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

Free, drop-in sessions and events

Free Events - Drop-in

World Space Week Celebrations at Libraries

Join us for space-themed fun and learning at libraries during the October school holidays. Colouring competition, activities and more!

SCAPE Public Art Aspiring Artist Exhibition, part of a series

See the winning sculptures, finalists, and a selection of other entries from SCAPE’s annual Aspiring Artist competition.

Storywalk: If You're a Kiwi and You Know It!

Oct 9th | 10:30am - 11:30am
Join us for a stroll across Wainoni Park as we read "If You're a Kiwi and You Know It" in this spring storywalk. Includes kiwi mask craft!

Show Me Shorts Festival Film Session - Whānau Friendly

Oct 9th | 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Watch a collection of short films for children & families, cute animals and inquisitive insects spring to life. Free, no booking required.

Free, Bookings Required

Free Events - Bookings

Pasifika Library Services - Fijian Drua making

Oct 9th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Create your own miniature canoes inspired by traditional Fijian drua, while learning about Pacific Peoples climate sustainability practices.

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!

Holiday Activities

Librarians have put together crafts & fun activities you can do 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

Afterschool Activity Zones and Bookable Programmes

Join us for after school fun and learning. Term 4 bookings open 7pm Thursday 3 September.

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!