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
Free school holiday events
Kids Book Reviews (Drop-In)
Jan 19th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Learn how to write a book review and have it published on our catalogue. Inspire others to read what you recommend!
Growing Readers
Jan 20th | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
It's never too early or too late to start growing a reader! Learn how to nourish a love of language and reading for your child.
Drop In Little Listeners Lounge, part of a series
Come along to Aranui Library's Drop In Little Listeners Lounge! Ask a librarian to sign you up to borrow a device and a pair of headphones.
Mānuka Stories Drop-in Sessions at Shirley Library, part of a series
Jan 20th | 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Are you trying to find books to read during the summer holiday break? Do you want to know about how to participate in the Mānuka Stories…
Mānuka Storytimes at the Art Gallery, part of a series
Jan 21st | 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Join Christchurch City Libraries for 30 minutes of stories, songs, and rhymes at Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery.
Chalk Art by the Sea
Jan 22nd | 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Share your creativity in chalk art on the New Brighton Pier in collaboration with Christchurch City Council Parks & Recreation Team.
Mānuka Stories - Bugs and Books at Brooker
Jan 23rd | 10:00am - 3:00pm
Brooker Avenue Forest and Playground, Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor
Join Christchurch City Council parks and libraries, Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park, Canterbury Museumand Green Lab in a big bug hunt!
Window Art
Jan 23rd | 10:30am - 11:30am
Drop-in to the library and share your colourful creativity on our windows for all to enjoy!
Picnic in the Park
Jan 23rd | 11:00am - 12:30pm
Bring your blankets, bring your whānau, and come and join us at Barrington Park for a picnic in the summer sunshine!
Stationery Swaps
12 January to 15 February
Selected libraries
Stock up before school starts! Bring along your spare stationery and swap it for something you need, it’s all free.
Paper Towns
27 December 2025 to 31 January 2026
Selected libraries
Craft your own cool city! This is an unsupervised activity. Free, no booking required.
Manu Mates
16 December 2025 to 24 January 2026
Selected libraries
Join the flock and bring to life your own Mānuka Stories feathered friend! This an unsupervised activity. Free, no booking required.
Secret Star
5 to 25 January 2026
Selected libraries
Fold up a little mystery message! This is an unsupervised activity. Free, no booking required.
Tuna and Ladders
5 January to 31 January 2026
Selected libraries
Make your Mānuka Stories game and race to the top! This is an unsupervised activity. Free, no booking required.
Robot Week @ Shirley Library
Free, Bookings Required
Free holiday events, bookings required
Ancient Commanders - 12 years + FULLY BOOKED
Jan 21st | 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Travel back in time, become a Chinese general in the fall of the Han Empire. Learn how to command an army & work together on a battle plan.
Little Listeners Lounge - 5-12 years, part of a series
Jan 22nd | 10:00am - 10:30am
Come along and find a comfortable spot in the library's dedicated audiobook lounge, to tune in to a themed listening session.
Puppet Storytelling Workshop - 8-12 years
Jan 22nd | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Join us for an interactive, creative, and fun storytelling workshop featuring pre-made puppets!
Vex Build & Drive Challenge - 10-14 years
Jan 23rd | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Build a VEX Basebot and tackling obstacle courses and surprise driving & control challenges.
Ancient Commanders - 12 years + FULLY BOOKED
Jan 21st | 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Travel back in time, become a Chinese general in the fall of the Han Empire. Learn how to command an army & work together on a battle plan.
Little Listeners Lounge - 5-12 years, part of a series
Jan 22nd | 10:00am - 10:30am
Come along and find a comfortable spot in the library's dedicated audiobook lounge, to tune in to a themed listening session.
Puppet Storytelling Workshop - 8-12 years
Jan 22nd | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Join us for an interactive, creative, and fun storytelling workshop featuring pre-made puppets!
Vex Build & Drive Challenge - 10-14 years
Jan 23rd | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Build a VEX Basebot and tackling obstacle courses and surprise driving & control challenges.
$ Paid, Bookings Required
Paid, Bookings Required
Minecraft Build Challenge - 8-12 years
Jan 20th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Build amazing structures, and make new friends. Required skills: Basic game knowledge & ability to use a mouse/keyboard independently.
Vex Build & Drive Challenge - 10-14 years
Jan 21st | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Build a VEX Basebot and tackling obstacle courses and surprise driving & control challenges.
Minecraft Build Challenge - 8-12 years
Jan 22nd | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Build amazing structures, and make new friends. Required skills: Basic game knowledge & ability to use a mouse/keyboard independently.
Minecraft Build Challenge - 8-12 years
Jan 20th | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Build amazing structures, and make new friends. Required skills: Basic game knowledge & ability to use a mouse/keyboard independently.
Vex Build & Drive Challenge - 10-14 years
Jan 21st | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Build a VEX Basebot and tackling obstacle courses and surprise driving & control challenges.
Minecraft Build Challenge - 8-12 years
Jan 22nd | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Build amazing structures, and make new friends. Required skills: Basic game knowledge & ability to use a mouse/keyboard independently.
Brick your Book competition (26 January to 8 February 2026)
In conjunction with Imagination Station celebrate International Lego Day and Brick Your Book at the Library. LEGO prizes to be won!
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.