Southfield Library kept young minds engaged and entertained throughout the June and July school holidays with a vibrant programme of educational, creative and interactive activities that attracted children and families from across the community. From indigenous games and arts and crafts to ocean conservation awareness and digital experiences, the programme offered something for everyone.
The holiday programme kicked off with an Indigenous Games Day, where children had the opportunity to learn and play traditional games such as five stones and elastic, combining fun with cultural heritage and active play.
A series of ocean-themed activities proved especially popular. During the Ocean Collage Craft Day, 42 children participated in a creative morning of cutting, colouring and collage-making. The enthusiastic response saw families arriving early and staying well beyond the scheduled programme time. The activity not only encouraged creativity but also strengthened community connections, introduced new families to library services and promoted library membership and borrowing opportunities.
Demand remained high during a second ocean-themed Craft Day, where participants coloured and painted plaster-of-paris ocean creatures. The library prepared additional materials to accommodate the strong turnout and used the opportunity to highlight other services, including orientation visits and digital literacy support.
Environmental education formed a key part of the programme. In celebration of Shark Awareness Day, children enjoyed an engaging presentation from Shark Spotters, complete with stories, activities and an immersive underwater virtual reality experience. Later in the holidays, representatives from SANCOB visited the library to teach children about penguin conservation and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
The programme concluded with a lively Arcade Day, featuring video games, foosball, LEGO building and colouring activities, giving children a chance to socialise, collaborate and enjoy some friendly competition.
Through a combination of learning, creativity and fun, Southfield Library’s winter holiday programme successfully fostered community engagement, supported child development and showcased the library as a welcoming space for families to connect, explore and grow.
By Charmaine Fritz PL(SA) – Librarian
Southfield Library