Just in time for the summer school holidays, State Library Victoria’s brand new Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter is now open and it’s packed full of books, fun and games for kids up to 12 years old.
A selection of drop-in activities will be available all summer long, including zine making, dress-ups, storyboard making, cards, board games and of course, plenty of books to curl up with – no booking or payment required.
A Giant Zine Project will take place from late December 2019, offering kids aged 8-12 the chance to contribute to a collective zine which will be published as an e-zine at the end of the holidays.
Creativity is encouraged with a Story-Go-Round installation by the Soft Stories Art Collective (from 19 December 2019). Kids can add a drawing to the spinning world of the Story-Go-Round, then write about it.
Other summer activities include:
Hidden stories in the Library: Tuesday 14 January 2020, 5–7pm
Inspired by the Library’s collection of more than 5 million items, kids can create characters, settings and rules for their own worlds. Facilitated by 100 Story Building for children aged 5–8 years, their parents and carers.
Create your own adventure! Thursday 16 January 2020, 5–7pm
Participants are invited to create choose-your-own-adventure style stories using twine – an open-source tool for telling interactive, nonlinear stories. Facilitated by 100 Story Building for children 9–12 years, their parents and carers.
Toddler tunes: Monday 20 and Monday 27 January 2020, 10.30am
Rhythm, melody and stories combine to create engaging entertainment for toddlers. For children aged 18 months to 3 years, their parents and carers.
Baby bounce: Wednesday 22 January 2020, 10.30am; Friday 24 January 2020, 11.30am; Saturday 25 January 2020, 10.30am; Wednesday 29 January 2020, 10.30am; Friday 31 January 2020, 11.30am
It’s never too early to start reading and sharing a love of books. Babies and toddlers aged 18 months and under, their parents and carers are invited to join in a fun, interactive session of stories, songs and rhymes.
Storytime: Friday 24 January 2020, 10.30am; Saturday 25 January 2020, 11.30am; Friday 31 January 2020, 10.30am
Pre-schoolers can share the delight of stories, songs, play and craft activities at Storytime, aimed at kids aged 3–5, their parents and carers.
Toddler Tales: Wednesday 22 and Wednesday 29 January 2020, 11.30am
This lively session will be filled with favourite stories, interactive songs and fun rhymes. For children aged 18 months to 3 years, their parents and carers.
Source: State Library Victoria