School Holiday Programmes and Activities – July 2019

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 at various locations. KidsFest is on in the July school holidays, bookings open 9am Tuesday 4 June.

July 2019 holiday programmes and activities

During school holidays our libraries and learning centres offer a mix of:

Free, drop-in holiday activities

Free, drop-in holiday activities - there is no charge or booking required for these sessions. Some of these sessions are all-ages.

Harry Potter Fun

Join us as we celebrate the magical world of Harry Potter. Crafts and activities for all ages – wand making, sorting hat, Dobby’s missing sock hunt!
Find times and locations.

Create a Quirky Bookmark

Using googly eyes, pompoms, pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks, create your own weird and wonderful mini bookmark – for yourself or for a friend!
Find times and locations.

mBots

Like solving puzzles? Then come along and have fun with our friendly little mBots and have a go at some of the challenges.
Find times and locations.

Ozobots

Create your own basic coding pattern using special markers to guide Ozobots around a path. This is an informal drop-in session to have a look at how Ozobots work.
Find times and locations.

Creative Family Time

There will be craft, 3D colouring, interactive games and more at this cool makerspace.
Find times and locations.

Learn to Knit

Try some yarn-based craft endeavours or perfect your technique. All ages, with adult supervision required for small children.
Upper Riccarton Library Tuesday 9 July, 1pm to 3pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Hairy Maclary Party Time

Join us for a fun party morning with Hairy Maclary stories and crafts. It’s going to be barking mad and you’ll have a woofing great time!
Shirley Library Tuesday 16 July, 10.30am to 12noon
Find out more in the events calendar.

Mid-Winter Stories and Crafts

Bring the family along to the library for mid-winter stories and crafts.
Upper Riccarton Library Saturday 20 July, 10am to 2pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

eSports Dance Off - Just Dance 2019

Dance for your chance to be the champion! Show everyone what you've got these winter school holidays and be in to win prizes from PB Tech. We have two divisions: 12 years and younger, and 13 and older. Winners from the first week's competitions will earn a spot at the finals, held in the following week at Tūranga.

First week competitions

  • Linwood Library Wednesday 10 July, 2pm to 4pm
  • Shirley Library Thursday 11 July, 2pm to 4pm
  • Tūranga Friday 12 July, 2pm to 3.30pm

Finals

  • Tūranga Thursday 18 July, 2pm to 4pm

Find out more in the events calendar.

Table Football (Foosball) Competition

Ignite your love of table football (Foosball) and play against others to win prizes and have fun.

Tūranga Hapori, Level 1

  • Sunday 7 July, 2pm to 4pm
  • Sunday 14 July, 2pm to 4pm

Find out more in the events calendar.

Free activities, bookings required

The following events and activities are free, but you will need to book a spot. Phone (03) 9417923 or email library@ccc.govt.nz.

Collage Making

Enjoy an artistic afternoon focused on collage making, led by artist Rob Hood. Materials are provided but you’re welcome to bring anything you want to cut up and re-create. Ages: 12 years plus.
Tūranga Hapori | Community, Level 1, Thursday 11 July, 2pm to 4pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Library Detectives

One of our librarians has been tracking a group of rare book thieves but she’s gotten too close and now she’s missing! Fortunately, she’s left clues around the library to the thieves’ headquarters. You have one hour to solve a series of escape room-style puzzles and find out where the thieves are holding her before it’s too late! Ages: 12 years plus. Bookings required (Conditions apply for size of groups).
Tūranga He Hononga | Connection, Ground Floor

  • Monday 8 July, 11am and 2pm
  • Tuesday 9 July, 11am and 2pm
  • Monday 15 July, 3pm and 6pm
  • Tuesday 16 July, 3pm and 6pm (6pm session is FULLY BOOKED)

Find out more in the events calendar.

Youth Knitting Workshop

Want to learn to knit but don’t know where to begin? Join us for a series of free workshops this winter. Our first session will cover the basics of knitting while the second session will get you started on your first project — a cosy hat. We’ve got the wool and needles, so just bring yourself along! All welcome. Ages: 12 to 18 years.
Tūranga Tūhuratanga | Discovery, Level 3
Wednesday 10 July and Wednesday 17 July, 2pm to 4pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Emotion Rocks!

Get arty with your feelings! Relax and express yourself, paint your Emotion Rock with whatever’s going on for you, or make special something for a friend! Ages: 7 years plus.
Linwood Library Thursday 18 July, 5pm to 6.30pm
Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre Friday 19 July, 4pm to 5.30pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Ugly Christmas Jumpers

Let’s celebrate the ugly Christmas jumper. Make the ugliest, craziest Christmas jumper we’ve ever seen, and be in to win the ‘Best Ugly Christmas Jumper’ trophy! Bring your own jersey or T-shirt to decorate — we’ll provide the craft gear to decorate them, and we’ll finish with a fashion parade to show off our creations.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday 8 July, 2pm to 4pm
Upper Riccarton Library Wednesday 17 July, 10am to 12noon
Find out more in the events calendar.

Traditional Māori Games - KidsFest

Come along to our traditional Māori games themed school holiday sessions. Learn a tī rākau (short stick) routine, and make some tī rākau to take home. Ages: 7 to 12 years.

Aranui Library Tuesday 16 July 10am to 12noon; 1pm to 3pm
Tūranga Wednesday 17 July 10am to 12noon; 1pm to 3pm
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Thursday 17 July 10am to 12noon; 1pm to 3pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Sustainable Bags Workshop - KidsFest

Make the world a better place and learn how to make your own sample sustainable bags in the library. Personalise them with a funky cool logo and rock on! Ages: 8 to 12 years. (children only, no caregivers).
Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4 Thursday 18 July 9.30am to 12.30pm
Find out more in the events calendar.

Learner Librarian Licence (Junior) - KidsFest

Want to be a librarian for a morning? Love books and reading? Come along and learn 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!
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Tuesday 9 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Papanui Library Thursday 11 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

Learner Librarian Licence (Intermediate) - KidsFest

Want to be a librarian for a morning? Love books and reading? Come along and learn 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!
Papanui Library Tuesday 16 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Thursday 18 July 9am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

Bookable holiday activities

Bookings and payment are required for the following programmes - call (03) 9417923 or email library@ccc.govt.nz (conditions apply).

Robot Adventures - KidsFest ($7)

What is a robot? Come and find out for yourself. During this time, hear some great stories about what robots get up to. You will even have a chance to play with a robot and do some other fun activities too. Ages: 5 to 7 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $7 per child
New Brighton Library Tuesday 9 July, 10am to 12noon
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday 15 July, 10am to 12noon FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

Stop Motion Animation - KidsFest ($20)

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 (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $20

  • Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Tuesday 9 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED
  • South Library Thursday 11 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED
  • New Brighton Library Wednesday 17 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Upper Riccarton Library Friday 19 July, 9.30am to 3.30pm FULLY BOOKED

Find out more in the events calendar.

Minecraft Game Zone - KidsFest ($7)

Minecraft game zone is a 3D gaming experience that involves interacting with others in our own virtual world. Students will need to have a basic understanding of how to use this software. Book in for a two hour session and play to your heart's content. Age: 6-10 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $7

  • Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4, Monday 8 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Wednesday 10 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Upper Riccarton Library Thursday 11 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • New Brighton Library Monday 15 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • South Library Thursday 18 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED
  • Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4, Friday 19 July, 10am to 12pm FULLY BOOKED

Find out more in the events calendar.

Technology Tinker workshop - KidsFest ($30)

Join our team of library staff and the team from the Canterbury Engineering Hub in a fun day of tinkering with gadgets and gizmos. Be inspired to innovate and create. Take home a sample of your brilliance. Ages: 10 to 13 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $30 per child

Tūranga Auahatanga | Creativity Level 4, Friday 12 July, 9.30am to 3pm FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

Robofun - KidsFest ($15)

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. Age: 10 to13 years (children only, no caregivers). Cost: $15 per child

New Brighton Library Friday 12 July, 9.30am to 3pm
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Wednesday 17 July, 9.30am to 3pm FULLY BOOKED
Find out more in the events calendar.

More school holiday info

Conditions for bookable Learning Centre holiday programmes

Note: A Learning Centre 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 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.

Print