Kids

Summer holiday activities

All systems GO for The Big Book Blast-Off!

The annual summer reading challenge is back to combat the 'summer slump' in literacy over the long Christmas break. We have a packed calendar of in-library and online events planned for our reading challenge participants, from cartooning workshops to Lego spaceships, so make sure to get involved for a summer of out-of-this-world fun!

Dates: 1 December 2022 to 31 January 2023.
Age: 5 to 12 years. Older readers can participate in the challenge, but unfortunately won't be eligible for the awesome prizes.
Registration: Pop into your local library and we'll help you out or register online on the Beanstack website.

Tamariki who take part will enter into the draw for some stellar prizes from our superstar sponsors, with climbing passes, pool vouchers, and family rafting experiences all up for grabs!

Find out more about the summer reading challenge and activities taking place over the summer holidays in our PDF guides for each of our libraries:

eBooks and eAudioBooks for kids

Wheelers ePlatform have thousands of eBooks and hundreds of eAudiobooks for kids. Check them out on your computer or device and read and listen for free!

Visit our eBooks and eAudio page for more information.

Brick Club - Taupō Library

Hey kids! Come and get creative at Brick Club at the Taupō Library.

It's on every Wednesday afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.30pm (outside of the summer school holidays) and is suitable for children aged three years upwards. It’s free and all the bricks are supplied. Please don’t bring your own.

Parents/caregivers must stay with their child or children and your wonderful brick creations will stay in the library after the session.

Venue: Taupō Library, Story Place, Taupō
When: Every Wednesday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm (outside of the summer school holidays). The first session in 2023 takes place on Wednesday 15 February*
Age: 5 to 12 years
Cost: Free
Registration: Please email your child’s name, age and caregiver’s details with the subject Brick club to taupolibrary@taupo.govt.nz

*There will be no Brick Club over the summer holidays but put Lego Space Day on your calendar at Taupō Library on Thursday 26 January 2023. See below for times and booking details.

Lego Space Day - Taupō Library

Build your own rocket ship! There will be no Brick Club over the summer holidays but put Lego Space Day on your calendar! Spaces are limited due to building blocks availability.

Venue: Taupō Library, Story Place, Taupō
When: Thursday 26 January 2023 (three session times)
Age: 5+ years
Cost: Free
Registration: Email taupolibrary@taupo.govt.nz with your child’s name, age, caregiver’s details and the session time you prefer from the options below:

Group A: 10.30am – 11.30am
Group B: 2pm - 3pm
Group C: 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Toddler Time - Taupō Library

Stories, rhymes, crafts, songs and fun! Come along and share a story, get crafty and move those happy feet - it's free to attend.

Venue: Taupō Library, Story Place, Taupō
When: Every Wednesday at 10.30am (note the last session for 2022 is Wednesday 14 December. Sessions will resume early in 2023.)*
Cost: Free

Please note the Tiny Toes sessions at Turangi Library have been cancelled until further notice.

*Toddler time will be back up and running early in the New Year! In the meantime make sure you put the Nocturnal night animals with Heidi from Greening Taupō in your diary for Wednesday 18 January at 10.30am at Taupō Library. Learn all about creatures under the stars, suitable for children aged 3-8 years.

Fun and games

There are some great e-resources for kids online. Have a look at some of the favourites below.

Friv - Games, games, games! So many to choose from and they are all free.

Poptropica - Interactive learning games, online books and comics.

Dr Seuss - Jam packed with books, videos, games and activities Dr Seuss online is a fantastic resource for parents and children alike. Re-read your favourite stories learn more about the author or create your own Who!

Sesame Street - Fantastic list of activities and fun for kids from literacy and reading to numbers, thinking skills and science. Learn while having fun with your favourite Sesame Street characters.

Lego online - Who didn't grow up with Lego? Now you can play online, build and share your creations with others online, learn and explore creations made by other people.

Geronimo Stilton World - Explore New Mouse City and take part in an adventure with Geronimo, Thea, Trap and Benjamin.

BBC for Children - Create, watch or play, lots to do on the BBC page with a changing and dynamic focus each week. Learn about different animals or share your favourites. BBC Children's pages offer lots to keep kids learning.

ABC Ya! - ABC Ya! is a site that mixes education fun and technology part of a new movement towards making learning fun. With all sorts of fun games from making your own word search to typing games and treasure hunts.

Dyslexia-friendly books

Taupo Library has a collection of dyslexia-friendly books!

For those who struggle with words, reading is not always fun, and it's easy to lose heart and stop trying. These books are designed to appeal to young people who have dyslexia or are reluctant to read and help them develop a love of reading.

We encourage all kids to explore the collection and suggest dyslexia-friendly books for us to buy!

To find out more about the books see this information booklet from publisher Barrington-Stoke.

Kids Crazy Good Reads

We have counted the votes of hundreds of local children and created a list of the most popular and loved books across our district.

Taupo District Libraries presents to you the Top 50 Kids' Crazy Good Reads!

Thanks to everyone who voted for their favourite books. From cheese loving mice to smart sheep to wimpy kids there is something for everyone.

Homework help

Homework help websites

Any Questions - Any Questions is a site where you can ask a librarian any questions using online chat.

Te Ara - Encyclopedia of New Zealand - A comprehensive look at New Zealand people, history, cultures and environment.