School Holiday Program_Summer 2026

BALLARAT LIBRARIES

SUMMER

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The City of Ballarat acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we live, work, learn and play on. Within our Council boundaries, the Wadawurrung People are the Traditional Owners south of the Great Dividing Range and to the north the Dja Dja Wurrung People are the Traditional Owners.

We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their respective Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

The City of Ballarat Libraries also acknowledges and respects the rich history of tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and storytelling.

We commit to providing culturally safe public spaces and services in the City of Ballarat Libraries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we recognise and understand our responsibility in relation to the sensitivity and significance of some of our collection materials.

FUN, FREE AND SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Plan your summer of fun at Ballarat Libraries. Join us for a wonderful range of free activities that will keep the whole family entertained these school holidays.

ALL AGES

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AGES 4-7

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AGES 8-12

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AGES 12+

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AGES 15+

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LEARN AND PLAY TOGETHER Enjoy exploring and discovering together. All sessions for children under 12 are designed to be co-learning activities where parents and carers participate as core support for their child.

Age ranges are given as an indication of program suitability and safety, please check prior to booking. Children under the age of 12 cannot be left unattended.

If you are unable to attend a booked session, please contact the library, so that your place can be offered to another family.

BOOKINGS OPEN MONDAY 29 DECEMBER Visit the Ballarat Libraries website

libraries.ballarat.vic.gov.au/school-holidays 3

ALL AGES

READY, SET, READ! What’s better than a summer spent reading?

Joining the BIG Summer Read!

If you are aged 0-18, join the BIG Summer Read for your chance to WIN! Read and log at least 5 books or 5 days of reading and be in the draw to win some fantastic prizes!

Register online or collect a paper reading log at your closest library. Select Central Highlands Libraries as your local library.

Register now readbooks.com.au/bsr

The competition starts on 1 December 2025 and closes on 31 January 2026.

Psst… All reading counts! Books, audiobooks, eBooks, or reading with an adult.

Winners and their nominated Library Service will be notified via email.

Terms and Conditions can be found at readbooks.com.au/bsr

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Activities celebrating creativity, self-expression and art-making are coming to over 160 locations across Victoria, including Ballarat Library.

There’s fun to be had and art to make for every age!

Visit NGV.Melbourne/Kids to find out more.

ALL AGES

Get ready to party with NGV Kids on Tour these school holidays.

All ages Friday 5 January Sunday 11 January Ballarat Library Drop-in. No bookings required.

This creative and beautifully illustrated children’s book is set in the enchanting grasslands of Victoria. The story aims to foster a love for the environment by encouraging future generations to cherish and protect our precious landscapes from an early age.

Join us for a special Storytime with authors May Fu and John Ravesi as they read their new book Billie and the Blue Banded Bee.

Best suited to primary school aged children Monday 12 January 10.30-11.30am

Sebastopol Library

Bookings essential and required for all attendees.

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ALL AGES

Volcano Dreaming at Sebastopol Library The Volcano Dreaming exhibition is coming to Sebastopol Library!

Learn about the precarious existence of one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, the wildflower grasslands of the Victorian volcanic plains.

Volcano Dreaming merges more than 3000 photographs of plants and animals to showcase each of the key habitat types, and the complex relationships of this region’s biodiversity.

All through January during library open hours Sebastopol Library No bookings required.

Art with BADAC Join us for a cultural art workshop with Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative. You’ll make your own piece while learning about the techniques Aboriginal people use to create art representing their mob and area.

Friday 16 January 10.30-11.30am Djila-tjarriu Community Hub Bookings required Friday 23 January 10.30-11.30am Sebastopol Library Bookings requireduired for

Volcano Dreaming Craft Activities

Family Movie Screening: The Secret Garden (2020).

Drop into Sebastopol Library for creative experiences inspired by the Volcano Dreaming exhibition.

Explore our local landscape and animals through fun, hands-on craft activities designed for kids and their grown-ups.

Stay for a few minutes or the whole day - it’s up to you!

Get cosy, munch on popcorn, and settle in for a fun-filled family movie screening.

Monday 5 January Saturday 24 January Sebastopol Library No bookings required.

Wednesday 21 January 4.30-6.30pm Ballarat Library Bookings required Please book for all people in attendance (1 ticket per person)

Junior Explorers Nature Seek and Find

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Designed by watercolour artist and environmental educator, Claire Mosley, our Junior Explorers nature seek and find card is inspired by the North Gardens wetlands at Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

Use the card when out exploring to spot our local plants and animals and create a mindful connection with nature. Pick up your card at Ballarat, Sebastopol or Wendouree Libraries, or from the Robert Clark Horticultural Centre at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. *While stocks last

ALL AGES

PART Y! It’s the final chapter!

The BIG Summer Read is almost over.

Join us for a wrap up party with snacks, chats and book bag decorating to celebrate a summer well read.

Have you logged your 5 books or 5 days of reading?

There’s still time to complete the BIG Summer Read.

Register online or collect a paper reading log at your closest library.

Register now readbooks.com.au/bsr

Ages 5-18 Tuesday 20 January 10.30am-12pm Ballarat Library Bookings required

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AGES 4-7 Summer Collage What does summertime mean for you? Put your ideas, thoughts and memories into a collage using various art materials and share your summer stories.

Ages 4-8 Tuesday 13 January 2-3pm 3.30-4.30pm Ballarat Library Bookings required

Underwater Diorama Hear a fishy story and imagine all things underwater, in our oceans, rivers and wetlands. Create your own box diorama to tell your underwater story using craft supplies and recycled materials.

Ages 4-8 Wednesday 14 January Wednesday 21 January 10.30-11.30am Wendouree Library 8

Bookings required

Chill & Play: Summer Edition Beat the summer heat at the library! Drop-in for an afternoon of fun with board games, puzzles and creative activities.

Ages 4-10 Thursday 22 January 2-4pm Ballarat Library Drop-in. No bookings required. attendees.

AGES 8-12

Air Toobz Launch into summer with Air Toobz. Arrange the tubes and connectors in any way you can imagine then, switch on the fan and let the fun begin!

Monday 12 January Monday 19 January 2-3pm Wendouree Library Bookings required.

Pom-Pom Catapults and Cannons

Make your own Video Game What’s better than playing video games? Making your own! Join us at Ballarat Library and learn to create your own virtual world.

Ages 8-12 Friday 16 January Friday 23 January 3-4pm Ballarat Library Bookings required.

Learn to make a pop-pom cannon out of balloons and a pop-pom catapult out of icy-pole sticks in this STEM session that’s sure to be fodder for fun!

Ages 8-12 Wednesday 14 January 10-11am Ballarat Library Bookings required.

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AGES 12+ ONLY

3D Architecture Learn about architectural modelling, design and build a sustainable house of the future using the Arckit building studio.

STEM Maker Project

Presented in partnership with The Brainary, The STEM Maker Project aims to support young people aged 12-18 to explore STEM with hands-on learning opportunities using the latest technology.

Tuesday 13 January 10-11.30am Lucas Community Hub Thursday 15 January 10-11.30am Ballarat Library

Scan the QR code below for more information and to register for your preferred sessions.

Ages 12-18 Bookings required via The Brainary

VR & 3D Game Design Explore the exciting world of Virtual Reality within ClassVR and create your own 3D interactive gaming environment using Delightex.

Tuesday 6 January 10-11.30am Lucas Community Hub Thursday 8 January 10-11.30am Ballarat Library 10

STEM Solutions for Local Issues Identify local sustainability issues, construct and program your solution using coding with micro:bit.

Tuesday 20 January 10-11.30am Lucas Community Hub Thursday 22 January 10-11.30am Ballarat Library

All Day D&D Come play an extended session of Dungeons and Dragons – face challenges, defeat the monsters, collect the treasure and complete the quest in a single day. Played over 2 x 2-hour sessions with a lunch break in between.

Ages 12-18 Tuesday 13 January 10am-12pm and 1-3pm with a lunch break in between.

Ballarat Library Bookings optional.

Register to receive a reminder

The Big Board Game Afternoon We’ve pulled out some of our more challenging and intensive board games for you to learn and play. Come and try Zombiecide: Black Plague, Tower of Madness or Pandemic in this extended 3-hour session.

Ages 12-18 Tuesday 20 January 2-5pm Ballarat Library Bookings optional.

Register to receive a reminder

Get ready for Virtual Reality with Ballarat Library’s Virtual Reality Safety Induction. This guided session will take you through the safety features and basic software controls to get you up and playing in no time.

Virtual Reality Safety Inductions are for library members who are 15 years or older.

AGES 15+

Virtual Reality Safety Induction

Monday 12 January Thursday 15 January Monday 19 January Thursday 22 January 10-11am Ballarat Library Bookings required*

Virtual Reality Free Play Take your next steps in Virtual Reality with Ballarat Library’s Virtual Reality Free Play sessions. These sessions have been designed to allow you to explore a range of experiences and apps at your own pace. This is a self-guided program, but staff will be on-hand should you require assistance.

Virtual Reality Free Play sessions are for library members who are 15 years or older and have completed a Virtual Reality Safety Induction.

Monday 12 January Thursday 15 January Monday 19 January Thursday 22 January 11am-12pm | 12-1pm Ballarat Library Bookings required*

*Virtual Reality may not be suitable for everyone. Before completing your booking, please review the medical conditions listed in the checkout questions that could affect your ability to participate.

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Ballarat Libraries Libraries.ballarat.vic.gov.au ballaratlibraries@ballarat.vic.gov.au @ballaratlibraries @ballaratlibraries

Ballarat Library 5338 6850 178 Doveton Street North, Ballarat Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am-6pm Wednesday 9.30am-7pm Saturday 9.30am-4pm Sunday 1-4pm

Sebastopol Library 5335 7985 181 Albert Street, Sebastopol Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9.30am-5pm Thursday 9.30am-8pm Saturday 9.30am-12pm Sunday closed

Wendouree Library 5339 3505 Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm Saturday 9.30am-12pm Sunday closed

Library Outreach Lucas Library Kiosk at Lucas Community Hub 17 Coltman Plaza, Lucas Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

Buninyong Buninyong Community House 407 Warrenheip Street Thursdays 2–5pm

Ballarat Research Hub at Eureka (BRHAE) 5333 0306 102 Stawell Street South Ballarat East Monday-Thursday 10am-4.30pm

Community Hubs Djila-tjarriu Community Hub 5329 1620 18 Donegal Drive, Alfredton Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

Lucas Community Hub 5329 1620 17 Coltman Plaza, Lucas Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

BOOKINGS OPEN MONDAY 29 DECEMBER libraries.ballarat.vic.gov.au/school-holidays