There’s plenty of fun in store for those visiting Ashburton District Council facilities over the July school holidays, with chances to gaze at the stars through a telescope, make a wall hanging or take part in a scavenger hunt with a snow theme.

Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said the activities were a perfect way to keep kids occupied in the holidays, while having fun and learning at the same time.

“We are finally able to run these activities without the constraints of covid, so staff are looking forward to seeing everyone.”

Ashburton Public Library

On Monday 11 July, the library will host constellation card craft at 10.30am and then at 7pm the Ashburton Observatory at Ashburton College will be open for night sky observation.

Seal ball and cup game craft will be the library activity at 10.30am on Wednesday 13 July, with a family movie night at 7pm.

On Friday 15 July, the 10.30am craft session will be creating bookmark toppers, with a board game evening at 7pm.

In the second week of the holidays, there will be ping pong trick shots and marble mazes at 10.30am on Monday 18 July. On Wednesday 20 July, children will have a chance at 10.30am to play with food as well as eat it; a board game evening is scheduled for 7pm.

On Friday 22 July, children will be able to make a Matariki game at 10.30am, and take part in a family movie night at 7pm.

The star gazing will open happen if the weather is clear, so keep an eye on the library’s Facebook page for updates.

For further information, contact the library on 308-7192, email them at library@adc.govt.nz, or message them on Facebook.

Ashburton Art Gallery

The gallery will hold a Grandparents Day on Sunday 24 July and this is a chance for families to honour the grandparents in the lives by making a wall hanging just for them. There is no cost, and people can drop in at any time.

Imagine Hat will run from Sunday 17 July until Saturday 23 July. Youngsters can create an imagination hat that will transport or transform them, using just make believe. Drop in any time that the gallery is open, between 10am and 4pm.

Make an arty map of the Ashburton district, after visiting our Ngai Tahu cultural mapping exhibition. The map-making activity runs from Friday 8 July until Saturday 16 July.

EA Networks Centre

The pool and recreation centre will be a hive of activity every week day of the school holidays, and the holiday programme as a Commonwealth Games theme, to co-incide with the real thing that is happening in Birmingham.

There will be an opening and closing ceremony, plus a huge range of fun sports, games and crafts; as well as day trips to Rolleston and Methven, nerf wars and brain games.

Details and registration are on the EA Networks Centre webpage, or you can phone them on 308 4020.

Keep an eye on the centre’s Facebook page for lots of pop-up activities during the holidays.