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
Holiday events at libraries
School holiday programming at libraries
Free, drop-in sessions and events
Paper Fan Workshop
Sep 28th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Celebrate Tuvalu Language Week with a hands-on school holiday activity creating ili/fans inspired by Tuvaluan culture and the ocean.
Paper Fan Workshop
Sep 29th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Celebrate Tuvalu Language Week with a hands-on school holiday activity creating ili/fans inspired by Tuvaluan culture and the ocean.
Dahl-ing Reads
Sep 29th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for a read-aloud of Roald Dahl's classic, The Enormous Crocodile then create your own snapping crocodile to take home.
Creative tech @ Diamond Harbour Library
Sep 30th | 10:00am - 1:00pm
Drop‑in session for a hands‑on taster experience, includes podcasting & VEX robotics. Chat with staff about our Auahatanga–Creative Spaces.
Paper Fan Workshop
Sep 28th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Celebrate Tuvalu Language Week with a hands-on school holiday activity creating ili/fans inspired by Tuvaluan culture and the ocean.
Paper Fan Workshop
Sep 29th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Celebrate Tuvalu Language Week with a hands-on school holiday activity creating ili/fans inspired by Tuvaluan culture and the ocean.
Dahl-ing Reads
Sep 29th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for a read-aloud of Roald Dahl's classic, The Enormous Crocodile then create your own snapping crocodile to take home.
Creative tech @ Diamond Harbour Library
Sep 30th | 10:00am - 1:00pm
Drop‑in session for a hands‑on taster experience, includes podcasting & VEX robotics. Chat with staff about our Auahatanga–Creative Spaces.
$ Paid, Bookings Required
Tāne Statue - 5-12 years, part of a series
Ever wondered how Tāne created us and all our creatures in between? Make your own taonga out of clay, bringing our stories to life.
Tāne Statue - 5-12 years
Sep 30th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Ever wondered how Tāne created us and all our creatures in between? Make your own taonga out of clay, bringing our stories to life.
Sustainability T-shirt Workshop - 6-14 years
Oct 2nd | 10:00am - 11:30am
Create a design to promote an eco-friendly message 'protecting nature & animals, keeping our environment clean & caring for our planet!'
Tāne Statue - 5-12 years
Oct 6th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Ever wondered how Tāne created us and all our creatures in between? Make your own taonga out of clay, bringing our stories to life.
Tāne Statue - 5-12 years, part of a series
Ever wondered how Tāne created us and all our creatures in between? Make your own taonga out of clay, bringing our stories to life.
Tāne Statue - 5-12 years
Sep 30th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Ever wondered how Tāne created us and all our creatures in between? Make your own taonga out of clay, bringing our stories to life.
Sustainability T-shirt Workshop - 6-14 years
Oct 2nd | 10:00am - 11:30am
Create a design to promote an eco-friendly message 'protecting nature & animals, keeping our environment clean & caring for our planet!'
Tāne Statue - 5-12 years
Oct 6th | 10:00am - 11:30am
Ever wondered how Tāne created us and all our creatures in between? Make your own taonga out of clay, bringing our stories to life.
Free, Bookings Required
Intro to Dungeons & Dragons - 12 years +
Sep 26th | 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Have you ever wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons but didn’t know how or where to start? This event is perfect for you!
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - A Waste of Time - 5-12 years, part of a series
Sep 29th | 9:30am - 10:30am
Chris Duggan from Learning Through Action and find out about recycling, waste minimisation. Learn practical knowledge.
New Brighton - Papermaking and Seed Bombs - 5-16 years
Sep 29th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Have you ever made paper before? Join us for this hands-on recycled papermaking and seed bomb workshop.
Linwood - Librarian for a Morning - Junior - 6-9 years
Sep 30th | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Come and see what happens behind the scenes at Linwood library. Learn how to sort, shelve, use the catalogue and more.
Intro to Dungeons & Dragons - 12 years +
Sep 26th | 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Have you ever wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons but didn’t know how or where to start? This event is perfect for you!
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - A Waste of Time - 5-12 years, part of a series
Sep 29th | 9:30am - 10:30am
Chris Duggan from Learning Through Action and find out about recycling, waste minimisation. Learn practical knowledge.
New Brighton - Papermaking and Seed Bombs - 5-16 years
Sep 29th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Have you ever made paper before? Join us for this hands-on recycled papermaking and seed bomb workshop.
Linwood - Librarian for a Morning - Junior - 6-9 years
Sep 30th | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Come and see what happens behind the scenes at Linwood library. Learn how to sort, shelve, use the catalogue and more.
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
Afterschool 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!