Submit your article
Give a ThumbsUp
Archive

Tag: School Holiday Programmes

  • Southfield Library Delivers a Fun-Filled School Holiday Programme

    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

  • Bridgetown Library’s June School Holiday Magic

    The BINGO Waste Management team turning environmental responsibility into a playful challenge

    Bridgetown Library turned the June/July school holidays into a kaleidoscope of learning, laughter and lively adventures. Children were treated to a programme that blended fun with meaningful lessons and the results were nothing short of delightful.

    The PDSA visit had tails wagging and hearts melting, as little ones learnt about responsible pet ownership and the importance of reporting animal abuse. The highlight? Meeting the friendly dogs who stole the show with their wagging enthusiasm. On Popcorn Day, the library transformed into a mini cinema, complete with crunchy popcorn and wide-eyed movie magic.

    The SAPS session brought important conversations to the fore, guiding children through the challenges of peer pressure, drugs and gangsterism. Through interactive discussions, the young audience walked away empowered to make positive choices.

    Traffic Services rolled in with an engaging road safety programme, teaching children the five golden rules before crossing the road. Educational gifts at the end added sparkle to the lesson. Creativity flowed during colouring and crossword puzzle activities, while the False Bay Nature Reserve session brought Cape Town’s wildlife to life. Children marvelled at shells and horns, connecting with the natural world in a hands-on way.

    Games Day was a whirlwind of 30 seconds, chess, dominoes and musical chairs – proving that friendly competition and laughter are the perfect holiday companions. Finally, the BINGO Waste Management team turned environmental responsibility into a playful challenge, teaching the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and in a way that was both fun and impactful.

    From popcorn to paw prints, Bridgetown Library’s June/July school holiday programme reminded us that learning can be joyful, community-driven and sprinkled with just the right amount of whimsy.

    By Robin Nicole Smith

    Children’s Librarian

    Bridgetown Library

  • Tygerberg Nature Reserve Entertains and Educates Young Learners at Heideveld Library

    Tygerberg Nature Reserve staff showcasing the different types of wildlife found at Cape Town reserves

    On Thursday, 2 April 2026, Heideveld Library had the pleasure of hosting Tygerberg Nature Reserve as part of its school holiday programme activities. Facilitators Amy and Naeem, presented an engaging educational session for the children, bringing along a variety of stuffed animals and reptiles to introduce learners to different animal species.

    The facilitators shared interesting facts about each animal and reptile, creating an interactive learning experience, and the children were later divided into groups to participate in fun educational activities. One group listened to animal descriptions provided by the facilitators, drew the animals being described and encouraged others to guess which animals they had illustrated.

    A fun activity with children identifying different animals

    Another group participated in an activity where they identified different animals from pictures, while younger children were given an opportunity to draw their favourite animals. The programme was both informative and enjoyable, with children expressing how much they enjoyed learning about the environment and sharing their excitement for a future visit from Tygerberg Nature Reserve.

    The holiday programmes were organised by Gale, who expressed appreciation for the successful partnership and looks forward to welcoming both organisation’s again in future.

    By: Gale Pietersen

    Senior Library Assistant

    Heideveld Library