Browse this section for links to information and resources available on our website, along with downloadable activities to enjoy with children.
Visit our Story Time @ Home, Baby Time @ Home, Toddler Time @ Home and Letter of the Week pages.
We invite you to celebrate your inner creativity this January school holidays during International Creativity Month. Taking inspiration from us each day, we challenge you to think outside the box and see what you can make. We have provided oodles of inspiration to keep you entertained for the entire month. View instructions below; video tutorials will be available to view on our YouTube channel from 1 January 2021. You can also see the entire program of activities here. We’d love to see what you come up with. Share your finished work with us by tagging us on social media (#GRL31days #geelonglibraries) or emailing us a picture!
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Day 1 - Crafty Bird Feeder Welcome birds into your garden with this handmade bird feeder, and embrace your inner twitcher as you spot your new feathered friends. [Click here] to find out how.
Day 2 - Your-Story Suitcase Today we show you how to make a memory suitcase, a place to keep your special things and memories safe. Choose carefully - this suitcase tells the story of you! Print a copy of the template [here] then watch the video [here].
Day 3 - DIY Lava Lamp Turn your kitchen into a laboratory today and try this cool experiment. Make your very own lava lamp using simple ingredients found in the pantry. Click [here] to find out how.
Day 4 - Art Spark Need a boost for your creativity? Use this SPARK as inspiration. Mix it up and choose your own artistic style. However you express yourself, we’d love to see what you create. Tag us on social media #GRL31days #geelonglibraries
Day 5 - Paper Clay Planter Today we will learn how to turn recycled paper into planter pots. We’ve used succulents in this activity because they grow from a cutting and don’t need much water. Click [here] to watch.
--------------------------------------------- Day 6 - Animation Creation In today’s activity you will hand draw your own animation. What will you create? Click [here] for instructions or [here] to view our short video.
Day 7 - Origami Crocodile Snap! Snap! Watch your fingers folding this origami paper crocodile. Click [here] for our video tutorial or download the instructions [here].
--------------------------------------------- Day 8 - Harry Potter Quiz Think you know Harry Potter? This is one for the true fans. Click [here] to test your knowledge. Good luck!
Day 9 - Kitchen Science - Icecream Spoil yourself today with this homemade ice cream experiment. Your taste buds will be dancing with delight. Click [here] to find the instructions.
Day 10 - Learn to Code with Scratch Jnr Watch our short [video] to discover the basics of Scratch Jr. Then fire up your imagination and hone your coding skills to create a simple character animation.
--------------------------------------------- Day 11 - Pirate Adventure Ahoy me hearties! Today you’ll make a pirate hat to wear on your adventures. Find the details [here]. But before you set sail on the high seas, you’ll need to make a map so you can find the hidden treasure! Click [here] to see how.
Day 12 - Art Spark Need a boost for your creativity? Use this SPARK as inspiration. Mix it up and choose your own artistic style. However you express yourself, we’d love to see what you create. Tag us on social media #GRL31days #geelonglibraries
Day 13 - Rainbow Chocolate Cups Today we’ll satisfy that chocolate craving! Have fun making these no-bake, delicious and nutricious rainbow chocolate cups. Find the instructions [here].
Day 14 - Alphabet Photography Today we invite you to take a closer look around your house, garden and neighbourhood. Find objects that resemble letters. Take a photo and then turn your alphabet photography into a meaningful quote. Find the instructions [here].
Day 15 - Slightly Spooky Quiz So… What do you know? Ghosts, witches and vampires! Click [here] to test your knowledge of our favourite spooky books. Good luck!
Day 16 - Slow Down Time Take some time out of your busy life today and discover how to Slow Down Time these holidays. Click [here] for activity ideas or [watch] our short clip for inspiration.
Day 17 - Handy Creatures Today we’ll introduce you to this clever drawing technique which uses your hand to create an animal outline. Click [here] to see how it’s done, then design and discover what other ‘hand-y’ creatures you can make!
Day 18 - DIY Tangram Puzzle What has a square, five triangles and a parallelogram? Why a tangram of course! Today you’ll make your own ancient Chinese puzzle. Click [here] to find out how.
Day 19 - Scratch Wellbeing Watch this [video] and discover a range of Wellbeing coding projects with Scratch. Code a stress ball, make a mesmerising butterfly garden or choose another project. It’s up to you.
Day 20 - Fossil Prints Today we’ll discover why fossils are important. Then have fun making your own fossils with salt dough. Click [here] to find out more.
Day 21 - Art Spark Need a boost for your creativity? Use this SPARK as inspiration. Mix it up and choose your own artistic style. However you express yourself, we’d love to see what you create. Tag us on social media #GRL31days #geelonglibraries
Day 22 - Shelf Friends Keep all your books in their place! Today we’ll use simple maths concepts and basic craft materials to make a pair of book ends. Click [here] for the instructions.
Day 23 - Sci-Fi Bookmarks Today we’re making this awesome Sci-Fi bookmark decorated with secret messages in Aurebesh, the language of Star Wars. Watch this [video] to find out how.
Day 24 - Peppermint Slice Indulge your sweet tooth today with this super easy, no-bake peppermint slice. Click [here] for the recipe.
Day 25 - Marvel Universe Quiz Think you’re a Marvel expert? Test your knowledge in our online quiz. Click [here] to start. Good luck!
Day 26 - Art Spark Need a boost for your creativity? Use this SPARK as inspiration. Mix it up and choose your own artistic style. However you express yourself, we’d love to see what you create. Tag us on social media #GRL31days #geelonglibraries
Day 27 - Backyard Bee Hotel Some bees live in hives, but other native bees are solitary and live on their own. You can make them comfortable in your garden by building a native bee hotel. Let’s get buzzing! Click [here] for your instructions.
Day 28 - Pitta Bread Pizza Try these simple homemade pizza’s to satisfy your hunger these holidays. But be warned, they are so good, everyone will want one! Click [here] for our simple step-by-step instructions.
Day 29 - Hello Lighthouse Take inspiration from the beautiful illustrations in Sophie Blackall’s book ‘Hello Lighthouse’ and create your own lighthouse inspired artwork. Click [here] for step-by-step instructions.
Day 30 - Northern Lights Capture the magic of an aurora borealis today with pastel chalk art. Illuminate the night sky and bring to life your very own light-show landscape. Click [here] to find out how.
Day 31 - Remix Your Day Feel like every day is the same? Maybe it’s time to REMIX your day. Download Keezy and record the sounds of your life. Now take control and remix! Click [here] to find out how.
Looking for an adventure these school holidays? Check out our range of video tutorials and activities, and discover something for everyone to enjoy.
An Unexpected Adventure
Enjoy wonderful tales of unexpected adventures, and take inspiration from the stories to create, print and explore.
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Possum Magic
Enjoy some fun activities based on Possum Magic by Mem Fox. Take a trip around the lamington plate, like Hush and Granma Poss, or make a magical drawing with the power of invisibility.
Code Your Own Adventure
Learn to create your own scenes and characters, and then send them on an adventure as you learn to code with ScratchJr.
• Watch the video here • See the instructions here
Totally Tubular Jungle Adventures
Enjoy a special school holiday Story Time with 'Who Woke the Baby', by Jane Clark. Then make your own jungle with an elephant, snake and monkey from everyday items you're likely to have around the house.
Book details: 'Who Woke the Baby', by Jane Clark, illustrated by Charles Fuge, published by Nosy Crow.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Do you love the story We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen? Enjoy our special stop motion animation tribute, and then have fun with the extra activities inspired by this classic tale.
Friendship Puzzle Bracelets
Make your own puzzle piece bracelets that fit together just like pieces of a jigsaw! Each piece is unique but when joined together they make something beautiful. Send pieces of the puzzle to your friends so they can make their own bracelet that interlocks with yours.
Cooking Adventures
Travel the world without leaving home on a cooking adventure. Design your very own recipe journal with recycled materials, and fill it with tasty, traditional recipes from around the world.
Boredom Busters
Looking for some fun activities to do this school holidays? Learn how to make a colourful balloon bowl, play a wild and whacky drawing game or go on a scavenger hunt nature walk.
Join us for some fun, hands on science activities to help keep the kids entertained. You can learn why sharks float or how to clean up an oil spill, or make your very own exploding volcano or wave in a bottle - and more! Explore the activities below by clicking on the titles. These activities can all be done at your own pace and at a time that suits your family.
Ocean Science Learn all about Ocean Science at home with this series of hands-on experiments for little fingers. Find out about the best way to clean up an oil spill, why sharks float and how penguins stay warm and dry.
Wind and Wave Power Get interested in alternative energy sources with these interactive science activities. Water and wind are both powerful forces in nature. Find out how to harness the power of wind and witness the ocean in action with your very own wave in a bottle.
What's With Blubber? Ever wondered why whales, seals and other animals don't get cold while swimming? Welcome to the wonderfully wobbly world of blubber! Explore the wondrous way blubber can help keep you warm by creating your very own blubber glove! Challenge yourself and your family to see how long you can stay submerged.
Exploding Volcano! Hold onto your hats, this thing is about to blow! Creating a chemical reaction in your kitchen is easier than you think. Make an exploding volcano using a few easy to find ingredients. Are you brave enough to take the challenge?
Discover Vikings, dragons, mythical creatures and more these school holidays, and keep the kids entertained with a range of fun and engaging activities. Follow the links below to access these great online activities.
Make your own pom-pom creature Learn how to make fluffy pom-poms and turn them into your own mythical creatures. Ages 5+
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Mythbusters Quiz Challenge your family and friends, and test your own knowledge of myths, legends and fables in our Myth-busting Quiz. Take the quiz, do the colouring sheet and a word search and check out out the reading list! Ages 5+
Tame Your Dragon Put on your armour, gather your shield and train your dragon! But first you’ll have to find one. In this activity you can make your own fire-breathing dragon and shield out of recycled materials. Age 8+
Mythical Mashup Learn to make your own mythical hybrid beast by combining parts of real and imaginary animals, just like those found in many ancient artefacts. Ages 8+
All Things Vikings! Use recycled cardboard to make your own Viking armour and then test your knowledge with our Vikings quiz. All ages. ------------------------
Cultural Connections Enjoy wondrous tales of other places and other cultures from Story Box Library, and relive the delight by creating your own keepsakes from your favourite stories, including a cardboard car, wind charm, paper plate mask and a story scroll! All ages.
Introducing ‘Preschool Science Club @ Home’! This self-paced video series aims to guide you you and your child through an exploration of scientific enquiry methods together, using everyday objects found in your home. Explore collecting, measuring and experimenting as we guide you through each topic with activities to complete and prompts that will nurture your budding little scientist. Appropriate for children aged 3-5 years. Watch the videos in order below, or you can see all the videos on our YouTube playlist.
The program is designed to be delivered as a weekly LEGO® challenge. Each video set’s a new challenge for the week and encourages participants to create their own masterpieces.
Watch the videos in order below, or you can see all the videos on our YouTube playlist.
