Banish school holiday boredom with State Library Victoria

As Victorians face another school holidays in lockdown, State Library Victoria has launched a swathe of fun, free, programs to keep kids entertained, including a live dress-up disco, interactive craft workshops with acclaimed author and illustrator Tai Snaith, online puzzles, games, story talks and more. 

The free online programs for children age 3-12 are designed to inspire creativity, imagination and interactive play, bringing fun to lounge rooms and connecting families across the state.

Bookings are open now at slv.vic.gov.au/learn for the full school holiday program outlined below.

STORY TALKS WITH MAT LARKIN
Mat Larkin, author of The Orchard Underground, joins Story Talks for a lively series of bite-sized videos in which he introduces kids to his wild and weird characters, teaches them how to generate creative ideas and prompts them to explore that all-important question: what do penguins want? This program is supported by Gandel Philanthropy.
When: Launches Thursday, 10 September 11:00am
Where: View the series via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 8-12

THE SCIENCE OF MAGIC
Magician extraordinaire and author Nicholas J Johnson shares the science behind magic in a four-part video series on the art of deception. Nicholas demonstrates magic tricks like rope folding and card disappearing, with an accompanying activity to engage children in both the magic trick and the science behind it. This program was made possible with the help of the Lewin Family Fund.
When: Now
Where: Watch the series any time via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 9-12

STORYTIME
Share in the delight of stories, songs, play and craft activities with Storytime, an engaging story telling experience for little ones. The Library has partnered with Victoria Together for a special live-streamed series of Storytime, guided by one of our lovely librarians and a local guest author.
When: Every Wednesday, 9:30am
Where: Tune in to the live Storytime session via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 3 - 5

BABY BOUNCE 
Designed to foster a love of reading and books from an early age, Baby Bounce is a fun, interactive session of stories, songs and rhymes. The live-streamed series runs every week, and is supported by Gandel Philanthropy.
When: Every Thursday and Saturday, 9:30am
Where: Tune in to the live session via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 0 – 18 months

STORY TALKS WITH SALLY RIPPIN
In this three-part series Sally Rippin, author of Billie B Brown and Polly and Buster, answers questions about her amazing books, loveable characters and where her ideas spring from. Children are invited to have a peek into Sally’s world and jumpstart their imaginations with fun challenges set at the end of each video. This program is supported by Gandel Philanthropy.
When: Now
Where: View the series via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 6 - 10

STORY TALKS WITH DAVINA BELL AND ALLISON COLPOYS
In this fun-filled four-part video series, the author-illustrator duo behind All the ways to be smart and The underwater fancy-dress parade Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys share where they get their ideas from, and how they turn them into books. Each video concludes with an activity to nurture literacy and imagination in young people. This program is supported by Gandel Philanthropy.
When: Now 
Where: View the series via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 6 - 10

STORY TALKS WITH NAT AMOORE
Author of The power of positive pranking and Secrets of a schoolyard millionaire, Nat Amoore, gets tested on her spontaneous storytelling powers in this four-part video series with engaging activities to get the creative juices flowing. Nat also shares her story about making the career leap from acrobat to author and what positive pranking means. This program is supported by Gandel Philanthropy.
When: Now
Where: View the series via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 7-12

STORYTIME ACTIVITY SHEETS
Make story time a fun and interactive experience with the Library’s Storytime activity sheets. There will be 21 engaging arts and crafts ideas to explore, each one inspired by a different children’s book. From creating bushland collages to drawing aliens and everything in between, there will be an activity and book recommendation for all kinds of curious and creative minds.
When: Launches Monday, 14 September 9:00am
Where: Download the sheets anytime from the launch date via the Library website
Who: Suitable for ages 3 - 5

ONLINE JIGSAW
With the opportunity to select your own level of difficulty by changing the number of pieces, the Library’s online jigsaw puzzles can be enjoyed by the whole family. Choose from five image variations that showcase the Library’s stunning spaces and collection.
When: Launches Monday, 14 September 9:00am
Where: Enjoy the jigsaw anytime from the launch date via the Library website
Who: Suitable for ages 5 - 12

DRESS-UP DISCO 
Kicking off the holidays in style, the Library will host a live Zoom disco party for the whole family to enjoy. Renowned comedian and DJ Andrew McClelland will be spinning classic tunes from pop to soul, dance and hip hop from the 50s to the 00s. Kids are encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character to go in the running to win a Readings book voucher.
When: Friday, 18 September 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Registrations are now open via the web page
Who: Suitable for ages 5 – 12

BUILD A DREAMSCAPE WITH TAI SNAITH
Acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Tai Snaith will encourage kids and parents alike to delve deep into their imaginations and create the place of their dreams in this interactive workshop. Referencing classic books like Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and oddities found in nature and natural history books, Tai will guide viewers through an easy four-part process to create their very own fictional dreamscape with watercolours, paper and glue.
When: Launches Monday, 21 September 9:00am
Where: Enjoy the workshop anytime from the launch date via the web page 
Who: Suitable for ages 9 - 12