January School Holidays at the Libraries
Explore More in 2024
Join the Libraries for a range of fun activities to capture children’s imagination and inspire new adventures this Summer. Book into the Explore More activities below and visit the library to complete the adventure Treasure Hunt. And if that isn’t enough, don’t forget to register for the Summer Reading Quest.
Bookings for the Explore More activities open online on Monday 18 December, 9.30am, at a cost of $4.00 per child per activity.
Please note:
- Bookings and online payment are essential, there will be no refunds issued.
- Parents/carers of children under 12 years are required by library policy to remain in the building while their children attend the event.
- There is a maximum of three events per child.
Activities on offer – bookings essential
Blast from the Past
Thursday 4 January, 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Woodvale Library
Do your children know what cassette tapes, floppy discs, typewriters and corded telephones are? Ignite their curiosity and join Nicola from Play in the Past for a fun afternoon exploring, learning and playing with a wide range of vintage items. Bring history to life and go RETRO. Suitable for ages 5 – 12 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Kite Kinetics – FULLY BOOKED
Friday 5 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Joondalup Library
Create and decorate your own Bermuda hexagon kite with master kite-maker Michael Alvares. Children will also learn about the history of kites and play games outside with Michael’s own special kites. Suitable for ages 6 – 12 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Summer ArtPlay
Session 1: Monday 8 January, 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Woodvale Library. Book via Ticketbooth. FULLY BOOKED
Session 2: Wednesday 24 January, 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Duncraig Library. Book via Ticketbooth. FULLY BOOKED
Enjoy an arty afternoon with Gabrielle from Bundabubs and decorate your own Summer bucket hat using fabric paints and pens. Express your creative side with a wide range of craft materials and fun collaborative painting activities. It’s art and play combined – perfect for a Summers day! Suitable for ages 5 – 10 years
Special FX Makeup
Session 1: Tuesday 9 January, 10.00am – 12.00pm, Duncraig Library. Book via Ticketbooth. FULLY BOOKED
Session 2: Tuesday 9 January, 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Joondalup Library. Book via Ticketbooth. FULLY BOOKED
Have you ever wondered why injuries look so realistic in movies and on TV? In this two-hour hands-on workshop, you will learn how to use stage makeup to create fake burns and bruises on your skin. Discover techniques used by industry professionals and have fun working with fake blood and latex. Beware – not for the faint hearted. Suitable for ages 9 – 12 years.
I’d Rather Eat Chocolate
Wednesday 10 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Whitford Library
Meet Narelle Wynter, local author of the fabulous picture book I’d Rather Eat Chocolate, and enjoy a fun session of storytelling, word games and activities.
The book is a humorous dinner-time tale of vegetable discovery, so if you have a picky eater, or simply want to have fun reading and playing with words, this session is for you. Explore rhyming words and memory-recall with bongo drums and fun games, then create a mini greenhouse to grow your own vegetables at home. Suitable for ages 3 – 6 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Marvellous Musical – FULLY BOOKED
Friday 12 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Duncraig Library
Join Miss Mary on a storytelling adventure as she travels to a mysterious faraway land. Jump aboard your flying carpet and enjoy an interactive show filled with singing, dancing, bubbles and musical instruments. Suitable for ages 3 – 7 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Junk Bugs – FULLY BOOKED
Friday 12 January, 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Whitford Library
Join Peg Davies and discover the fun side of recycling. Let your imagination run wild and create weird and wonderful bugs out of recycled materials collected from ReMida reuse centre. Suitable for ages 5 – 12 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Puzzle Art
Monday 15 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Woodvale Library
Create a masterpiece on a blank jigsaw puzzle or use old puzzle pieces to piece together a work of art. Children will explore artistic themes and styles for inspiration before tapping into their creative sides. Suitable for ages 7 – 12 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Pyjama Story Time and Teddy Bear Sleepover
Monday 15 January, 5.00pm – 6.00pm
Joondalup Library
FREE EVENT
Do you ever wonder what happens at the library when it’s closed? Bring your stuffed animal or other favourite toy to Joondalup Library and join us for a special Pyjama Story Time. You can then leave your Teddy at the Library for a night-time Sleepover. Pick up your special friend the next day from the Library and see photos of their adventures during the night. Who knows what mischief they will get into after-hours.
Register via Ticketbooth.
Summer Sunbeams – FULLY BOOKED
Tuesday 16 January, 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Woodvale Library
Summer is here. UV Light helps our skin produce vitamin D, but it can also cause sunburn. In this fun workshop, you will discover rainbows of refracted light, how to play safe with sunbeams, and make your very own UV reactive bracelet to wear.
Suitable for ages 5 – 12 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Buzz about Bees – FULLY BOOKED
Wednesday 17 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Whitford Library
Although bees are small, they have a huge impact on the planet. In this interactive workshop, you will learn about how bees work together as a hive, their life and work cycle, how to spot queen bees, and the importance of pollinators in the garden. You’ll also discover how to be an apiarist with bee keeping equipment, hives and honey collection. Let’s get buzzing about bees! Suitable for ages 5 – 10 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Chameleon Capers
Friday 19 January, 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Duncraig Library
Come along to learn about chameleons and how they are thriving in an African backyard bushland. Create your own creatures to take home and discover what happens on a chameleon safari. Suitable for ages 7 – 12 years
Book via Ticketbooth.
Mini Terrariums – FULLY BOOKED
Monday 22 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Joondalup Library
Green thumbs of all abilities are invited to an interactive workshop all about the wonders of water and sustainable gardening. Discover splashy fun facts about the water cycle and make your own mini terrarium to take home. Suitable for ages 5 – 12 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Grand Designs – FULLY BOOKED
Tuesday 23 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Whitford Library
Calling all creatives and future architects. Come along and be inspired by the designer of the Sydney Opera House and make your own miniature model of this iconic Australian building. Suitable for ages 8 – 12 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Getting to School Puppet Show
Monday 29 January, 10.00am – 11.00am
Woodvale Library
Hold onto your seats. Come on a wild ride in Professor Tells-You-Stuff’s time machine to explore all the ways we can travel to school safely. Performed by Constable Care, this hilarious blend of acting and puppetry makes road safety fun and is the perfect show for the start of the new school year. Suitable for ages 4 – 8 years.
Book via Ticketbooth.
Free activities – no bookings required
Treasure Hunt
All Libraries
Visit the Libraries any time during the school holidays and join in the special adventure themed Treasure Hunt. You could win a Dymocks book voucher.
Summer Reading Quest
All Libraries
Pick up a Summer Reading Quest booklet from the Library and say goodbye to Summer boredom. Complete fun literacy activities and record the amount you read over the Summer to go in the draw to win some awesome prizes. Visit the City’s website for more information.
Story Time
All Libraries
Come and enjoy stories, songs and creative play at our regular story time sessions.
Suitable for children 2 – 4 years. Visit the City’s website for more information.
Holiday Toddler Time
Woodvale Library
Thursday 11 January, 10.00am
Thursday 18 January, 10.00am
Thursday 25 January, 10.00am
Join in these special holiday sessions, with stories, singing, movement and active play. Suitable for children 18 – 30 months.
To keep up to date with activities in the school holidays subscribe to the Libraries eNewsletter and follow the Libraries on Facebook and Instagram.