Library and Learning Centre School Holiday Programmes

Libraries and Learning Centres offer holiday programmes including a variety of accessible, safe and affordable activities for children during their school holidays. Our programmes run city wide and are aimed at children between the ages of five and 15 years.

October 2018 holiday programmes

During school holidays our libraries and learning centres offer a mix of free, drop-in activities, free activities that require bookings, and bookable classes with a small charge per child.

Free, drop-in holiday activities

Free, drop-in holiday activities - there is no charge or booking required for these sessions.

Spring Crafts

Create spring butterflies and other insects using pipe cleaners, coloured thread and googly eyes!
Browse libraries and times for these sessions. 

Makerspace Family Time

Come and check out this cool maker space! There will be craft, 3D colouring, interactive games and more. FREE. Recommended for all ages. Caregiver required.
Browse libraries and times for these sessions. 

3D Printing Demo

Come and see what spring surprises get 3D printed at your library! This is an informal drop-in session to have a look at how 3D printing works.
Browse libraries and times for these sessions. 

Nutcracker Diorama

Create your own theatre scene! Start with a simple shoebox as your stage and craft your creations. You may like to enter your creation into our library competition and be in to win a
family pass to the matinee show of The Nutcracker at the Isaac Theatre Royal in November.
Browse libraries and times for these sessions. 

Filipino Lantern Making

Make your own Filipino Parol (lantern) in this fun free session aimed at children aged 9–12 years. However, the whole family is welcome to come along and work together!
Browse libraries and times for these sessions. 

Doodle Table at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre

Monday 1 October to Wednesday 31 October at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Drop by our drawing station in the Young Adult area of Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre to have some fun drawing and being creative. Each week throughout October we'll have a new drawing challenge for people to tackle. Let your imagination wander by helping us create a doodle-art design for our table. Once finished, you can take your work of art home or add it to our art tree. Suitable for all ages and abilities. No need to book, just drop in, take part and have fun.

Free activities, bookings required

Flash Fiction 

Think you can write a short story? What about a SHORT short story? Come on down with your creative thinking hats and join us for some fast Flash Fiction! All you need is some pen and paper or a device and we'll guide you through the exciting world of creative writing! Age: 11 to 14 years. FREE. Bookings essential, please phone 941 7923.

Creative Lettering

Do you enjoy drawing, lettering and doodling? Join us for a relaxing, creative session drawing inspiring quotes for you to display at home or to send as a card. We'll be using stencils, pencils, pens and Washi Tape to make our drawings stand out. Watch out though – lettering is great fun but very addictive! Ages: 12+ years. FREE. Bookings required, please phone 941 7923

Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Thursday 4 October 10am to 12pm; 1pm to 3pm

Tangaroa Whakamautai - Sea Art

Looking for something to do during the October holidays? Then come learn about the sea through story, games and craft – there’s something for everyone! Have you got what it takes? Are you up for the challenge? Recommended for ages 5 to 15. FREE. Bookings ARE essential, please phone 941 7923. 

Bookable holiday activities

Bookings are required for the following programmes - call (03) 941 5140 or email:learningcentre@ccc.govt.nz (conditions apply).

Stop Motion Animation

Get creative using Lego and discover the process of producing animated movies. Plan a story themed on being kind to our world, create a set and craft your own movie using stop motion photography.
Ages: 8 to 12 years
Cost: $20

Minecraft Game Zone

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. Book in for a two hour session and play to your heart’s content.
Ages: 8 to 12 years
Cost: $7

Earth Smart

A STEAM holiday programme with an emphasis on sustainability and recycling. Children will explore environmental issues with a focus on connecting to the planet around them using books, interactive activities, digital media and craft. Come along to listen, participate and create.
Ages: 5 to 7 years
Cost: $7

South Library Monday 1 October, 10am to 12pm
New Brighton Library Wednesday 3 October 10am to 12pm
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Wednesday 10 October 10am to 12pm

Sound Treks

Do you love music and like the idea of making your own, using an iPad? Pitched at a beginner level and using Garageband, you can make your own adventurous
soundtracks to match our awesome themed video clips of space, nature and cats.
Ages: 9 to 12 years
Cost: $7

Robofun

Working with a range of robots, you’ll learn the basics of how robots work and how to programme them to use sensors to complete a set of challenges.
Ages: 10 years +
Cost: $15

3D Tinker workshop

Calling all Tinkerers! Come along to our 3D Maker workshop and use 3D design software to create your very own masterpiece.
Ages: 10 years+
Cost: $30

Upper Riccarton Library Friday 12 October, 9.30am to 3pm FULLY BOOKED

Uncover - huraina

  • Read the article in uncover huraina issue 9
  • Read it in the PDF version of uncover huraina issue 9 [11.83MB PDF]

Conditions for bookable Learning Centre holiday programmes

  • Payment is required 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.
  • Please pay at the library where the programme is held or by 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.

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