Kids

School holiday activities

During the school holidays our libraries in Taupō and Turangi have lots of fun activities for kids to do - and all activities are free! Check out the holiday programmes below for all the details.

Holiday programme April 2021 - Taupō Library (PDF, 350KB)
Holiday programme April 2021 - Turangi Library (PDF, 378KB)

Note that during the summer school holidays, our summer reading programme takes place - see the section below for more information.

Summer reading programme

It is well recognised that children's reading levels can slip over the summer break. To help combat this, we have a fantastic summer reading programme for children aged five to 11 in Taupō and Turangi – and it's free!

It encourages kids to keep reading during the summer break with incentives for reporting back to our friendly librarians on books the kids are reading.

We also hold a party at the end of the programme for all our participants to attend, where they receive a certificate and a gift!

More information about our Summer Reading Programme will be available prior to the next summer school holiday period.

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.

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.

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

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.

Busterville - Created by the New Zealand Police, Buster is a police dog in Busterville, a safe and fun environment for kids. In Busterville you can do puzzles, colour in and answer questions about when to call 111 all in a fun, encouraging and interactive environment.

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.