School Holiday Programmes and Activities at Libraries

Join us for school holiday fun from 28 September to 9 October 2020!

Drop-in holiday activities

Join in making Monster bookmarks or Blossoming Blooms.

What's on for Teens

Teen Book Club

Join the Tūranga Youth Librarians for a monthly book group where we’ll discuss what we’re reading, what we love and what we don’t, as well as discovering new genres and authors – expect games, laughs, conversation, and a MUCH larger ‘to be read’ pile. Thursday 1 October at Wāhi Rangatahi/Youth Space, Hapori | Community, Level 1, Tūranga. Find out more.

Functionable foldable phone stands

Tik Tok time to rock! Come along and create a sturdy stand for your phone. Free, no bookings required. Find out where and when.

Taonga Hunt

Kia ora tamariki mā! Explore Ōtautahi Christchurch and improve your te reo Māori with this fun taonga hunt. Pick up your copy at Tūranga, Christchurch Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum, Botanic Gardens or the Arts Centre, or download the Taonga Hunt [11MB PDF], and begin the adventure. Complete all the activities and earn yourself a free kids size hot chocolate at Universo Cafe. Namunamuā!

Trail runs from Monday 14 September to Sunday 11 October.

Bookable programmes

All of our bookable paid holiday programmes below will be running in Alert Level 1 or 2. Maximum numbers for all programmes have been set to allow for physical distancing requirements (Alert Level 2).

Claymation Creation - ages 8 to 10, $20 per child 

Discover the process of producing animated movies, using clay. Plan an original story, create your characters and craft your own movie using a stop motion app.

Claymation Creation - ages 11+, $20 per child

Discover the process of producing animated movies, using clay. Plan an original story, create your characters and craft your own movie using a stop motion app.

Minecraft Game Zone - ages 5 to 7, $7 per child 

Minecraft Game Zone is a 3D gaming experience that involves creating your own virtual world and interacting with others online. To really enjoy this programme, you'll need to have a basic understanding of Minecraft.  This programme will be played on iPads.

Minecraft Game Zone - ages 8 to 13 , $10 per child 

Minecraft Game Zone is a 3D gaming experience that involves creating your own virtual world and interacting with others online. To really enjoy this programme, you'll need to have a basic understanding of Minecraft.  This programme will be played on iPads.

My Ōtautahi Christchurch - ages 9 to 12, $7 per child 

What images and memories have shaped your experience of Christchurch? How can you help tell the story of our city going forward? 

Tell your own story of Christchurch using heritage images we've collected on the Christchurch City Library's Discovery Wall. Identify gaps in our collection where you could contribute images of your own. Participants leave this programme with access to self-paced videos to support ongoing learning around photography and how to upload their own images to the Discovery Wall.  

Images uploaded during October are automatically entered into the Christchurch City Library's Photo Hunt.

Bookings Required - Free

Whāriki Rōpinepine - Mosaic Mats - ages 6+, Free

Come and join in these school holidays to learn more about Māori designs and where they come from.

Make you own mosaic whāriki to take home with you. Nau mai haere mai, all welcome!

Bookings required, contact our Fingertip Library to make a booking enquiry 941-7923.  Places are limited. 

Librarian for a Day - ages 9 to 12
Thursday 8 October 9am to 12noon at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre

Are you 9-12 years old? Want to be a librarian for a morning? Love books and reading? Come and see what happens behind the scenes at your local library. Learn how to sort and shelve, use the catalogue, share stories and many other wonderful things our librarians do! Bookings are essential - phone 03 941 7923 or visit the library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre to book a spot.

Conditions for bookable Learning Centre holiday programmes

Note: A Consent Form is required to be completed by the child and a parent/caregiver for all learning centre after school and holiday programmes. Please ensure this is completed when you call in to pay the course fees or drop your child off for the programme.

  • Payment is required no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the programme – if payment is not made prior to this, the Learning Centre reserves the right to cancel your booking.
  • You can pay in person at any Christchurch City Libraries (excluding the Mobile) or by debit/credit card over the phone to the Fingertip Library, 03 941 7923.
  • A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is requested for cancellations. After this time the programme cost in non-refundable.
  • A Consent Form is required to be completed by the child and a parent/caregiver. Please ensure this is completed when you call in to pay the course fees or drop your child off for the programme.
  • Drop off and pick up times are 10 minutes prior to the advertised programme times. We are not responsible for your children outside of these hours.
  • If your child is absent or running late, please telephone us.
  • Please do not bring along an unwell child to the programme.
  • You are obliged to inform us at registration if your child has medical or behavioural conditions. Your child will not be excluded, but we require accurate information.
  • Children outside the recommended age range will not be placed on the course.
  • Children may be enrolled in two programmes only. If you would like to enrol your child in more than two programmes he/she will be placed on a waitlist and notified closer to the start date as to whether or not there is place available.

More school holiday info

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