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.
KidsFest (July Holidays) Bookings go live Tuesday 09 June, 9am
What's happening at your local library
Holiday events at libraries
School holiday programming at libraries
Free, drop-in sessions and events
Did they really do that?Cantabrians' quest for world records, part of a series
Jul 4th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Magic and Make-Believe Day
Jul 8th | 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come down to Shirley Library for a day of magic, imagination and fun!
Whānau Board Games
Jul 8th | 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Bring the whānau to play social board games in this drop-in session. You're welcome to use our in‐library games, or bring your own.
Tūranga Teen Book Club - 12-18 years
Jul 8th | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us this school holidays for a relaxed and welcoming book club just for teens!
Did they really do that?Cantabrians' quest for world records, part of a series
Jul 4th, All day
Cantabrians have always embraced a challenge. The 1970s & 1980s were peak decades for attempting to break a world record, any world record!
Magic and Make-Believe Day
Jul 8th | 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come down to Shirley Library for a day of magic, imagination and fun!
Whānau Board Games
Jul 8th | 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Bring the whānau to play social board games in this drop-in session. You're welcome to use our in‐library games, or bring your own.
Tūranga Teen Book Club - 12-18 years
Jul 8th | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us this school holidays for a relaxed and welcoming book club just for teens!
Autumn School Holiday Trail
Pick up a free trail booklet and follow the map to explore six of the city’s favourite places including Tūranga.
Explore Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2 and make a paper armlet before getting a librarian to stamp your booklet!
$ Paid, Bookings Required
KidsFest (July Holidays) Bookings go live Tuesday 09 June, 9am
Makey Makey Music with Scratch - 8-10 years
Jul 6th | 10:00am - 12:30pm
Learn how to create and code your very own electronic instrument using Makey Makey and Scratch.
Ready, Set, Read! - 4-6 years
Jul 6th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Join a special storytimes with songs & activities, building on early literacy skills. Receive your first library bag with handpicked books.
Makey Makey Music with Scratch - 8-10 years
Jul 7th | 10:00am - 12:30pm
Learn how to create and code your very own electronic instrument using Makey Makey and Scratch.
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years, part of a series
Jul 7th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn about how to grow food at home, design and then make your own bug hotel & journal to record your guests & how well your plant grows.
Makey Makey Music with Scratch - 8-10 years
Jul 6th | 10:00am - 12:30pm
Learn how to create and code your very own electronic instrument using Makey Makey and Scratch.
Ready, Set, Read! - 4-6 years
Jul 6th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Join a special storytimes with songs & activities, building on early literacy skills. Receive your first library bag with handpicked books.
Makey Makey Music with Scratch - 8-10 years
Jul 7th | 10:00am - 12:30pm
Learn how to create and code your very own electronic instrument using Makey Makey and Scratch.
Te Hōtēra Kārara - Bug Hotels, & more - 5-15 years, part of a series
Jul 7th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn about how to grow food at home, design and then make your own bug hotel & journal to record your guests & how well your plant grows.
Free, Bookings Required
KidsFest (July Holidays) Bookings go live Tuesday 09 June, 9am
Little Listeners Lounge - 5-12 years, part of a series
Jul 6th | 10:00am - 10:30am
Come along and find a comfortable spot in the libraries dedicated audiobook lounge, to tune in to a themed listening session.
Mahjong for Teens - 10-18 years, part of a series
Beginner‑friendly programme introduces teens to the basics of this classic tile game through guided play and hands‑on learning.
Let's Dig It! - 8-12 years - (tū), part of a series
Step into the world of archaeology! Young explorers will handle real artefacts, try out archaeological activities, and discover the past.
Creative Cartography - 9-16 years
Jul 8th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Create magical lands with mountains, forests, castles, & more; all from your imagination. No drawing skills needed,.
Little Listeners Lounge - 5-12 years, part of a series
Jul 6th | 10:00am - 10:30am
Come along and find a comfortable spot in the libraries dedicated audiobook lounge, to tune in to a themed listening session.
Mahjong for Teens - 10-18 years, part of a series
Beginner‑friendly programme introduces teens to the basics of this classic tile game through guided play and hands‑on learning.
Let's Dig It! - 8-12 years - (tū), part of a series
Step into the world of archaeology! Young explorers will handle real artefacts, try out archaeological activities, and discover the past.
Creative Cartography - 9-16 years
Jul 8th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Create magical lands with mountains, forests, castles, & more; all from your imagination. No drawing skills needed,.
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!