WARIALDA LIBRARY HOSTS SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

Submitted by Helen Seage

These school holidays, the Warialda Library has hosted various activities for local children, who were invited to attend the library from 11am to 4pm on various days for some Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), craft and fun.

Commencing on Tuesday 4 July, children created some marvellous sculptures during challenges set for them by library staff. As it was a rainy day and participants could not go to the park for lunch, they enjoyed watching a movie during their break. Following lunch they made sherbet and then researched the chemical reactions as to why sherbet is fizzy, sour and sweet all at the same time.

The children had to crack a code using double agent materials, use spy glasses to read a clue, and cross a laser beam corridor to get more clues before being able to unlock and activate the security bot. Once they had worked together to achieve this goal the then had to drive their security bot through Headquarters to unlock a switch to retrieve stolen jewels. Once participants had all retrieved their jewels they were able to spend time undertaking security bot racing.

On the Thursday following, there was a spontaneous craft session for the older children while their younger siblings visited the Warialda Toy Library, where participants made some beautiful dream catchers.

Tuesday of week two of the holidays had children attend the library for some more STEM, craft and fun, where they relished in a structure challenge made from different materials. All were thrilled to walk to and have lunch at Captain Cook Park, run around and play some games including the classic game of elastics. The afternoon was spent making everyone’s favourite - slime.

On Wednesday 12 July 2023, Central Northern Regional Library (CNRL) staff from Tamworth visited Warialda Library to host an hour of fun with local children. This program is designed especially for children aged over nine.

These programs are designed by the staff at CNRL Tamworth and are hosted every school holidays at either Bingara or Warialda Libraries in conjunction with other libraries under the CNRL banner. The programs are both entertaining and educational. Furthermore, they are free.

So next school holidays, be sure to check out your local library and see what they have to offer - you might be surprised!