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Stargazing, yoga and drawing donkeys are among the many activities being offered to keep the kids amused at local libraries this school holidays.
The general event theme is Matariki, the winter appearance of the nine-star cluster also known as Pleiades, which will be officially celebrated with a public holiday on Friday, July 14.
Would-be young astronomers will have the chance to see Matariki and other wonders of the universe when Warkworth Library hosts the Auckland Astronomical Society for an astronomy evening on Wednesday, July 12. After an interactive presentation on the wonders of time and space, there will be a chance to spot stars and enjoy hot chocolate (weather permitting).
Also at Warkworth, a special yoga session for youngsters is being held on Monday, July 3. Instructor Rebecca Leaker will guide participants through a mixture of gentle movement, breathing, stillness and play, ably assisted by her own children, Amira, aged 7, and four-year-old Eli.
A mass of musical instruments will be able to be handled and played at Warkworth and Wellsford Libraries, when Jenny and Tanya from specialist Auckland music store KBB Music present fun have-a-go sessions.
And the donkeys of Highfield Garden Reserve at Algies Bay are being celebrated in a new book being put together by Mahurangi East Library, with children being invited to contribute their artwork and ideas on two days during the holidays.
In addition, there is the usual chance to win prizes by joining in with Auckland Libraries’ Beanstack reading challenge for students aged from 5-18. Participants will be invited to explore the themes of the nine stars of Matariki via reading lists and activities, then log what they’ve done on the Beanstack Tracker app. There is also a school holiday activity booklet available at local libraries.
What’s happening and where …
WARKWORTH
Monday, July 3, 10.30am
Matariki Yoga for Kids
Join instructor Rebecca Leaker for a mixture of movement, breathing, stillness and play
Tuesday, July 4, 10.30am
Puppet Making
A fun craft session learning about tuna (eels) and making a tuna puppet
Wednesday, July 5, 10.30am
LEGO Time
Challenges, games and heaps of fun with piles of everyone’s favourite building bricks
Thursday, July 6, 1.30pm
Working with Wool
Join the Warkworth Library knitting group to learn to knit and make a pom-pom mobile
Friday, July 7, 10.30am
Kiribati Independence Celebration
Enjoy stories, dance and music from this central Pacific island
Monday, July 10, 10.30am
Matariki Family Fun with Whaea Claire
Family fun activities, crafts and korero celebrating Māori culture and Matariki
Tuesday, July 11, 11am
Have a Go Music Experience
Join Jenny and Tanya from KBB Music to hear and play a huge number of different musical instruments
Wednesday, July 12, 5.30pm
Astronomy Night with Auckland Astronomical Society
An out-of-this-world interactive presentation that will take participants on a journey from Earth to the beginning of time and space, followed by star-gazing and hot chocolate
WELLSFORD
Saturday, July 1, 10am-2pm
Wellsford Library’s 10th Birthday Party!
Bring the family along to the library and help to celebrate 10 years of the new library building with games, crafts, food and music
Monday, July 3, 2pm
Badge Making
Create your very own badge for Matariki
Wednesday, July 5, 10.30am
Matariki Music
Join Whaea Marie for some musical fun with Māori waiata, poi and rakau
Thursday, July 6, 10.30am
Matariki Community Kākahu
Colour and decorate beautiful feathers and help to create a community Matariki cloak
Friday, July 7, 2-4.30pm
LEGO Club
Come along and create something new from a massive LEGO collection
Monday, July 10, 2pm
Matariki Manu Tukutuku – Make a Kite!
Use recycled materials to create a Matariki Kite
Tuesday, July 11, 1.30pm
Have a go Matariki Music with KBB
Meet Jenny and Tanya from KBB Music to learn about and play the huge range of musical instruments they will bring
Wednesday, July 12, 2pm
Games Unplugged
A fun assortment of drama and party games
MAHURANGI EAST
The library team at Snells Beach were still finalising details of their holiday activities line-up as Mahurangi Matters went to print, but a couple of special highlights are listed below.
For more information on other activities and events, visit the Mahurangi East Library Facebook page, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/school-holidays-events.aspx or just call in and ask staff what’s going on.
Monday, July 3 to Wednesday, July 5, 10am-4pm
Let’s Paint Our Native Birds!
Join local artists Desiree Alexandre and Shelly Gray to choose and paint a native bird cut-out in the community centre next to the library. The finished birds will be displayed on a giant panoramic forest mural. Children are welcome at any time and can stay for as long as they like.
Thursday, July 6 & Thursday, July 13, 10.30am-12 noon
Donkey Book Time
Come along and contribute to a new book being put together to celebrate the donkeys of Highfield Garden Reserve at Algies Bay. Make a donkey drawing, write a story or poem, or doodle a design for the project.
Info: www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/school-holidays.aspx
