photo (.png or .jpg) of a plant or animal you’ve spotted in your local area and transform it into original artwork.
Create NZ Nature on a T-shirt
Apr 15th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Create a unique image of NZ nature using different art techniques. Your image will be printed using a DTG (direct-to-garment) printer.
City Nature Challenge - Wall Decal Workshop
Apr 16th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Get into the zone for the upcoming City Nature Challenge by creating a memento inspired by nature. Bring your photo or art with you.
New Brighton - Create NZ Nature on a T-shirt
Apr 17th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Create a unique image of NZ nature using different art techniques. Your image will be printed using a DTG (direct-to-garment) printer.
Shirley - Nature Maker's Lab - 7 years +
Apr 14th | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Bring a digital photo (.png or .jpg) of a plant or animal you’ve spotted in your local area and transform it into original artwork.
Free, Bookings Required
Tuia atu, Tuia mai - Tukutuku with Māori Library Services, part of a series
Apr 7th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Join Māori Library Services and learn about, design and then make to take home Māori decorative panels using contemporary materials.
Flash fiction workshop for youth
Apr 19th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Workshop with Flash Frontier editor, Neema Singh where you’ll come away with fresh ideas and maybe even a first draft of a 300-word story.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Wā Kōrero-Whānau Storytimes
Apr 12th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Meet performers from the Showbiz production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Listen to a story, enjoy the fun and be in to win!
Librarian for a Morning: Intermediate -10-12 years
Apr 13th | 9:30am - 12:00pm
Come and see what happens behind the scenes at your local library. Learn how to sort and shelve, use the catalogue and more!
Tuia atu, Tuia mai - Tukutuku with Māori Library Services, part of a series
Apr 7th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Join Māori Library Services and learn about, design and then make to take home Māori decorative panels using contemporary materials.
Flash fiction workshop for youth
Apr 19th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Workshop with Flash Frontier editor, Neema Singh where you’ll come away with fresh ideas and maybe even a first draft of a 300-word story.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Wā Kōrero-Whānau Storytimes
Apr 12th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Meet performers from the Showbiz production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Listen to a story, enjoy the fun and be in to win!
Librarian for a Morning: Intermediate -10-12 years
Apr 13th | 9:30am - 12:00pm
Come and see what happens behind the scenes at your local library. Learn how to sort and shelve, use the catalogue and more!
Imagination Station holiday activities
Explore Imagination Station Holiday Brick School & other great STEAM-based holiday activities at libraries.
Online stories
DIY Wā Kōrero: Storytimes
Use library resources to make a storytime at your place!
LOTE4Kids
Storytime in your language! Kids can enjoy a digital collection of books in Languages Other Than English, including NZSL and te reo Māori.
DIY Wā Kōrero: Storytimes - Guess What?
Do a Wā Kōrero: Storytimes at your place! We recommend eBooks and eResources for home about Guessing.
DIY Wā Kōrero: Storytimes - Kindness
Do a Wā Kōrero: Storytimes at your place! We recommend eBooks and eResources for home about Kindness.
DIY Wā Kōrero: Storytimes - Aotearoa New Zealand
Do a Wā Kōrero: Storytimes at your place! Use library eResources to create your own Aotearoa Storytime at home.
LOTE4Kids
Storytime in your language! Kids can enjoy a digital collection of books in Languages Other Than English, including NZSL and te reo Māori.
DIY Wā Kōrero: Storytimes - Guess What?
Do a Wā Kōrero: Storytimes at your place! We recommend eBooks and eResources for home about Guessing.
DIY Wā Kōrero: Storytimes - Kindness
Do a Wā Kōrero: Storytimes at your place! We recommend eBooks and eResources for home about Kindness.
DIY Wā Kōrero: Storytimes - Aotearoa New Zealand
Do a Wā Kōrero: Storytimes at your place! Use library eResources to create your own Aotearoa Storytime at home.
Listen in! Librarians and authors want to tell you a story.
Mrs McGinty and the Bizarre Plant, written and read by Gavin Bishop
Hear Gavin Bishop read his legendary Christchurch book Mrs McGinty and the Bizarre Plant in the Edmonds Factory Gardens.
Mrs McGinty and the Bizarre Plant, written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop. Published by Oxford University Press, New Zealand 1981. Reprinted as a NZ Classic by Random House NZ Ltd 2007.
Everyone Counts by Kathryn Otoshi, read by Elisabeth
Elisabeth reads One by Kathryn Otoshi, a story with a focus on anti-bullying and being an Upstander, with an introduction by the author.
Faitauga Tusi: Samoan Storytimes in Samoan and English, with Tiresa
Learn the Samoan alphabet and sing a favourite song!
Hello World by Paul Beavis, read by Amy
Amy is reading Hello World, written and illustrated by Paul Beavis. Published by Gecko Press.
Mrs Mo's Monster by Paul Beavis, read by Emily
Emily is reading Mrs Mo’s Monster, written and illustrated by Paul Beavis. Published by Gecko Press.
Niue Language Week story and song with Malo
Super Felix by Phoebe Morris, read by Bronwen
Bronwen is reading Super Felix - written, illustrated and published by Phoebe Morris
More online stories
Christchurch School Holiday Programmes, Events, & Activities
Find out what's on this school holidays for children in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Learning
Featured
After School Activity Zones and Bookable Programmes
Join us for after school fun and learning. Join one of our Bookable Programmes or drop in to a free activity zone.
Kura Takiura: Learning at Christchurch City Libraries
Our programmes for ākonga from Years 0 to 13 bring literacy-based experiences to life through creativity and exploration.
eResources for Tamariki - Kids
Kids can read eBooks, listen to eAudiobooks, get homework help, play educational games, and watch movies and tv shows - all for free!